Currently looking at a DIY AMD 7640U, 1x16GB RAM, 250GB storage, 1 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 HDMI.
My use case will mostly entail note taking in class. I’ve got a built PC at home.
But I’m not a hardware guy, would I be better served w/ different CPU or RAM set up in your opinions? I’ve mostly picked bottom tier specs but is there anything in your opinions that is worth splurging on, all things considered?
If you’re going to school I absolutely have to recommend a tablet + OneNote. There was no better learning tool while I was in school. I still refer back to those notes several years later. Being able to jot notes on top of pages from class, record audio from classes that’s automatically transcribed, just makes staying organized so much easier.
Fuck Microsoft and Dell and a dozen other companies but to my knowledge, there is nothing comparable. Unless it’s an iPad or something.
If you go to engineering school, you’ll need a computer eventually to run various software. I’m not sure about other degrees however.
I don’t understand why you’re telling me this. Are you under the impression that a tablet is not a computer?
A tablet doesn’t cover all use cases for college work, but I suppose with the push for cloud computer instances this could actually work.
Linux or Windows?
As for your questions:
- this CPU will be fine for years for absolutely everything except AAA gaming.
- On Linux, 16Gbs of RAM is fine. As other said, prefer 2x8Gb instead of a single 16Gb.
- 250Gb of storage is very cramped by modern standards. I would go at least 512Gb. Buy your SSD from elsewhere, it’s much cheaper.
- maybe grab an extra USB-C in case you need to plug an external drive while charging your PC.
Thanks, probably Windows just for the sake of not worrying about being the one guy trying to figure out how to make a specific software work mid-class on Linux.
I’ll definitely make sure to shop around for that SSD. I’m a brief look I’ve found at least a 500GB model for the same FW is billing for 250 GB.
The CPU is perfectly fine and like everyone else is saying, definitely opt for 2x8GB sticks of RAM. 256GB is perfectly fine if you use a Linux distribution such as Fedora Kinoite as it’s not bloated like Windows. Get the new screen too
The RAM and storage choices are poor. Unless you’re planning to upgrade to 32GB in the nearest future, do not get a 1x16GB RAM configuration - the performance drop for single-channel is negligible for normal use. Honesty, you won’t need that, given the use-case. Stick to 2x8GB. If you’re just taking notes, do you even need 2x8GB? I highly doubt it, maybe 2x4GB could be enough?
About the storage, get at least the 512GB, or the 1TB variant. I have a 128GB SSD, and it is just not enough - I have to delete files at the end of every week.
Too bad they don’t sell a 7440U CPU, if that’s what you’re looking for. In fact, no device out there has a 7440U, excluding gaming handheld with the rebranded X1 alias.
2x4GB was a path I hadn’t considered, I may have a look at that avenue if not 2x8GB.
It looks like you’re planning on using windows, in which case I would strongly caution against only 8 GB ram. I have a 4 year old windows laptop with 8 GB RAM, and unless you do a lot to optimize things/kill processes it quickly becomes slow to a very frustrating point. The last thing you want is to open a new tab to look up something the professor said while running a note taking app and have the whole thing freeze for a few minutes and not be able to take notes. RAM is relatively cheap, so I would bit the bullet and either get 16 GB or run Linux.
Would it be better to go 2 USB c + 1 USB A?
I’m not as familiar with how the framework laptops charge, but if it’s done over USB C then it might get annoying if you need to charge and connect to something at the same time
They recommended 2 USB C + 1 USB A on their website as the most popular choice. I find myself using Type A more often with peripherals, flashdrives, & etc. So that’s why I was going with 2 USB A. But maybe I’m behind the times on that and aught to move forward.
@FireTower @otter I have 2 USB-A adaptors, because I use an external CD drive with additional USB-A cable to deliver power. Same for the external DVD drive.
I also have a 2nd (spare) USB-C in my bag if I need it, or in case one gets damaged.