Framework Computer, Inc. is an American personal computer manufacturer. The company positions itself as a proponent of the right to repair movement, and their laptops are designed to be easy to disassemble, with replaceable parts.
History
In January 2020, the company was founded by Nirav Patel, who worked on software at Apple and later was the original Head of Hardware at Oculus.[1][3][4][5]
In the first half of 2021, Framework was funded with a $9 million seed round.[6][7]
In September 2021, YouTuber Linus Sebastian invested $225,000 in the company[8] after having previously commended the 11th Gen Intel Framework Laptop 13.[9]
In January 2022, the company raised an additional $18 million of financing in a series A round, led by Spark Capital.[10][11][6]
In April 2024, the company raised an additional $17 million of financing in a series A-1 round, led by Spark Capital, with Buckley Ventures, Anzu Partners, Cooler Master, and Pathbreaker Ventures. In addition to the $17 million, the company is opening up $1 million to equity crowdfunding through $10,000 investments. The company announced its expansion into other areas of consumer electronics with this round.[12][13][14]
Products
Framework works with an original design manufacturing (ODM) partner Compal Electronics to build its products.[15][16] They work with Dimerco for distribution and logistics.[17]
Marketplace
The Framework Marketplace is an online store service hosted on the Framework website that primarily sells parts and tools that can be used to upgrade and repair the Framework Laptop. These include, but are not limited to, replacement motherboards, batteries, entire screen assemblies, RAM, and storage drives. The Marketplace also sells customization parts, including screen bezels, keyboard layouts, and expansion cards. In addition to computer-related items, the Marketplace also includes merchandise.[111]
Third party projects
As part of the company's efforts to accommodate hackers and computing enthusiasts, Framework released open-source reference designs, CAD models, and documentation of its laptops and components.[112] Third-party companies and individuals have built various products based on Framework's specifications; these include, but are not limited to, vinyl skins and wraps, additional expansion cards to accommodate new features, and alternative housing for Framework mainboards.[113]
Product support
The company provides knowledge base articles, a community forum, QR codes on the products and parts, and an inquiry form.[126][127][128]
Supported countries and regions
Framework Laptop is currently available for order in the United States, Canada, European Union, United Kingdom, Australia, Taiwan, Norway, Switzerland, Singapore and New Zealand.[2]
In December 2021, the company announced that they chose the additional supported countries UK, Germany, and France based on both the number of people who registered interest through the region selection page and on logistical complexity.[19]
Philosophy and recognition
Electronics right-to-repair movement
In June 2021, a venture capitalist investing in the company said "The conventional wisdom in the industry is that making products repairable makes them thicker, heavier, uglier, less robust, and more expensive. We're here to prove that wrong and fix consumer electronics, one category at a time".[7] In October 2021 interviews, the company said "The core problem is the idea that consumer electronics are disposable,"[138] and "Right to repair is incredibly important. It is actually a core part of what we are doing. Because increasingly products are not designed to be repaired."[3]
Framework Laptop was on display as part of the Waste Age: What can Design Do? exhibition[139] displayed at the Design Museum[140]
See also
- Ethical consumerism
- Fairphone
- Shiftphone
- Social enterprise
- System76
- Purism
- Pine64
External links
- Framework Laptop, at the Arch Linux wiki site
- Framework Laptop, at the Gentoo Linux wiki site
- Framework Laptop, at the FreeBSD wiki site
References
- How I Built Framework, The Laptop Tackling The Right To Repair Make: DIY Projects and Ideas for Makers, September 2, 2021^
- What countries and regions do you ship to? knowledgebase.frame.work, retrieved 2024-12-05^
- Freethink Team. This DIY laptop is challenging tech giants like Apple & Microsoft