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The customization goes further than just yes/no to the number pad. Looks like a whole "Input Module system" that could open up opportunities for different keybo

The customization goes further than just yes/no to the number pad. Looks like a whole "Input Module system" that could open up opportunities for different keyboard designs (DVORAK, various locales, maybe different switches?). I love this idea, excited to see what folks do with it. Makes me think of Apple's Touchbar nonsense -- why force a number pad, or a second touchscreen on folks who don't want one? Such a good iteration on the Framework idea.

BeefySwain 4y ago
https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/qmk_firmware https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/qmk_firmware If this is anything to go off of, then it seems like they are going to support embedding full QMK enabled input devices. Extremely exciting!
- nmstoker 4y ago
  Indeed! They just keep doing good things (and doing them well from what I read)
- JonathonW 4y ago
  They're using QMK on their prototype keyboard and numpad input modules (which are RP2040-based internally). The interface for input modules to the rest of the computer is "just" USB 2.0, so you could put just about anything there that'll fit in one of the input module form factors. Although high resolution, high frame rate touchscreens are probably out because of bandwidth constraints (since it is only USB 2.0).
  - nrp 4y ago
    It's plausible to use something like a DisplayLink controller, or for lower resolution even a microcontroller with flexible high speed peripherals like an RP2040 with the PIO interface.
    - deleted 4y ago
      [deleted]
  - yencabulator 4y ago
    Maybe you could snake a cable to one of the USB-C ports, if you really needed a display there. DIY foldable anyone?
- 1MachineElf 4y ago
  Very exciting indeed. Thank you for pointing this out.
riedel 4y ago
Trackpoint with physical mouse buttons... Just let me keep dreaming.
- vanilla_nut 4y ago
  Knowing Framework's community, it's only a matter of time before a trackpoint version with physical mouse buttons and no touchpad becomes available! I wonder if we'll see a Kickstarter for it soon...
- heavyset_go 4y ago
  I'd kill for a trackpoint keyboard.
  - eichin 4y ago
    Given that there's just more room in the 16", I wonder how hard it would be to just build an adapter board (and some 3d printed scaffolding) to just mount an actual lenovo thinkpad replacement part...
    - dosssman 4y ago
      When it comes to the keyboard, the room that matters is the height, and both the FW 13 or 16 have a maximum height of 3.8mm Unless one can come up with a way to produce a custom keyboard with the same height restriction, using something like a Thinkpad keyboard which is considerably taller would essentially require a custom taller chassis. Not impossible, but relatively hard I would say.
MayeulC 4y ago
Yeah, I'd love an otrholinear module. I'm very sad that this is not offered on the 13 inch, I'd truly love to play around with that.
mtlmtlmtlmtl 4y ago
Split ortholinear keyboard with a clit mouse. If someone makes this to where I can just plug and play and program the keyboard firmware directly I'm switching at the next opportune moment(I'm not a hardware guy, I stop at the lowest levels of programming and leave the soldering to steadier hands...) Though my Thinkpad can still handle another 5 years of wanton abuse I'm sure, so I have all the time in the world. Man my next laptop is gonna be awesome. Literally everything I want in a laptop, which has never existed until now(well, soon).
- Haegin 4y ago
  I'd love someone to do a split ortholinear keyboard on a laptop. That'd probably push it to instant buy for me almost regardless of the rest of the specs etc.
  - nrp 4y ago
    Split ortholinear is possible. We didn't show this, but it is technically possible to build an Input Module for the Framework Laptop 16 that is full width, giving a lot of horizontal real estate for a split layout.
    - JoshStrobl 4y ago
      Please do an ortho or split ortho layout. I get that it'd be low volume but I'd be willing to pay a premium if it meant being able to keep my Helidox Corne at home while I travel or go into the office, without sacrificing ergonomics. Looking forward to purchasing the 16 regardless though. Keep up the amazing work / mission with Framework. Fantastic work to the team.
    - tiberriver256 4y ago
      As a dev with hands that won't let me use a standard laptop keyboard for more than a few minutes without being in pain, this is so needed. It would be so good to be mobile again.
      - 4y ago
an_aparallel 4y ago
Framework should beg Sensel for a blank touch surface...which you could press a couple of macro keys to entirely transform the surface with. users print out a custom layout to guide their fingers.../dream
- modderation 4y ago
  Agreed, I'd kill for a modern version of the TouchStream LP. Comfiest and quietest keyboard I've ever used, with no elbow strain from reaching for a mouse/trackpad. They even had a product that could replace a MacBook keyboard. [1] That being said, the company was acquired by Apple and turned into the iPhone and iPod Touch. The keyboards were effectively museum pieces at that point. I wonder if the patent situation would allow for third parties to revisit the design. It'd be interesting to see what could be done with by borrowing ideas from the programmable keyboard community and mobile touch hardware. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FingerWorks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FingerWorks
  - Agingcoder 4y ago
    I wonder how many people bought one - I absolutely loved mine. Typing was unfortunately a bit slower on it, but at least I had no pain!

BeefySwain 4y ago

https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/qmk_firmware https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/qmk_firmware If this is anything to go off of, then it seems like they are going to support embedding full QMK enabled input devices. Extremely exciting!

nmstoker 4y ago
Indeed! They just keep doing good things (and doing them well from what I read)
JonathonW 4y ago
They're using QMK on their prototype keyboard and numpad input modules (which are RP2040-based internally). The interface for input modules to the rest of the computer is "just" USB 2.0, so you could put just about anything there that'll fit in one of the input module form factors. Although high resolution, high frame rate touchscreens are probably out because of bandwidth constraints (since it is only USB 2.0).
- nrp 4y ago
  It's plausible to use something like a DisplayLink controller, or for lower resolution even a microcontroller with flexible high speed peripherals like an RP2040 with the PIO interface.
  - deleted 4y ago
    [deleted]
- yencabulator 4y ago
  Maybe you could snake a cable to one of the USB-C ports, if you really needed a display there. DIY foldable anyone?
1MachineElf 4y ago
Very exciting indeed. Thank you for pointing this out.

riedel 4y ago

Trackpoint with physical mouse buttons... Just let me keep dreaming.

vanilla_nut 4y ago
Knowing Framework's community, it's only a matter of time before a trackpoint version with physical mouse buttons and no touchpad becomes available! I wonder if we'll see a Kickstarter for it soon...
heavyset_go 4y ago
I'd kill for a trackpoint keyboard.
- eichin 4y ago
  Given that there's just more room in the 16", I wonder how hard it would be to just build an adapter board (and some 3d printed scaffolding) to just mount an actual lenovo thinkpad replacement part...
  - dosssman 4y ago
    When it comes to the keyboard, the room that matters is the height, and both the FW 13 or 16 have a maximum height of 3.8mm Unless one can come up with a way to produce a custom keyboard with the same height restriction, using something like a Thinkpad keyboard which is considerably taller would essentially require a custom taller chassis. Not impossible, but relatively hard I would say.

MayeulC 4y ago

Yeah, I'd love an otrholinear module. I'm very sad that this is not offered on the 13 inch, I'd truly love to play around with that.

mtlmtlmtlmtl 4y ago

Split ortholinear keyboard with a clit mouse. If someone makes this to where I can just plug and play and program the keyboard firmware directly I'm switching at the next opportune moment(I'm not a hardware guy, I stop at the lowest levels of programming and leave the soldering to steadier hands...) Though my Thinkpad can still handle another 5 years of wanton abuse I'm sure, so I have all the time in the world. Man my next laptop is gonna be awesome. Literally everything I want in a laptop, which has never existed until now(well, soon).

Haegin 4y ago
I'd love someone to do a split ortholinear keyboard on a laptop. That'd probably push it to instant buy for me almost regardless of the rest of the specs etc.
- nrp 4y ago
  Split ortholinear is possible. We didn't show this, but it is technically possible to build an Input Module for the Framework Laptop 16 that is full width, giving a lot of horizontal real estate for a split layout.
  - JoshStrobl 4y ago
    Please do an ortho or split ortho layout. I get that it'd be low volume but I'd be willing to pay a premium if it meant being able to keep my Helidox Corne at home while I travel or go into the office, without sacrificing ergonomics. Looking forward to purchasing the 16 regardless though. Keep up the amazing work / mission with Framework. Fantastic work to the team.
  - tiberriver256 4y ago
    As a dev with hands that won't let me use a standard laptop keyboard for more than a few minutes without being in pain, this is so needed. It would be so good to be mobile again.
    - 4y ago

an_aparallel 4y ago

Framework should beg Sensel for a blank touch surface...which you could press a couple of macro keys to entirely transform the surface with. users print out a custom layout to guide their fingers.../dream

modderation 4y ago
Agreed, I'd kill for a modern version of the TouchStream LP. Comfiest and quietest keyboard I've ever used, with no elbow strain from reaching for a mouse/trackpad. They even had a product that could replace a MacBook keyboard. [1] That being said, the company was acquired by Apple and turned into the iPhone and iPod Touch. The keyboards were effectively museum pieces at that point. I wonder if the patent situation would allow for third parties to revisit the design. It'd be interesting to see what could be done with by borrowing ideas from the programmable keyboard community and mobile touch hardware. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FingerWorks https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FingerWorks
- Agingcoder 4y ago
  I wonder how many people bought one - I absolutely loved mine. Typing was unfortunately a bit slower on it, but at least I had no pain!