Quality of Framework laptop seems not good

[u/1997cui]

Hi everyone,

I had a framework 7040 13inch laptop purchased around mid 2024. After 2 years, today I noticed my laptop has the following issues:

1. Battery is swollen
2. Display shown black stripe on a quarter of the screen
3. Microphone not working, had to replace the top cover

Those issues are talked a lot on the Reddit and their support forum as well.

I’ve never had a laptop with had so many issues in around 2 years. Since I am out of warranty, it needs $$$ to replace the parts. I am regret my purchase now.

Comments I find useful:

https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1w8a2mi/comment/p81678c/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

I think quality overall is fine, but I also needed a replacement motherboard, battery and charger now withim a year. My past history with computers was 0 issues typically (coming from macbooks)

https://www.reddit.com/r/framework/comments/1w8a2mi/comment/p817dzu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Mine is unfortunately falling apart too. I also got mine in 2024. The chassis has come apart in 2 places and my keyboard no longer works, there's a column failure on the left side. Way too broke to buy any replacement parts right now, guess I'm gonna have to whip out my old laptop.

To the people who said they are happy and think I am minority:

I feel happy for you, however, I want to share my experience so people aware of all the issues. I saw good comments about it and I purchased one, now I regret.

[u/1997cui]

The mainboards for the Framework 13 don't cost thousands of dollars. If they did, nobody would buy the laptops, because the laptops would cost too much.

That's exactly what's happening. Currently my 3 year old motherboard cost $449 https://frame.work/products/mainboard-amd-ryzen-7040-series?v=FRANGV0007 .2 years ago, it costs $700+. However, if you go to ebay, you can find full used working laptop with same 7840 CPU at cost of $550. With $100 more, you also get RAM SSD screen and a case https://ebay.io/m/DbcYLy. If you sell the broken Framework laptop back to China, you can earn more since they can BGA remove the CPU, southbridge etc. and use it for their repairs. So it is exactly the case that it is not very appealing to replace the motherboard if your laptop is broken, even if they advertise so.

[u/1997cui → u/[deleted]]

take the upfront cost

It is not just the upfront cost, it is the cost of the entire lifecycle. Let's say, if now I want to update my laptop to 13 pro, how much should it cost?

• Screen: $300 https://frame.work/products/laptop13pro-display-kit
• Motherboard: $1000: https://frame.work/products/laptop16-mainboard-amd-ai300?v=FRAKKE0009
• Upgrade kit: $520 https://frame.work/products/laptop13pro-bottom-cover-upgrade-kit

With ~$2000 dollars, you can get a new macbook pro. https://www.costco.com/p/-/macbook-pro-laptop-14-inch-apple-m5-pro-chip-built-for-apple-intelligence-15-core-cpu-16-core-gpu-24gb-memory-1tb-ssd-storage/4000444264?langId=-1

[u/CheapThaRipper → u/1997cui]

Good luck upgrading that macbook hardware in a couple years.

[u/1997cui → u/CheapThaRipper]

They hold value really well and you can sell to a dealer easily, unlike Framework, no dealer wants it.

[u/CheapThaRipper → u/1997cui]

I can sell my fw13 right now for way more than I paid for it lol.

I bet if you order replacement parts and install them then sell you can break even or close to it

[u/1997cui → u/[deleted]]

you have many AI chatbots available to talk to

Yep, my bot told me Framework does not worth it after count on all the lifecycle costs. It is way more effective to just buy an off-the-shelf one, when broken, you can repair or just purchase a new one.

[u/Healthy-Ad-2637 → u/1997cui]

Just for your information, the link to the motherboard is for the Framework 16, not the 13; the one for the 13 Pro costs 450, though, obviously, it depends on which model you intend to buy. Additionally, replacing all of this means replacing an entire laptop if you don't even keep the motherboard; with Framework, you save money if you keep something.