Google Partners With Framework To Launch Upgradable and Customizable Chromebook (theverge.com) 14
Framework and Google have announced the new Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition. As the name implies, this is an upgradable, customizable Chromebook from the same company that put out the Framework laptop last year. From a report: User-upgradable laptops are rare enough already, but user-upgradable Chromebooks are nigh unheard of. While the size of the audience for such a device may remain to be seen, it's certainly a step in the right direction for repairability in the laptop space as a whole. Multiple parts of the Framework are user-customizable, though it's not clear whether every part that's adjustable on the Windows Framework can be adjusted on the Chromebook as well. Each part has a QR code on it which, if scanned, brings up the purchase page for the part's replacement. Most excitingly (to me), the Chromebook Edition includes the same expansion card system as the Windows edition, meaning you can choose the ports you want and where to put them. I don't know of any other laptop, Windows or Chrome OS, where you can do this, and it's easily my personal favorite part of Framework's model. You can choose between USB-C, USB-A, microSD, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, high-speed storage, "and more," per the press release. HDMI, in particular, is a convenient option to have on a Chromebook.
Too few expansion ports (Score:3, Interesting)
While I like the idea of being more repareable and in theory extendable, it has the same, or maybe less, ports than the Chromebook I'm using now that cost less than half the price.
In theory I might be able to go with only one USB-C and have a spare in case it fails. But I also like having one on each side when traveling as place to plug it in could be on either side.
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Does anyone sell a laptop with an actual ethernet port today? I think some of the toughbook models still have them.
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My el cheapo ($300) HP Ryzen 3 relatively thin and light and definitely try to look like a laptop model has RJ ethernet. It has the little hinged jaw to let it lie gracefully on the curve.
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yea my work issue dell precision has the same setup
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Except the Framework ports are all hot-swap. Are you really going to have two chargers plugged in at the same time?
At home I just plug into a Thunderbolt 3 dock, which has the Ethernet and dual-monitor (DP/HDMI) as well as extra USB ports for my real keyboard. Unplug and go when I travel, with dual-USB C, dual-USB A, with an HDMI and extra USB C in my bag. I just got a notice my Ethernet adapter shipped today, so that'll go in my pack.
Yes, $999 for a Chromebook is crazy expensive. Oh, Framework has a couple
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What Chromebook do you have now?
Meh, no ports on the back (Score:2)
What I want is ports back on the back of the system.
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You could check out Apple's stuff. Sometimes they put ports underneath! /MagicMouse
Open Hardware? (Score:2)
Unless I'm mistaken, aren't the side ports OpenHardware?
I think the goal is for people to 3D-print their own shells and put their own hardware inside, but it would be nice if they also sold "empty" side ports shells (with the required connector built-in on a PCB with holes/pins of course).
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The trackpoint was patented by IBM. It has expired now but still not cheap enough for customizable laptops to source them. The demand was not high anyway.
A choice of key travel distance for keyboard will be fun though. This might be doable by having multiple choices of chassis with various thickness.