A new job comes with a new laptop. As such, I was given a Framework Laptop DIY Edition with the objective to install and configure it entirely with NixOS. I will share my first impressions after receiving and opening the box, sharing my personal feedback on the hardware. Then, I will go through the various pitfalls I encountered with the installation of NixOS on a Framework Laptop DIY Edition so that you can be up and running in no time.

If you are not familiar with Framework computers, that’s OK. The Framework laptop is relatively new to the market as it was introduced in 2019. What makes the Framework laptops unique is the fact that its parts are easily upgradable, repairable and customizable by the end-user. On order, the DIY edition provide various options to configure your machine, choosing between the operating system, the processor, the memory and the disk types. The configuration can further be extended with pluggable expansion cards providing a large choice of connectivity as well as extra storage. This flexibility is not just about customization, it also extends the lifespan of your machine as it can be upgraded with with needs, requirements and expectations over time.

Assembling the hardware

Once your order arrives, it is hard not to notice how light the box is. When you open it, you can appreciate the laptop, parts, manual, a very compact charger, 4 independently packaged expansion cards and a handy screwdriver that makes the assembly a breeze.