2y ago

Review: Framework Laptop finally gets an AMD Ryzen config—and it’s pretty good

arstechnica.com

Technology @lemmy.world

Leo @lemmy.linuxuserspace.show

2y ago

Review: Framework Laptop finally gets an AMD Ryzen config—and it’s pretty good

arstechnica.com

12 comments

This was a nice article to read, except complaints about the bezel (really we're still talking about bezels?). I've got a Intel 12th gen Framework 13, and I've been curious about how they'd do with the AMD version. I'm really liking mine, but a bit more performance would be appreciated since I use it for work, too. I'll probably buy the motherboard kit in a year or so, and slide the Intel into a case for a home server.
- No one cares about bezels other than tech bloggers. And they only care so they can have another thing to write about.
  
  I like not having space wasted. A smaller, lighter laptop is easier to carry around and fit into bags, so the more space that is used for the screen, the better.
  
  I mean, I get it, I like small bezels too, but it's pretty low on the list...
- I'm mostly going to complain about bezels on any mobile device with a screen because I really want to maximize screen real estate. But at some point I'm just like "really?". Like you are going to make SOME compromises to be repairable and upgradeable and that seems like a fairly minor one.
- Yup, in the same boat and that looks like a good plan.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
My third review of this laptop is probably the one that I (and many Framework-curious PC buyers) have been the most interested to test, as the company has finally added an AMD Ryzen option to the repair-friendly portable.
I won't spend a lot of time talking about the design of the Framework Laptop 13 again, except to say that it remains a competent ultraportable, and there's nothing that feels dated or clunky about its design now that didn't already feel a little dated and clunky two years ago (the relatively thick display bezel is the main culprit here).
Another laptop in this category we generally like, Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Carbon, has been using the same basic design for years, so it's not like Framework is in danger of falling behind in a chaotic and fast-paced industry.
All the Intel Framework Laptops have supported the same specifications for all four ports (USB 4 for the 11th-gen, Thunderbolt 4 for the newer ones), allowing you to install the expansion card modules wherever you want them without worrying about the particulars.
Framework also says the rear ports enter a "high-power mode" when USB-A modules are connected to them, which can reduce battery life.
But some modules are better fits for specific ports, and you'll have to be a bit more careful about where you put things if you want the best performance and battery life.
The original article contains 530 words, the summary contains 232 words. Saved 56%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!

12 comments