Anti-Proprietary Tech

Think about all the consumer tech that we purchase today and the way it’s built. Just one small accident like a cracked screen, missing key, or broken charge port, and you’re left with a device that’s non-functional and taking up space. Sure, you could get it repaired, but in the context of laptops, many people resort to just buying a new one. Not only is this an expensive solution, but it’s also a detriment to the environment without proper recycling.

In 2020, Nirav Patel took on this challenge of combatting proprietary tech, specifically in the laptop space, as they are some of the worst offenders of using proprietary parts and technology, and founded Framework. The most ironic part about his backstory is that right before starting his company, he worked for Apple. For those that don’t know, Apple is known for making the least repairable products, prioritizing form over serviceability. He created a laptop that is fully modular, customizable, easy to disassemble, and most importantly, accessible to repair yourself. No other laptop manufacturer, or tech company focused on portable devices for that matter, would adopt this approach because it is less profitable. They thrive on the fact that you don’t know how to fix your device, so frankly, you don’t want to.