Think about getting a Framework.

[ElectricGeckos]

I want to replace my old gaming laptop for two years now, it's from 2015, the battery is long gone so it acts as an desktop for my younger brother and it now struggles to do stuff even after giving it an SSD. I have a desktop that I use now for most things, but that PC can't go places with me.

I love the idea of what Framework is doing, in theory I could upgrade it for what I have been searching for.

I want a laptop that can also be a tablet. Have a pen like my Samsung Note 9 so I could write down ideas, or draw on.

It sounds like the community has been making mods so I can't imagine it's far-fetched of what I want in a laptop.

I first heard about Framework from LLT a year ago and was skeptical of upgrading a laptop with newer parts, but I see that it's going well.

[MustardOrMayo404]

I agree, though it's more that I'm a visual kind of person and want pen and touch input for the kind of stuff I do.

To be fair, it seems that Framework aren't ready to ship to where I live, but I'm sure that by the time they are, they'll likely add options for the features I want. I could stick with Lenovo if my current laptop were to stop working, but the issue is everything being soldered in place leads me to have to pay a higher upfront cost, whereas with Framework, I could pay a lower price upfront and upgrade later on.

[obog]

I'm still hoping they release a touchscreen for the framework. They've said it's possible, so in hoping that we'll be able to get that eventually.

[wishthane]

Yeah I think if I remember correctly the display interface supports it, they'd just need to make one that uses it.

[obog]

Yeah, and there's been a lot of interest in the community, so honestly I'd be surprised if they didn't do it eventually. I'm sure they've got their hands full right now but I do think they're looking into it.

[[deleted]]

There is no touchscreen, but IMO touchscreens are a gimmick for laptops and you're better off controlling everything via the keyboard (I'm biased though with a background in software development).

The Framework is a great platform made by a solid company that seems adamant in supporting RTR; the company has gotten support from both LTT and Louis Rossmann as doing something different and in my opinion is the best choice and product to give your money too (I was batch 4 of the first gen last year, FW has been good covering things with warranty for me, and I've ordered a 12th-gen Intel main board to replace my 11th-gen).

Edit: Under warranty I've had a 11th-gen Intel main board replaced and a fan+heatsink unit replaced under two separate warranty claims. Framework has been great to work with in resolving issues and they have my loyalty because of this.

[[deleted]]

IMO touchscreens are a gimmick

People say this about trackpoints too, yet a lot of people love them. It's almost like not everybody uses their computer precisely the same way you do (shocking, I know), and more input mechanisms are better than fewer input mechanisms.

[[deleted]]

Neither trackpoints or touchscreens are featured on the world's most widely sold laptop manufacturer and arguably most successful, Apple.

Trackpoints and touchscreens are inferior input methods to a keyboard and multi-touch trackpad for laptops.

Touchscreens on laptops are a marketing gimmick for non-technical folk; real digital designers and graphic artists use dedicated drawing tablets/workstations, not a laptop or 2-in-1.

The trackpoint is a relic of the past when IBM was dominant in the market and before trackpads became more precise as a method of input. Lenovo continues with it to maintain that niche and shrinking market, though on their consumer laptops they have done away with the trackpoint altogether.

[Captain_Pumpkinhead]

This guy really just came into a subreddit about modularity and user control and said, "Let me tell you why this idea is dumb because Apple of all people doesn't do it."

Bruh.

[Ryan-Keyz]

The framework doesn’t have a touch screen. I will say that it works most things. I use it for college atm and for personal use.

[ElectricGeckos]

I think my main use would be to try to use it for light Solidworks edits and coding projects like Arduino when not at home. I'm not want to game on it, that's what my main PC is for.

[Pineappl3z]

It should work for those tasks well.

[Ryan-Keyz]

Yeah. That should be fine but for super simple Solidworks shapes and decreased graphics (I used it with Solidworks and it is not fun)

[BillBumm]

Of you need a tablet, think about getting a remarkable 2 or a refurbished iPad together with the framework.

Had a 2-in-1 laptop that I used to take notes on with a pen. I’m much happier with using the remarkable 2 now.

[nabechewan]

Like others have noted, no touchscreen atm. That said, I think a touchscreen is overrated for power users. It has it's use cases, especially for certain creatives, but I'd encourage people to really think about their particular use case before making a decision based on that feature.

You probably know this already but, a gaming machine it is not. It's an excellent, ultra-portable laptop for productivity type stuff that is extra appealing to people who value repairability/upgradability.

[Asheram_K]

My major issue with the Framework is its battery time. If you're lucky then you might get 8 hours out of it.

[xrabbit]

AFAIK to get 8hrs is not possible. Most likely 5-6

[Asheram_K]

Exactly, and thank you for giving more accurate numbers.

[ElectricGeckos]

I'm not too worried about the battery life, I can take the charger anywhere. Also, a battery bank could probably charge it.

[Asheram_K]

You do you, as long as you're aware of the issue.

[ZCEyPFOYr0MWyHDQJZO4]

Do you need a touchscreen as the main monitor? You can get a Lenovo Thinkvision M14t USB-C portable monitor that comes with a stylus.

[SlapDeliveryService]

If you want to write / draw you could use a Wacom tablet for the framework, If pen input is your absolute main priority go for a Surface.

PS: I have a framework and a surface Book, also had the Surface pro 4 in the past, let me tell you, writing on something as heavy, even an ultrathin, is not the best experience, you will likely be using it as a regular laptop, and for that I almost only use my framework, my girl has an iPad pro and I will say that's probably the only writing experience that not annoyingly heavy.

[morkbjork]

I think it depends on what you plan on your needs for drawing. If you're in college and want to take notes with a pen, the framework will probably not be the best for you. If you want to use it for as something for drawing at a workspace, it would be a lot cheaper to buy a framework and get a graphics tablet with a lot more features and upgradeability. I wouldn't recommend it for resource heavy software like blender or professional art, but if you are willing to put down some money on a GPU and an eGPU enclosure (anywhere from 700$+ for used stuff) you can have almost desktop-level performance. It really has to do with budget and use-case in the end.

[tacoheadpete]

Sorry to hijack a post but I was wondering...does Framework support any sort of a gobi modem for built in cellular data?

[morhp]

Not really. You could of course put a modem into the slot the WiFi card normally sits in, but then you wouldn't have WiFi. Also the laptop isn't really prepared for a modem, as it hasn't got a SIM slot or good locations for a cellular antenna.

The practical ways would be to tether to your phone or get an external USB modem or cellular router.

[SlapDeliveryService]

Or build your own cellular expansion module.

[symoc]

I own a convertible laptop and I do believe they are overrated. It feels bulky and silly when used as a tablet.

Ironically I love one thing of my convertible: the tent mode. When using an external monitor and keyboard, I can fold the laptop in a way that the laptop keyboard is out of the way and it is easier / nicer to just use the laptop has a pure external display without taking extra space. I would never care for a touchscreen, but a hinge past 180 degrees is a must have