What new Expansion Card types do you want to see released?

It’s not just the ports that you need to fit in. You need to fit a good quality audio DAC plus a usb hub to to split the single usb-c on the motherboard side to the audio DAC and whatever extra port you want. I’d wait until Framework releases their 3.5mm module and we see internal pics. I have a feeling there won’t be enough room left.

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We discussed the same idea here:

And the next answers.

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I made this account just to upvote that suggestion. I would very much like to see a kvm switch module like what they have. I’m a network engineer and all around IT tech for a bunch of small businesses. Having to haul around a bunch of extra equipment to see what is going on in a server rack is a pain. I’d pay good money if framework made this module. I’m already planning on getting the 16 inch when it comes out but if I could get this too, I’d be VERY happy.

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None of those of course x)
Like on the other thread Double USB C on one port. WHen I do OBS interview I have 2 USB c microphone and 2 camera plus power, that is 5 USB C .
Now if I want to plug my externa screen, this would be 6.
And 10€ shipment instead of 30€ x)

CF Express and full-size SD card readers would be at the top of my wish list.

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I was about to propose this as a comment, but then realized it probably warrants its own thread:

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Can we get a recessed or hidden type-a expansion card that hides our wireless type-a mouse dongles?

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Search the forum for Dongle Hider!

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Maybe this was already mentioned - sorry if that’s the case - but, what about a numeric keypad? Of course you can always plug a USB one, but I mean one that would exploit the socket for the extension card in order to make it look and feel like a natural extension of the laptop.

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I’m thinking a module that would have an outrigger you could sit an FW16 numeric keypad on and plug into an expansion slot. I’m surprised no-one has thought along this line already.

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Something similar was suggested before 11th Gen batch one was released, possibly using both expansion card slots on one side, with pass-through ports, so that 4 ports were still available.

Bonus points if it could be left or right sided

I think there were even some threads specifically targeted at such an accessory.

I know I would like one for data and spreadsheet usage.

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This is a great idea! It links together the two different laptop architectures and I’d love to have an extension for my FW13 that lets me use FW16 pieces.

@Xavier_Jiang poe is DC, and in case of the fw 16, which supports pd 3.1, which is up to 48v, it could probably support that without any power circutry in the module, but i do not know the details, and also power throughput is nowhere near powerdelivery standards

How about a hardware password manager/security token like the https://onlykey.io Duo. I currently use one of those to unlock my disk encryption. Having that more or less permanently attached to the notebook would at least prevent forgetting the darn thing at home :slight_smile:

… and nullifying your disk encryption. If the key is (permanently) attached to your drive, everyone getting hold of your drive also gets the decryption key for free.

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That is true for most tokens of this style, however the OnlyKeys do need a PIN entered on the token before allowing access to the stored credentials. So if your attacker model does not include someone willing to physically attack the chip on the token that should work well enough for most use cases. I do not think that I am a target for nation state size actors :grin:
Additionally it could just be used as a second factor for better security when detached.

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Here are the Expansion Cards / Tiles I’d like to see.

  • Battery to charge another device - take it out of the framework laptop to charge your iPhone/Android, and use only 1 USB C cable to charge both the laptop and battery puck
  • Quest 2/3/Pro Direct Wireless Adapter
  • Matter/Homekit/Zigbee adapter to work with home automation
  • Barcode Scanner - I’m sure Business Units, POS, or Kiosks could make use of this.

I’d also like to see Framework Standardize a possible ‘double width, double usb’ standard, and an ‘single width extended height’ standard before we get fractured implementations.

Is it possible to also fit a wireless m.2 card in the expansion slot?

You would not fit much battery in an expansion card, especially if it has to share space with even the smallest powerbank chips I know of but it would be doable even if not very useful.

For one usb and bluetooth scanners exist in all shapes and sizes so you probably don’t mean that but like an expansion card sized scanner that scans out the bottom or the side or something? The image in my head of someone running around a warehouse scanning stuff with the side of their laptop is kinda funny.

Maybe not m.2 but a fancy usb one might be a neat option. mediatek has a pretty nice 6e usb chipset(mt7921au) that might fit the bill.

You might not need much, but if you could get a 50% quick charge on one phone that might be enough to get you through a long conference day.

Have you seen the funny stuff they bolt onto laptops, tablets, and phones to make some sort of weird enterprise job an option?

  • Barcode
  • NFC
  • Credit Card - CC Reader/ Swpie
  • Square / Tap to Pay

I can all see these used as part of some sort of “enterprise” large purchase order for document tracking, insurance adjusters, billing and quoting, kiosk/(point of service) POS, membership tracking, etc…

To get into my local gym, I have to scan a member ID card to the barcode scanner and the laptop is elevated on some custom-built stand.