Framework 13 AMD versus Thinkpad X1C6
In this post I briefly compare the Framework 13 AMD (AMD Ryzen 7 7840U processor) with the Thinkpad X1 Carbon 6th Generation (aka X1C6) that has a i7-8550U processor.
Where the Framework wins
3:2 screen
Easier to repair, rather easier to open up.
No BIOS whitelist for wifi cards.
It's newer, sure, but it feels faster, quieter, and cooler than you would expect. AMD's laptop offerings are just really good?
Modular ports in the form of insertable USB-C cards. I can carry around an HDMI port, an Ethernet port, a DisplayPort port, and so on. I can put in what ports I need on a given day. The storage expansion cards allow you to run a second or third OS without having shit dangling off the side of your computer. Not as good as a second NVMe slot, but it'll do.
Speakers under OpenBSD are much louder.
Can take the motherboard out and use it as a regular computer. As such, the motherboard in this laptop will likely be my next home server.
Where the Thinkpad wins
Keyboard is better in terms of feel and layout (e.g., it has dedicated page up and page down buttons).
The pointing stick and associated physical pointing buttons are so much better than a damn track pad.
Feels sturdier.
Has an exterior light (on outer side of the screen) to show if the laptop is on, asleep, or off.
Screen is slightly larger and has a lower resolution, obviating the need to use display scaling.
Sleep works under OpenBSD. OpenBSD can't yet do the only kind of sleep the Framework is capable of. (Edit: this seems to have changed as of 2024-05-29.)
Has a Kensington lock slot.
I expect Lenovo offers firmware upgrades for longer than Framework will.
Other thoughts
Screen: I like the 3:2 aspect ratio of the Framework However, the resolution is a little awkward. Text is just about too small. I could do display scaling but then I would end up with less "screen real estate" than I get with the 14" 1920x1080 X1C6.
Keyboard: The Framework keyboard is surprisingly okay. The X1C6 feels a only bit better. That said, its layout is much better. On the Framework, you have to use the function key to get things as basic as insert or page up. That sucks.
Trackpad: I'm really struggling to feel productive without the pointing stick and its physical buttons. A touchpad alone is just inferior. Hopefully one day Framework recognizes that there are a lot of potential switchers who are waiting for something like this.
Ports: I like that the Framework lets you customize what ports you want by way of expansion cards that can be inserted or removed at any time. That said, you are limited to four ports, which doesn't always feel like enough. The Thinkpad X1C6 has more ports.
Software: Framework treats Linux as a first-class citizen. Fedora 40 with GNOME 46 is very impressive on this hardware. (As long as we're talking about the GUI. Under the hood, it's a pretty good example of how complicated and overwrought Linux is.) OpenBSD (my preference) works well enough, too.