blog.liw.fi → posts → 2024 → Framework 13 AMD, first impressions

I've bought a new laptop to more efficiently work when I'm away from home. It's a Framework 13 AMD, with plenty of RAM and storage. Some first impressions:

  • I bought the DIY version, which meant some assemble was required. I've built desktop PCs from parts and I wasn't scared. The laptop came with the necessary screwdriver, and the Framework website has an excellent guide. With barely a quiver, I started the quest. The assembly consisted of:
    • install RAM modules (easy, just snap in)
    • install m.2 SSD (easy, one screw)
    • connect touch pad cable (easy, unless you get confused about 3D geometry or only have two arms)
    • install the keyboard/touch pad (easy, magnets)
    • install the display bezel (easy, magnets)
    • screw in the back plate (easy, five screws)
    • install extension modules (easy, push into slot)
  • The whole assembly took less than fifteen minutes. It would've been faster if I hadn't taken photographs of every step.
  • The hardware seems nice. It's thin and lightweight, so it should be easy to travel with.
  • I quite like the screen. It's bright.
  • I don't like the keyboard, but I don't like any laptop keyboards. (I'm spoiled by a Keyboardio Model100, which comes with a travel case.).
  • The touch pad seems OK.
  • The lid hinge seems OK, and general build quality is fine. It doesn't feel as solid as the ones in the ThinkPads that have been my only personal laptops since 2009, but few things do.
  • The extension modules seem great. I got a selection.

After that, I installed Linux on it. The Debian in-development installer works, but I used my own installer (v-i), because I'm an old and grumpy and like my own toys. I'm prepared to re-install at the drop of a hat.

The Debian installation passes my checklist for my primary laptop. WiFi, suspend, graphics, it all works so far. (I may make a more detailed review once I've used the machine a while, like anarcat has done. I'll collect my notes and links on my own page.)

The biggest hurdle I had was this isn't a ThinkPad. I had to learn things about Linux configuration I've not had to think about in fifteen years: the WiFi driver isn't called iwlwifi, and the GPU needs a firmware blob.

I specifically needed to install Debian trixie (which will become Debian 13), not Debian 12 (bookworm), because the laptop hardware is sufficiently new that it needs newer kernel and device drivers than what the current Debian stable release has. The trixie version is expected to be released next year, and I can cope with running an in-development version of my operating system until then.

(Those who prefer other Linux distributions that make more frequent releases than Debian does can just use a recent release of their preferred distribution. I like Debian, but I don't judge your for your preference; please don't judge me for mine. I got tired to distro hopping in 1995.)

I've got the laptop basically working, and haven't really used it yet for real. I expect I'll be doing a lot of tweaking to its setup in the coming weeks. For those interested, I've published the v-i spec and Ansible playbook, though given they're peculiar to my way of doing things, they may not be all that useful for others.

I call the machine cantata, after Cantata Sangui, a former Finnish heavy metal band that a friend of mine used to be part of. (My naming theme for my computers is Finnish heavy metal bands).