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.

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.

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.

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

Isn't the framework 12 made sturdy?

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.

fair enough, for me rugged laptops are mostly for clutzs, people with little kids etc, folks who throw stuff about or assholes who think because they didn't buy it they don't have to look after it

i've never suffered from this so prefer something lighter.

I'm using an old Thinkpad right now, but would be ok with a no-keyboard laptop plus a separate keyboard, whether wired or Bluetooth. Framework has always seemed kind of meh to me despite the good intentions.

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.

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