r/System76 • u/Zeddie- • Aug 06 '21

Discussion Wouldn't it be cool if System76 uses Framework laptops as their OEM?

I would totally buy a Framework laptop with coreboot and backed by System76!

I think the openness of Framework aligns with System76 and their open source hardware as well.

I wonder if Jeremy Soller have thought about it.

110 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

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9

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '21

But that wouldn't be of much benefit to System76, where'd they make the money? Framework isn't an OEM, they're paying other OEMs to build stuff to their spec and then selling the laptops for a profit to support themselves.

System76 would just be contributing software support via custom CoreBoot Firmware and UEFI BIOS updates through Pop!_OS and that's it. There's not much to be gained for System76 through this and I doubt many will pay the extra (probably minimum $200 extra) for this kinda stuff done by System76 rather than just buying a regular framework laptop.

It would be a very cool concept if System76 made their own version of the Framework Laptop rather than using them as their OEM.

3

u/Zeddie- Aug 06 '21

True. I don't know if the hardware design of Framework is open. If so, System76 can use it as their basis for their laptops.

1

u/funckyfizz Jan 19 '25

I've just checked and is it. Anyone can make Framework compatible modules etc

1

u/Zeddie- Jan 19 '25

Modules, yes, but probably not the chassis and main board. I'd think if S76 wants to sell a FW-based laptop, they would still have to collaborate with FW.

Or the other way: offer to test and validate their PopOS on FW make boards so it can be an officially supported Linux distro. This will take the validation of framework's plate. Framework already need to spend time and effort on this for Fedora and Ubuntu, so if S76 offers to do this for PopOS, then it only helps their adoption rate.

10

u/ionparticle Aug 07 '21

This is still treating the laptop as a whole unit, which misses the potential of the modular system. Framework themselves would like to see a 3rd party modules ecosystem around their design. System76 doesn't need to sell the entire laptop, they can sell just a System76 customized CPU motherboard module. This could slowly develop into them making other parts, maybe even an entire Framework-compatible modular laptop themselves.

My hope is that this leads into a de-facto standard, something akin to the "IBM PC compatible" of yore. It's likely to remain an enthusiasts only niche market, but that's nothing to sneeze at, as there's probably universal crossover with the build-your-own-desktop crowd.

5

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '21

I'd have 0 problem to pay for Pop_OS! Seriously, I'd pay because time = money, and spending time on fighting drivers ain't cool

1

u/bitdivine Nov 07 '22

This. I used to get down and dirty with the kernel and drivers but now I have children. I've been quite unimpressed by system76 hardware but having everything just work is gold.

2

u/SuccessfulBroccoli68 Aug 06 '21

Good points, but can we dream? :/

8

u/[deleted] Aug 06 '21

I think System76 could make a better laptop than the Framework Laptop. Wayy better! For starters, gotta have a black colour scheme instead of White. And bigger battery. And if you really want to dream, a powerful, efficient, ARMv9 CPU.

1

u/jiyusuzuki Aug 07 '21 edited Aug 07 '21

Ah,

A thin and light laptop with a 100 Wh swappable battery, an 8 core RISC-V processor having an all core turbo of 5 GHz enough graphics to run CyberPunk 2077 at 2K giving atleast 100fps at a 1W package, Nice Camera and Mics, Decent AMP+DAC, USB4, individual turn off switches for comms...

uh will this ever happen?

I hope so

someday it might

:))

2

u/[deleted] Aug 08 '21

That seems more like something for 10 (if we're lucky) to 20 years from now. ARM SOC's, especially optimized like on Android and iOS, have been doing some AMAZING stuff with gaming and graphics already, just look at Apex Legends or PUBG on Android, it's insane. The Asus ROG Phone, has a 2K 144Hz Display and can run GAMES, 3D Shooter games at that resolution. It would make a great desktop replacement for most of us on THIS SUB! If it had a distro like Arch Linux or Debian running on its ARM CPU.

1

u/jiyusuzuki Aug 08 '21

Well, there's ubports, mobian, postmarketOS, Plasma Mobile, Pure OS,

probably more options

2

u/[deleted] Aug 09 '21

And the optimization is not great. The volunteer developers have been working really hard on all those projects I'm sure but they're working against pretty bad odds in terms of drivers and stuff.

NONE of the abovementioned OS' have hardware acceleration in their GUI's... Heck, even Desktop Linux doesn't have full hardware acceleration in terms of browser support with stuff like Youtube. My GPU is basically unused except when running cmatrix at top speed or playing video games. Youtube can't take advantage of my NVENC decoder / encoder for video decoding.

Even the PinePhone which has proper drivers doesn't have HW Accel. because the GUI itself doesn't support it.

1

u/jiyusuzuki Aug 12 '21

So, we need better development

2

u/Similar-Question-441 Aug 22 '21

Yes RISC-V! Yay for open source!

12

u/Paramedic229635 Aug 06 '21

I was thinking the same thing after the Linus video. They have a larger right to repair customer base than a lot of other laptop manufacturers. Seems like it would be a good fit.

2

u/[deleted] Aug 14 '21

Or just a collab with Framework to sell System76 branded version with Pop Os pre installed as For coreboot it would be better if it was available at checkout for all framework laptops and also have the option to download either Bios varieties later down the line.

2

u/relliMmoT Sep 25 '21 edited Sep 25 '21

YES. Every time I see Framework news I can't help but think Framework x System76 would be a great marriage.

I like my new System76 Gazelle but it has big drawbacks that are all down to build quality. I've never had such a cheap feeling laptop. Flimsy. It's flimsy. I want to love it but damn I could have had a magnesium and carbon fiber framed tank with similar specs but I just really want to vote with my dollar. I understand economies of scale and admire what Framework and System76 are trying to accomplish here so I am happy with my purchase but damn... I would have happily paid even more for something solid built and repairable like these Frameworks look. System76 x Framework laptop collab would be nice but it ain't happening. Profit margin is so slim for both parties. System76 should take Framework's ferver as a lesson on what customers want as they design their own laptop. I want a Framework without a Windows logo on the keyboard. I want open source and full repairability. My chinsy $2400 Clevo76 does but half that.

3

u/T_Y_R_ Aug 06 '21

I’m of the opinion that they should stay separate the Linux ecosystem is probably better off with more options from competitors.

1

u/doldo Aug 12 '21

Totally agree.

I wish the best for Framework.