I have begun some research into the so called 60% keyboards. These keyboards are smaller than the ten-keyless (TKL) by eliminating the navigation keys entirely. So, basically what we have left is the traditional typewriter block with the alpha-numeric keys along with a few modifiers keys. There are dozens of boutique keyboard companies out there in East Asia, mostly in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan that specialize in this area. However, China has a quite a few that are more focused on the home market. So, we don't hear about them as much here in the west.
One interesting company caught my eyes recently. Like Ducky Channel, KBParadise is another Taiwanese mechanical keyboard company. Unlike Ducky Channel which started out as an OEM, this one has a very humble, home brewed beginning. Furthermore, KBParadise is more focused on the 60% and the TKLs market, whereas Ducky Channel is the other way around. KBParadise's V60 60% keyboard is an interesting concept while the V80 TKLs are more conventional design. Anyway, what's even more interesting to me was the they are the only other company that I am aware of thus far that makes Matias switches keyboards besides Matias itself. They are the only one that is making a board with Matias linear switches. I haven't seen Matias itself market a board based on a linear switch yet. Talk about risk taking. Of course, KBParadise mitigated the risk by also making the ubiquitous Cherry MX boards available as well.
Like Ducky Channel, I will be keeping an eye on this one and see what they come up with.
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