1y ago

Framework’s software and firmware have been a mess, but it’s working on them

arstechnica.com

New features, security updates, and Linux support are all on a long to-do list.

4 comments

They're not wrong. It's a good computer, but the company needs a bunch of improvements before it can go mainstream.
Really hoping they're either successful, or make enough of an impact that other companies follow suit.
Maybe an upgradable Steam Deck? That would be amazing.
I really love my framework laptop, even if I spend a majority of my computing time on my desktop. It's just a nice piece of hardware and there's like a genuine mental ease I get out of knowing I can fix my shit without needing to rma it if something small and dumb goes wrong. Also, as someone who got the version with the shitty hinge weight and bad speakers, being able to upgrade them was nice. It's cool being able to upgrade components like that.
But with all that praise, God the firmware is a mess. After hearing reports of how bad the battery life gets on Linux I've been basically restricted into using windows. And I use windows on my main desktop, I don't hate windows 11 like many others, but I'd like the option to use Linux on my laptop and with their software/firmware as it is, I basically just don't have that luxury. I hope they talk the talk with making these changes, but it seems like framework has done that so far so I'm genuinely hopeful. Just hope it's on a reasonable time table, too
I always had the impression Framework laptops were Windows first and Linux as an afterthought. It's why I never considered recommending or buying one. If you want a linux laptop, get something from Tuxedo Computers, Starlabs, or Slimbook. You'll be much better served with something built for linux.
Anti Commercial-AI license
I've been relatively pleased with my AMD FW13 laptop in Linux. There are a few nagging issues but they have a robust support community with posts/workarounds for common issues. I don't regret the purchase at all and I love what framework is doing as a company.