Is the Framework Laptop Expensive?

 Much like with Macs, I keep hearing people saying that the Framework laptop is expensive - but is it really?

Firstly, I have to admit, you can get laptops with the same specifications in terms of processor, RAM, and SSD for cheaper - there's no argument there.  

The Framework starts at $999 USD, which is 129,666 JPY as of today.  

For your $999 you get an i5-1135G7, 8GB of Memory, and 256GB of SSD storage, and 4 USB-C ports (which you can swap out for other types if you like).  

It also has a fingerprint reader, a metal case, a very nice backlit keyboard, a 55 watt hour battery, a much better than average web cam, sadly very much average speakers, a high quality 2256x1504 13.5 inch LCD screen, and the magic sauce:

1. Swappable ports

2. Ugradable RAM and SSD

3. Swappable bezel

4. Physical privacy switches (for the webcam and microphone).  

5. All parts can be easily replaced, and can be easily ordered on the Framework marketplace.  This includes the screen, motherboard, WiFi module, keyboard, you name it.  Not only that, but the entire laptop is designed to be super easy to open up for upgrades and repairs.  

Now, let's look at some of the competition:

For Apple, you can get the 13 inch MacBook Air for 115,280 JPY or the MacBook Pro.

Let's start with the MacBook Air.  You will get the same 8GB of memory and 256GB of SSD as with the entry level framework.  You will get a similarly good backlit keyboard as well.  The MacBook easily beats the FrameWork in battery life and GPU power, but that is not really something FrameWork or any other PC maker can do anything about while sticking with Intel.  The Macbook also uses thicker metal in the case, which makes if feel sturdier, but also makes it heavier of course.  The speakers in the Macbook Air are better than those in the framework as well.

Now for the downsides, the webcam in the MacBook is significantly worse, and has no privacy switch.  The Framework has 4 ports, as opposed to the paltry 2 ports on the MacBook Air.  (And you can choose what type of ports you would like on the Framework, while you are stuck with USB-C only for the MacBook air).  

The low-end MacBook Pro comes in at $146,280, which is a bit above what an entry level FrameWork PC costs.  The specs are basically the same as the MacBook air, except that it has a fan and a bigger battery, and the unit itself is of course bigger and heavier.  

The touch pad on the Macs is bigger and a bit nicer than the Framework's touch pad, but the upgradability and repairability on the MacBooks is basically zero.  Once you buy it, you can's upgrade the RAM, you can't upgrade the SSD, and you can't officially upgrade the motherboard.  You can't change the ports, and you can't replace things like a broken screen without going to extreme measures.  The screen on the Framework is slightly larger than either of the entry level MacBooks.  

As an example, Apple wanted $850 to change out the motherboard in a 2.5 year old computer, and once quoted me $800 to change a cracked non-retina LCD screen.  The Framework screen sells for about $200, and can be replaced in less than an hour with nothing more than the screwdriver they include in the box.  

So, at the entry level, the MacBook either costs about $150 less or $150 more than the Framework.  Mostly, they are charging $300 for a fan.  

More to the point, the cost of the MacBook goes up more rapidly than the FrameWork when you start asking for a higher spec.  You can source the parts yourself for the FrameWork if you want to hunt for the best prices, but it's worth noting that FrameWork includes fast Gen4 NVMe SSDs in the pre-built laptops.  (Just like Apple, except they are removable on the Framework).

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But what about other manufacturers?

Let's try Lenovo!  Lenovo offers high end models, and budget models, but the closest models to the Framework are the X1 series (which is also a thin-and-light type of machine).  

The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 9 is a 14 inch machine, with an 11th gen i5 Intel processor like the Framework.  The "Performance" model comes with 8GB or RAM and 256GB SSD just like the entry-level framework, and lists for a whopping 178,640!  That's about $500 more than the Framework for basically the same specs.  The screen is an inch larger, but it is also quite a bit lower resolution, at 1920x1200.  The webcam is also worse, at 720p.  Whey both have WiFi 6 included.  The SSD on the X1 carbon can actually be upgraded, though the RAM cannot, as it is soldered onto the board.  The RAM is actually slightly faster due to that, but if you bought a machine with 8GB of RAM, you are almost certainly going to want to upgrade it at some point!

As with the MacBook, once you start upgrading, the prices rise rapidly for the ThinkPad line, with the customized model of the i5 Thinkpad model mentioned above upgraded to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, you are looking at 210,815 JPY!  (They are claiming this is a big discount from the MSRP of 324,280 JPY, too! yikes!)    Even with the exchange rate as bad as it is right now (the JPY is at a 20 year historic low to the USD), the Framework is still significantly cheaper at 181,570 - and that's with an i7 vs the  ThinkPad's i5!  When customizing, you can upgrade the ThinkPad's screen from being inferior to the Framework to being superior (4k vs 2.5k), but it will cost you 27,500 more!

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Next, let's take a look at Sony Vaio!

Well, they don't have 13 inch laptops, but they have 12.5 inch ones.

I tried to configure as a similar a model as I could.  Sony is interesting in that they use the nickel-and-dime approach.  The "Default" configuration is an i3, with no fingerprint reader, and a non-backlit keyboard.  Configuring all of those little extras to match as closely as I could, and also setting an i5 with 8GB of RAM and a 256gb SSD (which is not Gen4 NVMe!), the total comes to... 154,200 JPY - more than $200 more than the framework,with a slower SSD.  If you opt for the faster Gen 4 SSD (like the Framework has!), the price rises to 159,700, so now we're closer to $250 more than the comparable Framework.

Switching this to i7/16GB/512GB, the price jumps to 209,200 JPY, while the comparable Framework is again, 181,570 - very roughly a $300 difference.  The Sony has a worse web cam and slower SSD but costs $300 more?  If you select an NVMe SSD, the price of the Sony goes up to 214,700.  

Interestingly, kicking things up to 32GB and 1TB, the Sony comes to 267,700 while the Framework is only 259,442 JPY.  Somehow the price difference decreases.  

Also, I love Sony's phones and such, but their computers tend to be impractical, unrepairable, and unreliable.  They also tend to require special drivers.  If I wanted easy repairability with any maker's computers, it would be Sony - but such is not the case.  

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What about Dell, they have a reputation for low cost, right?

I have to admit I am not a Dell expert, but my understanding is that their thin-and-light category is the XPS line, so I'll look there.  

The XPS 13 Premium comes with an 11th gen i5, a 13.3 inch screen (just 1920x1080, though), 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD (which is, thankfully, M.2).  The keyboard is backlit, and it comes with 3 USB-C ports (2 of which are thunderbolt).  It also has a web cam, but as it typical, it's only 720p.  This laptop is 123,984 JPY on "Sale" at the moment, so it's about $50 less than the Framework, but with a worse screen, web cam, and battery - oh, and the RAM can't be upgraded.  

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But I want Linux!

All of the laptops above (Except the Mac) typically include the Windows Tax, but what if you planned to run Linux anyway?

If I didn't buy the Framework, I probably would have bought a machine from System 76.  The smallest machine they have is the Galago Pro, but that's still a 14 incher.  

Configuring for specs similar to the entry level Framework (11th Gen i5/8GB/250GB), it comes to $1,038 USD, just a hare above the Framework, but note that the SSD is 250GB Gen3 instead of 256GB Gen4.

Upping to i7/16GB RAM/512GB SSD (Gen 4 this time), it's $1496 vs $1399 for the Framework.  (Note that in thei case the exact part number  of the i7 is even the same, which was not always possible with the other makers).  

Upping again to i7/32GB/1TB SSD (Gen 4), it's $1816 vs. $1999, so the System76 laptop wins, albeit with a lower spec i7.  

Note that I was being a bit generous to System76 here, because the Lemur Pro is actually closer to the Framework in weight, and costs around $149 more than the Galago Pro to start.  

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I could go research Panasonic, HP, ASUS, or others, but I think you get the idea.  The major brands all have similar offerings, and the prices are either slightly less or significantly more than the FrameWork.  I am sure you could get a computer for much less if you move into the inch think plastic case budget category, but that is not where FrameWork is competing at the moment.  

Even ignoring the repairability, upgradability, and nifty exchangable ports - I certainly can't find a similar laptop with similar features and a similar form factor from other well known manufacturers for $300 less than the Framework - so where on earth does this "Price Premium" talking point come from?  I've heard the same thing from people about MacBooks over the years.  "Oh, Macs are so expensive!" - then I performed the same exercise to check, and, surprise! - They're not.  Make no mistake, you can definitely get a low quality budget laptop for $500 - no argument there!  But when you start adding up the differences, you quickly find out that you get what you pay for.  Maybe you need to add $50 to upgrade the WiFi and Bluetooth, another $50 for a backlit keyboard, $150 for a better screen, $50 for a better web cam, $200 for a newer generation processor, $100 to upgrade your RAM from 4GB to 8GB, etc.- but if you start with a budget model and customize it to match a FrameWork or MacBook - that $500 budget model quickly becomes $1000 or more.  

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More to the point, if your computer starts feeling a bit slow after a few years, or your SSD is starting to feel cramped - and you don't have an upgradable PC  well, then, you just have to save up for a new one, and hope you can sell or gift your old laptop to someone else.  

If you cracked your screen, or spilled soda on your keyboard, you'd better be ready to work out half of what you paid for your laptop, or more (quite possibly more than you could buy the same model used for now!) to get it fixed.  

If the RAM in your MacBook dies (like mine did!), you need to get the motherboard replaced at great cost, and your data will all be gone, because you can't remove the SSD to swap it into your new laptop.  

The most important thing to note is that if there is not a big price difference now - there will be later.  RAM and SSD prices almost always trend downwards.  Let's assume you could buy an i7/64GB/2TB machine right now, but it would cost you $3k.  You could simply buy the 32GB/1TB model now for $2k, and wait for good deals on the RAM or SSD on sites like SlickDeals, or just wait for the price to go down in general.  More than Likely, in 2 years time, you'll be able to buy 64GB of RAM and maybe a 4TB drive for less than $1000, and you can sell or re-use the components that came in your laptop.  

Having to choose between something high end but overpriced because you might need it later, that is affordable now but will be obsolete soon is an awful decision to have to make.  Even if Framework did have the price premium that some people claim it does, I would happily pay it given what's on offer.