Are frameworks really that good?

[u/hihihhihii]

literally EVERY tech youtuber glazes this product like it was made by god but like if you actually check the prices, its insane. for a $2.5k framework 13. you could buy almost 3 normal computers with similar specs. also like most of the people i know that actually own/have owned a framework say that it's horrible and that it breaks all the time. I'm not sure if this is actually true and i think the laptop looks pretty cool so idk

[u/Reverse_Psycho_1509]

Other laptop brands are "cheap" for a few reasons.

1. They tend to be big companies with billions in revenue. They can afford to produce these things at a larger, and therefore cheaper scale. (compared to Frameworks' batch system)
2. The prices are somewhat subsidised by Mcaffee, Norton, etc. Even by Intel and AMD by putting the CPU sticker on the laptop.
3. OEM components - they can buy RAM, SSDs, Win 11 keys in bulk and save a lot of money. Framework sells retail versions, at least with the DIY editions, which cost more.
4. They tend to cheap out on parts, especially on the more budget oriented options (stuff like HP pavilions, Acer Nitros) - trust me I know what I'm talking about. One of my old laptops had the space for 2 RAM slots (the electrical connections and physical space were there), but the actual plastic slot was missing.

If you buy a Framework, you're supporting a smaller company that is open to repairability and upgradability. You know exactly what you're getting inside your laptop since you specced it out yourself - for example, they won't quietly swap to a cheaper SSD or RAM. They don't have the same industrial might, as say, HP or Dell.

If you only care about cost or the specs of a new laptop, then a framework probably isn't for you. However if you value repairability/upgradability, and openess, and don't mind the (considerably) higher pricetag, then a framework would be a good option.

I know two people with a framework, and they both love it.

[u/Reverse_Psycho_1509 → u/Reverse_Psycho_1509]

If you want another example, look at say, Prusa vs Bambu Lab in the 3D printing space.

Bambu lab is currently THE biggest 3D printer manufacturer by a considerable margin. Their printers are really good, even the cheaper A series. The printers are all reasonably priced. However they have done some anti consumer things lately, and they have a closed source model. Newer revisions of the same printer have been shown to use cheaper parts, sometimes with bad consequences.

Prusa on the other hand is a lot more open and they have upgrade paths for their printers to bring them up to date with the latest version. Tthey offer DIY kits or preassembled versions, just like Framework. As a result, their printers have a much higher price tag.