I really don’t like the look of the spacers and I’m worried they’ll stick out a bit too much in use. I know Framework probably won’t make a full-width mousepad module, but I think at least adding some colour options for them might help it look a bit nicer.
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Any colour as long as it’s natural aluminium. Framework have stated the colouring process is environmentally unfriendly so they will not offer the option.
I was thinking more in the style of the top spacers to maintain a bit of visual continuity from the keyboard area. I think it’s fair that Framework don’t want to unnaturally colour the aluminium.
I agree that colored bottom spacers would be great to hide the lines. I’d go for simple dark gray personally.
Trouble is, it looks like the bottom spacers may require the thinness of aluminum. So if Framework is unwilling to do color anodizing on even small pieces like the spacers, then we might be stuck. Painting is usually not done on aluminum because it’s so much weaker than just anodizing it. I hope Framework reconsiders, at least for such a small part.
That would be my ideal solution, even if they only made it with a single position, central.
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try 3d printing a new double wide spacer
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That also has the advantage that you can have it any colour you want (assuming suitable filament or resin).
I definitely dislike how the the spacers look. Generally the look is not so important for me, but it was bothering enough to discourage me from using numpad. If it’s visible then let it be at least symmetrical. Let’s see how it will look like in the final product - maybe the gap will be smaller than it looks on the photos, or maybe some colored spacers will look better on the laptop.
Are the input module spacers not the same as touchpad row spacers? I thought they are the same and I can put black ones in both rows.
As for the survey question - my YES for the first part was strong enough so I answered yes, but to the second part of the question my answer would be: most probably not.
They are not the same. The upper (keyboard) section is larger than the bottom section. And the attachment method is different.
One could always color the bottom spacers though. Using a vinyl skin made for the Framework, generic adhesive vinyl, or even spray paint. You can get vinyl in all kinds of patterns and colors. Iridescent or color shifting even.
Is there anyone selling 3rd party spacers yet? I don’t have a 3D printer and would like something more professional looking.
I put my trackpad on left just like in OPs screenshot and would like a single wide spacer at least if not a full single piece trackpad. The inner spacer sticks out a bit and moves a little and it has been bothering me.
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If you have the design skills you can prepare the cad drawing then have a company print them and ship it to you. there isn’t currently anyone that I know of.
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3d printed spacers most likely will be worse than the FW spacers, because of how thin they have to be, and how the colour and texture would be so different.
Seeing how that majority of users who have gotten the delivery of the laptop have been commenting on how they dislike the spacers so the chances of FW making a single piece trackpad is now higher.
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I’m pretty sure, the spacers also need small contact pads with some basic logic, to let the laptop know, the slot is occupied and not open.
Not sure, if the developer docs have already been released for them.
Touchpad spacers don’t have any contacts and I can’t see any other mechanism to recognize their presence on my device.
I can of course only talk about my own expierience, but my spacers don’t “move” on their own. you have to really push down on it and then wiggle your finger. If you just use your keyboard it stays put.
Yes, you can see the seams, and yes, there is the tiniest ridge when going over the seam. But it doesn’t bother me and as others on the forum have noted I actually think it’s a cool “giveaway” of the modularity of the laptop.
But everyone is entitled to their own opinion on this and I can understand people who feel a ~2000$ laptop shouldn’t have such optical deficiencies. I just want to point out that perfect looks isn’t the reason this particular device costs so much.
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Would it be possible to 3D print a full size touchpad plate and attach the pogo pins?
It seems like a business opportunity waiting to happen…
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you would need to destroy the old plate in the process but i don’t see why not. the big issue would be finding a 3d printer with a big enough bed.
just got my fw16 and the spacers barely even fit right, they stick up ever so slightly at the joints and i had to reseat them multiple times to get just the right alignment to keep it from cutting up my arm
there’s still a sharp ridge on the left side of the trackpad… i’d love to see a single solid trackpad preferably with physical buttons but for now i’m just going to vinyl wrap it
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So, I just got my FW16, and I have to agree. the touchpad spacers are a leap below the rest of the device in finish.
The FW16 feels pretty good on everything else.
The touchpad unit itself can move forwards/backwards about 0.5mm, and the spacers each can do the same. Once clicked in the rubber pads on the back hold them relatively well in position, but they move when I pick the laptop up.
The touchpad unit on the left side is sticking up visibly.
Right now I’m not too concerned with this, as I can um… repeatedly whack things until they line up.
Just saying that this is by far the part that feels the lowest quality, and it’s right where my hands are.
Also, the touchpad has a very slight rattle when I move my fingers across that, but that’s a different issue. Likely I’ll also solve that by controlled force to fix up tolerances.
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Another vote here for solid Tracpad panels.
The spacers will work fine for me (batch 16) but solid Tracpad panels in left, right, and center configurations would allow versatility and a more polished aesthetic.
I know there is a current limitation of Tracpad left or center only but maybe a solid-panel Tracpad-right could be designed with the requsit pogo-pin connectors in the correct place?
And even more to the point of modularity, maybe the trackpad hardware could be removable from the panel so you can have multiple panels and just move your trackpad hardware to whichever panel you’re currently using?
One Tracpad to rule them all? And multiple panels to bind them…
Oh, and physical buttons. (Yes, I’m old 
)
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the technical tap is quite the tradition, but i’ve been wondering for the loose sections about a small amount of epoxy or glue to build up the surface, then sanding to get it even.
i would dearly love a solution for right aligned trackpad with left aligned keyboard. i don’t personally required a solid trackpad span, but i guess it makes sense as a solution.
(and yes, physical buttons would be nice)
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