I have encountered a difficult situation with the Apple Genius Bar. Between 2019 and 2021, I invested over $1,400 in repairs for my Intel-generation MacBook Pro — three instances for replacing a shattered display and once to remedy five keycaps that were prone to loosening. (Indeed, they featured butterfly switches.) As a freelance writer just starting my career, my budget was quite limited, making the expenses burdensome, and the time taken for repairs was quite nerve-wracking.

Cases like mine underscore the attractiveness of Framework’s modular laptops. Instead of shelling out the price of a new device for parts and labor, you can simply open a Framework Laptop and fix or swap out any component yourself.

This design approach enables continual customization and effectively safeguards the longevity of your laptop. Upgrades for the next generation involve new motherboards, ports, memory, or batteries rather than requiring entirely new computers. It represents a more cost-effective and ecologically responsible method of computer ownership: you are essentially progressing towards a Laptop of Theseus.

Since the inaugural Framework Laptop was released in 2021, Apple has rolled out a Self Repair Program for devices out of warranty, enabling DIY repairs (albeit sometimes cumbersome) for those who possess sufficient experience. Other laptop manufacturers, including Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and <a