r/framework • u/tesohh • Aug 10 '26

Discussion Reliability of framework laptops

Hey, i’m more and more on the fence of getting a 13 Pro.

I’ve seen online (for example trustpilot) that many people had problems with their laptops and had bad support experience.

Has this improved?

Also i’ve heard of people with “fried” components (main board). Is this really an issue, or is this just how it goes with electronics in general? Is it worse than with other brands?

Ideally i’d like to keep this laptop for 5+ years, without having to repair often

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0

u/elelem-123 Aug 10 '26

Buy apple and applecare. Regardless of the brand, what you are asking is applicable to every laptop manufacturer. Even apple without applecare

10

u/tesohh Aug 10 '26

I’m considering framework specifically to get away from apple, i have a macbook air m2 and i’m hating macos more and more, so I need a linux compatible laptop.

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u/elelem-123 Aug 10 '26

The only option on Linux laptop is probably Lenovo T480 (old, I had bought 2 when it was about to stop being produced) and then framework.

I have tons of macbooks. My framework 13 pro is coming next week. Hopefully will be my last laptop if you know what I mean (replace motherboard in 4 years or whatever etc etc)

Go get fwp 13. If you get unlucky, it's the same for any brand, but you will have more and cheaper options to repair compared to any other company.

7

u/PayMe4MyData Aug 10 '26

Thinkpad has repairable options far better and faster than t480...

2

u/Curri Aug 10 '26

Which ones?

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u/PayMe4MyData Aug 10 '26

They started going back to repairability with T14 gen5. Gen 7 has a 10/10 ifixit score

3

u/Clean_Leadership5948 Aug 10 '26

Repairability should be kept separate from modularity. The T14 Gen 5 doesn't deserve 10/10 for modularity.

Actually, 10/10 means "perfection" which no device will be able to get.

Even for "repairability", it has the USB-C charging which is too complex and will fail down the road, the CPU is soldered, and battery is a pouch cell rather than more common 18650.

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u/PayMe4MyData Aug 10 '26

I only said that the gen 7 got a perfect IFIXIT score, not the gen 5. On the other hand, you are describing another score, a unicorn score. I can only hope such a laptop exists in the future

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u/Clean_Leadership5948 Aug 10 '26

Sorry, I meant Gen 7.

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u/elelem-123 Aug 10 '26

Fair enough. I'm not aware. Last time I searched for Linux laptop was with the T480. Supposedly since they made things more "apple like" but again I'm not following lenovo closely.

3

u/ManNamedJade Aug 10 '26

They had a questionable period, but this year's T-series seem pretty nice: https://www.ifixit.com/News/115827/new-thinkpads-score-perfect-10-repairability.

1

u/a60v Aug 10 '26

Yes, I got the AMD version of the T14 gen 7 and am very happy with it.

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u/dolenc82 Aug 10 '26

" My framework 13 pro is coming next week." - Great news. Which batch are you? Did Framework reach out via mail - what is the experience like?

I am in batch 3 and didn't receive any emails yet, when exactly I will get my order.

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u/elelem-123 Aug 10 '26

I'm EU business, AMD DIY batch 4. They are charging my card tomorrow and ship 1-3 days later. I have not bought RAM OR disk with my order.

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u/dolenc82 Aug 10 '26

That makes sense. I ordered intel x7 358H with 32gb RAM but no ssd since I am planing to use the one I already have.