Post
Framework 16 after a year of use: What I like and what I don't
The Framework 16 is ideal for developers looking for a repairable and customizable laptop, especially if they work from home or travel little. However, its size, weight, and battery life can be limiting. The analysis highlights the quality of the screen, keyboard, and customization capabilities, but criticizes the touchpad, the quality of the webcam/microphone/speakers, and certain aspects of Linux compatibility. Repairability and upgradeability are great advantages, although the lack of an extended warranty is a disadvantage.
1. 💻 Initial Conclusion: Who is the Framework 16 For?
- ✅ Ideal for developers looking for a repairable and customizable laptop.
- ✅ Good for those who work from home or travel little.
- ⚠️ Not recommended for those who need excellent battery life or travel frequently due to its size and weight.
- ✅ The 2025 update with AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPU improves battery life.
- 💡 Consider the Framework 13 if size and weight are a major concern.
00:05 - 01:25
1. 💻 Initial Conclusion: Who is the Framework 16 For?
- ✅ Ideal for developers looking for a repairable and customizable laptop.
- ✅ Good for those who work from home or travel little.
- ⚠️ Not recommended for those who need excellent battery life or travel frequently due to its size and weight.
- ✅ The 2025 update with AMD Ryzen AI 300 CPU improves battery life.
- 💡 Consider the Framework 13 if size and weight are a major concern.
01:28 - 02:26
2. 👍 Screen: Quality and 165 Hz Refresh Rate
- ✅ The screen quality is fantastic, with a matte finish that minimizes glare.
- ✅ Resolution of 2560 x 1600 at 188 PPI is ideal for crisp text.
- ✅ 165 Hz refresh rate is excellent for moving text.
02:27 - 03:16
3. 👎 Screen: Screen Bleed and Wobbling Top Cover
- ⚠️ There is noticeable screen bleed when viewing dark images in a dark room.
- ⚠️ The biggest problem is the wobbling of the top cover, which can cause marks on the screen and accidentally activate the laptop.
- ✅ Framework is addressing these issues in the 2025 update with a more rigid top cover and a keyboard firmware update.
03:17 - 03:40
4. 👍 Keyboard: Pleasant to the Touch and Customizable with QMK Firmware
- ✅ The keyboard is extremely pleasant to type on, with good quality and key travel.
- ✅ Framework offers a selection of keyboards with various layouts.
- ✅ The keyboard is powered by QMK firmware, allowing key remapping.
03:41 - 04:18
5. 👎 Touchpad: Small Size and Sensitivity Issues
- ⚠️ The touchpad is mediocre compared to a MacBook.
- ⚠️ The main problems are its size and the spacers on the sides that pull on arm hairs.
- ⚠️ Sometimes, the palm of the hand hits the touchpad while typing, registering accidental clicks.
04:19 - 04:46
6. 👍 Customization: The Main Reason to Buy the Framework 16
- ✅ The ability to customize the keyboard, bezel, and ports is a great advantage.
- ✅ There are different expansion modules that support extra NVME drives or even a GPU.
04:47 - 05:27
7. 👎 Size and Weight: Consequences of Customization
- ⚠️ Customization comes at a cost in size and price.
- ⚠️ The Framework 16 is larger than other comparable 16-inch laptops.
- ⚠️ The size limits which backpacks can accommodate it, especially with the GPU module installed.
05:28 - 06:28
8. 👍 Repairability and Upgrades: A Great Advantage of the Framework 16
- ✅ The Framework 16 is one of the most repairable and upgradeable laptops available.
- ✅ There are a large number of parts available for self-repair.
- ✅ You can upgrade the Framework 16 as new parts become available, such as the new 2025 motherboard.
06:29 - 07:32
9. 👎 Webcam, Microphone, and Speakers: Lower Quality Components
- ⚠️ The webcam, microphone, and speakers are significantly worse than those of other laptops.
- ⚠️ It is necessary to carry a separate webcam and microphone for important meetings.
07:33 - 08:04
10. 👍 Price and Value: Acceptable and Competitive
- ✅ The price of the Framework is acceptable and competitive for what it offers.
- ✅ Being able to bring your own memory and storage can save money.
08:05 - 09:05
11. 👎 Limited Warranty, Fan Noise, and Heat
- ⚠️ There is no extended warranty or accidental damage protection like Apple Care.
- ⚠️ Fan noise and heat are noticeable when performing intensive tasks.
- ✅ Switching to the Honeywell PTM 7958 thermal pad improved thermals.
09:06 - 09:43
12. 👍 Linux Support: Excellent and Rewarding
- ✅ Linux support is amazing on the Framework 16.
- ✅ There are several officially supported Linux distributions and others supported by the community.
09:44 - 11:00
13. 👎 Linux Compatibility and Battery Life: Important Considerations
- ⚠️ Peripheral compatibility and software availability can be a problem when using Linux.
- ⚠️ It is difficult to get good battery life when traveling with Linux.
- ✅ Using power saving mode, lowering the refresh rate, and connecting expansion cards in the correct slots improves battery life.
11:01 - 11:42
14. Final Conclusion: A Great Laptop with Room for Improvement
- ✅ The Framework 16 is a wonderful machine that feels like a first-version system in both good and bad ways.
- ✅ The author will continue to use the Framework 16 as their work machine for travel.
- ✅ The new update is very good and I would probably recommend it if I were starting over.