What should we build next?

Yup, my bad. Was a bit yawny that day.
:blush:

Somewhere here I saw examples of companies that wanted to do more things and ended up being terrible at everything, so pleased make sure that doesn’t happen.

When they’re will be awesome working problem-less laptops, I’d be glad to see some repairable tablets, and later even mobiles if possible.

I saw something about printers being oversaturated and sinking ship, but if you guys became popular, I think with good repairable printers you could make a loooot of money (and help humanity) because, well, sinking ship means opportunities.

Framework 16 Wireless Keyboard Mod

I would like a device that would allow me to take off my Framework 16 keyboard and use it as a wireless keyboard. I imagine a device that would magnetically snap onto the keyboard’s pogo pins and provide a simple Bluetooth interface. This way I don’t need a second keyboard when I put my laptop on a stand (for better ergonomics). Even a wired version of this would be nice.

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I thiiink I might have said something similar to this on a reply, but I think the most doable thing for framework would be to release ‘kits’ for repurposing standalone components after an upgrade, like the cooler master case for an older mainboard.

-External Display kit:
Provides a controller board and either a case or 3d printer files to DIY, and lets you use an old/spare LCD panel as an external display (with expansion cards for IO, of course)

-Battery Pack Kit
Contains control board(s) for hooking up an old fw13 55wh battery to USB-C PD ports so you can use it as a power bank for your laptop. Framework could even include an option to integrate it with the external display kit so that it’s not relying on the laptop for power

-Webcam Kit
an adapter to hook the webcam module to a usb-c/usb-a port, and 3d printer files to enclose it so that it can be used as a standalone webcam.

-EGPU Adapter for the fw16
Something to allow the PCIE port for the expansion bay to connect to a full-sized pcie slot, so madmen can try to hook a desktop 4090 to their fw16.

Keypad kits
-lets folks take the keyboard or numpad for the fw 16 and connect it externally via usb or bluetooth.

Stuff like that.

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All I see here is an opportunity for a wireless charging dock with the benefit of better airflow

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I think I’d like a general discussion or thoughts on the topic so I can learn more;

Would it be possible for Framework to create a tablet version of the Framework Laptop, but with drawing stylus support? The biggest drawback of most standalone drawing tablets out there is that they’re not repairable. When any part of them goes bad, they’re essentially disposable.

Wishlist items:

  • I dont want a slim lil tablet, I want a chungus with a 13 or 16 inch inch display I can open up and replace the components as needed. Also replace the screen if it gets a bit abused.
  • I want at least 1024-level stylus support using open source drivers.
  • Ideally not using anything from Wacom, they need to be knee-capped for their monopolistic practices. Maybe use USI styli, like chromebooks?
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As a user of a Framework 13, an OLED or a touchscreen (or hell both assuming it’s not prohibitively expensive) would be beautiful. It would be an upgrade option for me.

I don’t see the need for a printer at this point. HP are a conjob with turning it into a service model, I still use a printer from 2008. Epson and Brother still do some decent offerings.

Outside of that, a tablet might be cool but Android tablets I find are just not well optimised display-wise. I tried Samsung’s new Galaxy Tab S (or whatever they call it I can’t remember) prior to buying this and it just felt too cumbersome. Apps didn’t scale properly for the screen size, or they just didn’t support rotation and it was just not a convenient thing to use.

Framework Laptop 13

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I would still want my “tablet” version of the framework to run Windows or Linux. I used to use a Cintiq 13 connected to my work station to create all my art. I have plenty of other drawing tablets, (Samsung Galaxy Tab S3, iPad 8th Gen, Lenovo Chromebook Duet, Surface Pro 4) and they all have their own issues.

The Tab S3:

  • Runs Krita just fine, but it’s utterly abandoned by the manufacturer because that is the fate of all Android devices.
  • Making art on Android then syncing it to a real computer for the rest of my development process is kind of a huge pain.

iPad:

  • The drawing experience is fine to great, but I can’t run the art apps I want.
  • Making art here then syncing it to my PC is even worse than it is on Android

Lenovo Chromebook Duet

  • This is the closest to good. The USI Stylus is actually nice to work with, but this device is just underpowered and Google keeps intermittently breaking basic functionality on it with OS updates

Surface Pro 4:

  • Proprietary Charger is annoying
  • the pen tech is the worst of the bunch, it literally cannot draw a straight line diagonally.

I want something I can draw on that can also do the rest of my development workflow when connected to a mouse or keyboard.

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I really like this idea. I think something that doesn’t exist to look good, matte black plastic, that can be up to 1" - 1 1/4 thick sounds amazing. It could allow an 85whr battery in a 13-14" laptop. I also think that a trackpoint and the massive keyboard would be awesome as well as a few 2.5" drive bays. Because there isn’t the pressure to make it thin and small for a product like this, it could be cheaper as well maybe.

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To clarify as I was kind of tired yesterday and didn’t fully explain, a keyboard that is a true successor to the old Thinkpad 7 row keyboard in a form factor similar to the T420/T420s (but maybe 3:2). Additionally, a lot of storage and expansion cards and maybe a 45w cooling solution (there is a 45w strix halo sku iirc) would be cool. Maybe an addition of a Thinklight would be cool as well. Basically, something big, upgradeable, and indestructible.

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That doesn’t seem like a huge ask, my amd one does 45w sustained with liquid metal, probably also doable with ptm but I had not figured out how to bypass stapm throttling before I moved to lm.

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Might have mentioned these around on other threads.

Input Deck Whiteboard
A double wide keyboard spacer with a dry erase surface.
I fashioned one myself with two spacers and a dry erase sticker, but it’s flimsy and I have to be very careful when removing it.
Framework should make their own for like $20.

GPU With External Power
Make a really beefy GPU for the Framework 16 that has it’s own USB-C port for power input.
It could run at 50% when on laptop power and 100% when it’s running under it’s own power supply. It might look a little goofy to have two power cords running out of the Framework 16, but I care more about the performance than the looks.

Rugged Shell
Make a bottom and top cover shell that’s thicker and has rubber/plastic bumpers on key points. Maybe with an attachment point for a carrying handle (Think Panasonic Toughbook exterior with Framework interior).
This would help land lucrative contracts from government agencies and be a huge turn on for any professional that needs to do field work. It doesn’t have to look pretty. The people who would buy this really won’t care.
I used a Toughbook in the military and they are garbage. Having a Framework version would be a blessing.

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yeah, especially in a thicker form factor, this could be great, with maybe even better strix halo performance.

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If you were to make it like 30-50% thicker for a 100wh battery that doesn’t bloat if you keep it at 100% you could pretty realistically shoot for 65W+. I’d still want the u sku in the 13 though for that better low power bin.

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yeah, maybe a framework 14 thats literally a copy paste of the thinkpad t420 or t420s?

Those are probably my favorite laptop because of the peripherals and thinklight. I think its fine that theyre 1-1.5" thick because they still fit into my backpack. A giant 17-18" laptop thats this is simply not as portable as a thick 14" or 13" laptop.

This could also be a good way to satisfy users looking for a trackpoint and better keyboard, as well as users looking for a higher tdp cpu and maybe even a water resistant pass through keyboard.

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Don’t think we need to go quite that far. X260 thickness would probably already do the trick

fair. I like my fw13 a lot but its really just not the same as a thinkpad that doubles as a melee weapon

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Toughbook-like shell would be great!
Also with an extra hot swappable battery back, water/dust resistance etc.

Would be a good fit for framework because these tend to be used for a long time, often with outdated hardware, so changeable motherboards/CPUs would be a big deal!

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hot swappable batteries would be SO amazing for field work. I could see myself buying three or four honestly.

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Came here just to write exactly the same, then saw your post:D
I had the “smallandroidphone-project” in mind aswell and would be so glad to see this one day: a modular smartphone, that is not primarily built to consume content, i.e. with a sub 6 inch screen (prefereably somewhere around 5 - 5.5 :slight_smile:

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