Actually, is it possible to install the Framework 13’s JP keyboard on the 16? (sorry for the double post!)
No, the 13 and 16 are wildly different. The 13’s keyboard is part of the midplate/palmrest/frame; the 16’s keyboard is magnetically attached to 1 of 3 user definable positions and can be removed without any tools in mere seconds.
OK good to know, I didn’t imagine there could be much of a difference. Thanks for clarifying.
It also seems like something to try consolidating in future designs, or at least have the pins available so that any model can accept any keyboard.
Where it makes sense to do so, Framework already does use cross-compatible components between models. Industry wide standards are followed and used, allowing standard NVMe SSDs and applicable SO-DIMM memory to be used across models. They have also designed many custom parts for cross-compatibility. For instance, all of the expansion cards, and the webcam, are the same size and connection for both all of the 13" and 16" models. So while there has been an upgraded webcam shipped (and it is compatible with all* previously released Framework laptops), it made sense to do so because the space available in a laptop screen is going to be similar for similar components, even across different models. But the cable to connect the camera to the motherboard is different between models because a smaller laptop (the 13) needs a shorter cable than a larger laptop (the 16). Similarly, WiFi antennas are electrically compatible between the 13 and 16, but since they need to reach the top of the screens, the length of the connecting cables must be different between models.
This is true of the keyboards as well. Larger laptops have more room for more keyboard, and often have more buttons or more spacious layouts (eg. larger or repositioned modifier keys, or a numpad, are common). Framework used the available space to try something completely new: fully modular keyboards/inputs. When designing the larger laptop, potential buyers were polled about whether they wanted a numpad or not, and results came back almost 50:50. In order to appease both groups, as well as potentially add additional functionality, the modular input concept was born. With magnetically connected inputs, the design of the 16’s keyboard (and trackpad) are completely different from the standard laptop keyboard connector used in the 13: the ribbon cable.
Unfortunately, the change in connectors, form, and function prevent the 13 and 16 from sharing keyboards currently. I haven’t looked much at the forums for the 13, but I somewhat doubt there are many laptop 13 owners that want a redesigned input cover that can adopt the new connection method of the 16.
*I don’t have a Framework Chromebook. I think it uses the same webcam, but the marketplace does list a separate webcam module that looks identical to me to the standard original one.