@agentcrm Ok I understand the challenge, and that they couldn’t do it within the constraints they had, but I also firmly believe that a big part of these constraints is driven by costs, and that it is still “physically possible” although maybe for a price they don’t want their customers to bear… (e.g. they would have to make their own ASICs etc)
I must say that after using the Framework for several months I would rather replace two card slots with 4 fixed USB-C ports in a future revision of the Framework chassis. See Idea: Add 4 fixed USB-C connectors in place of 2 Expansion Card bays - Creators & Developers - Framework Community
5 Likes
I would definitely buy a few of these modules.
I just found this USB C splitter on amazon. It seems to be able to fit the dimensions of the expansion cards. The amazon page claims 24.3 x 26.7 x 6.3 mm. It has female ports on all sides so it will need a change on the one going it to the motherboard at least.
There is also one with the same dimensions using dual USB A. Im only allowed one link due to being a fresh account, but if you type “usb c splitter YACSEJAO” into amazon you will find it.
I will be buying a framework laptop soon, and am very interested in seeing a future dual USB C and/or USB A expansion card.
Disclaimer: I have not bought it, it seems a bit sketchy tbh, has some bad reviews too, and I honestly don’t know enough about the tech to tell you if its any good. Just hoping to add to the discussion for modders and those who are more experienced.
Definitely violates the USB spec, but if it works its a decent solution to have an extra port for charging
3 Likes
The link you posted @MII looks cool, but do make sure to read the last point on the listing:
Only one of the adapter’s two ports can be used for data transfer and charging, and the other is only used for charging.
I founnd a similar item on AliExpress that also has the same drawback of only 1 port for data, and the other supply’s 5v out.
Allthough it has a male usb C on the one side:
https://aliexpress.com/item/1005003548000023.html
Not sure that i would dare use it though.
3 Likes
This aliexpress USB C splter is awsome.Thks for sharing.
Just ordered one for 2€ !
It looks like it will fite. But will be 10mm inside the case. Wich is not bad… and muuuch better than outside !
WHat would be nice is to make a case for this 2€ aliexpress module to hold it on the sides to the FW laptop tray.
EDIT: if the norm is not thunderbolt its fine for lots of usages. I have a usb C microphone and a webcam in USB C I expect them to work on one of the 2 USB C connectors. I can charge my laptop and have the mic on the same port I guess.
Better than spending 50€ with shipment for a second usb c connector
I guarantee that will only have either usb2 or usb3 connected. Would not trust it.
@Iann_C Notice that the 2€ splitter from AliExpress only has data on 1 of the 2 ports.
The other is power.
You will not be able to use 2 things on the same port. and probably not even charge the laptop with it.
It will however possibly let you connect a microphone, or camera, or other data device to one port, and charge your phone or something from the other.
People buy a 2000€ laptop but the usb c adapter has to cost 2€?
I wouldnt trust that thing, or most other products from aliexpress for whats worth, to not totally kill my laptop within days.
Do you trust these devices to have endured stress testing and have a good quality control in production?
3 Likes
Just be careful with these splitters, if they manage to work and the laptop can get its 20V from the power supply, the other port is also at 20V on VBUS (which will kill most things instantly).
3 Likes
Even if it’s just USB2, it’s quite helpful to connect the mouse and some low speed extra thing (E.g. a HDD) onto the same port of the laptop.
3 Likes
I would be interested in double USB c and USB a if possible knowing the limitations. People can better determine and spec it out without needing to carry USB hubs.
3 Likes
Are you saying two USB-C ports (or two USB-A) on one expansion card, or one USB-C and one USB-A on the same card? I’m okay with either if not both!
Also, welcome to the community!
1 Like
Sadly there is basically no room inside the expansion connector, and it is deemed impossible.
Fortunately, with the 6-slot Framework 16 announced, this is no longer going to be a significant issue.
1 Like
I was under the impression it was possible, but unfortunately the USB-C port(s) wouldn’t be able to charge the laptop with, but you could still physically build it? Eh, doesn’t matter. I’ve never run out of room and a hub for the use cases of many plug-in devices is fine with me.
Ain’t that the truth though. Very interested in how this goes, and if the AMD version will have USB4 on more than two ports by then. Likely not though, knowing the current architecture. But there’s always the future full of upgrades!
2 Likes
At least two of them are given 2 lanes of PCIe instead of 4.
I wont mind a few “USB/only” ports. The slot can be keyed in such a way that only USB (and audio jack) cards can be inserted.
___
Because the reality is that very few (or basically under no circumstances) do a person actually need all the ports to be Thunderbolt. If you have 5 PCIe cards plugged into 5 different bays, maybe get a desktop PC instead.
___
While this do limit the position of port placement, I do not think it is a deal breaker since you can still get to have options (e.g., two on left and one on right with Thunderbolt connectivity for displays/charging), rest are regular USBs. You get to have more ports this way, and you get to reduce board complexity.
3 Likes
This is fair, though even with reduction of complexity, one of the big fun draws for Framework is being able to charge from all of their ports. Otherwise, only two Thunderbolt ports is totally fine, I just think it’ll be cool to have more in the future. Only think I can think about using more than 2 is wanting high-speed transfer from two flash drives while having an eGPU plugged in. My use case, even if I were to have an eGPU, would still be fine with lowered transfer speeds… because it would not be often that that would be happening, and the speed is already fine for small files.
Otherwise, realistically, I don’t think more than two is necessary to push for. It’s nice to have it, but eh. For AMD boards, its really not a bad thing to only have two USB4 / 4 PCIe lanes, etc. I wouldn’t mind it either 
In any case, the SIX ports on the new FW16 is going to be pretty damn good along with all the other features it has. I’m excited to see them, and I’m toying with getting a second laptop already 
4 Likes
Flash Drives operate on USB 3.2 or whatsnot. They don’t run on Thunderbolt.
We can still keep charging from both side. And also.
“USB-C 3.2 with Display Port Alt Mode and USB Power Delivery”
is a thing. You can still charge and do display out and have fast USB on the port. Just not Thunderbolt. This will work if the device do not support Thunderbolt (e.g., graphics card-attached USB-C on gaming laptops, Pentium netbooks)
4 Likes
Yeah I guess that does it then. Power really can come from any port you like. Either way, FW is still pushing and blazing a new path that I hope gets the mainstream notice it deserves. No other company/product has this much variability choice afaik. Imagine two Macbook owners trying to charge from any port or replace their unused USB port for a headphone jack…
3 Likes