I’m configuring a Framework 13, and while selecting the ports, I came across a question that I couldn’t determine from the pictures, product pages, or configurator:
Is there a dedicated USB-C port for docking and charging? That is, to say, if I don’t choose USB-C for at least one of the expansion ports, will I still be able to plug it in to a USB-C dock? If not, how will I charge the laptop? Is there a dedicated charging port?
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There are 4 dedicated USB-C ports. All of the modules are just USB-C adapters that fit flush with the chassis.
You need one port to be USB-C for charging.
The other three can be mixed and matched with whatever you like.
Thank you! That’s what I suspected from the pictures, but I was able to select 0 USB-C ports with no warning, so I was confused.
If you were particularly insane, you could choose to simply remove one of the modules and raw-dog the mb usb-c when you wished to charge. You can’t “lose” your ability to charge the device.
I don’t think that would be insane. If you really need to save money, it’s definitely usable. Just out of curiosity, I have tried several different things without any modules: charging, a USB hub like this, and even a USB-C flash drive. The latter might be difficult if you cannot find one that is compact enough, but everything I tried was absolutely doable.
