“Instead, we had this kind of reverse trend where even though use cases had stabilised, devices were being designed in a way that [they] were not long-lived. Everyone started chasing this kind of industrial design ideal of a perfect seamless device, which looks great the day you buy it, but as you use it over the course of a few years, the actual lived experience with it ends up being pretty poor,” he said.
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“What went wrong is that we stopped thinking about how people actually use their products, and thought more about what should these things look like. It sort of hit me, this way to build a company where we could actually align the incentives around product longevity, in a way that makes sense for consumers, is better for the environment, but also functions well as a business model.”
That business model revolves around borrowing a trick from the tech giants, but with a twist. Similar to mega-profitable app stores, Framework intends to provide a community store for hardware. Users with Framework laptops (and, potentially in the future, other Framework devices) will have a place to go to buy anything they need to upgrade or repair their gear, while manufacturers will have access to a large audience that wants parts.
“If you look at Apple and Google, they’ve done exactly this on the software side of things. They’ve built app stores that are just these incredibly rich ecosystems of content, where anyone can access just almost anything they want, and developers get this huge install base of users,” Patel said.
“But then if you look at the hardware from both of those companies, they have none of those elements of community development, it’s just kind of bizarre.”
The Framework Laptop starts $1640 fully built, with Windows 11 and your choice of ports. Starting at $1279 you can also get the “DIY edition”, which leaves you to source and install an operating system and some of your own parts.
So, how does it stack up to something like Apple’s latest MacBook Air in terms of price and performance? After testing one out, I’d say it stands up better than expected, with some caveats. But first, let’s do the hypothetical build.
If I put together a good 2022 MacBook Air configuration with Apple’s M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of storage and a 67w USB-C power adaptor, it’s going to set me back $2829.
On the Framework side, the pre-built chassis, mainboard with Intel’s 12th Gen Intel i5, keyboard and screen is $1279. I’ll match the Macbook’s setup of two USB-C ports on one side, and on the other I’ll put a pair of USB-A, for a total of $60.
For the RAM I’ll grab a 16GB card for $100 at the local shop, leaving one slot free in the laptop in case I want to double my memory in the future. I don’t want to skimp on storage, so I’ll also pay $180 for a fast 1TB drive. I’m going to be using Linux, which is free, but if you wanted Windows 11 you’d add $225. A 65w GaN charger is around $50.
All this together makes my Framework setup $1669. Or $1894 if you wanted Windows 11, still almost a $1000 saving.
Inside, all the parts are labelled and have descriptions and QR codes printed.Credit:Tim Biggs
Keep in mind that the extra money gets you a lot of extra features on the MacBook, including a much more efficient processor, better graphical capabilities and deep integration between hardware, software and other Apple devices. But they’re not features everybody needs or wants. Plus with the Framework, I have the option of big upgrades down the road for a much lower cost than an entirely new Macbook. For example, I could double the RAM for $100 if I wanted, or quadruple it for less than $400.
In actual use the build, display, camera, keyboard, trackpad and fingerprint sensor are all nicer than I expected; easily on par with a $1800 Dell or HP. Nothing rattles or feels loose, and it looks cohesive. In fact, it looks a lot like a cross between a Surface Laptop and the wedge-shaped MacBook Air before Apple slimmed the design further this year. The only way a casual observer would know it’s not from a major PC-maker is the cog logo on the lid, and the visible seams around the ports.
I was expecting to say that the DIY aspect was for enthusiasts only and that everyone else would have to take it to their local shop for upgrades, but that’s not the case at all. Components are safe and easy to pop in and out, and Framework provides comprehensive guides if you’re unsure.
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Patel said that the barriers to opening up and tinkering with devices are mostly mental; people just need encouragement and support to do it.
“I think everyone was surprised when we showed the Framework Laptop off for the first time, just how minor the trade-offs are,” he said.
“And I think consumers looking at that now realise that the reason products are the way they are is not that they can’t be made more modular, upgradable and repairable, it’s that companies don’t want to make them that way.”
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