I have wanted a Framework 16 for awhile, but the criticisms of the 1st generation were such that I opted to wait for a 2nd generation. I watched or listened to at least almost all the three videos today, and I think that it is great that they improved the top chassis and now have an NVIDIA GPU option (and that they are working towards offering a mechanical keyboard). However, one of the criticisms of the 1st generation had to do with the deck flex, a weakness that was bad enough that they started to offer pads to connect to part of the motherboard assembly to provide better support. I saw pads in the video, and there was no mention about improving the keyboard plate, not even in the video about what they tried to do but did not succeed in doing yet. Nothing was said about making that part thicker to combat deck flex, and anti-deck-flex pads were visible in the video. Did Framework not try to mechanically improve the keyboard deck area at all? Is this on their radar as something that they would like to fix in the future so that a pads hack is not needed for having a more acceptable deck flex? I would love to know if they are planning on doing something about that part of the design to improve it.
I am not much of typist, but I have a Framework Laptop 16 with dGPU (manufactured in December 2024). I have no idea what keyboard flex media like LTT were talking about. I would rate the keyboard 9/10 (only MacBook (scrissors) and Dell XPS (old ones, never tried new ones) are better in my opinion. There is a flex when you apply pressure on it, but it has to be VERY MUCH pressure.
Are the rubber pads not a sufficient solution? To me, it seems like a cheap, lightweight solution. Personally, I’m fine if that’s the permanent fix. I have no issue with deck flex on my FW 16 (which has the pads). At this point, I see zero reason for them to re-design anything to reduce flex further.
But maybe some folks are still having issues with keyboard deck flex even with the pads. I haven’t seen people saying so, but maybe I just missed it?
I’m going to ditto Daniil and BigT here: I have plenty of complaints about my gen1 FW16 and am kicking myself today for not waiting until this refresh, but the keyboard has never been one of those issues. It was okayish before the pads and perfectly fine after I installed them.
The new generation of Framework Laptop 16 has the same set of improvements we introduced partway through the original Framework Laptop 16 to add additional pads around the Mainboard area. As noted in the other responses in this thread, mid-plate flex hasn’t been a major source of critical feedback after we introduced that change.
Thank you for the responses, Nirav, Daniil, BigT, and Nate!
Do you recall what batch the pads were added to gen 1?
Not to repeat others too much, but I’ve been loving my keyboard (before and after installing the pads). I type quite a bit and didn’t experience any keyboard deflection, which may have been a factor of my particular hardware being luckily great or my typing being pretty low-pressure, but I still installed the pads - better safe than… deflected or whatever.
This keyboard is buttery.
I’m not sure what FW16 batch corresponds with ‘built in May 2024 or later,’ but hopefully this link helps!
I personally could not tell any keyboard flex. However, I still installed the free foam pad kit. It feels pretty solid to type on to me.
Funny.. is there some sort of mailing list I missed? When I ordered my 16 (batch 17) I never received an email about the ptm swap due to thermal throttling and had to do the digging on these forums to learn about that (which is how I even got involved here to begin with) well after the deadline. And now folks are saying one went out for the foam pads? I didn’t see anything about that either, yet I’ve disassembled my 16 several times for tinkering and I don’t already have pads.
The pads under the mid-plate were added really early on. Batch 17 almost certainly should have had them.
Do you have any issues with the keyboard deck flexing too much?
Honestly, not really. I’m not one to put too much pressure to create such flex. I’m still really pleased with the product, I’m more so a little disappointed about the lack of notification to me somehow compared to most others when these changes were implemented. As I said before, having to learn about this stuff through forums a year or so later when folks were emailed about the changes.
My batch 20 did not have them. Support said my unit should have the pads and asked for a picture. After I sent proof of missing pads, they sent the kit.
Ok, sounds like maybe I need to contact support and put in a ticket. What are the pads called so I can look up the guide?
Edit: I think I found it.. keyboard deflection kit?
Yep, that’s the one.