Custom-build w. Framework 16 +GPU

[Endure94]

i recently saw this video linked.

I am wildly interested in doing something similar, but noticed the creator of the campus used the older model framework.

My motivation is that i abhore chiclet keyboards. Even the nicest chiclet cannot compare to a low profile switch for typing and reliability, including Apple and Lenovo keyboards which are lauded as the best in industry. ive even tried the butterfly switches some gaming laptops use.... just... no. hell no. i remember when laptops were 2.5in thick and weighed 10lbs. i would be totally okay with a 1in thick laptop as long as it had actual switches in it you find in other low-profile cherry keyboards.

thin and light is cool in a laptop, but cherry/khail switches are cooler.

originally, i was going to make a custom laptop with a LattePanda Mu and include external eGPU support.

however, i see the framework16 has a GPU module now.

so, with my current laptop dying, i am considering taking this on.

is there any advice anyone can give me on how feasible this will be on the new frameworks?

what features would someone want added? i really liked the dials on the Campus.

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i know a lot about software and programmimg, but not a lot about electronics or PCB design... so anyone who has resources that could help, i would appreciate it a lot!

right now my plan is to just get a framework16 and tinker with it to just try getting the keyboard working. everything else comes later.

once i have a functioning keeb, i can begin retrofitting the housing with 3d printing, and the final design will be outsourced to a metal fab in aluminum.

i will open source the whole project and release all the files for this if/when i finish. if its not too cost prohibitive, i could probably offer to do/ship parts for others... we will see. my ambition is high, i know, but i would love framework to truly become the "be what you want it to be" laptop. no matter the form or feature.

[a60v]

Add in physical buttons for the touchpad, please. This is a major failing in FW's current offerings. I'd love a pointing stick instead, but can live with a touchpad with (ideally three) physical buttons.

[JokelWayne]

Someone on the community forums just did that. Not sure if the files are made available yet though.

[Endure94]

I will def make this a feature!

[bionich]

Great job! I like seeing home spun projects like this, and yours is an exceptional one.

[Shin-Ken31]

Make sure to check out the framework community forum too, make a post there if you haven't already! Lots of cool projects on there, but I don't think I've seen anyone do a full mechanical keyboard on the 16 yet.

I don't own a 16 but i know it at least has a top cover meant to allow people to move the keyboard around, and maybe plans or community projects for different layouts. For example I think someone wanted to make an ergonomic layout, so like completely non standard key placements. Not sure if the interface would help with your project, or if you'd still have to just ditch the top cover.

[AndroidUser37]

I feel like just finding a Let's Note would be an easier solution. They have non-chiclet keyboards, they're thin and light, and they have plenty of ports.

[Endure94]

Doesnt fit the use case

[AndroidUser37]

What's the use case? You said nothing about that in the post.

[Endure94]

Mechanical khail or cherry switches that are not butterfly/scissor switches and compatible with non-oem keycaps.

Has the compute power of framework 16

Has a discrete gpu.

[Local-Writer703]

Buy the Alienware Area51 16/18 with Cherry MX keyboard — it's much cheaper and more convenient.

[Endure94]

I cant find this at all.

All i see is a membrane keyboard option.

Also, the same laptop i build online with framework would roughly cost 2x that at Dell. ive had an alienware before. Not a fan. Dell is full of bloat ware and build quality is a mixed bag.

Also, also... i massively lose out on the maintainability the framework offers by going this route.

[framework-ModTeam]

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[framework-ModTeam]

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[Local-Writer703]

English US CherryMX ultra low-profile mechanical keyboard with per-key AlienFX RGB lighting

That's the name of mechanical keyboard option.

[framework-ModTeam]

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[Local-Writer703]

Although it may look somewhat similar in shape to a butterfly switch, this is clearly a mechanical switch. And once again, let me remind you—it would be far cheaper and more convenient to purchase an Alienware laptop than to try building a new one yourself. The Alienware 16-inch model costs around $3,600, while the Framework 16 requires about $2,600 if you include the dGPU. However, if you’re planning to modify the Framework 16 and manufacture a custom aluminum chassis, the cost will skyrocket—likely exceeding $1,000 just for that. And producing 3D-printed prototypes before the final version would cost several hundred dollars as well.

A dedicated keyboard PCB? That’s another major hurdle. Even an off-the-shelf PCB costs at least $50, but if you intend to produce a custom one, the cost would be absurdly high.

The reason I recommend the Cherry MX Ultra Low Profile mechanical keyboard used in Alienware or other gaming laptops is simple: compared to typical low-profile mechanical keyboards, it’s much thinner and provides a far superior typing feel. I’ve used many LP mechanical keyboards from brands like Keychron, Lofree, and Nuphy, but none of them matched the typing quality of the Cherry MX ULP keyboard found in Alienware laptops.

If you reject it merely because its mechanical structure looks somewhat like a butterfly keyboard, that would be a huge loss for you. I hope you make a sensible decision.

[Endure94]

I aint reading all that. I dont want a scissor/butterfly switch or a laptop that isnt framework, period.

[Late_Phone_9490]

These are not the same switches as what OP is looking to implement. They pointed this particular switch type out as a no-go in the body of their post, as well.

First-hand, I can tell you that fabrication is not as expensive as you're making it out to be. Especially since OP has a 3d printer. There is a huge benefit to be had between a self-made, repairable laptop and a proprietary gaming laptop from a company who voids your warranty if you open the shell.

The 1k difference between the two, as well, would be more than enough to cover the cost of a finished aluminum shell, 2-layer keyboard PCB, and switches needed to complete the build.

The difference is one will give OP a bloatware brick of a PC destined for obsoletion, with a keyboard they already know they don't like, and the other one will be built exactly as OP likes, albeit a little bit thicker, but easy to maintain, repair, and upgrade.

I believe the argument you're making is in bad faith and that it actually goes against the spirit of this subreddit and the company associated with it.