Numeric keypad for FW 13

Creators & Developers Input Module
1

Financial types that want the more compact FW 13 for travel still need a numeric keypad. This should be easy for Framework and give it yet another distinguishing and sorely needed characteristic.

Similar to the FW 16, use a mid-plate for use with a keyboard and optional touchpad/numeric keypad combination, shifting the touchpad to the left to make more space. Consider a more compact keyboard (as was done with the FW 16) to make more room if necessary (although you could simply make the numeric keypad wider instead of the taller form factor used by the FW 16. Add an On/Off switch for the keypad (or disable while typing) to prevent unintentional keypad activity while typing.

ALTERNATIVELY, create a hot-swappable expansion module for the numeric keypad. This might be an easier design option, HOWEVER, stability is essential so using the keypad does not cause instability for either the keypad or the laptop as a whole.

2

It doesn’t seem the Framework 13 can use re-arrangeable keyboard with a mid-plate like the FWL16 uses because in the Framework 13 the keyboard / input cover serves more of a structural role. Maybe a hypothetical Framework 14 or 15 could have a re-arrangeable keyboard, but the Framework 13 seems focused on thin and light, which requires sacrifices. You can’t have it all.

1 Like
3

“It doesn’t seem the Framework 13 can use re-arrangeable keyboard . . .”
That is certainly something to consider; thanks for mentioning it.

HOWEVER, that still leaves the alternative: creating a hot-swappable expansion module for the numeric keypad. External USB keypads were first offered in the early days of laptops to overcome the fact that they were not offered onboard. Their biggest drawback was lack of stabilization. CPAs (such as myself) and other financial types who use ten-key by touch found them impractical to the point of unusable because they bounced around so much that ten-key by touch was impossible.
Framework’s challenge would be to create an expansion module that would attach directly to the laptop and remain stable while the keypad was in use (no bouncing around).

4

What is the current solution that you use and / or see others use?

People have suggested a numeric keypad that was part of / directly attached to either one or two expansion cards. That way the expansion card slot and rails keep the numeric keypad stable.

I could see a community member or other 3rd party creating an expansion card designed to house a Framework 16 numeric keypad or macropad.

This is something that could be made right now, and would actually be fairly simple. A 3d printed body, and a small PCB with pogo pins to interface with the FWL16 keypad. No actual active electronics are needed, just pogo pins, and a USB-C plug. Since the FWL16 keyboard input modules are really full USB keyboards, you just need an adapter to connect them to a regular USB port.

Framework could make such a thing themselves, but it doesn’t feel likely, for the reasonably near future at least. The market / number of Framework customers who just can not use a regular usb number pad feels too small to justify it. Plus, then people will demand one for the left side. And there are costs involved with keeping distribution warehouses stocked with a product, not even counting development and production costs. Many things are possible to do, but the market, for Framework, must justify it.

1 Like
5

“What is the current solution that you use and / or see others use?”

For years, most of my use has been desktop replacement laptops – 16-inch laptops with lots of RAM and storage, AND an onboard ten-key pad. I also use full external keyboards, mice, and monitors. Right now, I have a FW16, a FW13, 2 external monitors, and a 13-inch Acer Spin 5. I have moved away from the external keyboards, and I’m using a dual monitor approach with an external mouse and/or the touchpad for the two Framework laptops.

My previous 16-inch laptop was an MSI GT780 with discrete NVIDIA GPU and onboard ten-key pad. A bit heavy, but I didn’t mind. After almost 15 years it could still compete with most run-of-the-mill machines today, but the USB ports were slower, the wireless card failed, the DVD-RW failed – you get the picture. It was heavy, but I used it mostly as a desktop replacement and didn’t mind lugging it around when I had to.

But a lot of business users and financial professionals are more mobile. They want a lighter-weight machine that is powerful enough to get the job done. And many of them would appreciate a usable ten-key pad, either onboard or as a stable attachment, since they are ten-key by touch users like me.

I have no problem with the weight of the FW16. Even with the discrete GPU (as in my configuration), it is substantially lighter than my old MSI with the bulky Clevo case – but I don’t carry mine around all day every day either. Some who do might actually prefer the FW13 for their needs – particularly if it has a ten-key pad advantage. And having this option provides Framework with a distinct competitive advantage, since no other OEM currently provides one.

This is a think-out-of-the-box solution from a company that was built on thinking outside of the box. Before Framework, OEMs saw no market for, or advantage to, producing modular-designed laptops. A look at recent designs by those same OEMs, either planned or currently offered, shows those same OEMs jumping on board now that Framework’s popularity has grown sufficient to get their attention.

“Plus, then people will demand one for the left side.”

IMO, this issue could be fixed by the design of the expansion module. When you think about it, in their simplest form, current expansion cards are just specially designed dongles that plug into the onboard Type C ports of the laptop.

The solution to the RH-LH issue would be two pieces rather than one. The first piece would be the dongle and would plug into the laptop’s on-board Type C-port with the exposed end terminating up (at a right angle) instead of out.

This expansion card could then be used with any other external device currently plugging in to the expansion cards, and could also be used either RH or LH.

The second piece would be the keypad, which would connect at the bottom directly into the upward-facing dongle connection.

This design concept would have to be modified somewhat to allow the existing 10-key pad to be used (and thereby eliminate the need for a second 10-key pad design), but you get the idea, I’m sure – and I’m certain the FW engineers can figure it out a lot better than you or I can.

6

"Plus, then people will demand one for the left side. "

I just had another thought. Instead of using a right angle connector, they could borrow from the FW16 technology. This would allow the dongle, including a base plate, to move to LH or RH easily. You would only have to rotate the keypad.