Framework: Difference between revisions
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===Freedom=== | ===Freedom=== | ||
As a result of their products being highly modular and Framework not utilizing {{wplink|Right to repair#Software|parts pairing}}, consumers can heavily customize devices to their liking. Framework also offers DIY editions of their products which offers consumers the option to utilize their own sourced memory, storage and operating system. | As a result of their products being highly modular and Framework not utilizing {{wplink|Right to repair#Software|parts pairing}}, consumers can heavily customize devices to their liking. Framework also offers DIY editions of their products which offers consumers the option to utilize their own sourced memory, storage and operating system. Framework laptops are also compatible with experimental RISC-V open architecture CPUs.<ref> {{Cite web |last=Geerling |first=Jeff |date=8 Dec 2025 |title=The DC-ROMA II is the fastest RISC-V laptop and is odd |url=https://www.jeffgeerling.com/blog/2025/dc-roma-ii-fastest-risc-v-laptop-and-odd/ |access-date=9 Mar 2026 |website=Jeff Geerling’s Blog}}</ref> | ||
===User Privacy=== | ===User Privacy=== | ||
As Framework sells solely the hardware and not the software, it doesn't need any more information than is necessary.<!-- potentially misleading as many hardware vendors still collect as much data as possible --> | As Framework sells solely the hardware and not the software, it doesn't need any more information than is necessary. The Framework team have shown interest in implementing open source firmware such as a variant of Coreboot into their laptops.<ref> https://community.frame.work/t/responded-coreboot-on-the-framework-laptop/791</ref> | ||
<!-- potentially misleading as many hardware vendors still collect as much data as possible --> | |||
===Transparency=== | ===Transparency=== | ||
Detailed assembly, repair and maintenance videos can be watched at the official knowledgebase<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Framework Knowledge Base |url=https://knowledgebase.frame.work/ |url-status=live |website=Help Center}}</ref>. BIOS, firmware and driver updates are visible on e-mail subscription, knowledge base and (commentable) Framework Community posts<ref>{{Cite web |last=@ Quin_Chou |title=Framework Laptop 16 Ryzen 7040 BIOS 4.03 Release STABLE |url=https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-16-ryzen-7040-bios-4-03-release-stable/79274 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community}}</ref>. No [[Forced BIOS Firmware Update|forced BIOS updates]] for Windows users. | Detailed assembly, repair and maintenance videos can be watched at the official knowledgebase<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to the Framework Knowledge Base |url=https://knowledgebase.frame.work/ |url-status=live |website=Help Center |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260209003035/https://knowledgebase.frame.work/ |archive-date=9 Feb 2026}}</ref>. BIOS, firmware and driver updates are visible on e-mail subscription, knowledge base and (commentable) Framework Community posts<ref>{{Cite web |last=@ Quin_Chou |title=Framework Laptop 16 Ryzen 7040 BIOS 4.03 Release STABLE |url=https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-16-ryzen-7040-bios-4-03-release-stable/79274 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260205084159/https://community.frame.work/t/framework-laptop-16-ryzen-7040-bios-4-03-release-stable/79274 |archive-date=5 Feb 2026}}</ref>. No [[Forced BIOS Firmware Update|forced BIOS updates]] for Windows users. | ||
===Business Model=== | ===Business Model=== | ||
Framework's business model is to make repairable and customizable computers, at a hardware level. | Framework's business model is to make repairable and customizable computers, at a hardware level. Framework also makes money from selling parts to consumers. | ||
[[File: Framework part shop.jpeg|thumb| Framework’s marketplace for repair and replacement parts.]] | |||
===Market Control=== | ===Market Control=== | ||
| Line 30: | Line 34: | ||
===Laptop 13 61Wh Battery Swelling:=== | ===Laptop 13 61Wh Battery Swelling:=== | ||
The high energy density 61Wh battery has more swelling incidents than the previous 55Wh battery<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Adam_Schindler |date=2025-09-13 |title=61Wh Battery Inflated |url=https://community.frame.work/t/61wh-battery-inflated/75169 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@John_Goerzen |date=2024-09-18 |title=Swollen Battery <1yr in, How to address? |url=https://community.frame.work/t/swollen-battery-1yr-in-how-to-address/57848 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@qemu-system-x86_64 |date=2025-11-12 |title=Battery swelling (FL13 / amd 7040 / 61Wh) |url=https://community.frame.work/t/battery-swelling-fl13-amd-7040-61wh/77653 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community}}</ref>. Framework mitigated this problem by having the battery automatic discharge down to 85% after fully charged and connected on AC adapter for more than three days<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Kieran_Levin |date=2024-10-25 |title=BIOS update required to prevent premature aging of 61Wh battery |url=https://community.frame.work/t/bios-update-required-to-prevent-premature-aging-of-61wh-battery/59580 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community}}</ref>. However, this function may interfere with manual charge limit setting. | The high energy density 61Wh battery has more swelling incidents than the previous 55Wh battery<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Adam_Schindler |date=2025-09-13 |title=61Wh Battery Inflated |url=https://community.frame.work/t/61wh-battery-inflated/75169 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251015213430/https://community.frame.work/t/61wh-battery-inflated/75169 |archive-date=15 Oct 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@John_Goerzen |date=2024-09-18 |title=Swollen Battery <1yr in, How to address? |url=https://community.frame.work/t/swollen-battery-1yr-in-how-to-address/57848 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251219080248/https://community.frame.work/t/swollen-battery-1yr-in-how-to-address/57848 |archive-date=19 Dec 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=@qemu-system-x86_64 |date=2025-11-12 |title=Battery swelling (FL13 / amd 7040 / 61Wh) |url=https://community.frame.work/t/battery-swelling-fl13-amd-7040-61wh/77653 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251211210759/https://community.frame.work/t/battery-swelling-fl13-amd-7040-61wh/77653 |archive-date=11 Dec 2025}}</ref>. Framework mitigated this problem by having the battery automatic discharge down to 85% after fully charged and connected on AC adapter for more than three days<ref>{{Cite web |last=@Kieran_Levin |date=2024-10-25 |title=BIOS update required to prevent premature aging of 61Wh battery |url=https://community.frame.work/t/bios-update-required-to-prevent-premature-aging-of-61wh-battery/59580 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260110051537/https://community.frame.work/t/bios-update-required-to-prevent-premature-aging-of-61wh-battery/59580 |archive-date=10 Jan 2026}}</ref>. However, this function may interfere with manual charge limit setting. | ||
===Laptop 16 Overheating:=== | ===Laptop 16 Overheating:=== | ||
Early models have liquid metal as the thermal interface between the CPU and its heat sink, which is known to degrade, leading to worse and uneven heat transfer<ref>{{Cite web |last=@zachary_stout |date=2024-08-04 |title=Uneven CPU thermals! |url=https://community.frame.work/t/uneven-cpu-thermals/55614/1 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community}}</ref>. | Early models have liquid metal as the thermal interface between the CPU and its heat sink, which is known to degrade, leading to worse and uneven heat transfer<ref>{{Cite web |last=@zachary_stout |date=2024-08-04 |title=Uneven CPU thermals! |url=https://community.frame.work/t/uneven-cpu-thermals/55614/1 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-14 |website=Framework Community |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251008161122/https://community.frame.work/t/uneven-cpu-thermals/55614/1 |archive-date=8 Oct 2025}}</ref>. | ||
Framework eventually changed to using Honeywell's PTM7958 phase change material, and the company provided a form for Laptop 16 owners at the time of the production change to request a phase change pad to replace their laptop's liquid metal. | |||
<ref> | |||
{{Cite web | |||
| title=Our first new Framework Laptop 16 Expansion Bay module! | |||
| url=https://community.frame.work/t/our-first-new-framework-laptop-16-expansion-bay-module/61888 | |||
| website=Framework Community | |||
| date=2024-12-16 | |||
| access-date=2026-03-09 | |||
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250818092408/https://community.frame.work/t/our-first-new-framework-laptop-16-expansion-bay-module/61888 | |||
| archive-date=2025-08-18 | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
However, removing the liquid metal can be challenging - Framework's provided guide to replace the liquid metal with the PTM7958 pad rates the operation as "difficult", with 40 steps and an estimated time between 30 minutes and an hour. | |||
<ref> | |||
{{Cite web | |||
| url=https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Liquid+Metal+-%3E+PTM+7958/402 | |||
| title=Liquid Metal -> PTM 7958 | |||
| website=Framework Guides | |||
| date=2025-04-07 | |||
| access-date=2026-03-09 | |||
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260303171447/https://guides.frame.work/Guide/Liquid+Metal+-%3E+PTM+7958/402 | |||
| archive-date=2026-03-03 | |||
}} | |||
</ref> | |||
One owner described the process as "quite a chore", though they only ended up taking "20-30 minutes to finish". | |||
<ref>{{Cite web |author=Pham |first=Linh |date=2025-09-09 |title=Framework Laptop 16: Replacing Liquid Metal with PTM |url=https://linhpham.org/blog/2025/framework-laptop-16-replacing-liquid-metal-ptm/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310043512/https://linhpham.org/blog/2025/framework-laptop-16-replacing-liquid-metal-ptm/ |archive-date=2026-03-10 |access-date=2026-03-09 |website=linhpham.org}}</ref> | |||
== | ==Positivities== | ||
===Assisting repairability:=== | ===Assisting repairability:=== | ||
Framework utilizes QR codes on parts of their devices which users can scan to get support, view guides, order replacements or upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Try It Out |url=https://frame.work/try-it-out |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework}}</ref> | Framework utilizes QR codes on parts of their devices which users can scan to get support, view guides, order replacements or upgrades.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Try It Out |url=https://frame.work/try-it-out |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=Framework |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240531114153/https://frame.work/try-it-out |archive-date=31 May 2024}}</ref> | ||
They have partnered with iFixit to make repair guides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Framework Repair Hub |url=https://www.ifixit.com/framework |url-status=live |access-date=2026-03-27 |website=[[iFixit]]}}</ref> | |||
===Highly favourable reviews on iFixit:=== | ===Highly favourable reviews on iFixit:=== | ||
The Laptop 12,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-06-18 |title=Tough, Tiny, and Totally Repairable: Inside the Framework 12 |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit}}</ref> 13<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Taylor |date=2021-07-28 |title=Framework Laptop Teardown: 10/10, But is it Perfect? |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit}}</ref> and 16<ref>{{Cite web |last=iFixit |date=2024-01-23 |title=The Framework 16 Teardown!-Best Teardown of the year already?? |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y8uv8fajOrc |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=YouTube}}</ref> have all received highly favourable reviews on [https://www.ifixit.com iFixit], a pro consumer repair outlet, for their repairability. | The Laptop 12,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chamberlain |first=Elizabeth |date=2025-06-18 |title=Tough, Tiny, and Totally Repairable: Inside the Framework 12 |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260122144331/https://www.ifixit.com/News/111201/tough-tiny-and-totally-repairable-inside-the-framework-12 |archive-date=22 Jan 2026}}</ref> 13<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dixon |first=Taylor |date=2021-07-28 |title=Framework Laptop Teardown: 10/10, But is it Perfect? |url=https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=iFixit |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118164148/https://www.ifixit.com/News/51614/framework-laptop-teardown-10-10-but-is-it-perfect |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> and 16<ref>{{Cite web |last=iFixit |date=2024-01-23 |title=The Framework 16 Teardown!-Best Teardown of the year already?? |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Y8uv8fajOrc |url-status=live |access-date=2026-01-24 |website=YouTube |archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=Y8uv8fajOrc |archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> have all received highly favourable reviews on [https://www.ifixit.com iFixit], a pro consumer repair outlet, for their repairability. | ||
==Products== | ==Products== | ||
*'''Framework Desktop (''February 2025''):''' a mini-computer designed to have | *'''Framework Desktop (''February 2025''):''' a mini-computer designed to have its case be more customizable through tiles that are able to be taken out and put back somewhere else. | ||
*'''Framework Laptop 12 (''February 2025''):''' is told as being a customizable laptop with 360° support and it comes with a stylus, being able to practically be used as a tablet.<ref>https://frame.work/laptop12</ref> | *'''Framework Laptop 12 (''February 2025''):''' is told as being a customizable laptop with 360° support and it comes with a stylus, being able to practically be used as a tablet.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Framework {{!}} Order your Framework Laptop 12 now |url=https://frame.work/laptop12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260110160719/https://frame.work/laptop12 |archive-date=January 10, 2026 |website=frame.work}}</ref> | ||
*'''Framework Laptop 13 (''July 2021''):''' is closer to your usual laptop, but is more repairable, it is seen as the most popular option by far from the other products. | *'''Framework Laptop 13 (''July 2021''):''' is closer to your usual laptop, but is more repairable, it is seen as the most popular option by far from the other products. | ||