Framework Laptop

What hackers pick instead

• Framework Laptop 13Recommended for repairability and upgradability, letting owners swap parts and mainboards instead of replacing the laptop; critics cite weaker battery life, especially on Linux, and quality glitches.336recommend
• Framework Laptop 16A repairable laptop whose parts owners swap over the years instead of replacing the whole machine. Caveat: the premium price is hard to justify for the hardware, and it suits only some buyers.93recommend

Every quote

The 40 most detailed of 430 comments. Each links to the original.

1. Framework from all the feedback from users online seems to still be a product that you'll only buy if you put sustainability over performance/convenience.

   Mixed · Jan 2026 · in “Radboud University selects Fairphone as standard smartphone for employees”

2. Go straight to a framework laptop. Load up your favorite distro and never have to worry about poor repairability or non-upgradeable/soldered components

   Recommends · Jun 2026 · in “Surface Laptop Ultra: Made for World Makers”

3. As a framework owner, the situation is less than ideal, but given that they did eventually commit to replacing even out-of-warranty main boards

   Mixed · Oct 2026 · in “192GB Framework Desktop open for pre-order”

4. The era where something like Framework with its fully customizable, repairable, modular laptops becomes the standard can't come soon enough.

   Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “MacBook Neo Is a 'Shock' to the PC Industry: Asus Co-CEO”

5. This happened to my old framework. After a while of troubleshooting, I removed the battery and it will now boot reliably while plugged in.

   Mixed · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

6. it works great. I'm sure I have naturally acclimated and subconsciously work around things that I don't realize but suspend/resume works

   Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “FreeBSD Laptop Compatibility: Top Laptops to Use with FreeBSD”

7. I have actually had less issues with it in the same amount of time, and each one I have been able to fix myself cheapily and easily

   Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5”

8. stuff like Framework laptop's that is expanding the range of options for repariable/replaceable/hackable parts up to the high end

   Recommends · Apr 2026 · in “Alberta Startup Sells No-Tech Tractors for Half Price”

9. Isn't that repairability, upgradeability and customisation, though? I didn't see anything political while completing my preorder.

   Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “Framework Computer Now Sponsoring LVFS / Fwupd Development”

10. there's some really weird bug where it hardlocks the system, and after I force-reboot it, the audio chip doesn't come back up

    Mixed · Apr 2026 · in “EFF is leaving X”

11. I really appreciate the philosophy of openness. I have replaced both the keyboard and battery, which was easy and painless.

    Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Dell Admits It Made a Mistake When It Abandoned XPS”

12. Framework laptops have another decent strategy, where you've got on-motherboard ports that have relatively few usage cycles

    Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Can Intel finally beat ARM on performance per Watt?”

13. My framework gives me peace of mind because I know the only port that will be damaged from that is the one on the $10 card

    Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

14. Framework is the closest we have come to having a thin profile laptop and easily repairable and upgradeable hardware.

    Recommends · Feb 2026 · in “Ask HN: Why electronics are still so unrecyclable?”

15. To me, buying a framework is more about ideology than them being the best at everything. I am buying a future.

    Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

16. Because Framework is awesome, they include expansion slots so users can add whatever modules they might need.

    Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Add GPIO to Your Framework Laptop with This RP2350 Expansion Card”

17. I would pay the extra $3 per laptop for better repairability, which is Framework's entire sales pitch anyway.

    Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

18. Framework isn't a tech giant like Lenovo so I imagine it would be more difficult to source replacement parts.

    Mixed · Sep 2026 · in “Used ThinkPad Buyer's Guide (2019)”

19. A laptop business that stays afloat mostly because there is a desire for repairable long lasting products

    Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Motorola announces a partnership with GrapheneOS Foundation”

20. Works well if the laptop has hardware designed to support Linux. Framework stuff is great, for instance.

    Recommends · Jan 2026 · in “Linux is good now; to feel like you actually own your PC, put Linux on it”

21. For my framework, I'd be getting a replacement AND an upgrade, because my chassis is cross compatible.

    Mixed · Mar 2026 · in “Apple Used to Design Its Laptops for Repairability”

22. I use linux so I love that if I have a problem with the wifi card on my laptop, I can just replace it

    Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Lenovo's New ThinkPads Score 10/10 for Repairability”

23. Framework is super cool as a brand, both for the quality of their product and the ethos that backs it

    Recommends · Mar 2026 · in “Lenovo's New ThinkPads Score 10/10 for Repairability”

24. that a company that targets a market segment of fairly sophisticated technologists would fail this badly on both engineering and customer support is a deal killer

    Criticizes · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

25. Framework failed in not implementing a bootloader which takes a BIOS file on a USB-Stick and flashes it w/o requiring a working BIOS/Firmware

    Criticizes · Aug 2026 · in “Fixing a Bricked Framework Laptop”

26. Frameworks are 2x the price of a Macbook without the performance, battery life, build quality, screen quality, touch pad, speakers

    Criticizes · Mar 2026 · in “My MacBook Keyboard Is Broken and It's Insanely Expensive to Fix”

27. my framework intel 12th gen just started dropping wifi/bluetooth randomly and one cpu starts looking for it frantically in a loop

    Criticizes · Mar 2026 · in “Apple introduces the new MacBook Air with M5”

28. recurring firmware issues, noise (!!), and the lack of built-in 4G/5G antennas have pushed me toward Lenovo every time

    Criticizes · Dec 2025 · in “I'm returning my Framework 16”

29. They sell overpriced, underpowered plastic hunks of shit which are an absolute pain to even buy, let alone deal with.

    Criticizes · Nov 2025 · in “Framework Computer Now Sponsoring LVFS / Fwupd Development”

30. sadly, also the price. I'd also love to get one but when I last needed a new laptop it was about 60% more expensive

    Criticizes · Dec 2025 · in “Bikeshedding, or why I want to build a laptop”

31. Now, to keep my same configuration Framework is effectively asking me to dish out another 300 USD on top of that.

    Criticizes · Jul 2026 · in “Framework downgrades RAM configurations on pre-orders due to price hikes”

32. Too many concessions, but the price just sucks. Of the four I bought for employees. Two have had serious issues.

    Criticizes · Mar 2026 · in “Lenovo's New ThinkPads Score 10/10 for Repairability”

33. for anyone that actually needs a new computer, there's no shortage of higher-end Linux-centric laptops with a better shipping track record

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “StarFighter 16-Inch”

34. Otherwise I was surprised by Framework's keyboard supporting QMK. That's the kind of nice things that make them standout IMHO.

    Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “I'm a laptop weirdo and that's why I like my new Framework 13”

35. the 16:10 screen on the framework punches a bit above its weight compared to 16:9 screens with a similar diagonal measurement

    Recommends · May 2026 · in “It's hard to justify buying a Framework 12”

36. Even if it was a framework, everything is distro specific, but I think you only need to know that a "dock megathread" exists

    Mixed · Dec 2025 · in “Bikeshedding, or why I want to build a laptop”

37. take your business directly to System 76, Star Labs, Framework, or other FOSS/H-friendly vendors, that give you choices

    Recommends · Aug 2026 · in “Get your Windows license refund”

38. We need Framework-style company making local/owner-first everything, including fridges and washing machines today.

    Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “LG TV's new software update installed MS Copilot, which cannot be deleted”

39. I've heard pretty good things about Framework laptops running perfectly with factory installed operating systems.

    Recommends · Dec 2025 · in “Steam on Linux Use Easily Hits an All-Time High in November”

40. A Framework laptop or desktop, a DIY build, or any number of other brands are better and sometimes cheaper.

    Recommends · Nov 2025 · in “C100 Developer Terminal”