I'm happy to answer any questions folks have around this product. We've released all of the main specifications at this point, along with documentation and CAD on GitHub for the new module systems.
I think I remember seeing in an LTT video, mention of possibly using the expansion slot as an additional battery input. I didn't know if that was a possible direction considering the tech specs mainly focus on the 8x interface. Having bought a thinkpad for that exact purpose of an extra swappable battery, that would be a big boon if it was possible (even if you can't comment on a specific road map).
We've designed the Expansion Bay module system to be able to handle power bi-directionally. One of the main reasons for this was to enable secondary batteries. This specific module isn't something we've shared any plans around, but it's something that either we or a third party would be able to build.
The Expansion Bay Shell has an open area in the center for additional modules. We shared a preview of one of the modules that we're building, which is a dual M.2 storage carrier.
Part of why we do pre-orders is to get a good read on demand early enough to adjust our production capacity. Our main manufacturing partner is Compal, who is one of the three largest laptop manufacturer in the world, so we have headroom to be able to continue to scale up.
Why is it taking so long for Framework's products to become available in other countries? It's been more than two years and three product generations + an entirely new product, and you still can't even pre-order in the vast majority of regions.
There are plenty of electronics products on Kickstarter that can be ordered from dozens of countries even while the product is still in development, so why is this so difficult with Framework?
On Kickstarters specifically, I have worked in a company that made the mistake of not limiting country availability, and ran into the massive downstream problems with that afterwards: products blocked at customs due to missing certifications or registrations, along with tax issues and penalties.
Will production units be shipped to review outlets ahead of the first batch? I was really impressed with the keyboard options! Is the keyboard also going to be programmable?
On a completely unrelated note in the factory tour it was shown that the DIY versions are disassembled. I'm curious what the process is for the parts that are removed. Do they get put back into the production like, sent back to the manufacturer, or?
We've historically aligned our press review timing to use production units and have reviews go live just before we start shipping the first batch. We'll also have additional pre-production hands ons happening throughout the year.
The parts that are temporarily put on a DIY Edition for system testing are cycled repeatedly within the factory.
Yes, we worked with BOE to build a semi-custom display specifically because we couldn't find a great panel that had high refresh rate, high brightness, high contrast, and a wide color gamut at a reasonable price. Color gamut was often the missing part in available "gaming" panels.
The site should be back up and running (though slightly slowly) now. We had substantially higher load than we've seen even during previous pre-order launches.
Honestly, it was much cheaper than I had assumed it would be. A pre-built "performance" version starts at $1,699 (Ryzen 7 7840HS) with 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Compare that to the entry 16 inch MacBook Pro at $2499.
The "overkill" system with a Ryzen 9 7940HS, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD is $2099. A pseudo comparison to the 16 inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is $3099.
Also these systems are cheaper if done DIY and no Windows tax. Framework really might have a winner if this system can live up to their promises.
Word for those who'd like to pre-order as well - Create your account _before_ ordering. Perhaps this was just a one-off issue I had, but I tried setting up an account whilst ordering, as the website suggested, and it erred, charging my card but not sending me any receipt or creating any account, AFAICT. It may be that it's just a fluke, but you may as well be cautious.
When I click "Add pre-order to bag" it tells me "Please make a selection for each option." I have quadruple-checked, and I have definitely made a selection for each option. What gives? Take my money!
Is this a DIY Edition or a pre-built configuration?
Could you also write into support (though note that response may be delayed)? If you are logged into an account, the team should also be able to check the configuration that is in progress to see what is missing: https://framework.kustomer.help/contact/support-request-ryon...
DIY Edition. I restarted on my laptop instead of my phone and was able to get it through, though not before missing out on batch 2 :(
I think there was something squirrely with my selection of keyboard options - I wanted two sets of spacers and a numpad, and on my phone I'd selected one set of spacers as primary and added another set of spacers plus a numpad. On my laptop, I chose numpad as primary and added two pairs of spacers, and that seemed to work.
Can confirm that I experienced a similar problem with my DIY order, and I reviewed my selections multiple times to check that I had in fact selected everything that needed to be selectable before giving up and starting again. (I missed out on Batch 1 <sniff>.) If it helps with debugging, I'm happy to send my current order number to that support address for comparison (my final choices were identical in both cases).
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[ 0.22 ms ] story [ 63.7 ms ] threadhttps://github.com/FrameworkComputer/ExpansionBay
Or would those have to come as a separate expansion module?
Is your manufacturing going to be able to keep up with demand?
Part of why we do pre-orders is to get a good read on demand early enough to adjust our production capacity. Our main manufacturing partner is Compal, who is one of the three largest laptop manufacturer in the world, so we have headroom to be able to continue to scale up.
This is really amazing. You're the only laptop giving Apple a run for their money.
There are plenty of electronics products on Kickstarter that can be ordered from dozens of countries even while the product is still in development, so why is this so difficult with Framework?
On Kickstarters specifically, I have worked in a company that made the mistake of not limiting country availability, and ran into the massive downstream problems with that afterwards: products blocked at customs due to missing certifications or registrations, along with tax issues and penalties.
On a completely unrelated note in the factory tour it was shown that the DIY versions are disassembled. I'm curious what the process is for the parts that are removed. Do they get put back into the production like, sent back to the manufacturer, or?
The parts that are temporarily put on a DIY Edition for system testing are cycled repeatedly within the factory.
https://twitter.com/FrameworkPuter
or here:
https://fosstodon.org/@frameworkcomputer
... depending on your social tech.
the actual post is also on archive.is now:
A pretty bad snapshot resides at:
https://archive.ph/fcY1H
a somewhat working one is at IA:
https://web.archive.org/web/20230718144114/https://frame.wor...
The "overkill" system with a Ryzen 9 7940HS, 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD is $2099. A pseudo comparison to the 16 inch MacBook Pro with M2 Pro, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD is $3099.
Also these systems are cheaper if done DIY and no Windows tax. Framework really might have a winner if this system can live up to their promises.
The verge also has a deep dive into the system https://www.theverge.com/22665800/framework-laptop-16-hands-...
Could you also write into support (though note that response may be delayed)? If you are logged into an account, the team should also be able to check the configuration that is in progress to see what is missing: https://framework.kustomer.help/contact/support-request-ryon...
I think there was something squirrely with my selection of keyboard options - I wanted two sets of spacers and a numpad, and on my phone I'd selected one set of spacers as primary and added another set of spacers plus a numpad. On my laptop, I chose numpad as primary and added two pairs of spacers, and that seemed to work.
The VRAM already seems a little disappointing.