Framework’s first desktop is a strange—but unique—mini ITX gaming PC
Ryzen AI Max and its gigantic integrated GPU power this Xbox Series S-sized PC.
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This is one stupid product. It really goes against everything the framework brand has identified with.
Desktops are already that, though. In order for them to distinguish themselves in the industry, they can't just offer another modular desktop PC. They can't offer prebuilts, or gaming towers, or small form factor units, or pre-specced you-build kits. They can't even offer low-cost micro-desktops. All of those markets are saturated.
But they can offer a cheap Mac Studio alternative. Nobody's cracked that nut yet. And it remains to be seen if this will be it, but it certainly seems like it's lined up to.
I'm not super well informed, but a socketable AMD nuc form factor machine would've been nice, single pcie, m.2 and 2 sodimm ram slots would've been good. Could've even given the option to route the pcie slot externally and offered an add on egpu case that's actually worth a damn a la mega drive/sega cd.
I'd argue not. It's as modular/repairable as the platform can be (with them outright stating the problematic soldered RAM), and not exorbitantly priced for what it is.
But what I think is most "Framework" is shooting for a niche big OEMs have completely flubbed or enshittified. There's a market (like me) that wants precisely this, not like a framework-branded gaming tower or whatever else a desktop would look like.
It's as modular/repairable as the platform can be
It can't be. That's the point.
AMD said no due to the platform and apparently the signal integrity not being up to snuff.
...said no to what?
Modular Ram modules (e.g. dram and I believe lpcamm)
Soldered ram is more efficient because it does not require big connectors and is closer to the CPU and GPU. 3D Vcache Is the ultimate examples or this.
Yes I'm aware. What's your point?
I guess I'm not sure what you want Framework to due instead. Just not launch this at all? What alternative are you advocating for?
Just not launch this at all?
...yes? Exactly. If they can't find a way to sell something that fits their ethos then they shouldn't sell it. Seems like an obvious answer.
Desktop PCs don't need Framework. They've always been and still are modular, repairable and upgradeable but FW managed to design the only one that isn't. It's the opposite of everything they supposedly stand for.
They wasted resources on this instead of building other amazing hardware.
The APU/RAM is one unit, everything else is modular and repairable. They aren’t price gouging the RAM either.
They’re one upping Apple, big PC OEMs and Chinese Mini PC makers with a more repairable, consumer friendly product. That sounds like Framework to me.
I think you are clinging to the idea that RAM will be separate and upgradable from the CPU for a long time… Physics dictates that it will not, especially in the laptop space where wasted power is so critical. Hacks needed to even make that work now with DDR5 are kinda crazy and inefficient (just look at the voltage/speeds/timings ddr5 sodimms run at). LPCAMM is supposedly a good stopgap, but even that is having teething issues
The APU/RAM is one unit
Yes that's the point.
everything else is modular and repairable.
That makes no sense. If any of those components fail, you might as well throw the whole thing in the garbage because that's 90% of the cost of the machine.
They’re one upping Apple, big PC OEMs and Chinese Mini PC makers with a more repairable, consumer friendly product.
What's about this is more repairable or consumer friendly?
I think you are clinging to the idea that RAM will be separate and upgradable from the CPU for a long time…
I am not "clinging" to anything. I didnt put that standard on them, that's Framework's marketing.
I don't believe it's not possible, I just don't believe anyone cares enough to make it happen.
It's a straight up gimmick flanderizing the brand identity.