What features does your ideal custom keyboard have

[Puddsy]

Not form factor, just features.

Givens:

• Fully programmable
• Full LED compatibility

Mostly looking for things like "underglow" or "split spacebar"

Your feedback might end up on a custom board.

Thanks,

P

[laughatpain]

Top and Bottom case lock in together so the sides are always flushed.

Through bottom weight.

Partial plate.

I guess these fall under form factor, when I see features I think exclusively about the PCB or plate

[Puddsy]

Top and Bottom case lock in together so the sides are always flushed.

Through bottom weight.

Partial plate.

I guess these fall under form factor, when I see features I think exclusively about the PCB or plate

i forgot about a thru weight

that's also implied

[f32h80fsd08h34r5]

Topre Switches, HHKB Layout.

ACtually, just an hhkb.

[Fiery]

• Split spacebar
• ISO layout
• underglow backlight in a simplistic colour

I would also like to get a Norwegian PBT ISO layout in Dvorak keycaps, but that's hard to do (not SA or DSA Caps though) 

[klennkellon]

TKL

Cherry profile PBT

Alps switches

I'm set for life.

[loud_asian]

USB-C would be nice. Future proofing your $500+ keyboard is a no brainer

[zylinderhut]

• small dial for LED intensity in an unconspicuous place (not a fan of a remote)
• small dial for LED colour in an unconspicuous place
• Underglow

Example of how a dial for intensity could look like:

[davkol]

software

• customizable on any platform (i.e., open-source firmware flashable from anywhere), or the latest Kinesis' approach
• unlimited keymap configuration, layers and dual-role keys

connection

• detachable cable with a durable connector, e.g., SDL or RJ11, worst case properly implemented microUSB (because they're abundant)
• NKRO

keys

• quiet, deep thock sound, no higher-pitched clicking, clacking or pinging
• shine-resistant surface, that doesn't get sticky/dirty easily
• labels, that aren't tactile (e.g., dye sublimation)
• no lights
• contoured key tops (ideally slightly spherical)
• damped impacts without too much mushiness; perhaps high actuation point and damping through post-actuation travel
• smooth travel
• subtle tactility (parabolic curve, duh)

case

• lightweight but with good rubber stickers
• scratch-resistant
• no lights other than, perhaps, dim/reflective strips on the edges
• minimal bezel
• no "floating" design, i.e., with a lid to protect keys in the corners

layout

• about as wide as tenkeyless, or narrower
• symmetrical (columnar or symmetrically staggered)
• non-trivial hand separation/angle
• home positions close to keyboard edges to minimize reaching distance to an external pointing device
• accessible modifiers and special keys: probably thumb keys in combination with the outermost columns
• the same modifiers on each side, symmetrically placed (at least Ctrl, Alt, Shift, AltGraph, Super)

[pabile]

only thing missing from my 60% AEK is split spacebar.
2x3u or 2u+4u spacebars will make my custom board perfect 

[zslane]

• Topre RealForce RGB guts
• White (powder-coated) CNC aluminum case

[Joey Quinn]

Split space option, 60% or 65%, Alps compatibility.

I don't care about LEDs at all.

[chyros]

>=100% form factor
Focus layous
Alps SKCM blue
thin ABS doubleshot keycaps
thick, plastic case
steel chassis

Oh wait, I already have that .

[FoxWolf1]

True NKRO over USB, waterproof/dustproof/chatterproof, at least two integrated pointing devices (a TrackPoint in the usual place, and another pointing device of some kind near the arrow keys), 100%+, big-ass enter and 2u backspace (\ belongs on the same row as /; just reduce the size of right shift), copious internal stress relief for the USB cable, full-height case, 1000hz, no aluminum, no domes (not even ones with springs under them).

[_haru]

-ANSI with ISO enter and backslash
-A couple toggle switches that can be assigned to swap whatever we want
-Space for mounting through-hole LEDs on the bottom (for underglow)
-Split backspace (1xDel, 1xBkSp)
-Split left shift
-Split right shift
-Heavy duty PCB, for soldering noobs
-Both Alps and Cherry mount
-Decent price point
-Easy programming support for alternate-action switches (MX Lock, etc)
-Not smaller than 60%
-Plate has cutouts for switch top removal

That's about it.

[hkf]

Programmability

Split backspace

pretty lights

[killyou]

1. Programmable
2. Hot swappable switches
3. Option to split RSHIFT and Backspace (60% form factor)
4. Gotta love that bank gothic Pok3r keycaps, I wish the legend would not fade.

That' all. I don't need much, I'm happy with Pok3r.

[zeltner]

I've always wanted a keyboard for my living room with the following

-wireless
-built in pointing device (track point or track pad)

Basically something like a logitech k400 but mechanical.

[chyros]

True NKRO over USB

I don't think that's possible.

[algernon]

The Keyboardio Model 01, where the palm keys are also trackballs. You could still press them, and they'd act as keys then, but they'd double as trackballs too. Also a slightly more powerful MCU than the Atmega32U4, so that I can fit more crazy stuff into the firmware.

[DKrause]

1: Fully, completely programmable, including the option to program totally functionless dead keys.
2: Fully programmable per key RGB so a keys current function is clearly indicated. (Like the Anne Pro during Bluetooth programming)
3: Firmware that also allows "Double-Taps" as a modifier so a "Double-Tap Left shift" would set/reset Caps Lock. (The most worthless key on a keyboard, located in a premium spot.)
4: 60% form factor
5: Excellent double shot PBT caps.
6: Heavy, quiet case. (Like a Pok3r)
7: USB C. (It IS the 21st century after all...)

Not asking for too much really...

[killyou]

7: USB C. (It IS the 21st century after all...)

+1

Opens possibilities to go crazy with cables for next to nothing instead of DIY or 20$ ones off massdrop ...

[Findecanor]

Have tinkering and mods in mind:
* If you don't include a pointing device, do at least offer the option to add one: Holes on the PCB/bottom for mounting one or several of the available trackpoint modules out there and three switches in front of the space bar for mouse buttons.
* If you don't split the space bar, allow the option for it.
* Support ISO and ANSI. (That should be a given.)
* Header for additional keys or functions.

I don't agree with having USB Type C. Cables are thicker than other USB cables, pointless unless you can use the additional capacity and there are reversible Micro B plugs around.

True NKRO over USB

I don't think that's possible.

HaaTa's Kiibohd firmware has it, and maybe others. The difficulty has been to cater to various operating systems' different quirks. I think those have been found now and adjusted for.

[ErgoMacros]

Yes to:
* Fully programmable
* Open source: I want full control
* Ability for the OS/Apps to tell the keyboard what I want. (Changing apps can change layout)
* At least a Atmega32U4
* OS X, at least
* detachable cable
* Either about 60% split or 145% layout. I'm an extremist. So looking forward to the GH-122 at about 146 keys.
* LED intensity control for backlight only.
* At least 7 single LEDs that I can control in software. Things like NumLock, status of mod keys (held, locked, in 1-shot mode),  Active layer.
* Low profile

Don't want:
* RGB LEDs
* Per key LED

[davkol]

Support ISO and ANSI. That should be a given.

And JIS, ahem.