Re:The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used
by scoopertrooper on Thursday September 23, 2021 @08:52AM
(#28628394)
> In the future if another alternative to USB-C PD arrives, you could presumably swap out to that module (of course, presuming it's otherwise compatible with the internals).
The module itself works over USB-C PD, so the only effect of such a module would be to convert the new standard back to USB-C PD with all its limitations, plus the cost of conversion.
Re:The Framework is the most exciting laptop I've used
by gregmac on Thursday September 23, 2021 @11:17AM
(#28630400)
True, but that still might be desirable if there's a new cable standard that is otherwise compatible -- beats making the entire laptop obsolete.
As a thought experiment: If the Framework laptop existed prior to USB-C PD, it would have been a very cool feature to be able to add a USB-C PD module and effectively upgrade the laptop to support it.
It'll be interesting to see if the internal USB-C design works out in the long run. My instinct would have been to build a larger (proprietary) internal connector for the modules that included charging, constant and switched power, USB, and as many PCIe data lines as possible.
Also, is there any reason to believe someone wouldn't make a two-port USB-C module provided the market for such a thing exists? Maybe off-the-shelf ICs to do this aren't available (which would make this more expensive and thus less likely), but that doesn't mean that will always be the case.