Tag: Framework Laptop 13

Key Takeaways

1. Flurples redesigned the Framework 13 laptop to improve typing experience with a custom low-profile mechanical keyboard and enhanced chassis.
2. The project utilized premium materials, including CNC-cut aluminum and 3D printed components, to achieve a sleek appearance.
3. The keyboard features Kailh Choc Sunset switches, MBK profile keycaps, and programmable rotary encoders, but is not hot-swappable for reliability.
4. A custom internal USB hub was added, incorporating extra ports while maintaining the laptop’s original size, despite its complexity rendering it non-functional.
5. The keyboard is equipped with custom QMK firmware, providing advanced configuration options for improved functionality.

Flurples, a YouTube content creator famous for his unique cursed cardboard keyboard that sounds surprisingly good, is once again diving into the world of wild modifications. This time, he’s taken things to the next level by completely reconstructing a laptop to enhance the typing experience. He kicked off what he calls the Campus Laptop project with a standard Framework 13, whose keyboard provided a lackluster typing sensation and sound when compared to a standalone mechanical keyboard.

Innovative Redesign

To tackle this issue, the modder reversed engineered the Framework 13’s chassis, redesigning the entire bottom part while duplicating all the original mounting elements for components like the motherboard, battery, hinges, and trackpad. Additionally, the bottom housing needed to support the keyboard, which was mounted to the top section of the bottom case using a gasket top-mount design. Alongside adding a low-profile mechanical keyboard to the Framework laptop, Flurples also designed the space and mounting points for programmable rotary encoders. He had to modify the top case and hinge mounting points to fit the thicker bottom chassis.

Premium Quality Parts

The components were 3D printed to ensure they fit and looked good, but in the end, all the final parts, except for the display bezel, were made using CNC-cut aluminum, which gave the project a sleek and high-quality appearance.

The mechanical keyboard used for the Framework Laptop is a fully customized design in a compact 60% HHKB layout, inspired by keyboards such as the HHKB Hybrid Type-S, which can be found for $259 on Amazon. It features Kailh Choc Sunset tactile switches and MBK profile keycaps, plus it manages three rotary encoders. A custom internal USB hub links the keyboard to the motherboard. This USB hub occupies the spot where one of the Framework Laptop 13’s USB-C expansion cards used to be, but Flurples ingeniously incorporated a microSD expansion slot, HDMI port, and USB port into the hub. As a result, the Campus laptop maintains the same size as the original model, despite the added hardware and bulkier design. Sadly, the complexity of the USB hub’s design meant that it couldn’t be made functional.

Soldered Switches for Reliability

The keyboard is not hot-swappable, meaning the switches are soldered in place. This decision was likely made to conserve space since hot-swap sockets would add extra thickness to the PCB’s back. Soldered keyboards also tend to be more reliable than their hot-swappable counterparts, which might have factored into this choice.

The keyboard is equipped with custom QMK firmware, allowing for a high level of customization. Although it doesn’t have advanced Hall effect features like the Keychron K4 HE that we reviewed recently, it does provide advanced configuration options. Features such as multiple programmable layers, home row modifications, mod tap, and tap dance can enhance the functionality of smaller layouts like the HHKB.

For more detailed insights, Flurples has covered several other aspects in his YouTube video detailing the design and building process, so be sure to check it out below. Ultimately, he ended up with a remarkably clean, albeit thick, Framework Laptop 13 that boasts significant improvements to the typing sound and feel, according to his own assessment.

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Framework has recently launched its first RISC-V mainboard, but there’s an important point to consider about how it should be used. Last June, the company partnered with DeepComputing to announce the RISC-V Mainboard and then introduced it to an early access program five months later.

Availability and Usage

Now, anyone can purchase the RISC-V Mainboard as a drop-in replacement for AMD Ryzen or Intel Core mainboards that are meant for the Framework Laptop 13. Additionally, this new mainboard can be placed into a Cooler Master Mainboard Case, allowing for a desktop setup, which is priced at $39.

Specifications and Features

In essence, the RISC-V Mainboard has the same dimensions as the current Framework Laptop 13 Mainboards, but it includes four USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C ports. Among these, two ports are capable of providing 60 W through USB Power Delivery, while only one supports DisplayPort 1.4 Alt Mode. Framework also mentioned in its blog that:

This board is primarily for developers to help speed up the growth of the RISC-V software ecosystem, so if you’re after a ready-to-use product for consumers, it might be better to wait for future offerings.

Pricing Information

As of now, the Framework Marketplace lists the RISC-V Mainboard at a price of $199. It’s interesting to note that the StarFive JH7100 processor is available for a much lower price in a Waveshare single-board computer, currently going for $109.99 on Amazon, and it comes with a wider range of ports. For more information, check out Framework’s official website.

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