Huge thanks to @dossman for sharing the idea, process, and keep pushing it. Faith restored in humanity a bit seeing also FW, all the people, and even companies helping.
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Besides Bluetooth, ZMK also offers 32 layers out of the box. Nevertheless I would love to see a 42 key split layout board for the 13’ programmable with QMK or ZMK.
On my Unicorne split with QMK I run out of layers for my ngram port.There is less room for the more fun things like app launcher layers which use function keys in nummeric lay pressed with Hyper or MEH. I have no room for application launch layer with actual application launch keys, midi and more. On ZMK the more funny things just fit.
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You need more than 16 layers, or more than 32?
You can have 32 layers in QMK, though due to how the built-in LT() and LM() specify layers they are currently limited to 16. You could add a custom fuction or even just custom keycodes to serve for higher layers. I imagine someone has probably made and shared a custom fuction, somewhere.
You have this, yes? Unicorne | Boardsource.
The RP2040 MCU should have more than enough room for most anything.
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Yes I own a Unicorne board by Bourdsource which runs QMK.
I also use Cornish-Zen keyboard which runs ZMK.
On both I run my own custom layouts. My keyboard are ngram inspired but for 42 key splits. I do have a qwery layer as second layer, two symbol layer, a nav layer, a mouse layer, num and keypad layer, low and high function key layouts in numpad layout. I also have function key layers with HYPER and MEH pressed. Adding a config and appl layer to that and I come to 16 layers.
Yes I would like to use more than 16 layers but not more than 32 for serious use.
I configured the never ending story of my keyboard layout over the years using inspiration from many layouts. I started with a Planck keyboard a long time ago.
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Well after 2 years of following this, it was awesome to see the new switches in the ortholinear proof of concept. Absolutely incredible to see the dedication of the Framework team and this community to continue with this effort. My MacBook Pro 2013 is definitely not keeping up and I think the POC done by Framework showed enough follow through to get me to buy one next time I can afford it in plans to upgrade to a custom staggered keyboard in the future.
I wanted to ask though, ideally I’d prefer something like the Framework 13 for portability, but it seems unlikely we’ll get a non-traditional keyboard like staggered available with a custom cover kit for the 13. It seems like this will only be possible for the 16’s keyboard/input system. A dream might be that we’ll be able to slot in 16’s keyboards in an open cover kit for the 13, but definitely understand there is the input limitation which seems kind of out of the picture now for the 13. At the very least it would be nice to get custom 13 keyboards with cover kits that don’t have the predefined key hole layouts to support this.
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I am also incredibly excited by the key module announcement. I am personally torn because I too want the 13" for portability. Honestly, I’d go for the 12 if it had the performance of the 13. I do have a huge gaming laptop that is too heavy already, and am kind of waiting for it to die before I buy a 16, but yeah I just want the impossible combo lol. Light and portable, cool, good battery life, fast enough for web + terminal use, custom keyboard layout
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I just found an interesting ortholinear split keyboard project [1] using ultra-low-profile kailh-x key switches and caps for ThinkPad. It seems that the source is open on GitHub. I thought the project might inspire this thread’s project.
[1] Thinkpad OLKB Preonic keybaord PCB - Michał Szczepaniak - GitHub, Reddit
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Did anybody find the GitHub repo that’s referred to in the product description of the One Key Module? I can’t wait to get started working on a custom design.
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