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posted by hubie on Tuesday March 19 2024, @07:32PM   Printer-friendly

https://www.engadget.com/framework-laptop-16-review-modular-wonder-mediocre-gaming-laptop-150026910.html

If you're a PC hardware geek who's been dreaming of a laptop that you can upgrade far beyond the life cycle of a typical machine, Framework's modular notebooks must seem like a miracle. The American company has a straightforward pitch: What if your laptop could be nearly as customizable as a desktop, with the ability to swap components out for repairs and upgrades? What if we could put an end to disposable hardware? We were intrigued by Framework's original 13-inch notebook and its Chromebook variant, despite some rough edges and a basic design. Now, with the Framework Laptop 16, the company is targeting the most demanding and (arguably) hardest group of PC users to please: Gamers.

Framework has already proved it can build compelling modular laptops, but can the Laptop 16 cram in powerful graphics, a fast display and other components to keep up with the likes of Alienware, Razer and ASUS? Sort of, it turns out — and there are plenty of other tradeoffs for living the modular laptop dream. Hardware quirks abound, battery life is mediocre and it still looks like a totally generic machine. But how many other notebooks could let you completely upgrade your CPU or GPU in a few years? Who else offers a customizable keyboard setup? In those respects, the Framework 16 stands alone.

[...] I was genuinely bummed to discover that it was a fairly mediocre gaming machine, at least for its high price.

What do you think? Is having a laptop that you can upgrade more important than having the fastest laptop on the block? What price would you pay for being able to upgrade your hardware?


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  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by RS3 on Wednesday March 20 2024, @12:37AM (1 child)

    by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday March 20 2024, @12:37AM (#1349571)

    As long as I can remember I've been bothered by the name "laptop", when if you actually put it on your lap, you block critical cooling vents, including CPU fan intake on many models. As such, I have a laptop lap-top thing that has cushion on the lap side, and nice flat hard surface on top. Also if it's on my bed, I have a thin piece of plywood (maybe 5mm or so thick).

    I've also applied much taller rubber feet so if it's on a somewhat softer surface, like right now on the laptop carrying case's somewhat stiffer side, it has a fighting chance to get air.

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  • (Score: 2) by Freeman on Wednesday March 20 2024, @01:54PM

    by Freeman (732) on Wednesday March 20 2024, @01:54PM (#1349627) Journal

    Which of course the average user is doing none of.

    --
    Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee"