> you’d have a big hole in your laptop with a cable sticking out

No, you wouldn't. You'd have one of these instead: https://frame.work/products/usb-c-expansion-card?v=FRACCQ000... (or the one matching a color you prefer and your particular model)

Now you’ve got two things plugged into your laptop, instead of one that sticks out by an inch. :)

	▲	evilos 4 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Technically all framework 13 laptops always have four things plugged into it because the ports are modular such that the user can choose which ports they want. Unless you're crazy and leave the expansion ports unpopulated.