I mentioned earlier that I was buying a new laptop after my Dell XPS 13's integrated battery and only spare USB port began to fail. Well, the appeal of being able to upgrade and repair my own device in the future proved too enticing to pass up. I purchased a 12th Gen Framework laptop.

How I Saved Money On My Framework Laptop

One of the downsides I mentioned earlier was the enormous cost. To offset this, or perhaps improve the bang for my buck, I decided to purchase as many of my components on Amazon as possible (instead of the Framework Marketplace).

Instead of buying 32GB of DDR4 RAM from Framework for $160, I managed to score two compatible Samsung 32GB RAM sticks for $87.75 each. So for only $15 more, I'm able to future proof my laptop with a staggering 64GB of RAM. For the same amount of RAM, I would have paid $320 on the Framework marketplace. Instead, I paid only $175.50

Likewise, Framework was selling the Western Digital Black SN770 SSD for $119. I found it on Amazon for $69.

Even the Framework 60W Power Supply sells for $49. On Amazon, I managed to find a Dell 65W Power Supply for just $31.

I even decided not to buy Windows from Framework. On the Framework Marketplace, Windows 11 Home Edition costs only $139. That's the same price as Amazon. However, Linux Mint costs absolutely nothing and it seems like Framework has shockingly good for several Linux distros; which I absolutely love. According to the Framework website, Linux Mint has some trouble with the fingerprint reader, but I would still like to try to get it working. If I can't, I'll be installing Ubuntu (It's been 7 years since the Ubuntu spyware scandal finally came to an end).

If you're keeping track, I saved $68 on the power supply and SSD. I paid $15 extra on RAM, but got an enormous upgrade for it. Apples to apples (64GB to 64GB), I saved $144.50. Then, by using Linux, I hope to save another $139 (something built into the cost of Windows laptops) bought from manufacturers.

My total savings for going elsewhere for components and ditching Windows were $351.50. I'm pretty happy with that.

Customizing Early is Really Good

Framework does sell pre-assembled laptops and Chromebooks if you don't want to put your machine together yourself. However, the obvious benefit of the Framework environment is being able to open your machine up and tinker with or repair it yourself. When something eventually needs to be upgraded or repaired, I personally will have a LOT more confidence opening the laptop up if I know that I'm the one who largely put it together. Especially if my first issue is a repair, I'm going to be stressed enough about my laptop not working. Having that knowledge that I've done this before is going to be a huge comfort. It's kind of like a nerdy version of the Marine learning to disassemble and reassemble his rifle so he has an in depth knowledge and familiarity with their weapon to make him more confident and deadly.

I'm going to slay some MF'ers on my Framework laptop.

The more I customize my Framework laptop early, the more comfortable I will be performing repairs and upgrades and the more ownership I will feel over this device, not unlike the desktop PC I built in 2010 and still use today.

Concerns Are Real Though

My biggest concern with my Framework laptop is actually Linux. Despite what the Linux freaks say, Linux rarely "just works" and the software options for my high resolution pixel art really suck. 2023 will be my latest in a long line of failed attempts to get the Windows XP version of MS Paint working in Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint, PureOS, SorinOS, and Mint again all failed me). I'm also worried because I would really like to connect my Framework laptop to a Silhouette Cameo 3 for decal cutting and I doubt the drivers exist or the software to plan my cuts will even work.

Software aside, I'm also worried about the battery life. The current Framework battery is pretty weak by all measures and Linux has a tendency to be about 10% to 20% less efficient in battery power management. For the past years, my Dell XPS 13 has enjoyed a battery life of 10 to 15 minutes, so I've learned to move around with my charger. Still, it would be nice to have an 8-10 hour battery life instead of 4-5. If Framework ever sells an upgraded battery as technology improves and drops in cost, I'm going to be all over that.

Finally, there is some concern that my $351.50 in savings by purchasing my own components from Amazon is too good to be true. I did check to make sure the RAM and SSD were compatible with the Framework PC, but Amazon has become notorious for Chinese counterfeit products in recent years. If anything besides the power supply doesn't work, I'm going to have to deal with Amazon returns and figure out another, likely more expensive solution.

Still, I'm Excited

As mentioned above, I built my own desktop PC in 2010 and, while it's no longer my primary PC, it was my primary PC for 11 years and it's still an important part of my streaming and future network storage plans. Even if Framework goes out of business, I should hopefully be able to 3D print my own parts for it in a couple of years to accommodate parts from other manufacturers purchased on the cheap from eBay. In fact, when I get a 3D printer, some of my first projects are likely going to be customizations to this laptop for nothing more than my own artistic amusement.

I'm also excited to be using my money to support a company with a very ethical outlook on ownership, repairability, privacy, customization, environmentalism, and recycling. If I get this and most of the machine is made in Taiwan, Korea, or even the United States; I'm going to break my neck doing back flips.

That might seem like a pipe dream in an era where almost everything is made in China... but according to my shipment tracking, the package originated IN THE GREAT INDEPENDENT COUNTRY OF TAIWAN!