The idea is simple: position the keyboard closer to the user, where the trackpad usually sits. Subsequently, move the trackpad either to the right-side of the keyboard or forward, where the keyboard would usually be.
This is nothing new, rather, the goal would be to replicate the design seen in the Zephyrus series from ASUS/ROG:
My question is as follows: do you think it would be feasible to achieve something like this starting from the existing FrameWork 16 keyboard and modular input infrastructure?
If so, where would you start from? Modify the existing keyboard, or build one from scratch?
As for why someone would want their keyboard like that…let’s say that I dislike having my wrists placed at the same level as the keyboard, I rigorously prefer them to be 1cm or so lower, therefore the only option is have the keyboard high up on the laptop and lay my wrists on whatever the laptop is sitting on ! Then, to limit hands movement, the trackpad would ideally be on the right, turned 90deg (hence taller than wider), a bit unconformable, but can work with a high enough sensitivity. That said, the benefit of not lifting hands (or using thumbs) to use the trackpad are not to be underestimated, plus, “mouse on the right-hand side of the keyboard” is much closer to a desktop machine.
If you have any comment or serious concern about my anti-ergonomic habits, I am down for discussing that too ahah!
While looking at my FW16 and just eyeballing the size it seems that a full redesign would be needed, the width is functional whats expected, the depth or vertical length is slightly too much and with modifications it may need to be even shorter than just exactly like the track pad module, the most major issue is most definitely the thickness of the keyboard, I will look into different keyboards or technologies yet I feel that it will be very difficult (I’m stubborn so I don’t believe its impossible by any means). The two biggest issues seem to be the mounting brackets for the track-pad, we COULD take those off and just have super strong magnets but there’s also the frame or the keyboard having a lip, because of the depth issues it would probably make it so that the keys would be depressed when the lid is closed if it would close at all. As I’m already somewhat discontent with the mounting of the track pad area mounting I would definitely not be opposed to attempting to rework it yet I have minimal experience with design and development past ideas but this is how you learn I guess. Moving the contact connector sort of thing should be much easier In summary because reading my own message gave me a aneurysm (took 3 min of google to figure out how to spell that):
Stock keyboard really wont cooperate because its sitting on top of the plastic connections for track pad
keyboard would need to be significantly redesigned or the actual area of placement heavily modified
Magnets could help/work
Actual frame of the computer most likely will get in the way
I would not be apposed to the idea of attempting to redesign the mounting method and let it still function with the track pad (just modified so the restrictions it already has will be no longer and still work with stock mounting
This forum should help with what they have done already, it gave me some ideas
(Ill try to fallow up with more polished ideas and with links, resources, and images
Love the idea, favorite out of all projects related to FW16 here in all honesty)
! Then, to limit hands movement, the trackpad would ideally be on the right, turned 90deg (hence taller than wider), a bit unconformable, but can work with a high enough sensitivity. That said, the benefit of not lifting hands (or using thumbs) to use the trackpad are not to be underestimated, plus, “mouse on the right-hand side of the keyboard” is much closer to a desktop machine.