The Framework laptop 13 Linux layout keyboard here has been “coming soon” for more than a year now, while the Input cover kit priced at $84 is available.
I assume the input cover kit uses the same Linux layout part as the other SKU, but is not available separately. Is this just Framework trying to get people to pay more for the full cover replacement instead of selling a lower margin part?
Appreciate any news, hints or things I may have missed on this.
PS: I am a Linux user and absolutely loathe having a windows key on my keyboard.
“coming soon” is just the FW store’s status for “not in stock”.
The keyboard you linked is a “gen 1”. I’m not sure if they plan to make any more gen 1s. I wouldn’t think so. At some point, I imagine they will do a gen 2 for that version keyboard. I would guess that they can only have parts made cost-effectively in large batches. And perhaps parts that sell slow need to wait at the back of the line.
I mean, if a keyboard separate from the input cover was significantly lower margin, they didn’t have to choose to sell them at all. Or they could adjust the price to improve the margin.
A year is pretty long, you submitted to be notified when it came back in stock, and never received a notice during that time?
If a full input cover is available, you would be saving yourself effort in addition to waiting. It takes removing 71 tiny PH0 Philips screws to separate the keyboard. Then putting 71 tiny PH0 Philips screws back in.
