Framework Wireless Keyboard (no touchpad)

[balupton]

Framework announced a wireless keyboard with bundled trackpad:

Previewing the Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard

[Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard] We’re excited to preview the Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard, a compact keyboard with integrated touchpad that is excellent for living room use, setting up computers, and mounting into sim rigs. As we were developing Framework Desktop and using it in these scenarios, we found that there was just one popular keyboard in this segment, and it was one that neither we nor the broader community particularly liked. We knew we could do better, and so we did!…

However, this is a request for a framework wireless (or wired) keyboard without a trackpad.

Instead of using ergonomic keyboard, that always is expensive and has a learning curve for the different layout and prevents one hand using the keys assigned to the other hand, I’ve just always bought two of the same keyboard and it works out of the box on linux and on macos requires karabiner elements, and I get to use the keyboards I’m already familiar with, both hands have access to all the keys, and I can adjust it to my hearts content.

Before I use to use apple magic keyboards, however one died, so now I just use a combo of an aliexpress keyboard for a less than $13aud each for this ergonomic setup - however the keys are sticky and sometimes fail to register - and anything else gets expensive or bulky.

The framework keyboard is great, but the wireless trackpad option makes it bulky.

I also couldn’t care less for wireless and charging, as wired also offers instant connectivity via the same monitor dongle.

So just putting this out to express demand and hope it happens. And also to track community projects to take say the 16" keyboard and diy it:

External Keyboard based on FL16 keyboard

It would be great to create an external keyboard into which you can insert the layout from the Framework Laptop 16. This way, you can use the same keyboard both when working on the laptop and when working with multiple monitors connected to the laptop, but with the same keyboard. For such a keyboard, it is important to support Bluetooth and the ability to connect to multiple computers, switching between them. So, there would be a keyboard base, and you could insert the keyboard from the Framewor…

FW16 Keyboard -> USB

Hi! Is it possible to create an USB to 8pin pogo to connect the keyboard to another pc?

[MJ1]

Since FW has already provided a CAD model, I imagine someone will likely create a 3D-printable shells for a variety of things. Like just a keyboard, just a trackpad, a left-side trackpad, maybe even extra mouse buttons.

[spiro]

Great writeup, @balupton!

I’m in the same boat. I’m really happy with my Framework 16, and I’m now looking into simplifying my setup around it.

One big part of it is to get an external keyboard that has the same feel and enables the same muscle memory too.

I’ll likely end up with a Framework Wireless Touchpad Keyboard, but I’d love an option without the touchpad, as well as support for more languages.

It would be a dream to be able to buy a base (wireless or not) where a standard Framework 16 keyboard could be used. I’m watching the linked topics closely too!