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@apsun
Last active July 30, 2024 02:20
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I recently purchased a Framework 13 and a ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 AMD. I thought I would write down my impressions after using them for a week and see how they stack up against a modern MacBook. (No performance comparisons, as I got the 7640U in the Framework vs. the 8840HS in the ThinkPad, so it wouldn't be a fair fight)

Framework 13 AMD ($845 laptop + $80 RAM + $80 SSD)

Build quality

  • expansion cards have significant gaps, one port misaligned slightly
  • shell feels like plastic, not very premium (very thin aluminum)
  • screen flex is quite significant when bent from a corner
  • hinge is stiff but very wobbly, can open with one hand
  • bezel not very secure, peels up when opening screen all the way
  • up arrow key rubs against keyboard frame, QC issue?
  • almost no keyboard flex

Hardware

  • touchpad feels pretty close to 2015-era macbook
  • palm rejection works okay on linux, sometimes noticeable
  • tactility is good, fn keys slightly less tactile
  • key travel is very good but has a bit of post-travel after tactile bump
  • speaker bass and treble are awful
  • webcam quality is awful
  • display resolution is good
  • ~5 hours battery on youtube

Issues

  • wifi very slow (0.5x macbook)
    • setting regulatory domain and forcing 5ghz didn't help
    • replacing wifi card with an intel ax210 didn't help either
  • touchpad stutters in windows

ThinkPad P14s Gen 5 AMD ($850 total)

Build quality

  • shell is plastic but feels decent; no creaking issues
  • some screen flex, but less than framework
  • hinge wobble is about the same as macbook (good), but cannot open with one hand
  • no keyboard flex

Hardware

  • significantly bulkier than the framework (larger screen and thicker)
  • palm rejection about the same as framework, okay but not great
  • trackpoint buttons are flimsy feeling and rattle, like thin keyboard keys without stabilizers
  • keys are tactile but low travel (still more travel than macbook, but also less tactile)
  • webcam killswitch is not a physical killswitch, just a lens cover
  • speakers much better than framework (but still much worse than macbook for bass)
  • webcam is much better than framework, even better than macbook
  • has twice the number of ports as the framework, plus ethernet
  • wifi 1.5-2x faster than framework, roughly on par with macbook
  • display resolution is awful, gets slightly less bright than framework
  • ~5 hrs battery on youtube as well

Issues

Comparison

  • screen: macbook >> framework >> thinkpad
  • build quality: macbook >> thinkpad >> framework
  • speakers: macbook >> thinkpad >> framework
  • keyboard: framework > thinkpad = macbook
  • mouse: macbook >> thinkpad > framework
  • webcam: thinkpad > macbook >> framework
  • battery: macbook >> thinkpad = framework
  • wifi: macbook >> thinkpad >> framework
  • software: macbook >> framework = thinkpad
  • cost: thinkpad > framework >> macbook

Overall thoughts

The Framework laptop has the build quality that I would expect from a $300 budget laptop, but costs on the order of 3-4x that. However, in return for the higher price, you get upgradability and repairability (good luck finding parts for a $300 laptop), and a better enthusiast community. Whether that's worth the premium is up to you.

The Framework excels in the quality of its display. I got the first generation display, and the second one looks like it will be even better. Unfortunately, the speakers and webcam are terrible (the latter should be getting an upgrade soon together with the new display, though). The keyboard is pretty good; I think it feels similar to the ThinkPad T480s and 2015 MacBook Pro.

Overall, I'd sum up my feelings as follows:

  • Framework: excellent repairability, poor hardware (other than the display and keyboard)
  • MacBook: poor repairability, excellent hardware
  • ThinkPad: good repairability, good hardware (other than the display)

I think Framework sacrifices a bit too much on the build quality front to achieve modularity; on the other end of the spectrum, MacBooks have very nice hardware but god forbid you break something or want to upgrade your RAM later down the line. The new T14/P14s Gen 5 ThinkPads strike a good balance: most of the repairability of the Framework plus most of the build quality of the MacBook.

Personally, I feel that the sacrifices made on the Framework are a bit too much to swallow. If you want to support the company mission, by all means buy one - they are undeniably pushing the industry forward. However, from a pure product perspective, I think they still have much to improve on.

Photos

Framework expansion card gaps IMG_6465 IMG_6466

ThinkPad vs Framework side by side IMG_6476 IMG_6480 IMG_6481

WiFi speed IMG_6491

Speakers

IMG_6488.mp4

Screen wobble

IMG_6493.mp4
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