Author: Frank Pilone

FrameWork 16 – 6 Months Later

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This blog post is for the FrameWork 16 notebook PC 6 months later. There was a change from the initial configuration which Windows 11 was replaced with Zorin OS. For those that would need a refresher on the specs, they are as follows:

  • AMD 7040 Series CPU
  • 64GB of Memorty
  • 4TB 2280 NVME
  • 2TB 2240 NVME
  • 1 TB SSD
  • SD Card Reader
  • 16″ Display
  • 4×USB-C ports
  • Zorin OS

The system with all of the components, and features installed was about $4,000. This is a high price, but I do feel that the Framework concept should be the wave of the future offering a completely modular design in notebook PCs. I could theoretically upgrade the motherboard of the system, although I wouldn’t be confident enough to do so. And while I am paying for modularity, and almost never use the system, I do not regret buying the system. If I didn’t have a MacOS PC that I use so much more often, I would have been OK with using the Frame Work PC.

The Good

The system is powerful, and literally loads in a couple of seconds after entering my credentials. This is likely due to having higher end components. There is no point in having an AMD 7040 if you have very slow 8GB of memory, and a mechanical hard drive. When you get quality components installed, then you get quality performance. I used Western Digital NVME drives for my OS, and personal files. I don’t know the manufacturer of the modules that installs into the computer, but they have never faltered and continue to work just as good as new. With the setup I done with the modules, I can use any of the USB-C ports to charge the system.

I was hoping to give Windows another try. This was the main reason why I bought the Frame Work PC in the first place. I had problems with Windows even before installation, but I will leave it at that since this is a review of the PC, and not the OS. Instead, I have Zorin OS, and that is a flavor of Linux. A good OS is also important when having a computer. Zorin works right out of the box without the need to install additional drivers to get things working.

I was able to configure everything from the CPU, to the memory, to the storage, and the ports/drives. I simply chose what components I wanted, and I had to install the memory, drives, and modules. With that in mind, I was able to create a legacy free platform. If I was to need to access a USB-A component, then I would have to use an adapter. This is because I chose to not have USB-A ports. Why, because USB-C is the way things should have been in the first place.

As mentioned, I have 3 drives on my notebook. That is unprecedented considering most notebook PCs only have 1 drive. I set up the 4TB drive for OS and programs. The 2TB is my documents, and personal files. I would normally use the 1TB module for downloads, and temporary files. This keeps my drives organized, and precise. The nice thing is I am able to do this, and most notebook PCs don’t have that capability. Since my PC also have an SD card reader, I can transfer files I don’t want to go on to the Internet between my Frame Work, and iMac using SD cards. Such confidential files will include passwords. I do have Dropbox on both systems, so less sensitive files can be synced using DropBox. Since I don’t do a lot of transferring, I can continue to use the free method.

While I don’t have the specs of my 16″ display, it is clear, and easy on the eyes. This could be in part due to the dark background that I chosen for my desktop, but it is still a feature nonetheless. I don’t have any other monitors, so I couldn’t test that feature.

The Bad

The biggest bad thing is the expense. As mentioned, this is a $4,000 PC, and that is pretty high even with the specs it has. While it is a top of the line machine, there is no dedicated graphics module, and the keyboard is not back lit which you would find that on other $4,000 PCs. Now, I understand why it’s not backlit. The keyboard can be replaced, or swapped out for another country format, but still – the price of the machine is pretty high.

I would have wished that there would have been a way to have a cellular model. While cellular notebooks are very rare, this could have been a leg up, and an option to lessen the blow of the high price tag it comes with. Considering that it is likely only those with $4,000 lying around – they are likely to work in an environment that would benefit from having cellular capabilities.

The Ugly

I would have loved an all black model. There was only one color choice, and that was aluminum color. The screen bezel is black by choice, I just wished I could have had the same for the body and modules. Currently, they offer USB-C modules in translucent black, but I would want a full black color rather than translucent. This has no effect on the PC’s performance and capabilities, but it would still have been nice to be black.

Conclusion

Frame Work is expensive, and you are going to pay for the flexibility and upgradeability. There is no doubt on that. However, if you like their concept, and idea plus have the money, I would suggest you consider buying into them. Think about, it – what Dell or HP notebook that you know of has 4 drives? I have 7TB + SD card worth of storage available to me, and that is a lot, even for a 16″ PC. Despite the flaws, it is a good PC, and while I wish I could use it more often, it is worth the price just to support my vote with the dollar (or 4,000 dollars). Keep in mind, a properly configured machine will mean that either you, or someone competent in putting PCs together will have to do a little bit of work putting everything together.

Motorola Razr 2025 – First Impressions

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The Motorola Razr 2025 is a flip style Android powered smartphone. It has an Octa Core CPU, 8GB of memory, and a 256GB storage. As with all flip phones, the phone is about half the size of a normal phone when closed, and full size (6.9″) when open. This allows me to carry both the Motorola Razr 2025, and the iPhone at the same time – albeit in different pockets. The phone is using Assurance Wireless for the carrier. Assurance Wireless is a lifeline provider which provides free service for low income households, and therefore – I qualify. The Motorola Razr 2025 supports 1 nano-SIM, and 1 eSIM which means I can have 2 carriers, and 2 telephone numbers on this one phone. And as with my personal policy, I will never buy a locked phone from the carrier. Read more “Motorola Razr 2025 – First Impressions”

Assurance Wireless – First Impressions

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On Friday June 6, I received my Assurance Wireless SIM card. Assurance Wireless is a Lifeline cellular service provider. They provide free cellular service to low income households. Lifeline is available to 1 per household, and that means you can’t have Lifeline service with 2 carriers. While every provider is slightly different, Assurance Wireless provides 3,000 minutes, unlimited SMS/MMS, and 4.5GB of data per month. I must use the service provider at least once every 30 days. And while the have premium phone service plans, I have chosen to stick with the base plan. Read more “Assurance Wireless – First Impressions”

New (Hopefully Better) Pharmacy

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On April 9, 2025 – I decided to change my pharmacy. I been thinking about this for a while, and gave them opportunity to fix their issues. However, I am tired of holding CVS’s hand in them doing their job. I didn’t have the problem until I was moved to CVS after the last Downtown Rite Aid closed. This was a couple of years ago, and I haven’t been at all happy with them. With that said, I am going back to Rite Aid even if I have to take a bus to get there, and a bus back. Read more “New (Hopefully Better) Pharmacy”

Cell2Jack – Very Niche

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I recently had someone write me an email telling me that I don’t need a home phone, and I could use a device called Cell2Jack instead. After looking at it, I discovered it is a very niche product, and will not replace my need for a home phone. So why wouldn’t this work? There are a few reasons of why I don’t see this working. I will go into them with this blog posting, and will not consider the device anymore.
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Windows 11 – A Waste

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I bought Windows 11 Pro for my Framework 16 notebook computer. I find myself using this new PC that has more RAM, and more storage than my other desktop and notebook combined so much less than either of my other machines. This would imply that there is something wrong with this picture. Why would I not use this what I would consider as a higher end machine more often? This notebook has 64GB of memory, and 2 NVMME drives with a total of 6GB, another 1TB module, and an SD card reader along with 4 USB-C ports. This sounds like a machine that most people will want to use? Read more “Windows 11 – A Waste”

Framework 16 Walkthrough

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This blog posting is a walkthrough on what I would do if I could do things the way it should have been done (in my opinion). This is not what I initially did, and therefore, you will learn from my mistakes. Obviously, if you should have any questions, feel free to ask me. I will be happy to provide some insights. This walk through is for the Framework 16 from Frame Work PCs ( https://frame.work ). The Framework 16 is obviously a 16” notebook PC that is modular and upgradeable. With it being upgradable, it is also repairable. If you need to replace the memory, you can use industry standards SODIMM memory (DDR 5 only). You can also upgrade or replace your storage by using NVME drives which is in the shape of a stick of gum. The longer one is a 2280 drive which is 22mm wide × 80mm long. The second drive is a 2230 drive which is 30mm long. Rather than Frame Work deciding on what ports it thinks the majority would need, they created an open standard system in which the ports are inserted into USB standard slots. They call these accessories cards, but they are not cards, and more likely to be thought of as modules.
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First Impressions – Framework 16

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This blog posting is my initial review of the Framework 16 notebook computer. I chosen the one with the 7840HS CPU from AMD, with the standard keyboard in addition to the number pad. For modules, I chosen 4 USB-C ports, a 1TB storage module, and an SD card module. I will go into modules a little later in this posting. In addition to the PC, I had to buy memory which I bought 2 × 32GB (64GB) of memory, a 2TB, and 4TB NVME storage drives. The 4TB drive didn’t fit because it was too high (a heatsink). All together, I paid a little more than $3,000 for all purchases. Read more “First Impressions – Framework 16”

First Impressions – Ubuntu

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This blog posting is the review of Ubuntu Desktop 24.04. This is the first time I ever made a Linux distribution as my primary OS. There are some things I like about it, and some things I don’t like about it. So far, the OS does almost everything I would need without too much of a fuss. However, that doesn’t make it smooth sailing. As with most Linux OSes, Ubuntu is free, and the download .iso file was 6GB in size. This meant it needed to be installed on a drive that was 8GB or larger to install the OS. Read more “First Impressions – Ubuntu”

UBI, and How It Could Work

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This posting is my opinion on Universal Basic Income (hereafter referred to as UBI). The concept of UBI is that everyone deserves a certain minimum amount of money to live well enough. There are a few ways this can be done, but the most popular is that everyone gets UBI. My concept for this plan is that everyone qualifies, but is a means tested. If the person doesn’t have a certain amount of finances available to them, then they will qualify. Once they reached a certain threshold, then they won’t qualify for UBI. Read more “UBI, and How It Could Work”