Framework 16: Additional hardware questions
I'm looking to buy a Framework 16 in its most powerful Ryzen config. I'm looking at this being the last laptop I need to buy because of its modular design, so I don't mind the heavy initial investment.
I'm looking to shave of $400-500 by buying parts externally, however. I wanted it to be 64GB RAM, with a 4TB OS drive to run Aurora on, and later on a second drive for another non-immutable LTS distro (probably Debian?).
If I can source the same RAM/Storage, is there any reason to actually buy them from Framework? I'm a bit confused by the huge price difference, since I can get the same memory and storage hardware from Microcenter for about $400 less total.
And if anybody has any experience with the Framework 16 as a daily driver, I'd be interested to hear any stories. I'm not getting the graphics module yet, but may down the road to see if it can replace my desktop fully. Drivers should not be an issue as Aurora has a Framework image that contains everything I'll need.
I have a Framework 16. I chose to buy RAM from Framework -- I've seen RAM compatibility issues when using different RAM in the past, with a desktop and just didn't want to risk having to deal with it. I do believe there is a Corsair kit that a lot of redditors use that I haven't seen any complaints about.
I did bring my own storage. I actually just chose to buy the exact same Samsung 2280 SSD Framework sources though, I just got mine on Amazon for like $150 cheaper.
They're currently shipping with WD SN850Xs, or seem to for the Ryzen 7940, so I was going to one-for-one with it.
What sort of RAM issues? I'm also seeing quite a few with various Crucial configurations, but only one mention of "a blip about a motherboard setting."
Ah, it is Western Digital, I misremembered.
Bad RAM timing can cause boot issues and blue screens and all sorts of issues. That said, you probably would be fine with any of the kits that Framework lists as compatible (they tested a few themselves!). I'm just paranoid and didn't want to risk it.
I found their lists and priced some out, the Crucial kit I want seems to be fine if not fully tested, but I found lther options that seem just fine as well. Thanks for that!
Been daily driving a Framework 16 since March. Like you, my plan is for this to be the last laptop I ever buy.
Hardware-wise, I would say I'm 95% delighted: putting it together was a piece of cake thanks to good labeling and the profusion of captive screws (and they even supplied a screwdriver; I have loads of tools, but it's nice that Framework bothered), I like being able to reconfigure the side expansion modules whenever I want, I have the skills to replace parts so it's great that I can actually order them, the screen is nice and bright (Caveats: I am neither a designer nor a high-end gamer, so my standards for a good screen may not be yours.), the theoretical possibility of dual SSDs is lovely, and I confess to giggling every time I trigger the LED matrix spacers or change the LED pattern on the RGB keyboard (and there are like, 50). The GPU is very easy to swap out; the fact that it's cold-swap rather than hot-swap isn't an issue for me because I discovered I barely use it (my gaming needs are, um, special). As for the 5% I'm not totally happy with: fit and finish isn't quite perfect (my touchpad module rests slightly higher on the right side than on the left, and I can feel the back right corner if I run my finger over it). Unlike for the 13", the expansion module bays are not 100% interchangeable, so for example you can't use either front slot to plug in the power supply (to be fair this is apparently an AMD-imposed limitation and not Framework's fault). The laptop seems to run a bit hot, although I haven't really explored whether this is truly a hardware problem or something related to my usage patterns.
Software-wise, I'm about 75% happy, but since I'm running Linux Mint 21.3, this effectively makes any problems I have not Framework's fault because it's not a supported distro. (The Insyde firmware is convinced I'm running Ubuntu, for what it's worth.) I settled on Mint after trying Fedora, MX Linux and ELive, but couldn't get the latter three to the magic combination of Steam + Compiz + not crashing regularly. (I'm at the point in my life where I no longer have the appetite to spend all weekend investigating the causes of a stability problem; I just want the system to work so I can play Borderlands.) As it is, Mint took a fair bit of tweaking before I was happy with it (e.g. skipping straight to the latest kernel right after install to get the GPU recognized and suspend to work at all), but I think I have it dialed it well enough now that the system is fine for daily use. My one attempt to dual-boot Mint and OpenBSD went poorly: bad things happened in UEFI-land and I ended up yanking the OpenBSD SSD and reinstalling the Mint one. (I keep backups and, as I said, my appetite for diving into OS problems is much weaker than it used to be.) I want to emphasize again that all of these issues are on me, not Framework, as they've been very clear on what distributions they support, and Mint isn't one of them, but you asked about the daily experience, so that's mine.
I wonder if your issues are Compiz issues? I'm going to use Aurora because it's what I've been using for a minute (since February, no intention to look back). I would frankly recommend it for anybody because it's been stellar, and you can just use Distrobox for anything not available via Flatpak/missing libraries. It's a larger storage footprint, but also means your system will be rock-solid.
I would be tempted to see what's up with Mint on this, since it's just Ubuntu, and intend to use the second SSD specifically for more expiremental Linux setups.
I would say that some of my issues (at least the stability ones) were absolutely Compiz issues, which has never been fully stable in the entire time I've been using it, but I'm a sucker for the rotating cube effect and it's a permanent part of my workflow. (Stop laughing.) Almost all the instability went away once I installed Mint, and the whole point of the exercise was to get to a stable desktop, so that's where I stayed.
I own a Framework 13. Personally, I bought the SSD/memory from them because I wanted to give them the margin on the sale. When the SSD died prematurely Framework replaced it under warranty, which was nice. I do prefer the SK Hynix drive that I replaced it with, thought.
I feel a little guilty about not supporting them with that margin, but also have a tighter budget on it than will allow. Frankly, part of the reason for the Framework is to cut future costs with modular upgrades.
Was the Hynix just a faster drive than included on the 13?
Faster and more power efficient, yes! Unfortunately, the WD.BLACK drives have also garnered a bad reputation in the years since for having a high failure rate.
I did the same thing when I bought the 13. SSD and RAM are easily the simplest parts to install and manufacturers have their own warranties. Since they're solid state it's going to be exceptionally rare that something doesn't die within the warranty period if there's something wrong.
IDK if the "packaged" Framework laptops come pre-assembled, which could account for the price hike. I took it that part of the point of mine coming only semi-assembled was because it was the DIY version and half the point is emphasizing repairability.
Overall I'm a big fan of the laptop and the company, but don't understand the price doubling for storage and memory either.
The non-DIY frameworks are fully assembled. You slot in your own usb c IO adapters, but other than that it is exactly like unboxing a dell/apple/etc. Also to note, the DIY version is the same price as the assembled version. Framework builds your exact computer to validate all the parts together and disassembles it for the DIY version.
A little research, and I don't think it's a random price. The SSD I priced out for example was about where MSRP seems to be for Amazon to list the savings. The RAM seems to be similarly priced out. I feel like it's a fundamental issue with OEM hardware pricing vs retail and some quirk of that.