I still daily a core2duo T400 lol. Works for what I need it for.

Reduced modularity to appease corporate purchasers doesn't really sit well with me. Kind of the opposite of their ethos.

Like a dark path that leads to profits over sustainability, where framework takes their momentum and pivots into just another laptop manufacturer.

No thanks. I love my fw13 just the way it is.

Unless you work on an oil rig or similar, a better bag will fix most of your concerns. The laptop compartment should always be suspended off the bottom. Ruggedized electronics simply aren't worth the extra weight for most people.

If you want the Framework experience but a more rugged chassis, you might actually want to look into their 12-inch model. It's a 2-in-1 made with rubber and plastic. The specs aren't very impressive, but I mostly use mine for web and email and rely on an SSH connection to one of my desktops if I need some more compute for something.

laptops with framework like that have 110% chance of stealing your password

I was never a thinkpad lover so I don't think it would make me want one. The only thing I want out of a portable is for it to be as thin and light as possible if I need power I'll just use my desktop. I would love to see a company especially framework to build an entire chassis out of carbon fiber with a fanless CPU.

Manufacturing a laptop case is not cheap despite the simple appearance, especially if limited run. Alt case for Framework would likely be non-factory machinig affair. And that shit is very expensive. Probably cheaper if done in PRC but still. I think that's why noone has done it.

In addition to the physical design which would take number of prototypes to fit the rest of it correctly, you'd need to redesign EMI shielding and RF if metal case so radios function well.

https://www.printables.com/contest/449-framework-computer-mainboard-case

A while back they partnered with Prusa on a 3d printing contest. There are some neat cases in there, including a steam deck style one, but no direct laptop replacement.

It wouldn't be THAT hard, it just seems like nobody thought it would be useful, you wouldn't get any additional functionality out of a bigger case, you're still locked into the same connectors, battery, and modules.

I’m actually surprised custom cases aren’t already a thing.

I'd like a beefier fw16 chassis option to exist, but I would probably get the current one. also if they want to make it stronger like that it'll probably need to be less modular too, at least so far as the keyboard and touchpad area goes. would be nice to offer as an enterprise-focused thing though, like for companies to use as company laptops or in industrial areas.

I hadn't thought of that, I mean it's not like I have a 3D printer or know how to do that but it would be awesome if people started doing third party shells. Could at least make the design and have one printed somewhere I guess edit: oh, the keyboard might be tough though. might be weird to have plastic shell with aluminum keypad

You could likely replace the aluminum case with a thicker, plastic one if you designed and 3D printed it. Plastic covers also exist for laptops.

My experience with Framework support is overall very good. Sometimes they are bit slow and need time to understand the issue, but in the end provide satisfying solutions.

Just recently, I complained about a misbehaving key on my 4 year old out of warranty 11th gen Framework and they sent a replacement keyboard for free.

This was a rollercoaster of a read for me. I have a deposit on a 13 pro, and it’s really nice to know they stand behind their product.

I know for my own needs, more than a few hours of battery life is wasted on me. If I'm using a computer for literally the entire day, there is power available.

Framework 13 Pro's 20 hours of battery life while streaming video is damn impressive though.

Alienware is still reasonably popular for sure. It’s just not what it was back in the day. I should’ve mentioned ROG as well.

I bought my FW13 a couple months ago.

It's been rock solid, yeah battery life could be better, but I don't want to drop $300-$500 USD on chassis parts, keyboard, and whatever else just to upgrade my battery.

Plus I want to see real world comparisons/reviews of the Ryzen 300 vs latest Intel. Like, would I get better battery life just buying the Intel board? Is there even a reasonable performance uplift to upgrade?

Personally I might just buy the new input cover to get the new haptic trackpad, but I see zero reason to upgrade anything else, unless something just breaks. But the laptop has been solid! Zero regrets.

You're probably right, I am not exactly keeping up!

I could be wrong but Razer and Legion seem like stronger gamer brands compared to Alienware these days.

I'll probably get one one once ram and storage prices come back to reality

Have the 12" and just ordered the desktop. Top quality and love the mission. Keep them at the top of your list!!

neat!

maybe i will get one after all...

Oh ok, I thought you were referring to a test result when you said it doesn't come anywhere near the MBP. I just heard that it's supposed to be about the same.

I've been reading 20 hours of battery life while streaming. Battery life doesn't improve the experience beyond a certain point, my XPS with Debian gets about 6 hours, my M1 MBA get about 8, I really don't need more than 8 hours.

I prefer standby as a measure of usefulness my MBA can sleep for weeks, my XPS can only last 4-5 days.

i don't think anyone's tested that yet.