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System76 or Framework laptop?


Look, we know System76 laptops are based as fuck. I mean, Coreboot, Open source firmware, PopOS, and a fucking open source mobo in the works, just so fucking based.

But man, these framework laptops look cool too. Completely modular and easy to work on. Looks like the company has proved it isn't going to go under anytime soon.

I'm debating what to get once I feel like upgrading from the trusty ol ThinkPad. What would you buy?

in reply to MashingBundle

I feel like these both lack really good high res displays. Why? It’s be awesome if it had something comparable to a MacBook Pro resolution.
in reply to Lemmyin

not that it helps, but i think i heard framework is keen for 3rd party components? so there’s nothing stopping someone selling a 3rd party high res display for a framework laptop

hell i’ve seen people tear up old laptops and repurpose the screen: i wonder if you could part out an old macbook and replace a framework screen! :p

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in reply to Lemmyin

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to shirro

Thanks for the info. I wasn’t quite aware of the 13” and it’s resolution. That is quite comparable I agree.
in reply to Lemmyin

TBH, that's not a factor for me. I use an HMD for everything these days so, it's likely favorable to have a lower res to save power.
in reply to MashingBundle

I have a framework 12th gen. It's great. Fantastic build quality and when I want to upgrade, I don't need a whole new laptop, just the necessary internal components. I can even switch to AMD!

Coreboot is cool, and I can't wait to see the new system76 laptop that is being built in-house, but until that comes out, I don't think I would ever consider the current lineup of system76 computers.

My main motivations are repairability, upgradability, and specificity of components, and system76 just doesn't offer that. They don't tell you what ram or SSD models go into your laptop, they don't sell replacement parts, and there is no upgrade path.

in reply to thejevans

tech-docs.system76.com/models/…

I'm pretty sure if you wanted to know more they'd tell you. System76 supports the right to repair, although their Laptops are probably not as easy to repair as a Framework.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Zaphod

I want to know on the purchase page what exactly is going into my laptop, I want to easily be able to purchase replacement parts from a catalog of in-stock components, and I want documentation for repairs and replacements.

DJFart doesn't like this.

in reply to Nuuskis9

I believe that they want to, but that laptop isn't available yet, and it would be the first example of something like that from them, so I'll wait until they produce a second generation of it to recommend to people.
in reply to MashingBundle

My next laptop will be a Framework. I like the idea of not being frustrated at the ports because I can just swap the ones I need in, and I like repairability, upgrades that reduce e-waste, and not having to buy things like the SSD with the computer if I can find better gear/prices elsewhere. I respect what System 76 do but Framework wins for my use case.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to MashingBundle

I want to be able to swap out parts, or repair the laptop when something breaks. For that it seems like Framework would be the best.
I've been trying to convince my partner that we need to buy one. My only problem is that I have a perfectly good desktop, and don't need a laptop.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to 18107

Virgo by System 76 is already designed for board-level repairs. All the schematics is already available, and will be found on their website when ready for production:

github.com/system76/virgo

Actually Soller said, that they will release everything needed to start your own production line. Has Framework released the schematics yet?

in reply to Nuuskis9

I didn't know that. Perhaps I need to research a little more before commenting.

Thanks!

in reply to 18107

Not only that, they support the right to repair and offer replacement parts on ALL of S76's laptops
in reply to Nuuskis9

Yeah there are schematics from framework, I don't think they are full though.

Here is a video of Rossman talking about it youtu.be/8cJj8PUY0DU

in reply to MashingBundle

besides choosing between the 2 great options, I'm like... : C'MON JUST PICK ONE AND SEND IT TO ME XD
because they do not make shipments in my country 😥
in reply to MashingBundle

The big difference is the GPU. S76 is your only good option to get a decent GPU with secure boot and keys signed.
in reply to j4k3

Framework has the 16 coming out this year, with gpu
in reply to MashingBundle

Virgo will have features which can't be found from Framework:
* Trackpoint
* Open Source Bios
* Hot swappable mechanical keys
* full sized up and down arrow keys (not splitted in half)
* Motherboard is designed and most likely manufactured too in Colorado, US
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Nuuskis9

The motherboard itself is also open-source: github.com/system76/virgo/
in reply to MashingBundle

One thing to keep in mind is that Framework makes it easier by directly selling in Europe. With S76 there're import fees etc that make it less straightforward. Especially in case of an RMA.
in reply to nani8ot

However with Framework you still need to be careful in Europe. It's an US based company and if you have a defect or problem that Framework for some reason doesn't resolve, good luck trying to enforce your EU customer protection or suing them in the US.

Framework is also very strict regarding unsupported countries. If you move within the EU to a country that isn't supported by Framework, you'll have big problems with support in case you need help or parts or whatever.

redshift doesn't like this.

in reply to morhp

About support: I have a Framework laptop. With my initial shipment I received a defective Ethernet expansion port. The failure was difficult to identify, but support was incredibly responsive and helpful. Once it was confirmed the issue was due to a defective Ethernet card (which took some investigative effort), a replacement was shipped immediately.

All this to say that, if you live in a supported country in the EU, I see no reason that people may find their support lacking.

in reply to _ParallaxMax_

I'm not saying that support is lacking, all I'm saying is that you have to have complete trust in a company on the other side of the globe, because all the warranties and promises they give you are completely based on their good will. If they decide to stop supporting you for whatever reason, you pretty much have no leverage.

I live in Germany near the Netherlands border. Moving between countries is very common here because of different living costs and job opportunities and losing support because you move a few km west or east is not acceptable in my opinion.

in reply to MashingBundle

I will never choose system76, they are strictly murica-centric (until the name lol) and don't respect their potential customers from the rest of the world. Almost all of their laptops are simply clevo with another logo, but even then they don't deign to offer something as extremely basic as keyboards in other languages, even if they are available from their vendor.

Also, in the stores that preset linux there is usually a bad quality-price ratio, but system76 is particularly expert in this. Special mention to the mediocre mechanical keyboard (only for murica, obviously) they designed, 200-300$.

The only good thing I can currently say about them is that they have some open firmware (coreboot, basically), but it's not even that remarkable. Not only are there several companies in the competition that also do it, but it's even the case of tiny ones with a couple of employees like novacustom.

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in reply to Infiltrated_ad8271

I didn't even realise what the '76' in the name was meant to be until that comment, thats really rather cheesy...

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in reply to Daeraxa

I still don't understand. what does it mean?
in reply to kureta

1776 apparently (year of the american revolution)
in reply to kureta

From wikipedia:

The number 76 in the company name is a reference to 1776, the year the American Revolution took place. Richell explained that the company hoped to spark an "open source revolution", giving consumers a choice to not use proprietary software.

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in reply to Daeraxa

That doesn't sound bad to me at all.

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in reply to Voyajer

I find it very weird and it feels very nationalist/right-wing. In other countries the USA does not bring the concept of "freedom" to mind and, whilst it may be fine to Americans, doesn't really make me want to get involved with them as a potential international customer.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)

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in reply to Daeraxa

Right wingers would have stuck with the monarchy.

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in reply to Duamerthrax

Not that I think necessarily the left/right wing divide as we currently know it can be applied to history like that but I'm not so sure we can categorise the hyper-religious separatists as not being right wing at all. Either way, history isn't the point here, the association many have of the kinds of people that tout "1776" everywhere tends to be the wife-beater wearing, massive pickup toting, 2fa enthusiasts obsessed with tramping people's rights in the name of "muh freedums".

DeveloperAdvocake doesn't like this.

in reply to Daeraxa

Everyone was religious back then if they wanted to have any success. You were either religious or pretended to be. Why do you think Thomas Paine is the only Founding Father not to have a monument.
in reply to Duamerthrax

Well yeah... but these were people who thought the church reforms weren't enough for them and wanted to make the entire country more "godly" by purging all traces of catholicsm and then leaving to cross an entire ocean to set up a new godly society.
in reply to Daeraxa

Different groups. The Freemasons, which is a real group, but not as occult as pop culture would have you believe, had more to do with the founding of the US. Freemasons also had connections with the French Revolution.

The Puritans are the group you're describing.

in reply to Duamerthrax

Correct, I'm describing the puritans. Either way it has nothing to do with the current association of what "1776" looks like to outside parties which is what this is about - not a discussion on who did what a couple of hundred years ago.
in reply to Daeraxa

You are imposing a political view onto people who you have never talked to politics to for your own sake.

don't like this

in reply to Duamerthrax

For my own sake? All I did was state my opinion on the matter (and mention of others that I know share this same opnion) of what kind of mental imagry 1776 brings up as opposed to what the company seem to intend. What on earth do I get out of sharing such an opinion? It isn't like I have shares in a competing brand where I will benefit from swaying people's opnions on System 76.
in reply to Daeraxa

microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-…
in reply to Daeraxa

microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-…
in reply to Infiltrated_ad8271

While I don't like their current hardware options, they way they sell stuff, or Pop!_OS, their Virgo laptop could be promising and their new COSMIC desktop environment looks great so far. I hope they start to do other things right, but they have potential to nail both of those and they do contribute back to upstream projects, so I'm still glad they exist.

redshift doesn't like this.

in reply to thejevans

What don’t you like about popos?

I quite like it. Having used gnome, kde and even things like awesomwm or other des or window managers, pops de is quite nice

in reply to MyNameIsFred

I don't like desktop environments and operating systems tied together so tightly. Their new desktop seems like it will be self contained and fairly OS agnostic. Debian is a great OS. If they wanted to release a distribution with improvements over debian, that's fine. Then if they wanted to make pop-desktop easy to simply install and have improvements over vanilla gnome, also fine. Then I could judge the benefits of both over the vanilla variants of each. I have similar problems with Ubuntu.
in reply to thejevans

That’s fair. It seems like pop_os is trying to be a DE, the rest of the parts (kernel, drivers, packaging system of choice etc) are just a means to that end.

I wouldn’t consider pop for its kernel selection and immediately want to install AwesomeWM or something. For that I would just go straight Debian.

in reply to MashingBundle

Framework definitely. They actually build laptops, S76 are just rebeands afaik
in reply to tobimai

Not just rebrands, they do put coreboot and as much OSS firmware on them as they can. So do contribute quite a lot to software around this, not to mention they maintain PopOS.

But also they have released the motherboard design for their Virgo laptop recently: twitter.com/jeremy_soller/stat…

This entry was edited (1 year ago)

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in reply to MashingBundle

As a System76 laptop owner, don’t buy them. Their product is just… bad.

Gianni R doesn't like this.

in reply to callmepk

I can second this. I've had two bricked System 76 systems because the DC jack burned itself right off the board.
in reply to callmepk

I can agree with this, my Darter has horrendous battery life and had a ton of bugs that made the thing really annoying to use until a recent BIOS update. I can't help but feel like I got burned.

Next laptop is a Framework for sure.

in reply to jerb

The same. I currently still uses my Galago Pro(galp5), but right now I have to plug the power at all times and also switched distro to Fedora which surprisingly supports this laptop better than their own Pop!_OS

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in reply to MashingBundle

I have a Framework and it's been an amazing device! As a company, they have definitly followed through with their promises too and I've been very satisfied with them. I've heard that System76 devices are fine too, and they have nice stuff like coreboot and lvfs, which Framework lacks right now, but they aren't nearly as unique as Frameworks, and in my view, are a bit generic. I would definetly reccomend the Framework! Just note that you may have to wait a while to get one, so if you need a new laptop asap (which it sounds like you don't), you may have to look elsewhere. If you can wait though, definitly get a Framework!

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in reply to nasa1531

sadly both of them don't ship or even sell in Indonesia... sad sad life
in reply to MashingBundle

I've only owned a System76 laptop and they are alright. Framework would be my next choice for sure.
Unknown parent

Nuuskis9
If they can also set the production line in the US, it'll be a fresh wind of change in the electeonics manufacturing since 1980's, when everyhthing was send to Asia.
in reply to MashingBundle

Does anyone know how much the ability to upgrade a Framework machine in the future depends on the company?

Are third parties free to manufacture compatible parts?

in reply to digital_alchemist

AFAIK they are, but it will only happen if Framework sells enough units for it to be profitable to a 3rd party to manufacture parts.

So if Framework disappears tomorrow, I wouldn't bet on 3rd party to jump on that niche market. That might change of Framework ships millions of units over the next years.

in reply to digital_alchemist

There are third parties (mostly people with 3d printers) selling enclosures to turn an old laptop mail board from framework into a mini desktop.

I think most of their stuff is open source. So the main thing is the barrier to entry to design things like modules etc for the laptop.

in reply to digital_alchemist

I believe 3rd party is free to manufacture any of the expansion ports (including the gpu/back expansion port)

I just dont recall if all the mainboard stuff is open, but theoretically a 3rd party could make their own mainboard, theres just no financial incentive to compete against framework doong that as of the moment.

in reply to MashingBundle

I've got the S76 Pangolin. It's the best laptop I've ever had, but still lacks on the GPU and upgradability. I had to replace my fan once already too, and it cost over 100$ to get the exact component shipped.

S76 is fine, maybe even good, but my next device will be a Framework for sure.

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in reply to MashingBundle

Did FW ever solve the issue with battery drain during sleep? I owned one of the original batch and sold it because I couldn't effectively use it as a laptop. Other than that it was awesome, great build quality, loved the ethics of it and the form factor, but being unable to use it as a portable computer was a deal breaker.
in reply to loopgru

I think it improved by changing the HDMI card thingy and with the new processors.
in reply to loopgru

I feel like it has gotten better for sure. I use Linux Mint on mine, and while I don't think it's quite been "fixed" yet, it's improved enough to be noticeable.
in reply to loopgru

One solution I've seen has been to enable "hybrid sleep", where you can have it sleep for some period of time (30m) and afterward go to hibernate.

I still need to check in on it, but one of the biggest issues with sleep on Framework laptop is that the usb-c adapters (like HDMI) passively draw power. If you use 4 usb-c (or just leave it empty), you have better sleep experience.

in reply to cass

Hibernate is it's own challenge in Linux right now as lockdown mode doesn't work with hibernate (and I think a lot of distros use lockdown mode by default for security). I had to patch the kernel to enable this: gist.github.com/kelvie/917d456…
in reply to kelvie

I was able to get hibernate working on Ubuntu with a few config changes. I'm using a swapfile which is the default these days and it takes care of security when used with disk encryption.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to cass

Given that Intel no longer supports S3, hybrid sleep or suspend-then-hibernate is the solution indeed. It works pretty well on my end. I'm using the latter with a 3-hour suspend window. Very rarely I end up cold-booting. Hybrid-sleep is foolproof for those that absolutely can't tolerate lost state.
in reply to MashingBundle

I don't think you can go wrong with either. But I love that I can swap my ports around on my framework laptop. Especially after my display port got broken last year (cable got snagged). Instead of it being damaged until I replaced the laptop, I ordered a new module for $20.

Eta: I'd love to see a partnership between them in the future.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to MashingBundle

My Framework Laptop experience was really poor. Battery life was impossibly bad, Linux support was not as stellar as promised, the thing had the loudest fan I've ever heard, & my entire mainboard died & it took support 2 weeks to diagnose the issue. I'd go System76. I went with a Mac for Apple Silicon, & I'm going to try Asahi Linux soon

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Unknown parent

Nuuskis9
They haven't announced anything on that matter so far. I bet you don't realize how big logistical and economical push a pcb-production line for even just 25cm x 15 cm boards would be.
in reply to MashingBundle

As someone who has been plagued by broken, hard to repair laptops before, I went for the Framework Laptop. Of course, your needs and wants might be different.

System 76 laptops are probably a bit better for Linux considering they were built specifically for it. They also have more variety in what kind of laptop you can get, whereas the Framework only comes in a 13 inch "ultrabook" form factor and a future 16 inch gaming laptop. And battery life I believe is a bit better than the Framework.

However, Framework still works really well with Linux (I use Linux Mint on mine, and it works great.) And the flexibility in being able to repair, upgrade and customize your laptop is really nice. Plus, the battery thing is slowly but surely getting fixed, and while it's still not entirely great, it has gotten me through the day as a computer science student.

in reply to gortbrown

I didn't know they were planning a gaming laptop. That would be nice because I do some gaming but bot enough to want to buy a whole new rig every couple of years. Having a modular means to upgrade it would hopefully make it more affordable.
in reply to gortbrown

in reply to gortbrown

Framework selects components that work well with Linux. They're acutely aware how many Linux users they've got from the activity in their forum. We're very loud.
in reply to MashingBundle

I’m not trying to start shit, but someone’s gotta ask:

With all the bad experiences itt from owners of both companies products, why not just get a thinkpad or mbp? You can still get socketed everything in the t and p series and eventually there’ll be Linux on the m1&2.

I could see buying framework or s76 if you were getting a good open laptop but at the place both companies products seem to be why not buy a known good computer and donate some money to whatever group is doing the work you wanna see done?

in reply to bloodfart

I didnt hear a lot about negative experiences with both of those companies, do you have any examples?
in reply to bloodfart

I've worked with both s76 and framework's support and they've been great. Community support for framework is also especially good (for Linux)
in reply to bloodfart

It's a question worth asking, for sure.

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in reply to bloodfart

MBP are all-soldered these days. Repairability is 0. ThinkPads still have replaceable RAM and SSDs but not motherboards, batteries are expensive if you can even find a genuine one, same with their keyboards. With a Framework, you can get all the parts from the source. They're cheap and trivial to replace. In my book MBPs are simply not an option, ThinkPads are good if you get them off-lease for cheap. Otherwise - Framework.
in reply to Avid Amoeba

ThinkPads also have that weird wifi whitelist and proprietary firmware
in reply to const_void

Totally forgot about that. I typically don't change the WiFi module, but yes.
in reply to Avid Amoeba

I just picked two good computers, one that’s pretty modular. How are thinkpad motherboards not replaceable anymore? I was under the impression they have an fru number and everything still…

I haven’t seen any framework modules up on eBay, but maybe I didn’t use the right p/n search.

in reply to bloodfart

ThinkPad motherboards are replaceable per se. However it's more work and you have to actually find a board. When I said they're not replaceable I meant easily replaceable, I should have qualified it. Framework's boards are sold directly by Framework. You know what you're getting. There's availability. There's warranty. The replacement is trivial. Thanks to the internally standardised form factor you don't even need the exact board gen to get going. Say if yours dies in 4 years and they no longer make it, a later gen board that fits the chassis will be available as a drop-in replacement.

I had a USB port fail on my 11th gen Intel Framework. They sent me a replacement motherboard along with a link to the instructions for replacing it. It took me under 10 minutes to swap it. It was amazing. Just opening up a ThinkPad these days without breaking a plastic clip could take as much.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Avid Amoeba

What are you gonna do when the framework company goes under or runs out of parts?
in reply to bloodfart

Most likely the same as what I would do when Lenovo stops making spare boards for the model I have and I can no longer find any on eBay - bin it.

Except in the case of Framework going under, it's much easier for another manufacturer to release a compatible motherboard since the form factor is published and fairly simple. Similar to why it's easy to replace my desktop's motherboard even when the original one is no longer made. If anything, the current OEM making the motherboards could keep making replacements on the same tooling after Framework is gone, so long as there are people buying them.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Avid Amoeba

I wonder if theres a jlcpcb/pcbway/whatever equivalent for board assembly. Like if you have the gerbers getting boards is easy and cheap but the gcode for pick and place and reflow machines is specific and has spin up costs.

What I’m getting at is: does open sourcing the layouts and boms help?

in reply to bloodfart

I think one thing that is often overlooked is supporting a good idea. I heard/read often enough that people like the ability to repair or tweak their laptops so maybe this is another reason to buy one. In the hope, that the company delivers more and better in the future.
in reply to Holli25

Yeah I get that. What I’m asking is if you’re not getting a decent modular laptop from either company why not pick a good off the shelf big name laptop with or without modularity and just donate money to the group that’s doing work you like?
in reply to bloodfart

That would be another option and a win-win scenario, I like it.
in reply to bloodfart

Altruistic reasons aside there's exactly no good reason to pay a premium for a Framework vs the options you listed. The features they have are all nice-to-have at best, gimmicky at worst. They are honestly over-hyped in Linux circles for the price.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to bloodfart

I know this thread is a tad old but I’ve been considering a framework for the family laptop for a while. Problem is stocking and this recent 16 model run also had 13 orders run too. I won’t pay for a unit months in advance. It ruins certain protections from the merchant (like failure to deliver).

Instead I got a thinkpad t480 for like 400 bucks. It will do fine as a laptop mostly used for chrome, paying bills or zoom calls etc.

Unknown parent

Nuuskis9
This is what I originally wrote:
Unknown parent

Nuuskis9
I assume you have some serious problems in your reading ability. Sorry to hear that.

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in reply to MashingBundle

I think using a framework is a unique experience. I don't worry about breaking it nearly as much as I did with my old thinkpads. Like my hardware key shorted itself and took my usb port with it. But, instead of it costing me a new laptop, it was 1 week, ~$10, and I was back in business.

Also, Linux support has been great so far. The only thing I had to do was install the brightness stuff they document.

I also heard they're working on coreboot, so that may be a thing. Also the fact that the motherboard is released to all repair shops is quite nice (at least there is some potential for some type of community audit).

Also, the laptop is super slick. The only complaint I have is maybe the battery life, but I'm not on the newest generation, and I don't know what has changed. Highly recommend.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to ripe_banana

You can get a higher capacity battery for them now that's a drop in replacement.
in reply to egonallanon

I saw that. I get around 5-6 hrs right now (with napkin math - 61W/55W = 1.1 * 6 = 6.6hrs?) . To be honest I am not sure if the difference is worth it. It is incomparable to the massive capacity of something like an M1.
in reply to MashingBundle

what do y'all think about the star labs laptops?
in reply to 0x2d

I'd never heard of them before so I took a look. There's a lot there I like the sound of - removable webcam, physical kill switch for the wireless, CoreBoot and it seems to run 4K @165hz so it's presumably a bit of a beast. The price is a little eye-watering though lol.
in reply to MashingBundle

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to shirro

This!

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in reply to MashingBundle

I wish they had 10 inch option. Something like GPD Win Max 2, but without gaming features
in reply to flakusha

There's not enough thin 10 inch laptops on the market. I'd love to have a simple affordable one without 2010 bezels...
Unknown parent

in reply to MashingBundle

Another option you may or may not be aware of is Tuxedo Computers which seem to be a more premium option. I have no experience with them but they look pretty sweet.

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in reply to dizzy

I own a Tuxedo notebook as well as a Tuxedo desktop PC. I can confirm they are of great quality.
in reply to dizzy

I have bought 2 tuxedos and they were okay.

One time they shipped a device where the trackpad did not work. Well, not on Linux at least. Their excuse: The hardware manufacturer chose a newer model not yet supported.

They were helpful and provided a new firmware a few days later, which did solve the issue, but out-of-the-box experience was not exciting.

I'm still using this machine, however.

Both this and a model I bought earlier felt cheaper than the price point. Maybe it is not fair; maybe it's not that important, but at 1000€+ I have some expection on build quantity and loooks.

Those are small things, sure, but they are not perfect, yet.

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to _s10e

Thanks for the insight, I’ve been looking at replacing an aging thinkpad that I use to tinker with linux on but not much else on. I keep fluctuating between getting their one of their most basic models and using it as a tinkering machine or completely maxing the specs and using it as my primary machine and fully switching to desktop Linux.

Your insight has made this decision harder so… thanks? Haha!

in reply to eshep

Can't agree. 4 out of 6 tuxedos (different timings, different models) had to be repaired - some even multiple times. And still they remain buggy for me especially with usb-c docking stations. And no LVFS.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)

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in reply to binarious

WOW, 4/6 sounds like some higher than average odds, that really sucks. I hope you at least gotten it all resolved, money back, or found what works for you. I had a battery swell up on me a couple years in but that's quite common and expected in my work environment. Extremely easy fix as well as they used a common, easy to source battery.

I've not tried a huge sampling of different ones (3~4), but I've yet to run across a USB-C dock that didn't work for me under gentoo.

The LVFS thing doesn't really bother me as much as the still delayed coreboot/libreboot they're working on. Most people couldn't care less about either of those things, and they're not a show-stopper for me, so it still remains at the top of my very light recommendations list.

Linux reshared this.

in reply to eshep

Thank you. RMA procedure is still in progress, but their support is nice and I'm hopeful to get it sorted.

Interesting. I've tried around 5 docks from which only 1 worked correctly. Mostly issues with 4K at 60hz. Other notebooks worked well with the ones the tuxedos struggled.

I agree, the manual EC/BIOS updates aren't very nice, but not a show-stopper. Coreboot has been promised for quite some time now and they're still searching a coreboot dev. Maybe this will be a thing someday, but I don't think we'll see that soon reading their responses regarding this on reddit.

Linux reshared this.

Unknown parent

binarious
Source? As far as I know tuxedos are rebranded tongfang. reddit.com/r/AMDLaptops/commen…
Unknown parent

CrypticCoffee
It is the bomb, or a bomb? In the latter case, I'm sure homeland security would be getting pretty antsy.

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in reply to MashingBundle

I believe frameworks firmware is open source as well. If money was no object I'd go framework. Modularity and reparability are unmatched. I love that I can just take the camera and microphone physically out of the laptop with ease. I really wanted to get the 16 but its just simply out of my budget. Hoping the price will come down over the next few years.
in reply to topRamen

At the very least you'll probably be able to get a refurbished one later for cheaper
in reply to MashingBundle

If money was no object I would go all in on open source hardware. Open source everything for me.
Sadly I cannot. And so I am still stuck with decades old closed source hardware. But at least I'm running Linux on it.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)

CodeBlooded doesn't like this.

in reply to NaoPb

I'm using Dell laptop, they are still supported even the 6 or 7 years old one, with new bios fixing CVE, etc and some of them were even sold with Linux at the time!

I bought a E5470 (core I5 6th gen) I love it, less than 200$, 8GB of ram, 14" 1080p IPS, 256GB SSD. Full repair manual available, etc.

I'm running MX Linux on it

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to Papamousse

MX Linux is great. Even voor systems specced lower than that. I bet that runs like a dream flr you.

I think it's nice how Dell still supports these. I've always been fond of the Latitude laptops with their ruggedness.

in reply to NaoPb

Yes, with Xfce it's pretty snappy, works really well. The E5490 is even better especially with a i7
in reply to Papamousse

The ubuntu versions are often cheaper!

However, they're very bloated

in reply to MashingBundle

This entry was edited (1 year ago)
in reply to slembcke

Sorry to hear that. I wanted try a system76 laptop, but this is wicked.
in reply to fxdave

in reply to MashingBundle

Framework: a cool mf swippy swapper. Oh, and here's a Segway to our sponsor! Lttstore.com!
in reply to MashingBundle

Neither. Instead, a Pinebook Pro (because I'm cheap).
in reply to grue

How does that perform? I expect light browsing but nothing more?
in reply to InFerNo

I dunno, probably? 🤷 I don't actually own one.

I have a desktop for gaming and anything else that takes real power, so I wouldn't really care about my laptop's performance.

in reply to MashingBundle

I don't get the hype of paying a premium for these laptops over just doing the research required to make sure you get one that will work fine with Linux instead, for much less.

A modularized laptop is cool but how often are you really going to want to mess with a laptop once it's working anyway?

This entry was edited (1 year ago)

ChocoLemming doesn't like this.

in reply to KᑌᔕᕼIᗩ

I pre-ordered the 13" AMD, and here's my 2 cents: In 2013 I bought a MacBook Air. The i7 version was pretty decent for dev, and it had all the other ultrabook niceties (small, light, all day battery, etc). I was still happily using it in 2020, though it was starting to show it's age. In 2023, Apple still makes MacBook Airs in the same form factor. They look almost identical. Several thousand days of active use mine is practically still in mint condition too. If I could pay 2/3rds the price of a new one to upgrade the internals+screen I would totally have done that! I don't expect to change out the modular IO much, but it is nice that I have the option to get an SD card reader or to choose the port layout to match my desk. I've also got what I need to make a magnetic charging adapter for it, so that's awfully nice. So is it worth the extra cost? Maybe not, but I'm an idealist sometimes, and I like their ideals.
This entry was edited (1 year ago)
Unknown parent

spookedbyroaches
I think you need a bit more evidence to claim that they are being nefarious like that.