They do offer a "DIY version" which you assemble yourself, and can also ship without an OS.  It is cheaper than the pre-configured models, but I'm not sure how much of that is labor savings vs. the OS.

There is no ethernet jack -- hopefully we'll see a module for that in the future.  The only built-in port is the 3.5mm headphone jack, and then you get to choose ports for the four modules -- including USB-C for power. 

‐‐‐‐‐‐‐ Original Message ‐‐‐‐‐‐‐
On Monday, October 18th, 2021 at 1:03 PM, Evan Leibovitch via talk <talk@gtalug.org> wrote:
This looks really promising. But short term unboxings and launch-time reviews can only go so far.

They've not taken sides on Linux vs Microsoft ... you pay the Windows tax as everything ships with it. But they seem to do testing for its devices under Linux, which would be extra important to me because of its many USB-C modular adapters such as USB-C to HDMI and USB-C to DP.
I couldn't tell from the online info how fast it charges or if you can attach wired Ethernet without a dongle (maybe that's a future module).

Though the company has good backers, I'll still be wary of long-term viability until it goes through at least a second generation of hardware. I almost bought an Essential Phone and thought it would have staying power too based on the pedigree of the founders. And having modular components is fine so long as people are making and supporting the modules. I understand they'll be publishing the specs and encouraging an ecosystem of modules and accessories, but ... Essential promised that too.

As some have said, a Ryzen-based motherboard will be welcome -- especially since nobody seems to like Intel integrated graphics for games -- but given the current Windows 11 problems with AMD the delay can be excused.

I've added RAM and replaced batteries in "sealed" laptops and it wasn't too hard. And the variety of dongles is such that any current laptop with a PD-capable USB-C port is able to have external Ethernet and video no matter what ports it ships with. This is the one I bought for the Ryzen laptop I bought earlier this year. I won't need to upgrade for a while. by then Framework will either have a solid track record or be gone.

Evan Leibovitch, Toronto Canada
@evanleibovitch / @el56


On Mon, 18 Oct 2021 at 12:44, Giles Orr via talk <talk@gtalug.org> wrote:
On Fri, 15 Oct 2021 at 18:42, GS via talk <talk@gtalug.org> wrote:
>
> I've had my eye on it since the reviewers first got their hands on it. So far the reception has been overwhelmingly positive but finding opinions you can trust can be difficult. I tend to trust Cory, Leo and Linus.
>
> https://doctorow.medium.com/the-framework-is-the-most-exciting-laptop-ive-ever-used-5415da0a46e5
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKTFBpEET0o
>
> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSxbc1IN9Gg
>
> On 2021-10-15 17:59, Dave Collier-Brown via talk wrote:
>
> I see from Slashdot that it has an app store now:
>
> https://hardware.slashdot.org/story/21/10/14/2110258/modular-framework-laptop-gets-marketplace-for-all-those-modules
> https://www.theverge.com/2021/10/14/22725935/framework-laptop-modular-marketplace-launches-spare-parts-upgrades-expansions
>
> and I wonder if anyone has an opinion of it.

Cory is good Toronto content, and among his many achievements, I think
excessive honesty is one of them so yes, I'll trust his review.  On
the other hand, reading it is a bit more than a review of the
Framework, as he lays into Lenovo's ThinkPads and mentions that he
just had a hip replacement.  Wait, what?  I think of Cory as "young"
(we shared some social groups many years back), what's he doing
getting a hip replaced?  Okay, I'm getting slightly off track (but
then, so did he).

I'm enthusiastic about the Framework, and am a likely purchaser ...
but I have to admit I'm really, really hoping they come out with an
AMD motherboard for the thing before I need my next laptop.  That's
the only thing I thought was missing: I'm not happy with Intel.  Not
their market dominance, not their poor price-to-performance ratio, and
not their chip's security flaws.
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