Hi there!
This is an
interest check for an
optionally backlit tenkeyless keyboard with Matias switches - we codenamed it the "
Wraith".
The idea came up in the German community around the Computerbase.de forum and
Mecha-Blog.de from "hey, those switches already are transparent, but there is no actual keyboard with them with backlight".
At first the plan included PBT keycaps, but Alps compatible ones are really expensive to make. Various layouts and features have been discussed so far and I have been giving frequent feedback to Steve McGowan at Matias.
The proposed
features are:
- Optional RGB backlight
- Linked to that: two analog dials, one each for brightness and color
- Dual-layer PCB
- Steel plate (switches can be opened without deattaching/desoldering them)
- Detachable braided cable
- 10KRO over USB
- Alps-inspired Matias switches, either Quiet, Click or Linear
- (Black) coated/lasered ABS keycaps of high quality
- (Black) matte polycarbonate case
- optional ("silvery") aluminum case
- Easily detachable controller OR (if enough interest) version without controller, for the people who like to have a Teensy etc.
How about
price?
The version with polycarbonate case would be ~$180.
The aluminum case would add ~$120-150.
Of course there would be margins of quantity (
MOQs) to beat:
The main issue is the quorum of ca. 200 for the keyboard per se to happen, that is for each layout (ANSI or ISO). Additional ISO languages would probably require ca. 100 orders.
The aluminum case would require about 100 orders to be priced reasonably.
Per switch variant (Quiet, Click or Linear) the MOQ would be about 100.
The
design is going to be more rectangular than the most previous keyboards by Matias. The analog dials for brightness and colors (something that hasn't been done before) would probably be mounted vertically on the left side of the keyboard in order not to interfere with e.g. seperate wrist rests. My idea of designing them would be inspired by old phones' rotary dials, not protruding too far to avoid accidental activations.
Activated caps lock or scroll lock would be indicated by an additional light in a fashion quite similar to how it is being done on present Matias keyboards.
Any version of the case would feature rubberized feet, the two of them in the back expandable allowing a steeper angle.
The LEDs would be RGB ones, though all the keys would have to be at the same color and brightness at the same time.
As for
layout, here are some suggestions that have been quite popular so far (pictues show ISO variant):
Most popular layout so far (I guess): (pictures in ISO, also available in ANSI):
This means we can use the more popular 6.25u spacebar + 1.25u mods. The PCB would be fully Cherry compatible as well.
x87-ANSI__F1-above-Q__6_25spacebar
x88-ISO__F1-above-Q__6_25spacebar
Older suggestions:
More
x88-DE__F1-above-2) same as
88b_c137/Jesterfox (Fn bindings can be discussed separetely):
x88-DE__F1-above-Q) similar, but with gap between F12 and print screen:
103a) Compact but almost 100%. Basically unanimously dismissed in the German forums.
91b) F1 is directly above 2.
91c) More even spacing in the F-row
91b_Orson) A modification by a forum user. Unfortunately, this would double the tooling costs, adding about $30 per keyboard to the polycarbonate version and $80-$100 for the aluminum version.
88b_c137/Jesterfox) Keeping the much used loudness keys and being more ANSI friendly.
These layouts, variants, changes and combinations are open for discussion.
The whole board would be developed, tested, certified (FCC, CE etc.), manufactured and shipped entirely by Matias Corporation. The estimated time frame from group buy order to delivery is 6 to 24 months, probably 12.
The quality of the keycaps is going to be noticably higher than on iOne backlit keyboards. Unfortunately, PBT proved to be to expensive for Alps mount (>$500 per keyboard).
Matias is going to present their advancements regularly. Of course, before that on the IC a majority would have to decide on the design (layout, analog dials etc.).
OK, I hope I have laid this out straightforward enough. Naturally, questions and comments are welcome.
Disclaimer: the prices given are in US Dollars and estimated for reference by Matias Corp based on their knowledge and experience and thus subject to change.
I know that I am not very active on this forum, but you won't be giving me any money, the whole group buy would entirely be processed by Matias Corp (only import tax/customs would be left to the buyers if and where applicable).Update 30/9/2014:Matias Corp has approved the
88b_Jesterfox layout as most probably without additional tooling cost. They also have provided an alternative based on the
91c layout (see above).
In addition to that, there is the definite possibility of a
non-backlit version (!), which would be about $20-$30 cheaper (my estimate).
Also, their message is, that the MOQs aren't to be taken soooo seriously. They are basically still valid, but not that rigid. So, for the whole project the MOQ is still at about 200, but for the backlit version combined with the non-backlit. Per version still ~100 probably.
More good news: The
controller can be made easily removable to accommodate fully programmable alternatives such as a Teensy.
Update 10/16/2014Matias has confirmed that a larger space bar and 1.25U modifiers are available. (design pictures see above)
As has been stated before, the design will be rather rectangular and slim, pretty similar in design language to the Matias 60%.
Oh, and the linear switch actually has a leaf.
Fn bindings have also been disussed. The result can be seen above (in the F1-above-Q__6_25spacebar variants), play/pause would be on Fn+space.
