Why doesn't Framework sell a laptop 12 keyboard without a touch pad?

Framework Laptop 12
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I find this one odd. The input cover for the 12 is sold as a bundle with a new touchpad. This seems a bit wasteful if you need to replace the keyboard but still have a working touchpad.

I’d bet the keyboard has a much higher failure rate than the touch pad due to the moving parts. Also, anecdotally, I’ve had keyboards and keys fail but never a touch pad.

What makes this more strange is that the touch pad is $39 while the keyboard is $49

Would the price of the keyboard be $10 without a bundled touchpad (doubt it) or are we just getting a really good deal on a new touch pad?
I’m also curious what the chances are of Framework offering a stand alone keyboard in the future to avoid waste. Since that’s kinda the point of the whole company.

I’d love your thoughts on this because I’ve found it peculiar ever since the 12 released.

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I think the target audience of this thing (borrowed from FL12 matrix) is probably home theater. If touchpad isn’t included more people will use the keyboard for gaming…and then discover that it only has 2-key rollover.

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I might not have been clear enough. I’m actually talking about the Framework laptop 12 keyboard.

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I never actually thought of this, but it would make a lot of sense!

I definitely would’ve preferred a lavender touchpad when I got my laptop, but they didn’t do lavender for my region’s layout.

Also for those wanting to upgrade to the backlit keyboard, although I don’t remember if that requires the new touchpad.. I’d have to check again

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Yeah my thing is the keyboard is gonna fail before the touch pad and every time you need to replace it you just get another useless touch pad?

Seems like it would be easy for them to just remove the touch pad from the box and sell the keyboard for $39 less.

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I agree. Same concern with the heatsink+fan combo. My fan bearing went bad, still under warranty, they sent a whole new heatsink+ fan assembly, and do not offer them separately on the store.

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Yeah the point of repairability like this is to prevent small scale hardware failures from creating more waste by taking larger more important components with them. Like replacing a port that will always break sooner than the rest of the motherboard.

Repairability like this only works if you allow the user to actually buy those smaller replacement parts at a reasonable price.

So it’s completely backwards to design the parts to be modular but still bundle them anyway so the user can’t buy them without spending unnecessary money and creating unnecessary waste.

Things like making the battery removable on the stylus and keeping the buttons soldered creates the same problem. It’s pretend repairability.

Framework is unparalleled in the area of repairability but they definitely have areas to improve.

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Just noticed you can get a keyboard for the 13 for €20 cheaper than you can get a 12 keyboard for. The 12 is supposed to be the budget device.

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Hey… shoot me a DM with your feedback and Ill take it to the team when they’re back Tuesday.

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Will do!