The Framework Desktop is a beast (world.hey.com)

Article summary

The Framework Desktop is a machine that, despite being from a brand known for its DIY and repairable products, has soldered RAM, making it less repairable than other desktop PCs. This decision was reportedly made due to physics limitations that would affect memory bandwidth if pluggable DIMMs were used. The RAM is LPDDR5X, which is not available in socketed form. This has sparked a discussion about the trade-offs between repairability, performance, and waste.

Main themes

• repairability
• performance
• sustainability
• upgradability
• electronic waste
• signal integrity

What commenters say

• Soldered RAM is necessary for high-performance systems due to signal integrity and physics limitations.
• The decision to use soldered RAM contradicts the brand's values of repairability and upgradability.
• Soldered RAM does not necessarily make a system 'throwaway' as RAM failure is rare and upgrades are not always necessary.
• Modular RAM allows for more flexibility and reduces waste by enabling users to upgrade or repurpose old hardware.
• The cost of RAM upgrades can be a significant factor in the decision to use soldered RAM.
• The benefits of soldered RAM, such as improved performance and reduced size, outweigh the drawbacks for some users.
• The inability to upgrade or replace RAM can lead to increased electronic waste as systems become obsolete sooner.
• Repairability and upgradability are essential for reducing waste and promoting sustainability in the tech industry.