Framework 13 DIY Edition Hardware Thoughts
This month I sold my 2021 M1 Max Macbook Pro and bought a Framework 13 DIY Edition laptop. After I got everything setup I sat down to write about the experience. Some ~4500 words later I realized I needed to break my thoughts into multiple posts. This one covers my perspective on the hardware experience.
See also:
I really appreciated the packaging
[^ Yes, I used my GRIII for these photos. See: https://blog.matthewbrunelle.com/ricoh-griii-in-japan/ No, I didn't mean to make the lighting moody, that was an accident.]
I'm not a fan of unpacking videos and the like so I'll keep this part short. I mostly want to highlight Framework's effort to ship the device with 100% recyclable materials. They actually managed to make almost everything cardboard! There is one piece of plastic to protect the screen and Framework made sure to include the message:
This protective cover is made of post-consumer recycled PET and is highly recyclable. We recommend this can be disposed of with other household plastic recycling.
Quite likely some diligent person at Framework worked hard to get rid of that plastic, but had to keep the cover in the end. The message feels like and admission of guilt and I want you to know including the plastic was OK. We understand!
Some other nice aspects of the packaging are:
- They did not include instructions. Instead you scan a QR code to living documentation that they update. Plus you can comment on individual sections of the instructions with questions or to give feedback.
- They gave me a combination screwdriver pry tool, which is nice but I already had both of those. Would be nice to see a way to opt out of that.
Framework also has a page We are not sustainable where they lay out their ethos:
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.
The page also has a lifecycle analysis report with more details.
Build quality
There are people far better at reviews like Phoronix, so I will defer to them. However, I will note a couple thoughts:
Keyboard: The Laptop 13 now ship with the 2nd generation keyboard and I enjoy the typing experience. My only complaint is the function key placement to the right of left control key trips me up. You can swap ctrl and fn in the UEFI settings, but you are advised not to pull the key caps. [^ Also kind of crazy but the framework 16 had a dedicated keyboard chip that runs QMK! Not on the 13 though.]
Battery: Likewise the 13 also ship with the 61w battery that came out in 2024 instead of the older 55w battery.
Touchpad: I've been spoiled by Macbook touchpads in the past. The touchpad on the Framework 13 is nice! Not a Macbook nice, but still nice. Good news is in the recent Framework Laptop 16 - Prototypes and Scrapped Ideas video the CEO Nirav talked about their experiments on a haptic touchpad! Sounds like Framework still want to figure out how to ship one.
Also, the touchpad is the one spot where I noticed a build quality issue: the left edge of the touch pad does not sit flush with the case. There is a small gap between the two. However, you can fully replace the touchpad if you need to, so I should be able to change the position of the pad.
Screen: No stuck pixels! The 3:2 aspect ratio is nice, but takes some getting used too.
I updated to the 2.8k screen and the was able to enable the variable refresh rate in KDE. Also, the upgraded screen has rounded corners. As far as I can tell KDE connot be configured for this, but the rounding is so slight I haven't had anything cut off yet.
The extra 100 nits and matte is appreciated for avoid glare in natural light. As I write, I'm sitting next to a window and typing under full natural light at 45% brightness. Also, there is no auto-brightness, but from a tracking thread I see a couple options I may try out in the future.
Firmware: I only had two updates: "Goodix Fingerprint Sensor" and "UEFI dbx":
Thoughts on the DIY Edition vs prebuilt
I don't think Framework needed to offer a DIY Edition of the Laptop 13, but I'm happy they did. As a laptop weirdo, I enjoyed putting everything together.
I couldn't find a summary of the differences between the DIY Edition and the prebuild version that I can link to. So I had a look over the product listings and as far as I can tell, the main differences for the DIY Edition are:
Windows license: On the DIY Edition you can skip paying for a Windows 11 license. We love this.
Spec combinations: You can pick any combination of specs. This includes the display choice.
Memory and storage: You can bring your own RAM and NVME SSD instead of buying from Framework.
Framework has a supported RAM guide, but I went with a different option: my friend got a Laptop 13 before me and chanced some 3rd party RAM he heard worked. Thanks buddy for taking the leap! You should be able to find the same memory if you search for Crucial 32GB DDR5 RAM Kit (2x16GB) CT2K16G56C46S5.
For the SSD I went with a WD_BLACK 2TB SN7100. That drive is an officially supported option and available as a choice when configuration a DIY Edition, but is available for cheaper if you buy separately.
Keyboard: There are waaay more keyboard options. Like 22 options. I went with boring US English.
Bezel: You can customize the color of the bezel. They have a clear one, but they use a different plastic that is a little more brittle. As far as I can tell, there is no first or third party aluminum bezel, so I went with the black one.
Smaller things:
- I had the option not buy a power adapter. Which is great because everything is USB C in the future and I have plenty.
- There is only the 1-year warrany, no 3-year extended.
- You save a bit of money.
Overall, I really think the DIY Edition is worth it.
Member discussion