Framework Laptop 16 Deep Dive – Liquid Metal (opens in new tab)

(frame.work)

31 pointssimon_weber2y ago10 comments

10 comments

nrp2y ago

I'm happy to answer any questions folks have on this or other parts of the product.

Very impressed by what you've come up with - it will be brilliant not to be worrying about failed paste! I see the liquid metal pad is now in the store. How easy will replacement be if that's needed? https://frame.work/gb/en/products/16-liquid-thermal-pad-amd-...

nrp2y ago

We're writing a step by step replacement guide with videos, but it is pretty straightforward. You let the system cool, remove the heatsink, take off the solidified liquid metal pad using a sticker, apply the new liquid metal pad that comes attached on an alignment film, and reassemble. There is then a burn-in process to ensure the pad melts into place.

ksec2y ago

Under normal circumstances will this ever need replacing? Expecting this to be much better than paste, compared to 2-3 years for paste before conductivity drops, liquid metal should last 5+ years minimum?

How much more in percentage does it cost compared to paste? I know there are different kind of paste but just a rough estimate.

Is this the first in Laptops? It took years before Thermal Pad took off ( all because of enthusiast paying and companies discovered an market for it ). But AFAIK with liquid metal, companies were always talking about potential leakage. I thought it was at least a selling point that is worth market the hell out of it.

nrp2y ago

No, it’s unlikely you’ll ever need to replace the liquid metal. It is indeed substantially more expensive (e.g. dollars instead of cents) due to both the material cost and the extra process steps.

We’re not the first to do liquid metal in a laptop. Others have done earlier-generation liquid metals that are liquid at room temperature that have significantly more challenging design requirements. We’re one of the earlier ones to use this type of liquid metal pad that is solid at room temperature.

2 more replies

eviks2y ago

> and fan noise to a minimum.

Have you done any tests to compare to the famously quiet MacBooks under similar workloads? To what extent is it possible to match that?

grudg32y ago

I've been waiting for what feels like a couple of years, and it still doesn't look like I can buy Frameworks in NZ. Real pity.

sam_bristow2y ago

My coworker who bought the Framework 13 about 6 months ago just left, otherwise I'd ask him how he imported it. It seemed pretty straight forward at the time.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

10 comments

nrp2y ago

I'm happy to answer any questions folks have on this or other parts of the product.

pacfish2y ago

nrp2y ago

ksec2y ago

How much more in percentage does it cost compared to paste? I know there are different kind of paste but just a rough estimate.

nrp2y ago

2 more replies

eviks2y ago

> and fan noise to a minimum.

Have you done any tests to compare to the famously quiet MacBooks under similar workloads? To what extent is it possible to match that?

grudg32y ago

I've been waiting for what feels like a couple of years, and it still doesn't look like I can buy Frameworks in NZ. Real pity.

sam_bristow2y ago

My coworker who bought the Framework 13 about 6 months ago just left, otherwise I'd ask him how he imported it. It seemed pretty straight forward at the time.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse