Framework is the first technology company in a long time to earn the right to call itself unique. Founded by former Apple software developer Nirav Patel, the company revolves around the idea of a completely homebrewed laptop that defies the antiquated and relentless pace of the tech world as we know it today.
It is the sustainable approach offered by the framework that benefits not only the environment but also the user, who transports more than 50 million tons of electronic waste per year. Problems like a cracked screen or fast battery life can be signs of impending doom for a laptop built for utility use, but the framework puts the problem in the hands of the user.
The company is strongly aligned with the right to repair movement, which aims to allow people to repair their devices at home instead of taking them to a specialist or replacing the device entirely. Some argue that the complexity of technological devices makes the right to repair a movement largely impossible, arguing that it is neither reasonable nor safe to allow users to repair their own products. Many advocates of the right repair movement have seen companies go to great lengths to emphasize that home repairs can be done with the right tools and that team resources are not an issue.
Made from recycled aluminum and plastic, each Framework laptop comes with a small set of screws that you can use to take apart and replace any part of the laptop. The framework provides a store page where users can easily find your site using the company's marketplace and buy parts for everything from motherboards. The marketplace comes with on-site guides to help you take the guesswork out of home renovations. The company recently announced the Framework Refurbished program, a marketplace for discount used laptops and hardware that makes refurbishing more affordable on a tight budget. Some third parties are also provided in a pinch.
Patel and the rest of the Framework team didn't trade style for substance. The four main laptop models offered by the company share the compact and portable resemblance of an Apple or Dell computer, and some of the same features. Consumers hesitant to make the switch can take comfort in knowing that Framework laptops come with premium features like Touch ID and a powerful 1080p webcam. The body of the notebook is thin and light, comparable to a MacBook, yet strong and generally solid. The company recently partnered with Google to release a model that can overhaul the popular portable Chromebook and Classic Framework laptop.
The Chromebook Edition of Framework laptops comes in two base models: a fully assembled model starting at $819 and a pre-built model starting at $1,049. Both laptops currently run Windows 11.
The buzzwords regarding the future of the framework seem to be "enhancement" and "troubleshooting". The main consumer complaints about the laptop are related to some flaws that take it away from the core. For example, the battery life of a Framework laptop is typically about six hours, and a full charge takes two hours. It's not a very good gaming laptop that separates the frame from the entire consumer crowd.
In terms of expansion, although Framework has expanded its initial laptop and market launches to nine countries, there are still limitations. For example, the Enterprise Framework Update Program is only available in the US, and the new version with Google is only available in the US and Canada. The road to expansion seems to be on the horizon, but little by little it is gaining ground and recognition. Featured on TIME magazine's list of the best inventions of 2021 and positively reviewed by popular tech YouTubers, the resulting framework has been shown to help bring more sustainable technology to users around the world while helping the environment.
