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Looks like an Apple, repairs like a PC

“Instead, even though the use case is stable, the device [they] did not live long. Everyone started chasing the perfect seamless device, the ideal of this kind of industrial design. It looks great from the day you buy it, but after a few years of use, the actual experience becomes pretty poor. “He said.

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“What we did wrong was stop thinking about how people would actually use the product and think more about what the product should look like. This way of building a company that can actually align incentives around the lifespan of employees is not only better for the environment, but it works better as a business model.”

Its business model revolves around borrowing tricks from tech giants, but with a twist. The framework will provide a community store for hardware, similar to the hugely profitable app store. Users of Framework laptops (and other Framework devices in the future) now have a place to buy anything they need to upgrade or repair their gear. Manufacturers, on the other hand, have access to large numbers of users who need parts.

“If you look at Apple and Google, they’ve done exactly this on the software side. It gives developers access to just about anything and has a huge user install base,” Patel said.

“But when you look at the hardware from both companies, there’s no community development element at all. It’s kind of weird.”

Framework laptops start at $1640 for a full build with Windows 11 and ports of your choice. A “DIY Edition” is also available starting at $1279. This edition requires an operating system and some unique parts to be obtained and installed.

So how does it compare in price and performance to something like Apple’s latest MacBook Air? After testing one, it performed better than expected, albeit with a few caveats. I think you are. But first, let’s do a hypothetical build.

Rounding out the great configuration of the 2022 MacBook Air with Apple’s M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and a 67W USB-C power adapter will set you back $2,829.

On the framework side, the pre-assembled chassis, mainboard with Intel’s 12th Gen Intel i5, keyboard and screen is $1279. To match a Macbook setup with two USB-C ports on one side and a pair of USB-A on the other side, the total is $60.

As for RAM, I buy a 16GB card for $100 at my local store, leaving one slot open in my laptop in case I want to double the memory in the future. I don’t want to save storage, so I’ll pay $180 for a fast 1TB drive. I use free Linux, but add $225 if I want Windows 11. A 65w GaN charger is around $50.

All of this adds up to $1669 for my framework setup. Or $1,894 if you want Windows 11, but still save almost $1,000.

Inside, all parts are labeled and printed with instructions and a QR code.credit:Tim Biggs

Keep in mind that the extra money gives your MacBook a lot of extras, such as much more efficient processors, better graphics capabilities, and deeper integration between hardware, software, and other Apple devices. . But they are not the features that everyone needs or wants. What’s more, the Framework allows for significant future upgrades at a much lower cost than buying a completely new Macbook. For example, you can double the RAM for $100 or quadruple it for less than $400, depending on your needs.

In practice, the body, display, camera, keyboard, trackpad, and fingerprint sensor all perform better than expected. Comparable to $1800 Dell or HP. There is no rattling or looseness, and there is a unity. In fact, it looks a lot like a cross between a Surface Laptop and a wedge-shaped MacBook Air before Apple slimmed down the design even further this year. , the gear logo on the lid and the visible seam around the port.

I would have expected that the DIY aspect would be for hobbyists and everyone else would have to take it to a local shop for an upgrade, but that’s not the case. Components are safe and easy to pop in and pop out. If you’re not sure, Framework provides a comprehensive guide.

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Patel said the barriers to opening and tinkering with the device are mostly mental. People need encouragement and support to do it.

“When we first showed Framework Laptop, I think everyone was surprised by how small the trade-off was,” he said.

“And consumers watching it realize that the reason products are the way they are is not because they can’t be modular, upgradeable, or repairable, but because companies don’t want to build them that way. And I think you are.”

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Looks like an Apple, repairs like a PC

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