Doesn’t look like they could reuse the Framework 13 or 16 ones.
Those are usb, as I think most laptop fingerprint sensors are. But there are no usb pins to the input cover. Which also makes qmk keyboards hard. Maybe there are some fingerprint sensors they could use over i2c, but I think they just didn’t / don’t plan fingerprint for the input cover.
The power button though, there is unused usb pins located right there. So if they were planning for a potential future fingerprint reader, I think that’s the place they had in mind.
i could also see how they might be able to put pogo pins on the back of the power button board to act as a sort of interposer board with new input cover that takes advantage of it.
I’d love to see this as well. I love my FW12, but I’d jump at the chance to add a backlit input cover (I loved my original Game Boy too, but it was a pain to play at night…just sayin’…that’s when I get 80% of my writing done).
Also, if you’re listening FW team, how about a numpad that locks into both side module bays at once? Extra secure for the weight, and no cables to fiddle with.
Oh, and somewhere to put the stylus! I’m using a book wrap and it works, but…
A backlit keyboard is definitely something I would need for my Framework 12. I didn’t think about when I ordered it, but noticed it to be missing when it was dark and that is really annoying.
Got to add my voice to this chorus… if I’d have known I think I would have reconsidered buying one.
The main attraction of this laptop (as we bought 2 x FW13’s in the same order too, not just a FW12) was for casual use, particular if watching TV in bed at night. The fact it can be in tablet / tent / laptop mode makes it great for holidays, playing games and needing a walkthrough, or just casual youtube use. But a lot of that might happen under low-light conditions… a backlit keyboard is a MUST!
And yeah… somewhere to put the stylus would be good too.
Does anybody know where this obsession with non-backlit keyboards for the educational market comes from? Additional power consumption can’t be the issue? Even the newly announced Macbook Neo does not have a keyboard backlight.
It’s not as if the main display itself wouldn’t create much more light pollution in a class room.
I really really really hope Framework will introduce a backlit keyboard as additional add-on. It’s one of few products where it actually makes sense as it’s so easily repair(and with that customiz)able.
Price. Institutions are just not going to have as much interest in paying extra for such convenience features. If the devices were for staff, they might.
That’s what I referenced and what really surprised me. Even the more expensive alternative that includes more disk space and the fingerprint sensor does not offer a backlit keyboard.
Don’t get the obsession. It does not seem to be a regulation in most places, especially since traditional laptops are allowed anyway.
I understand to exclude it to reach the absolute cheapest spec & price. Still confusing why all vendors don’t offer a more expensive version. Especially since they often offer other convenience features - like the Macbook Neo.
At least there is hope for Framework as it can be easily retro-fitted by their users themselves and we are used to order add-ons by ourselves anyway.
My miss; apologies. I have the 12” and while a backlit keyboard would be nice I can get by with the light from the screen on the keys when I am in a dark room. If they ever added an option for a backlit keyboard I would consider upgrading to it, as it is a ice feature to have. BUt I get having to cut every corner possible to lower cost.
What about a translucent bottom for the input cover itself? A few LEDs and a light spreader/light pipes?
Just spitballing, I don’t know what it would take to include backlighting. Even just a V2 input cover itself would be welcome…would buy in a heartbeat.
with all the focus on open keyboards, I’m surprised there hasn’t been a rush to design this specific part…
As someone who recently acquired my FW12, It is pretty crippling for me where I work in dark spaces with dark mode and eye savers enabled. Even just a dim single color backlight would be a huge improvement. If ya wanted to make it cool or interesting a backlit keyboard and glass-top mouse pad would be awesome. Its a feature I have seen on some expensive laptops, and while I understand this a budget product the option to upgrade to these features would be great.
before I returned mine, I used one of those little clip on lights for reading in bed. it worked pretty well. And was an orange color that didn’t bother my eyes.
Yes! In the survey they have I suggested a 14" pink translucent gaming laptop. I got the bubblegum 12 for school and that would be the perfect size for me to pair it with but I bet that blue like the strip would absolutely pop.
Hello Kayla, The track-pad is fine, but as I was explaining in my last comment. The ability to upgrade this product to make it more premium would be appreciated. The Stock track pad is a fine mylar material, a glass top, or even haptics would be more premium experience. For example the FW13/FW13pro, the ability to upgrade to a solid aluminum chassis, upgraded touch-pad, multiple screen options, multiple main board options, well it kinda makes the FW12 seem pretty low on options.
Maybe there are some fingerprint sensors they could use over i2c, but I think they just didn’t / don’t plan fingerprint for the input cover.