Why Dell, Lenovo, Or HP?

Every once in a while, we get posts asking people why would we buy Framework over other usually marginally cheaper brands. Well, for once, let's put the others on trial. Why should we buy from them?

Let's start with Apple. Apple came out with the M series laptops. They told us that because of the special efficiencies and performance that we could not have upgradable parts any more. And the apple silicon laptops are really something.

But you cannot tell me that the storage cannot be replaceable. Because M.2 pci 4.0 ssd are just as performant as the Apple on die silicon. And not only that, the Apple Studio uses socketed storage.

The point for Apple to not offer upgrades is to be on the Apple ladder, forever paying more and more. Look at the r/Mac . They are constantly asking how much ram they need, and it is really important because once they buy their computer, it is all it ever will be.

So, we have to decide if that is the way we are going to do business. But at the very least, apple can reasonably say that they have hit on a compelling combination of features and performance to explain their products.

Now we have Dell. Dell came out with the new XPS line with soldered ram. Why? Because they would very much like to be Apple that's why. Well they are not Apple and it isn't even close.

I have the misfortune of having to call Dell to get parts for business class computers and servers. 99% of the time, I know exactly what I need and what part to order. Does Dell give me the parts? Only with an argument. And the moment you go even seconds out of warranty? Screw you.

Dell had an issue with a cap on their main board blowing out. literally a 50 cent part. And it was a common issue. Dell's response, was to delay delay delay and then attempt to charge more than the value of the laptop to get a replacement. And these horror stories are repeated over and over again.

Not to mention Every Dell I have ever seen ships with McAfee, which is simply preinstalled garbage.

Why oh why would I ever trust Dell again with my money?

Then there is HP.

Given who their CEO is, and his take on his customers? Why would I let that company get away with making things non repairable either?

And then there is Lenovo. Home of rootlkits, security surprises and forced Uyghur child slave labor. Why would I ever do business with them?

The point of it all, is that these manufacturers could release repairable, thin and light laptops. (To say nothing of upgradeable. I am not even asking for that). The Framework 13 is proof of that.

But they won't offer you schematics. They don't want to offer parts or make repairs easy. And they would really really like you to spend money on them like they are Apple.

So why would we accept this anymore? The bottom line is that Dell, HP and Lenovo just haven't earned your money.