I’ve noticed a few attempts and discussions here about fitting ThinkPad keyboards into the laptops. I’ve been working on a USB + Bluetooth controller for T430 and T470 to relax, so I thought I’d introduce myself and see where it might lead. Eons ago, I worked on the a USB controller for ThinkPad T60. It was crude back then, so now that we have ZMK + nRF52840, I’m taking a stab on a newer revision.
The current T470 firmware is scanning reliably https://youtube.com/watch?v=xRQFJA_5foE, (so getting USB and Bluetooth to work will be pretty straightforward ).
I’m still trying to find the correct connectors though, including the Trackpoint. The connector in the video is a generic 40-pin FFC connector, not the proper ThinkPad 36-pin one. It just happens to fit snuggly and works electrically. So far, it’s been impossible to source the 36-pin ones as a hobbyist.
For a normal standalone controller, next step is to design the power + battery charging. For a Framework 16, it’d be much simpler since the input module interface already provides 5V, 3.3V and internal USB 2 connectivity, so the nRF52 could operate as an internal USB keyboard while still work as a Bluetooth keyboard if needed.
I don’t have a Framework laptop so I can’t evaluate fit. The T470 keyboard is much thinner compared to T430, but the T430’s connectors (AA01B-S040VA1) are widely available after the T60 project inception.
If anyone’s interested, I’d keen to compare notes, exchange measurements and see what might fit.
Also just a random normal fpc connector but I decided I am not a trackpoint user anyway so I just ended up not using it at all and connecting the mouse buttons as keyboard keys (on the t480s those come in through the keyboard matrix connector and then are connected to the trackpoint which is wild XD)
I’ve been delayed ridiculously due to unexpectedly developing a life, but I’ve been working toward getting a fw mobo into a T25. After I finish my garage and have a workspace again, I’ll be able to get back to it.
The tp keyboard and trackpoint won’t fit in the 13 without modification. The kb is too thick. Plus, the keyboard width is pushing it. I’m unsure about the 16, though.
I’ve figured out how to interface the backlit 7row via USB by scavenging a board, but my plan was to develop a custom pcb.
I doubt I have much to offer you, but I wanted to thank you for your work!
You should be able to shim the hinge a couple mm without needing any other modifications for both the 13 and the 16 to gain probably enough extra space, one of the upside of the way they are constructed.
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