One could argue anything above 14" isn’t a real laptop but I guess everyone got different tastes XD.
But yeah usb pd implementations on big laptops definitely leave a lot to be desired, my previous work laptop (intel 8th gen zbook) refused to draw power from pd while on and my current one (intel 11th gen latitude) only begrudgingly kinda does with a lot of wining. I do hope 48v pd catches on for that segment so all those proprietary workarounds can go die in a fire.
Since you already are producing in Taipei, Taiwan.
It might be a good idea to look at TEX Electronics and their keyboards.
They might be interested in making a keyboard-kit as third party or cooperating if that would be interesting.
As of now they have been making mechanical keyboards with trackpoints for years.
I have been using the Shura with absolute satisfaction for some time now.
I’m just getting used to my new framework 16. I immediately want three things:
Created an account just to post this.
I think Framework is doing really good work on the interative innovation front. The AMD processors and all for the 13 inch model. Brilliant. 2800x1920 screen, battery, etc.
I have been a Thinkpad user for 15+ years now and though I’m really tempted by the FW13, having to stick the Thinkpad X1 for now.
Incorporating the trackpoint will require some deft engineering but hope that is actually possible. Fingers crossed.
When will framework sell a trackpoint keyboard on their website though?
Just want to add my voice here.
The only thing stopping me from purchasing a Framework 16 is the lack of a TrackPoint option.
I’m even willing to do a little soldering, but afaik no one has created a reliable, repeatable DIY solution(?)
Somebody pointed out in another forum that there is a supplier for pointing sticks SK8707-06 FlexPoint™ PS/2 Pointing Stick Mouse Module (Detached Design) |Sprintek that you can order one at a time and also presumably in bulk if you wanted to make keyboards with them.
iirc it’s just too thick. Its really hard to get around this because there is a hard limit on keyboard height
Edit: I found a technical drawing and it looks to be >3.5mm tall (limit is 3.8 iirc) without the rubber cover on top, I don’t think that it would fit unless you took a dremel to the input deck
Interestingly, the wikipedia article on trackpoint cites an article that show exact opposite: touchpad is more efficient. It also points out the potential for for RSI from using single finger for cursor movement although it does not cite any study. However, anecdotally it’s one of the main reasons why people find trackpoint uncomfortable to use.
As for the efficiency the metric may be flawed. While it may be more efficient to use a touchpad in isolation the integration of the trackpoint directly into the keyboard may make it more efficient when switching between typing and using the trackpoint than it is for touchpad.
I find the TrackPoint essential (preferably with a touchpad as well). In addition to efficiency:
I’ll never buy a laptop without a TrackPoint.
Lenovo doesn’t have any offerings that check all the boxes for me. I’m really hoping someone comes up with a way to get a TrackPoint keyboard on a Framework 16.
Not implying anything about anyone particular in this thread, but I will point that in general many ppl use their pointing fingers instead of thumbs to operate touchpads and that’s why they complain that switching between typing and using a touchpad is inefficient…
Unfortunately most laptop manufacturers incorrectly place “mouse buttons” at the bottom of touchpads instead of right below spacebar keys (to my knowlege only Lenovo used to do it correctly, but I may be unaware of some others), so “long distance” drag&drops still require you to move one hand away from the keyboard down to the “mouse button” 
update: some touchpads allow you to put a second finger to kinda indicate “press&hold” and then split the move of the first finger into several swipes, but I found most of them unreliable often suddenly releasing the hold after 2 or 3 swipes…
However, using the index finger for operating the touchpad is what affords the precision and thus efficiency measured in those studies, as well as those multifinger taps that emulate additional buttons.
sure, I do agree that for mouse intensive tasks index finger is way more efficient. However if you are mainly typing and using mouse sporadically (like for example when coding etc), then using your thumb makes switching way more efficient.
This is my second year using my framework 13 for personal use. I absolutely love the keyboard it’s the closest I have found to my favorite keyboard on the x1 carbon family of laptops. The one thing I miss is the TrackPoint. The ugly red numb. I know many people hate the TrackPoint but it’s simply so easy to go from typing to moving the mouse without having to move my hands. I have even bought a Lenovo wireless keyboard with a TrackPoint on it. I wish there was an option on the 13 or the 16 for the framework.
Don’t we all
