undefined | Better HN

0 pointsBrian_K_White3mo ago0 comments

"The crux of the matter is that even if one values upgradability and repairability, neither is a frequent need for practically anybody."

That is entirely irrelevant.

The product does what it says on the tin. If you don't value that because "repairability isn't a frequent need" then you don't value that (and the reason doesn't matter).

If you* don't value that, then why did you read the tin, buy the thing, and then complain that it is what it said it was going to be?

That is what's annoying to witness.

I can do all that same math about price and features, yet why don't I have any buyers remourse? Do I not know about Dell and Lenovo and Apple? If the value proposition is innately bad, then why aren't I complaining too? Have I been hypnotized into acting against my own priorities and intentions?

The problem is not with the product or it's price.

* not literally you, sorry for how that sounds

0 comments

cosmic_cheese3mo ago

As others have pointed out, a lot of us would very much like to buy a Framework laptop but as it is we can’t make it make sense. We’ll be customers if Framework can figure out how to patch up their shortcomings, and by expressing that sentiment hopefully they’re encouraged to try to do that.

We value reparability and upgradability and are willing to pay for it all else being roughly equal.

It’s like for the same price, being given a choice between a hybrid car that’s quiet on the road and gets 45 MPG fuel economy with great torque and responsiveness but needs to be taken to the dealer to service and a car that’s easy to self service but has an annoying rattle at highway speeds, gets 15 MPG, and has a 4-speed automatic transmission. Both technically do the job, but you’d be hard pressed to find people who’d choose the latter over the former.

herewulf3mo ago

No major manufacturer is even approaching what Framework is trying to do, so I'm happy to cut them some slack in order to support a product philosophy that I believe in. My 12th Gen Framework 13 is certainly good enough in this respect.

People have bought not so well made electric cars for the same reason (e.g.: Tesla).

Your car analogy does not really hold up though, considering that anything but an absolutely awful car is quite repairable and (in the right hands) upgradable.

warkdarrior3mo ago

> If you* don't value that, then why did you read the tin, buy the thing, and then complain that it is what it said it was going to be?

Because the tin didn't say "repairable and upgradable and poor battery life and shaky case". It only mentioned the benefits but not the drawbacks.

johnnyanmac3mo ago

To be fair, I've had plenty a non-repairable laptop with poor battery life and shaky case. I don't know their excuee.

jdujfkhllhl3mo ago

If all the laptop components break at the same time, there's no need for repairability. Then it’s just a somewhat disposable computer by design. For a car analogy, this is how many americans could afford their first car.

The truly bad designs are when one broken component is preventing repairability. Hello apple!

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse