The Framework Laptop • Hacker News Board

Re: The Framework Laptop

#171

Post by nrp » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:57 PM UTC

jblow wrote: post #153

Hi, When I saw this announcement I was hoping that I could finally buy a laptop with a good trackpad, with buttons, and a good keyboard again. But looking at the announcement, it seems like trackpad and keyboard quality are far from anyone's mind, and it just looks like the laptop is copying Apple stylistically like everyone else, which means it is going to be kind-of unusable and I won't want to use it. (Especially…

Keyboard and touchpad quality were high priorities for us. We built in 1.5mm key travel, which is unusually high for a <16mm thick laptop. The touchpad surface feels great and performs well. I hear you on the touchpad buttons though. That is something we've done a little exploration on. The touchpad is an end-user replaceable module, but we can't commit to a three button version materializing just yet.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#172

Post by CarVac » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:57 PM UTC

I'd love a laptop where the keyboard is a removable PCB with low-profile switches and integrated USB connection so you can make a custom layout, like the Mitosis or ortholinear or anything you please.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#173

Post by salicideblock » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:57 PM UTC

mwcampbell wrote: post #166

> Designed for the future of work with a 13.5” 3:2 screen I wonder if the "future" this laptop is designed for was canceled by COVID. Now that so many of us are working from home, maybe we should optimize more for a stationary work environment with no compromises on input or output. That is, a desktop machine with unconstrained monitor and keyboard sizes.

On the other hand, for more traditional companies, covid and expectations of post-covid mean replacing 100% office time with a mix of office and home time.

In these cases this mix means more mobility, so more value to laptops over desktops.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#174

Post by dcow » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:57 PM UTC

jblow wrote: post #153

Hi, When I saw this announcement I was hoping that I could finally buy a laptop with a good trackpad, with buttons, and a good keyboard again. But looking at the announcement, it seems like trackpad and keyboard quality are far from anyone's mind, and it just looks like the laptop is copying Apple stylistically like everyone else, which means it is going to be kind-of unusable and I won't want to use it. (Especially…

In my experience trackpad and touch support on Windows has improved immensely since the introduction of the Surface. I recall the experience you’re describing but associate it with the 2010-2015 era .

Re: The Framework Laptop

#175

Post by whoomp12342 » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

what happens when you want a new CPU of a new socket type? what happens when you want 8k screens?

Re: The Framework Laptop

#176

Post by tweetle_beetle » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

A bit like the comments about incongruous items in the recent Apple lab video, I find the presence of a Pocket Operator on the video demonstrating ease of assembly rather amusing.

They already ticked the expensive camera box, but for proper hipster bingo success, you would also need: some kind of branded grid paper notebook, a metal mechanical draughting pencil, a teapot with loose leaf tea, audiophile headphones and a 40% mechanical keyboard.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#177

Post by _448 » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

After looking at this, I thought of another approach to achieve somewhat similar goal. Anyone interested in exploring the idea? I am a software engineer. So a hardware engineer and an industrial designer would be helpful to punch hole into my idea. Let us connect and explore some possibilities. My email is in my profile.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#178

Post by messo » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:58 PM UTC

stephen wrote: post #107

I know trackpads won, but would love a trackpoint. I keep buying Thinkpads solely for that feature.

Same for me, but I can understand if it is hard to implement in the current design.

Re: The Framework Laptop

#179

Post by rathboma » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:59 PM UTC

Wow this sounds like an almost perfect laptop for me

Re: The Framework Laptop

#180

Post by rch » Thu, Feb 25, 2021, 4:59 PM UTC

That looks a lot like my first laptop, the Sharp Actius MM10. I'd get one of these on that basis alone.

The Ars article says the body is aluminium, but if I recall correctly, the Actius was a mag alloy of some kind (which I'd prefer). Either way, I'm curious.