Prototype #3 update!So, the third and final prototype is in, as well as a few color samples I requested. I have good and bad things to say.
The good is that manufacturing is on point. I'm done with all the tiny tweaks, the thread issues from the last prototype are resolved, and I have zero complaints.
But the anodization factory that my manu uses isn't doing a great job with matching to requested colors. To give you an idea, the color I requested for the prototype itself was Pantone 8481-C.
It's definitely disappointing, but I don't think it's disastrous. If you look at the color sample blocks, I ordered a different shade for blue grey and it turned out blue grey-ish (still more blue than I'd like, but not too bad, and I'll talk to the factory about making it more grey).
My question for you guys is to do with the shade of purple. As you can see in the second image, there are two shades of purple that I've requested, but I want to leave it up to you guys, since purple's inclusion is based on the results of the IC. Let me know if you prefer the violet (darker shade that was done on the bottom case of the previous prototype) or the magenta (brighter shade that was done on an aluminum block)
https://www.strawpoll.me/18585707That being said, I think this GB is going to have to have a huge disclaimer that colors may not be what we're expecting, to the point where I might not even include any color samples in the GB page. I'm not happy about it, but I mean...perfect colors were never the focus of this project.
Also included a shot of the engraving of the variant designation (each layout gets their own, such as TBR-A or TBR-B, etc.) - it's on the inside of the top case, so pretty well hidden, but I like knowing that it's there.
As far as what's next, I'm waiting for a final quote from the manu, to see exactly what the price premium will be for custom layouts.