Keyboard trends @ CES

Well, one thing that is for sure, the gamer's keyboard market seems to be getting more and more crowded with no signs of slowing down.  So, perhaps this boom is here to stay for a while.  I don't think one can easily escape from any mechanical keyboard vendors without spoting a RGB keyboard.  Even Matias is putting out backlit keyboard (with scissor switches however, I think).  The latest innovation in that area is to store the lighting program in the onboard memory, some comes with 8MB of that.  So, look out for some very fancy color effects to either excite the player or to drive the competition crazy with brilliance.....

The second trend seems to be retro styling.  There are quite a few keyboards trying to emulate that old-school typewriter look and feel.  Now, I am waiting for some clever vendor to use 400g load springs for the key switches to complete the effect.  Nothing wrong with that, just that fashionable things seem to come and go and then come back again.  At this rate, we will have a psychedelic RGB lighting retro typewriter style caps with 400g weighted keys mechanical keyboard.  Maybe Unicomp could put out a RGB lighted buckling spring Model M keyboard?  Welcome to a blast to the past.

Asus announces Claymore keyboard that splits into two

Asus recently introduced yet another gaming mechanical keyboard called ROG Claymore.  This one has all the usual bells and whistles using the ever popular Cherrry MX RGB switches.  However, one thing that is interesting about this keyboard is that it can split into two units.  The main unit is a typical TKL called the core while the number pad is the other entity.  One thing that is interesting Asus mentioned is that the number pad can be used on the left side of the keyboard.  I don't know if the keypad is still usable detached or it has to be attached for it to function.  I can't really tell from the press release.  However, it reasonable to assume that the number pad has to be attached based on the what Asus left unsaid.

Too bad that this keyboard didn't split in the way I would have like it, emulating the Microsoft Natural keyboard line had.  Maybe the next iteration.  We will see.

So, what about some good ol’ wireless (Bluetooth) mechanical keyboards?

I mentioned in a few posts before about Razer making wireless keyboard specifically for the iPad product line and other tablets.  I also mentioned that there are some Bluetooth wireless mechanical keyboards as well if someone rather use a more classical keyboard device.  That piqued some interests

So, there are basically two options.  One is to purchase a USB to Bluetooth wireless converter.  At one end is USB port that the keyboard of choice is plugged in.  And, there is no other end, because it is wireless.  It converts whatever keyboard that is attached to a Bluetooth one.  Pretty cool tech, but it’s a bit bulky and power source can often be an issue.  Some keyboards draw a lot of power provided by USB port.  Thus, even at measly 2.5W max clip, it can drain most portable batteries dry quickly.  One can browse around eBay and find such device to purchase if the use scenario makes sense.

The other option is to buy a wireless mechanical keyboard.  Here, the options are more limited.  One of the bigger player in this space is good ol’ Filco.  So, if you are Cherry MX keyboard switch fan, you are in luck.  Filco is one of the most respected mechanical keyboard brands out there as it’s basically DIATEC Corporation, based in Japan.  They offer quite a few wireless keyboards configuration using Bluetooth protocol as well.  Besides the standard 104 keys Majestouch Convertible 2 and the 87 keys TKL variants, they also offer one called Minila, stands for minimum layout.  The Minila Air is the one with wireless connectivity.  Minila is a 67 custom keyboard layout design, much like a non-standard laptop layout.  However, like Leopold’s FC660 series, it uses full size keys.  So, no strange half-height stuff.  That’s a big plus in my book….  These keyboards are also designed to run wired if needed.  So, it is a much more versatile keyboard than what meets the eye.  The only drawback?  Price and availability.  Filco’s products are not easy to find and the stock comes and go.  Because of the added complexity, it doesn’t come cheap either.  So, expect some price premium over regular boards as well. However, one can search mechanicalkeyboards.com and amazon.com in US to see if anything of interest is in stock.

Now, if someone would come up with a Topre switch wireless keyboard…..

Hands on impression of Cherry MX linear switches

Continuing my conquest to at the minimal, try out how each of the major mechanical switch type operate and how it fits my style.  So, I had a chance to test out some Cherry MX linear switches at a local computer store.  You know, they are exactly what I expected.  Springy.

OK, I think I got my corny joke out of the system for now, but the switch is exactly what I thought it would be.  The feeling is same as press on a spring board or anything that uses a spring to provide resistance.  The switch gets harder to push down until it bottoms out in a rather linear fashion.  There’s no hints what so ever when it was activated or when hysteresis has completed.  Just plain old spring going up and down.  Now, there’s nothing wrong with that if that’s what someone likes.  I can see why this appeals to gamers because often key press timing and repeating speed means winning and losing.  Since the key resistance is the lowest at the beginning, by exerting little effort and learning by force feedback on the fingers, a gamer can easily tap out commands at lightning speed.  Feedback really is rather optional.  Why have something to distract you?  Makes sense I suppose.  I personally do like some tactile hints and feedbacks on what and how am I doing.  So, each to his/her own.  :)

The red Cherry MX switch is indeed less resistant than the black one.  I sense that I might accidentally activate a switch since it’s a habit of mine to rest my fingers on the keys.  This was one of the many things that drove me bananas with the Topre ergonomic key weight setup.  So, my feeling is that the red switches will appeal to the touch typists while the black and the clear ones are more for the traditional typist like me who likes to pound on the keys.  It’s great that Cherry and most of the mechanical switch vendors offer varying weights.  Options are good since almost no one types the same way.