We are not sustainable. And neither is any other device maker. This industry is full of “feel good” messaging, but generates 50 million metric tons of e-waste each year. We believe there's a better way.
We are not sustainable
And neither is any other device maker. This industry is full of "feel good" messaging, but generates 50 million metric tons of e-waste each year. We believe the best way to reduce environmental impact is to create products that last longer, meaning fewer new ones need to be made. Instead of operating on feels, we operate on data and actions. With funding from Intel, we commissioned Fraunhofer IZM to do a detailed life cycle analysis (LCA) on Framework Laptop 13 to help us understand where we are today and where we can continue to improve. Check out our thoughts on reducing environmental impact and download the LCA report here...
Overall, they seem to be doing the right things for long-term ownership and repairability. As new hardware manufacturers, they're going to have a couple issues, just like their rechargeable bios battery design, but they've handled them well.
I would like them to open source their schematics, but they have contractual obligations preventing them from doing so, so making the schematics open after signing an NDA is a fair middle ground, and more than any other company will do. So kudos for that
I personally own a framework, and worked with them to fix a charging issue, and they did all the right things, professional, no issues at all.
One small issue that people seem to have, is their unwillingness to talk about core boot or libre boot, but that's a small thing.
They are a startup, so you always have to question what revenue streams they're envisioning long-term.
They're my kind of crazy: I hope they succeed, at least I hope they start industry trend for repairability and long-term ownership.
They seem to be heavily prioritizing reduce and reuse over recycle which is perfect. That’s what you’re supposed to do. Buy a few refillable glass jars and recycle them when they break instead of just tossing them in the recycling and buying new ones type deal.
I say we celebrate their successes! Don't let perfection be the enemy of progress; the fact that they're trying to do something about sustainability is far more than can be said for most laptop manufacturers, and the more the industry sees them succeed, the more it will follow suite.
I bought a 1st gen Framework, making the bet they will still be around and have sell upgrades for my laptop 5+years from now when I need an upgrade. So far they are delivering on their promises and the price remains acceptable (even if high than the competition).
very satisfied about linux support
very satisfied about reperability, customizability
very satisfied with overall spec. and design
not so satisfied by battery management and autonomy
I got my Framework 13 in February 2022 and I love it. I'll end up getting the AMD mainboard when it becomes more widely available, then take my old mainboard and RAM, put them in an enclosure, and make that my new NAS. Then my current NAS, which is just a Raspberry Pi, I'll turn that into a PiHole.
I am not in the market for a new laptop at the moment, but my next one is very likely to be a Framework. At least if they decide to add Nordic keyboard and support shipping to Denmark.
If I need a new laptop, I'll most likely get a Framework. Not only the upgradability repairability, but the upgradability is second to none.
The one complaint I have is that the Ethernet module sticks out of the device. Seems like an oversight to make them so thin so they can't fit an RJ-45 port. Maybe they'll develop a module with a little flap like seen on some thin laptops with an RJ-45 port.
I purchased a 1st gen Framework in early 2022 because I strongly believe in the ethos of the company and even though I didn't really need a laptop, I wanted to support the company.
Overall I'm quite happy with the laptop, there are definitely a few things that weren't great on the 1st gen units, such as the speakers, hinges, and the battery life. Some of those I have since upgraded as they improved them in later years, and it now meets my needs pretty well.
I think they're the go-to company if you want to get a laptop in 2023. I got my unit back in 2021 and used it every day since, and it has taken quite a beating. It went though several light impacts and one big drop but the only thing to show for it is a small dent on the back.
My only two complaints are
After a year, the USB-C cable supplied with the laptop started to split open. I don't know if this is only a defect in early batches but it's worth noting.
Suspend on Linux is an issue. Linux works great but it doesn't suspend properly. Putting in this command as root echo "deep" > /sys/power/mem_sleep which makes your system use deep sleep instead of s2idle which solved the issue but waking up from suspend is now 8-10 seconds instead of 2 seconds.
I expect these hardware issues and more to be fixed on newer boards and the framework 16 but I'll continue to use my 13 and upgrade to an AMD board and use my intel board to make a mini PC. There's really no reason to buy Dell, HP, or Lenovo anymore now that framework exist and has delivered on all their promises.
I got one of the first gen models, and I have been totally sold ever since. Yeah, there are laptops with more ports, but it's harder to find a laptop with a wider variety of ports.
I love that the laptop is customizable and totally serviceable. As someone who has been dismantling and fixing their own laptops for a long time, watching the industry get more and more unfriendly has been disheartening.
Framework is a breath of fresh air. Even if they fail eventually, I will still be happy to have given them my money because this is an incredible laptop. Excited to see the 16.
I like the aim and ethos, but not so much the design (other than interesting modularity) and certain things rub me the wrong way. And the pricing is just very out of line.
In the end, I'll just continue to do what I have been and keep old laptops running as long as possible. Have been using old IT-recycled housings or eBay purchases of "just the right thing" and swapped parts around, rebuilt the OS, etc. That's where much of the fun is anyway, heh.
I do wish the Fairphone were easier to come by in the US, tho.
The number one problem of modern appliance is indeed longevity I'd say. The so called "planned obsolescence" is probably what mainly drives or consumption of electronics and, accordingly, our production of e-waste.
But Framework might just be saying that for green washing purposes.
I have toyed with the thought of framework laptops a few times. But the pricing is just too high. I rather buy used company laptops ~3 years afterwards and get way cheaper high quality laptop. Plus, buying used is pretty much always better than buying new in an environmental sense.
I've never used one of their computers or even seen one in the flesh, but from what I've seen they look cool and I will consider them next time I need a new laptop. But for now I'll reduce e-waste by using my old Acer Chromebook with Linux until it kicks the bucket.
(Almost) Everything is greenwashing because ultimately that's what consumers want. They don't really care about making something more environmentally friendly, they simply want to feel better with false claims and splashy marketing.
The whole environmental angle that FW are taking seems OK, but if they are too expensive or don't make a good product or fall behind the competition, then it simply won't work. I just found out my old laptop shit the bed, so I would absolutely take a serious look at what FW offers.
One of the things I absolutely hate about their marketing material is this idea that you can buy a module that adds a X port or Y connector to the laptop. Just build those ports into the goddamn laptop from the get go. Every extra module you add, every extra seam on the chassis, every extra cable there is, is an extra failure point in thw product and for something that is mobile, that's not a great thing. I like the repairability angle they are pushing, but if all the extra modules introduce more failures then you won't have happy customers.