Discussion around the Framework mission of building products that last longer by making them upgradeable, customizable, and repairable. Consumer electronics can be better for you and for the environment.
If you want the cheapest way to get a working Framework laptop directly from Framework then this is for you. You still get the flexibility to upgrade over time and that is somewhat the whole point of owning a Framework anyway.
If your willing to always be a generation or two behind current you can save a fair amount of money.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the hinge thing remedied or are current batches going out with old hinge kit still?
OP if price is right, you can upgrade it indefinitely. Just do it baby!
Any 11th gen system you bought recently from Framework comes with a newer BIOS than the one that shipped with early systems. But the hardware is unchanged, including the top cover, hinges, and speakers. You might get a mainboard with either the original Realtek audio chip or the newer Tempo chip depending on what they have in stock. (Framework had to switch because of unavailability of the Realtek chips at the time; you can read more at https://frame.work/blog/solving-for-silicon-shortages 12th and 13th gen Intel have the Tempo chip; AMD has the Realtek.) Expansion modules are sold separately; you can still buy the original HDMI and DisplayPort modules at a reduced price or go for the new ones.
I still have the original hinges in my Framework 13 that is now upgraded to Ryzen. But I did buy the CNC top cover when that came out.