They also start at $1049 and go up to $2049 without the functional expansions. I have a $150 Chromebook that has 70% of the features and more ports, and an $850 M1 MacBook Air that outperforms the top end Framework.
I don't see why someone would spend $1000 for a laptop, then spend as much as an entire laptop to swap a single component that provides less utility than another laptop at the same or lower price.
If Framework had a killer warranty or even a buy-back / trade in option in their marketplace, I would reconsider, but any upgrade leftovers aren't useful to other Framework owners barring hardware failures, which shouldn't be a barrier because they are marketed as being repairable.
As it stands, they've just externalized the costs of responsibility in an attempt to create a market for premium modularity.
Also, I was excited to be able to buy a laptop without wifi, but that option has been removed. I would have to sell or discard a perfectly functional wireless chipset to get the laptop I want.
You also cannot buy a Framework chassis without a mainboard. Why not, if they aim to be eco friendly? Why create a barrier to buying second hand components?
I don't see why someone would spend $1000 for a laptop, then spend as much as an entire laptop to swap a single component that provides less utility than another laptop at the same or lower price.
If Framework had a killer warranty or even a buy-back / trade in option in their marketplace, I would reconsider, but any upgrade leftovers aren't useful to other Framework owners barring hardware failures, which shouldn't be a barrier because they are marketed as being repairable.
As it stands, they've just externalized the costs of responsibility in an attempt to create a market for premium modularity.