The lead-in photo on that email happens to be at an angle that doesn't show off the distinguishing features and functionality. On our website you can readily see just how different it is from an Apple product: https://frame.work/products/laptop-diy-edition

Almost every thin and light laptop on the market these days looks like a macbook replica. And iirc, macs have a 16:10 display.

It's such a tired design. I think the goals of this project is fantastic but man the macbook is getting ugly. They really need a refresh. It feels like it has been over a decade now...

Serious question: what would you expect/want in a design refresh? I'm speaking just of the industrial design, not the number and kinds of ports and such.

I'm curious because while I've also thought "yeah, these are increasingly overdue for an updated look," it's hard in practice for me to think of changes that I'd really want. I'm typing this on an M1 MacBook Air, and...I'm not saying it's somehow reached the apex of perfection, but other than a wider range of colors there's nothing that immediately comes to mind as an answer to "I wish the Air had [thing]". Smaller bezels? Maybe, but it's not like they're a glaring huge problem. A different shape? Maybe, but again, this is just such a nice one. They could bring in more of the current iPad/iPhone design language, especially on the MacBook Pro rather than the Air, I guess -- which is widely expected for the next refresh, so you'll probably get your wish in that regard.

Honestly just start with colors and/or black like say the Razer Blade, iPhone, or iMac.

I have a G14 with anime matrix led display and it's pretty slick looking (so cool how it lights up) [1]. I understand it's not as minimalist as a macbook but I've been blown away by the amount of comments I get on it's looks.

It completely goes against Apple's design DNA but maybe it's just the super minimalist approach itself I am finding tired. I like spice & variety.

[1] https://dlcdnimgs.asus.com/websites/global/Products/xccq31kw...

That's fair. I mostly like a minimalist approach, but I'd like them to find space for just a little more whimsy than they've had in the last decade -- and I'd definitely like to see the laptops in more colors than "silver gray" and "kinda darker silver gray".

If the M1 iMac is an indication of things to come, you might get your wish.

I mean, I think that ship has sailed... Here's a Samsung definitely-not-MBP: https://www.samsung.com/hk_en/pc/notebook-7-np730xbe-k02/NP7...

And of course there's the suspiciously named Huawei Matebook Pro.

If Apple was inclined to sue people for making MBP lookalikes, it has far more interesting targets to go after.

With all the other OEMs out there that have used the same exhausted design, do you really think Apple is going to go after some start up?

It has chiclet keys and a black bezel sure, but nothing about this screams carbon copied MacBook anymore than contemporary ultra book.

We’re pretty much in the modern equivalent of beige boxes and CRTs. Consumer computers aren’t very interesting to begin with. This one is a laptop that lets you swap out parts, that’s pretty unique.

Maybe Apple will go after some startup maybe not. As a customer why would I risk not having access to replacement parts because they can't be produced/sold anymore? Having a laptop that looks like Apple design is not a great trade-off here.

I was thinking what if this startup doesn't even exist in 5 years. And what if this replacement part thing becomes done by 20 other OEMs. But I don't see how the widely copied design from the 2008 MacBook would matter.

So many laptops are copying Apple that it's no longer notable.

Copying elements - sure. But I've never seen one before where I though - this is an Apple product.

If you were confused by the Framework Laptop and thought it was an Apple Product...

and I mean this sincerely...

Get your eyes checked.

could be intentional as a dig to apple... they can make a macbook clone that is repairable and configurable; apple's making it difficult intentionally

Also kind of sends the wrong message. Aping the masters of planned obsolescence and unrepairability. You'd think they wouldn't want an even passing resemblance to anything apple.