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.