# Split Keyboard

**URL:** <https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777>\
**Category:** Framework Laptop 16\
**Tags:** framework-laptop-16-amd-7040\
**Created:** [April 23, 2023, 9:29am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777 "2023-04-23T09:29:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Joseph\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/45deac/32.png) [@Joseph\_R](https://community.frame.work/u/Joseph_R)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 9:29am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777/1 "2023-04-23T09:29:33Z")

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Given the modular keyboard setup, I think a really phenomenal addition would be a keyboard in two halves. You could have them separated with the inserts or even stick the num pad in the middle

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**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\
**Post date:** [April 23, 2023, 5:04pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777/2 "2023-04-23T17:04:54Z")

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If Framework can make single-key modules available then I think we will definitely at least see DIY split keyboards. Hopefully someone will offer them for sale even. I believe there is a demand.

> [@DIY Staggered Columnar Laptop Keyboard (Semi Ortholinear) \[Prototype\]](http://community.frame.work/t/diy-staggered-columnar-laptop-keyboard-semi-ortholinear-prototype/23821/23):
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> @dosssman we’re exploring a possible path to offering single-key modules that are mounted on thin PCBs, which are then soldered individually upwards into a PCB lattice that serves as both the electrical connection and the mechanical structure.

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**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Haas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/90ced4/32.png) [@Jonathan\_Haas](https://community.frame.work/u/Jonathan_Haas)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 12:02pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777/3 "2023-04-24T12:02:29Z")

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The design that has been shown doesn’t support split keyboards. The framework laptop doesn’t have enough connection points in the middle, or they will be used by the touchpad.

You’ll be only able to use a keyboard sized module plus either two thin ones or one numpad sized one.

The only other possibility is maybe a single oversized module spanning the whole laptop width. Such a module could of course contain a split keyboard with numpad in the middle.

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**Author:** ![MJ1](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/community.frame.work/mj1/32/15519_2.png) [@MJ1](https://community.frame.work/u/MJ1)\
**Post date:** [April 24, 2023, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777/4 "2023-04-24T14:54:28Z")

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> [@Jonathan\_Haas](#):
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> The design that has been shown doesn’t support split keyboards. The framework laptop doesn’t have enough connection points in the middle, or they will be used by the touchpad.

Hopefully the production design will add the missing connector in the middle. Unless I’m missing something I don’t see a reason to leave it out.

> [@Input Modules: Bottom row connectivity?](http://community.frame.work/t/input-modules-bottom-row-connectivity/28879):
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> I’m absolutely in love with the whole idea of the input modules! \<3 I just have one open question / concern: What’s the connectivity situation of the modules for the bottom row? It looks to me like the connectivity for both rows share contacts along the middle of the input deck. So if a module on the top requires connectivity in that column, the bottom row module can’t get any? Currently the only bottom row input module that needs a connection is the trackpad, and for that, connectivity seem…

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**Author:** ![Jesus\_Leganes-Combar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Jesus\_Leganes-Combar](https://community.frame.work/u/Jesus_Leganes-Combar)\
**Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 8:56am UTC](https://community.frame.work/t/split-keyboard/29777/5 "2023-09-13T08:56:09Z")

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A simple split layout where a regular keyboard is cut in half so we can move the keypad module to the middle would awesome 🙂 They could also be shown to the system as two independent keyboards themselves, so for example gamers can remove one of the halves and put a big trackpad or a space for a mouse for movements.