Request: Review of Framework Laptop 16 Keyboard Layouts

Regarding US Layouts

I would like to 2nd the vote for using the Framework logo rather than the text “super”

As a user I have no idea what the Fn-12 key (currently with framework logo) would do, and thus would never click it.
Uncommon on modern keyboards, it may be worth adding the scroll lock key back onto the Linux layout given it’s use case in TTY sessions.

I 2nd the idea for relegating the numlock to a fn key and giving that key an additional function.

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Looks like your quote got messed up. Seems it should be for this post by Captain_Pumpkinhead, rather than Matt_Hartley.

Since the Framework-16 input modules will be using QMK firmware, any key can be assigned to a fn key, which are generally known as layer keys. So the numlock key could toggle any layer you wish to create. QMK offers a huge amount of options. I suspect a lot of people will be at a loss when they explore everything you can do.

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I’m not sure how you caught that, but you’re right! I’ve fixed it, thanks Sherlock :slight_smile:

I’m also glad to hear there will be plenty of room for customization, I’m sure I’ll delve deeper into that once I get one in-hand.

It just didn’t sound like Matt_Hartley :smile:

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About the physical layout in general: it definitely has too few dedicated keys. This forces us to do too much switching around, hurting productivity a lot.
Especially dedicated pg up/dn keys, and home/end are missing - there is enough space for them on the keyboard. Also “insert” and “print” are important, although to a lesser degree.

Regarding the “International English” layout: I believe this is supposed to be the layout commonly called “US International”? I think it makes sense to stick to these standard names. The layout “International English / Linux V2” is good, except for some missing dedicated keys.

I like the “super” label on the super key - it can’t get any clearer. Love to not have a Windows logo there, I would definitely buy this design as is. I don’t need a Framework (cog) icon here, prefer just the “super” label. After all, it is the “super” key.

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What Khalid said, also for the US version, can we please have text for the enter and backspace keys instead of the symbols? Looks much cleaner.

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Swiss looks perfect now!

Edit: please don’t change the symbols on enter/shift/backspace to text. Most Swiss keyboards I’m familiar with have only the symbols without text, except for the caps lock, so exactly as you have it.

For the caps lock key it seems to be common to simply write “caps lock” on it without a symbol (the Acer laptop keyboard I’m currently writing on is exactly like the last artwork). But there are also a lot of Swiss keyboards with just the symbol (notably Mac). Either is fine.

Hungarian updated

hungarian-white-backlight-V4

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Slovak updated

slovak-white-backlight-V4

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The Swiss keyboard layout seems fine now, I didn’t see anything wrong :slight_smile:

Apart from what @mrwm already visualized regarding the general symbol/text inconsistencies:

Further to your message, I’ve passed on your comment about the licence to the creator of the Optimot on the Bépo community Discord server. He replied that all you had to do was contact him and he would grant you the right to use this layout on commercial products. But you’re obviously not the only one who thinks this licence is a problem, and there may be a way of convincing its creator to change it. :slight_smile:

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i am not shure what layout but this layout is for slovak and czech keyboard as the template, upgraded it to the final version

Brilliant to see a Swiss keyboard here. Thank you. A key factor for me if I buy a Framework laptop.

I am confused. The RGB layout is the only one, that allows for RGB lighting on the keys?

How is that? I would like that, but at the same time don’t like the windows key.

I also find the arrow keys unfortunate, to be honest.

I don’t know for sure, but I would guess they are making one keyboard that has RGB backlighting so you can choose between white or RGB based on what you want. From what I’ve seen the RGB layout specifically optimises for RGB by centering all the key labels for better shine through (and probably better color mixing).

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I seems like we probably won’t be getting a Framework gear super key, since it wasn’t among the revisions. I am disappointed.

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yeah i would like but it could be in another revisions

Slovak updated again - please take a look

ID2206--keyboard-slovak-white-backlight-V5-outlined

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As far as I can tell, this keyboard is labelled for three different layouts: US; Slovak; and Czech.

It seems as if the US QWERTY layout is printed on the left-hand side of each key. The middle characters are for the Slovak layout. And the right characters are for Czech.

It appears as if some OEMs do already do this, so it’s not a novel or unfamiliar concept.

But true Slovak hardware keyboards also clearly exist too.

For reference, here’s what the actual Slovak layout looks like (in Windows):

If the plan is to keep the tri-layout inscriptions, would it make sense to rebrand this as the “US/Slovak/Czech” layout?

Or if we want a true “Slovak” layout, would it make sense to only label it with the Slovak layout (as implemented in Windows)? This would have the benefit of providing room to also label all the AltGr positions.

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the Hungarian one looks great! there are some unnecessary characters as secondary/alternate characters: like ä or ß. I suppose they are some legacy characters from a German layout. which is fine, we have them on some keyboards. but the important things are all present and at the correct spot.