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Framework Laptop 16, six months later
(www.theverge.com)
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this post was submitted on 29 Jun 2024
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It's v1 from a relatively new company, trying something unprecedented. I'm not surprised it has some major flaws. The first Gen framework 13 did as well.
I own a Gen2 and a Gen3 framework 13 and they are both phenomenal. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a slim laptop, that wasn't overly concerned about cost.
I'm sure the Gen3 FW16s will be great as well, but it's going to be a bit before I would recommend them to anyone.
What I think would be great for framework to do next is to design a purpose built eGPU for the framework 13. I would really enjoy something that would turn the FW13 into a decent gaming PC, while still retaining the portability for travel.
I wonder why they didn't apply any of their lesson's learned from the 13 models to the 16...it's not like they're starting from scratch with no knowledge, several of the issues mentioned should not exist on a concept that has had multiple iterations already.
It's not v1 though, it's v4 of the concept. They already made 3 generations of the concept with the framework 13, and it's pretty bad to have these kind of issues after that many attempts.
You do realize the 13 doesn't have the back part for replaceable dedicated GPU right? That means the chassis itself must be redesigned since the hole will make the previous experience in the 13 different enough.
But the entire concept of a modular build with replaceable ports should be well known. They should not have panel gaps, bad alignment with height differences and stability issues with these parts because they've had multiple design iterations of this already. So why have they seemingly not applied any of this knowledge and experience they have from the 13 to the 16? These are the same issues gen 1 of the 13 had, they should not exist on the 16 that uses the exact same design for these parts.
Uhh, does the model 13 have a modular panel? IIRC, they don't. Also, manufacturing modular panel and modular port are very different and the knowledge transfer cannot be that big. The port for example has a looser tolerance since they aren't really that visible most of the time. So being snug but not flush is good enough. I can imagine the panel doesn't have that luxury. Stability issue, that I can agree. But then again, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt since they must handle additional assumptions that cannot be made on other laptops. Namely, modular GPU. Writing a firmware with that new assumption could be a PITA.
But the 16 still has issues with the modular ports, this really shouldn't be the case. That stuff should be ironed out by now. By the fourth generation of port modules, they absolutely should fit well, look good and work properly all the time...but they don't
Oh really? I didn't know that once since I only referenced the article. The article had issues with the modular top side, not the port. So I guess we were talking differently from the beginning.
The article also mentions how the ports are not seated well and also talks about how they're unstable in the OS.
I cannot find the reference to the port being flimsy. I did however find the part where the top hotswap component (touchpad and the place where the plate is) is having problems. The only side port that they mention is the charging port. But the again, as I said, the firmware must be redone to account for said removeable dGPU. Now you may be wondering how big of an effect does it make when adding removeable dGPU. Off the top of my head, the motherboard must have the power supply circuitry remade to account for the additional power draw when needed. That alone will make the firmware for power control need to be redone. It can have wide range of effect for other components too because power firmware is really far reaching and may break assumption in other firmware. Not to mention a part of the cooling system is also removeable now. Framework has gone out of their way trying to invent a new standard for removeable dGPU on a laptop.
Btw, here is the quoted article that mentions the side port.