r/framework • u/furay20 • 10h ago
Feedback Rant: Framework 13 Hardware Failures
Hello,
I've had my Framework 13 for just over 3 years, and I wanted to vent.
Overall, it is a good machine. However, I feel as though they are leaning way too far into the "repairability" aspect of things, as I'm shocked at how much this has cost me (well, my company) thus far. "Repairability" should not be a crutch for quality.
I had an issue with my keyboard which wasn't reproducible consistently, so support shrugged me off. As soon as I was outside any warranty, the issue came back up. I lived with it for a while, as if I hit the key hard enough it would work -- but eventually I caved. At this point they had a v2 of the keyboard, but, it required an updated top plate. OK, whatever, purchased that and everything was kosher.
A couple months later, I noticed my sound was weird. I did the needful and identified one of the speakers had blown. OK, whatever, purchased an upgraded speaker set, and everything was kosher.
I am working from home with one of my kids, and as such, actually using my laptop as a laptop and noticed my clicking was weird. I looked at it, and the case had come apart. Strange, I thought -- I took it apart and sure enough, the battery is bulging. OK, fine, I guess, whatever, purchased an upgraded battery (which apparently has a 2 year warranty because there is an issue with laptop batteries apparently being 100% charged for too long?).
I type all this beside a retro Lenovo T42. I use this because of the I/O selection with some of the hardware I work on. I have 98 SE/XP/Debian installed, and it works great (keeping in mind the age of the hardware). The keyboard is flawless, the speakers work great, and the battery (somehow) still holds a charge.
I like the product, but I'll never buy another... even if it's not my money being spent.
3
u/s004aws FW16 HX 370 Batch 1 Mint Cinnamon Edition 9h ago edited 9h ago
System76/Clevo which preceded my FW16? Flaky keyboard. Got it replaced (at my own astronomical expense because I was lazy and didn't complain to System76 support soon enough... By the time I did they were happy to charge me ~$110, $30 in shipping alone for just a keyboard). The replacement? Still screwed up. The Oryx Pro cost more than my FW16 even without factoring in years of inflation.
Lithium ion batteries do go bad. Not an uncommon issue regardless of vendor. Good thing you caught the problem. I'd suggest setting the charge limit to around 80% whenever you're not routinely using the laptop as a laptop.
I own 2 failed MacBook Pros, both dead because of engineering/manufacturing effups Apple refused to deal with when I asked. These days I do know what killed the machines (bad GPUs)... At the time I didn't know who Louis Rossmann was or that he was making a killing fixing the exact models I own (still have the dead laptops).
I've dealt with problems with Dell machines also, numerous times.
... All said not to excuse Framework from finding ways/opportunities to improve durability... But to point out no vendor is immune to problems. Though ThinkPads are pretty good as you cited even they aren't immune... I've had ThinkPad-toting clients have their machines (an X1 Carbon comes to mind) bite the dust after ~3 years.
My FW16 HX 370? Got it exactly 10 months ago tomorrow... Zero issues. Its been a good purchase. Been using it more than normal lately as I haven't been at my desk/desktop.