New Filco Majestouch MINILA-R Convertible

[voodoo6k]

So interesting, yet so many questions...


https://www.diatec.co.jp/shop/MINILA-R/

[Doragraz]

Taking advantage of these things until now would not have to find somewhere else.

[powwu]

Wow, this is really revolutionary. Not only does this look great for a prebuilt, the keycap technology is unlike anything I've seen before. This has the potential to change the MK scene.

[Tom_Kazansky]

the keycap seems revolutionary

[voodoo6k]

the keycap seems revolutionary
(Attachment Link)

I'm guessing the top is two-shot PBT, unsure about the base (could be ABS). It seems to be made for comfort (not as relegendables). The keyboard uses DIP switches like before.

As for the layout (US version), the four top rows now use ANSI (regular Shift keys and Backspace), while the bottom row uses a variation of the old Minila layout:

Only the three rightmost keys are changed because the arrow cluster is removed.

[-Jerry-]

It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.

[envyy24]

Price is crazy good, 17,00 yen or 125£ in Japan!!
That and they fix bunch of things i do not like in minila air like 1u backspace and even staggered rows

[Riverman]

I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps.  They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best.  They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

[Muchacho]

This is crazy, the double part keycaps makes it appealing for experimenting new design. I really hope it sounds good.

Cannot wait for the reviews.

Also happy they propose the MX Red Silent.

[voodoo6k]

Here's a review (it doesn't say much):

https://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/column/hothot/1269405.html (select English version)

No word on the lack of USB-C...

[moh18one]

Cool!

[jamster]

It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.

That was my first thought too.

The only other keyboard I know that did this kind of thing was the brilliant old IBM design, but they use an attachment method that looks considerably more secure, with an interchangeable printed cap totally enclosing the stem piece. No reliance on tiny and breakable plastic legs being in correct alignment.

[envyy24]

Guys, it is not like we don't have any other alternative keycaps options on the market... i mean in the past whoever use Filco knows how mediocre their keycaps are and have to change their caps anyways. If this experiment from them turns out to fail, well, swapping keycaps is not something new to Filco fans

[voodoo6k]

Is there a non-aftermarket USB-C keyboard out there with a USB (3.x) passthrough?

It seems like the popular USB-C models, eg. HHKB, Keychron, don't have any USB-A ports.

[Sintpinty]

What are those keycaps

[voodoo6k]

 

[Muchacho]

Show Image

 :eek:

Where does this image come from ?

[_PixelNinja]

It looks really interesting, though I'm curious whether those inserts would become loose or start to rattle over time.

It looks like they are not really made to be frequently unmounted/mounted.

[voodoo6k]

Show Image

 :eek:

Where does this image come from ?

It's a render I did to try to convince Oblotzky to add Minila support to GMK Space Cadet II.

With the new layout, all that's missing is a R4 1.75u Control and two 1.25u spacekeys of the same colour.

[rxc92]

I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps.  They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best.  They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

 
What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.

[voodoo6k]

I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps.  They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best.  They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

 
What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.

Realforce, yes. Filco, not so much

[mrvco]

I like the look, but I certainly don’t see this two-piece design being very practical relative to standard key caps.

[rxc92]

I'm impressed that they're using PBT for the keycaps.  They've gone from having just about the crappiest keycaps on a high-end (for the mass market) mechanical keyboard to possibly some of the best.  They're definitely the most interesting ones I've seen.

 
What? Realforce has always had good keycaps.

Realforce, yes. Filco, not so much

 
 
Uh hm... not sure why I thought that it was Topre for some reason. Good catch.

[voodoo6k]

I just ordered one, so I might do a short review if people are interested..

[cajhin]

I'm interested in a short review.
This in particular: is there *any* way tho make the "thumb modifier keys" send out key codes?

I bought the old Minila Air only for those extra thumb keys, so I can use them for my (sophisticated or crazy) keyboard config.
Sadly, they can only be configured to send "Space key", which is useless to me. I physically rewired the thumb keys to the Alt keys so that my mapping software can see them.

Otherwise, with new keycaps, the old Manila Air is great. Issues with multiple keypresses when the batteries are low, but all else is exactly what I want (including the hardware cursor keys). I'd buy a 2nd one, but I dread the rewiring...

[voodoo6k]

I'm interested in a short review.
This in particular: is there *any* way tho make the "thumb modifier keys" send out key codes?

I bought the old Minila Air only for those extra thumb keys, so I can use them for my (sophisticated or crazy) keyboard config.
Sadly, they can only be configured to send "Space key", which is useless to me. I physically rewired the thumb keys to the Alt keys so that my mapping software can see them.

Otherwise, with new keycaps, the old Manila Air is great. Issues with multiple keypresses when the batteries are low, but all else is exactly what I want (including the hardware cursor keys). I'd buy a 2nd one, but I dread the rewiring...

I lent the Minila Convertible to someone so I haven't been using it. The Fn thumb keys are still hardwired and cannot be remapped to spacebars (with DIP switches) like on the Minila Air.

The new "patch" keycaps are very smooth and pleasant. One thing I noticed is that the (1,2,3,4,U) buttons are a bit rattly when moving the keyboard around..