My 2025 Hardware Pick: Framework
You should be able to fix your stuff.
As someone who enjoys tinkering with all kinds of hardware, here are my favorite picks of the year - 2025 edition. Also gotta keep this blog from being all AI :)
My pick for this year is Framework - I'm using the Laptop 13, and they also make the Laptop 12, 16, and Desktop variants.
There are a lot of discussions in the community about “why you should choose Framework,” but I find most of them miss the point. With how mature the PC industry is now, you won’t actually save money or time by being able to fix or upgrade your laptop. For me, buying a Framework comes down to two simple things:
It’s a damn cool laptop
It’s the best Linux hardware with an active user base
Since many Framework users are tinkerers who run Linux, you get this rare and active community where almost any Linux issue you hit can be solved by or discussed with fellow users - whether you’re on officially supported distros like Fedora, Ubuntu, and Bazzite, or others like Arch, Mint, or even more niche ones.
Pros
2.8K 3:2 ratio 120Hz matte display - what more could you ask for productivity?
One of the best keyboards I’ve ever used on a laptop
Customizable bezel and Expansion Cards (ports) make your laptop unique - I’m running Translucent Black with a full-size SD card slot
Best Linux support you can get
Cons
No haptic touchpad
Build quality can be hit or miss - I had to RMA and replace the input cover (keyboard), bezel, and display right after it arrived
A few more things to recommend
Bazzite DX - a developer-focused variant of Bazzite, based on Universal Blue (which is built on immutable Fedora Atomic). It’s been my daily driver since I got this laptop, and it’s been perfect for dev work, productivity, and everyday use.
BenQ RD280UA monitor - a 28.2” 4K display with a 3:2 ratio. Simply the best monitor for programming.
CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 (USB-C) Pro Cable (0.5m) - if you want the cleanest connection between your monitor and laptop, this Apple Store-exclusive cable is it.