We don’t know. Framework hasn’t announced anything. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility, but if it happened it would probably wouldn’t be soon. More like a few generations away.
Yeah, Cherry MX ULP is the thinnest available, but unfortunately it’s still a bit too thick. There is another thread where people have discused ways to create a little more room.
We don’t know. Framework hasn’t announced anything. I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility, but if it happened it would probably wouldn’t be soon. More like a few generations away.
Oh well thats unfortunate. Its the only thing holding me back from buying a 13 right away right now.
I’ve read the ideas to steal the usb-lanes from the touchpad and using this connection to connect a qmk-powered keyboard internally so maybe its possible to enable custom-keyboards on this laptop.
Yeah, Cherry MX ULP is the thinnest available, but unfortunately it’s still a bit too thick. There is another thread where people have discused ways to create a little more room.
could you link said thread?
Maybe I can gather some information and evaluate how feasible it would be for me :)
thanks for your response
The touchpad isn’t usb. But the fingerprint reader is usb and runs through the input cover. You could use that for a usb hub chip.
It’s focused on the FWL16. Designing a deeper chassis for "mechanical" keyboard module
I would pay a lot of money for a QMK ortho input cover.
Just created an account to add my vote to an ortholinear option.
Need to get some of those DIY low-profile corne/chocofi/ferris wizards in here, i bet some of those folks could get a custom input module working.
I also made an account here just to upvote alternate keyboard layouts. A laptop with a more ergonomic hand angle is worth a lot to me. Something like this would be awesome Reverb - Unibody Split Keyboard Kit – Keebio
The alternative keyboard layout community is pretty hardcore. In the short term, I would be willing to pay a lot to not have wrist pain from using laptops. Especially if the development that went into making it could be re-used by the community to build additional future layouts. It would make for a virtuous cycle strengthening the ecosystem
well the difficulty lies in the space available. All the custom switches one may use → Cherry ULP, choc etc; are too high and won’t fit.
Hence, at least from what I understand, it most likely boils down to these switches ( or rubberdomes) found in common keyboards that are not really available for DIY.
We may be able to make enough room for Cherry ULP by shimming the hinges. I think someone was planning to try it on the FWL16.
I totally understand the engineering difficulties with space constraints given current mechanical key switches and the current framework laptop. However, new switch and new laptop designs are developed at some rate. The current limitations won’t last forever. My post is mostly to signal that I will pay a premium to whatever company puts out a laptop with a “split” angled keyboard design first. I’m just adding another data point for Framework to consider when they do their cost benefit analysis of what to develop next and why.
Crazy Idea: Split ortholinear layout where you still have space for the numpad; just move it to the middle and have a left and right individual keyboard module. Trackpad would have to be modified to accommodate that, since the middle contacts are shrouded normally, but at first glance it looks doable.
Also the trackpad needs modification anyway because you can’t actually mount it in the right most position
Welcome to the forum
Unfortunately, the 3 middle contact locations, which are used for the trackpad, are not usuable for the upper modules / keyboard modules. They are i2c, rather than usb which the keyboard uses.
I think I wasn’t clear on that point; the idea is move the numpad to the middle of the keyboard, and the right half of the keyboard to the right side of the chassis. …oh. I see. You mean there’s no provision for the numpad to connect without some fancy soldering and/or mylar ribbon circuits
Another one here who just registered to upvote the ortholinear keyboard option.
Any update on this? I would order today if it’s available.
I already own a framework 13 and I would not hesitate to buy a reasonably priced ortholinear keyboard cover. I really hope this will be announced in the upcoming year I really don’t see a problem with making that kind of keyboard except order volume but if they are doing it for the 16 which has a lot less units I don’t understand why its not teased for the 13 yet.
Welcome to the forum.
The FWL13’s keyboard would be more involved and costly to redesign. It’s incorporated directly into the input cover frame, note how the frame runs between the keys. I presume this is to provide structure and stiffness without adding thickness. And they made the USA, ISO, and Japanese keyboard layouts all use the same cover frame, so that only one needed to be manufactured. With that added complexity and cost, I would think the FWL16 ortholinear keyboard will need to prove that there is great demand before it can be considered for the 13.
I like the idea of having a “split” ortholinear keyboard with the numpad in the center between the two halves of the alpha keys. This would keep the users hands further apart most of the time while typing, which is better for ergonomics IMHO.
The hardware concern that @MJ1 mentioned around connectors not being in the right place for this set up is totally valid. But what if instead of having three separate modules, a left hand, a right hand, and a num pad, there was just one large “combined” module that has the same number of keys as a left hand, a right hand, and a num pad combined? This single module would cover the full width of the laptop. If the keyboard is going to be both ortholinear and programmable, then it may be easy to just program the middle keys to be a numpad than changing hardware connectors.
That being said, IDK how the pin connectors work for the keyboard. If it’s one pin per key-switch, that might be limiting if there are no extra pins. But if that is the case, then the combined module could also use the pins normally intended for the separate numpad, to handle the extra keys compared to the original design specs. The total number of keys the laptop can accept stays the same. It’s just a question of if the keys are split between two hardware pieces (alpha and numpad) as they are today. Or if the keys are integrated into one hardware form factor. Heck, a “combined” module could technically be two different boards that just look like a single board to the user because software is going to interpret each individual key a users presses anyways. The hardest thing to change is usually hardware that is already in circulation. So whatever hacky design is needed to use the pins already in the F16 is probably the way to go.
What are peoples thoughts?
Oh yeah, there are definitely ways to do it. Another would be a middle section, num pad or whatever you wish, that connects to a side keyboard. Of course, then you couldn’t use the stock num pad, but when you’re making fully custom split keyboard already you can certainly do a 3rd, middle one.
They’re usb! Regular usb2.0, all a keyboard needs. Extra pins are 3.3v and a pin connected to the EC (embedded controller) labeled sleep, I believe, currently used to indicate to the keyboard when the laptop is in sleep mode. Pin out is documented on Framework’s github.
Being regular usb is a blessing and a mild curse. Mostly a blessing. The mild curse part is that the usb HID keyboard standard doesn’t include a way for devices to talk directly to each other. I think that’s just standard for all usb devices, partly for security, I would imagine. So with a split keyboard, press a layer change key with your left hand, the right keyboard has no idea. They are separate. Simplest solution is the one of just having both sides connected, one way or another. Having a small script on your computer, just act as a means to bounce messages off of, is an option. Another is using a trick with the capslock, scroll lock and / or numlock to communicate directly with each other. A community member created a firmware for the FWL16 keyboard and num pad that uses this method.