IdeaWell

Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

I'm returning my Framework 16

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Build Quality Tradeoffs for Modularity

Framework prioritizes repairability/upgradability, leading to compromises in premium feel, bulkiness, and polish at €2000 price.
"I appreciate the authors thoughtful review here, but I can’t help but be frustrated by the constant lack of understanding of the core value proposition of framework... People will lament how manufacturers don’t have upgradable ram, etc and then turn around and are upset at the bulkiness of a repairable laptop, or the price." - comte7092
"The sharp edges are exclusively an issue with the Framework 16 due to the spacers... I've been scratched by them and had my arm hair caught and pulled." - slabity

2. Superiority of MacBooks

MacBooks excel in build, battery, display, and reliability, often preferred over Framework despite lacking modularity.
"Modern Macbooks are just so much better in terms of feel it's like comparing tech from a different decade." - justin66
"Nothing beats a MacBook Air if you’re not chasing raw performance." - RomanPushkin
"speakers, display, and trackpad are subpar. I get that I'm spoiled by the quality of a MacBook Pro in those areas." - ziml77

3. Limited Practical Value of Upgradability

Upgrades/repairs are rare; most users prioritize daily usability over future-proofing, with high costs diminishing appeal.
"repair-ability only matters if you expect the laptop to break... upgrade-ability is of dubious value for most people." - Frotag
"The market assigns almost no value to these tenets, nor do the consumers participating in it." - DetectDefect
"You can get two base MacBook Airs for the price of that laptop." - IshKebab

🚀 Project Ideas

[Anti-PWM] Display Controller

Summary

  • A specialized hardware/software solution (internal daughterboard or bridge) for laptops that eliminates Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) flicker in OLED and IPS displays.
  • It addresses the "eye burning" and sensitivity issues discussed by several users who find modern displays unusable at low brightness.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Flicker-sensitive professionals and users working in low-light environments.
Core Feature DC-dimming hardware bridge or BIOS-level override to prevent flicker at low brightness.
Tech Stack Custom FPGA/ASIC for display signal processing or low-level firmware injection.
Difficulty High
Monetization Revenue-ready: Direct hardware sales or B2B licensing to boutique laptop makers.

Notes

  • HN users specifically highlighted PWM as a dealbreaker: "If I can't look at it for more than 30 seconds without my eyes burning then what's the point?"
  • This solves a physiological pain point that prevents users from adopting high-end OLED tech.

[Hard-Port] Framework Expansion Modules

Summary

  • A line of "recessed" or "integrated" Framework expansion cards that allow common peripherals (like wireless mouse/keyboard dongles) to be permanently housed inside the chassis.
  • It solves the problem of "dongle-mania" and the lack of permanent ports on modular laptops.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Framework Laptop owners and "tinkerers."
Core Feature Internal housing for USB-A dongles and high-density multi-port modules (e.g., dual USB-C in one slot).
Tech Stack 3D Printing (SLA), PCB Design (EasyEDA/KiCad), and USB-C controllers.
Difficulty Low
Monetization Revenue-ready: Boutique hardware sales (Etsy/Shopify).

Notes

  • Users complained about the "baggie of modules" and the limited number of ports: "I'd actually love to make my own insets that bakes the wireless dongles in them."
  • Practical utility: Users want to keep their wireless mouse dongles "flush and stuck to the machine" without sacrificing a primary port.

[Mainboard] OS-to-Server Bridge

Summary

  • A turnkey software/hardware kit designed to repurpose old Framework or ThinkPad mainboards into headless home servers or "cluster" nodes.
  • It focuses on maximizing the "sustainability" value proposition by making the transition from "old laptop" to "new server" effortless.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Upgraders who have leftover motherboards and want to minimize e-waste.
Core Feature One-click OS for headless management and a low-profile case with integrated power management.
Tech Stack Linux (Debian/Alpine-based), Docker, and custom enclosure design.
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Hobby (Open source) OR Revenue-ready: Hardware enclosure sales + optional Cloud management.

Notes

  • Commenters often struggle to justify the price of upgrades unless the old parts remain useful: "you get another mainboard to use as a server."
  • This project productizes the "Ship of Theseus" mentality often cited as the logic for buying modular hardware.

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