[IC] - Matias 60% ALPS keyboard with Cherry-compatible PCB

[platypus]

Is there any chance we'd be able to buy singles of each of the 3 switches to try and compare?

[dante]

Is there any chance we'd be able to buy singles of each of the 3 switches to try and compare?

Matias might be able to tell you if a store in the Ontario area has any Quiet/Clicky boards to try out.  But that won't include the linear.

[SacKRoll]

...I don't know if we'll get enough people to do an assembled version...

 

[vivalarevolución]

...I don't know if we'll get enough people to do an assembled version...

 

I'll buy however many it takes for the assembled version.  Money is no object.



jk.

[Matias]

I'll buy however many it takes for the assembled version.  Money is no object.

Somebody get this man a chair...  :-)

[AKmalamute]

Somebody get this man a chair...  :-)

An assembled one, or just a kit with legs and a plate to sit on and an arch to hold the back's 'legs' ...?

Because an assembled chair could get outside my budget.

[jacobolus]

Somebody get this man a chair...  :-)

An assembled one, or just a kit with legs and a plate to sit on and an arch to hold the back's 'legs' ...?

Because an assembled chair could get outside my budget.

I was assuming he would make a chair out of fully-assembled keyboards and duct tape.

[vivalarevolución]

I would never use mechanical keyboards for my chair.

[dante]

I think we'll have good news at this week...

...I think I was wrong. 

Sorry for the delay.   I've got all the pricing together, but still need to revise the write-up and setup the order pages.

Will get it up ASAP...

Have you considered putting this on MassDrop?

[Matias]

Sorry for the delay.   I've got all the pricing together, but still need to revise the write-up and setup the order pages.

Will get it up ASAP...

Have you considered putting this on MassDrop?

No, I think it's a bit too complicated for MassDrop at this stage -- with all the options for buying component parts.

I'm working on this today BTW.  Should have the posting up soon.

[geniekid]

Please update this thread when the GB is up

[agbockus]

Damnit. Now I have to decide between this and the smart 68. I don't know why, but this is extremely enticing!

[JaccoW]

Damnit. Now I have to decide between this and the smart 68. I don't know why, but this is extremely enticing!

[agbockus]

Damnit. Now I have to decide between this and the smart 68. I don't know why, but this is extremely enticing!

Show Image

Oh I wish. Actually, I really hope I can get both. I'm saving up for a 2 week study abroad trip though. On top of two roughly $200-$250 keyboards...my wallet is weeping, but it feels so good.

[pheso]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

Maybe I should just buy a m0118 and work on converting it. hmm.

edit: my bad, it's +1u width over tkl. Still, I'd swap a dedicated numpad for +1u.

[jacobolus]

Maybe I should just buy a m0118 and work on converting it. hmm.

It’s really easy, if you use hasu’s tmk_keyboard. There’s already an ADB protocol converter implemented there, so all you have to do is put the layout in. Note that the PCB/matrix is not n-key rollover (in practice this is usually not a problem though).

[Matias]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

This is off topic, but I agree with most of what you're saying.

If I were to do a design based on the m0116 / m0118, I'd start with the 60% layout of this IC and then add a number pad and function keys to it.  Modern Macs have function keys, so I think it's important to include them on a keyboard of this size.

See below.

If anybody is interested in these, we should start another topic thread...

[pheso]

This man is a genius...


I would take either of the 2 mac layouts for sure. If you do decide to make that thread then count me as signed up.

One thing I have been wondering and haven't seen anyone ask; how do you fit 4 switches into such a small space for the home/end/page keys? can't be regular full size switches surely?

[geniekid]

In fact, they are full sized switches.  See this post from earlier in the thread.

[dante]

What would be really cool - and I'm sure engineers/electronic technicians will give me a million reasons why it can't be done - but create 1x1 switch modules that you can snap together to make your own layouts.  So you can buy a custom sized keyboard case/etc and then slide these 1x1's into whatever layout you can dream of.

[CPTBadAss]

...create 1x1 switch modules that you can snap together to make your own layouts.  So you can buy a custom sized keyboard case/etc and then slide these 1x1's into whatever layout you can dream of.

Didn't they already make that? I think they're called Cherry MX and Alps switches. If you take a look at say oobly or obra or vvp's boards, it seems like they have no problem coming up with super customized layouts.

But we're getting a bit off topic.

[dante]

...create 1x1 switch modules that you can snap together to make your own layouts.  So you can buy a custom sized keyboard case/etc and then slide these 1x1's into whatever layout you can dream of.

Didn't they already make that? I think they're called Cherry MX and Alps switches. If you take a look at say oobly or obra or vvp's boards, it seems like they have no problem coming up with super customized layouts.

But we're getting a bit off topic.

You misunderstood me.

Try to think of it like this - I'll simplify for you:



Now imagine being able to plug switches directly into that and being able to program what each switches function would be.  You could then have infinite layouts without having to fabricate custom PCB's.

[CPTBadAss]

You misunderstood me.

No, I totally understood you . Just saying that you can prototype all you want with cardboard then handwire a layout you like. Your wish for a custom layout that suits you isn't too far off if you want to put in the work.

[pasph]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

This is off topic, but I agree with most of what you're saying.

If I were to do a design based on the m0116 / m0118, I'd start with the 60% layout of this IC and then add a number pad and function keys to it.  Modern Macs have function keys, so I think it's important to include them on a keyboard of this size.

See below.

If anybody is interested in these, we should start another topic thread...



(Attachment Link)



(Attachment Link)



(Attachment Link)

Do it!

[vivalarevolución]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

This is off topic, but I agree with most of what you're saying.

If I were to do a design based on the m0116 / m0118, I'd start with the 60% layout of this IC and then add a number pad and function keys to it.  Modern Macs have function keys, so I think it's important to include them on a keyboard of this size.

See below.

If anybody is interested in these, we should start another topic thread...



(Attachment Link)



(Attachment Link)



(Attachment Link)

Looks like a more functional version of the Plum 96 or CM Quickfire TK.  I like it.

[Matias]

I would take either of the 2 mac layouts for sure. If you do decide to make that thread then count me as signed up.

Do it!

Looks like a more functional version of the Plum 96 or CM Quickfire TK.  I like it.

Okay, I'll post an interest check and reference those models...  :-)

[geniekid]

Shouldn't you start the GB for this interest check first?

[CPTBadAss]

Agreed with geniekid. The mission creep is getting strong in this thread. Not that I don't love the other ideas.

[SacKRoll]

Agreed with CPTBadAss.

[dante]

The solution to mission creep would involve an official group buy thread

[Matias]

Agreed with dante, SacKRoll, and others recursively.

I was not planning to post the new IC until after the GB for this one is up.

[mtourne]

I would definitely be interested, depending on the price of the GB

Keycaps:
Mac
 
ANSI

Nav Cluster:
Full Nav Cluster (option A)

Switches:
Quiet ALPS

Pre-Assembled or Kit:
No preference, if the kit makes it a lot cheaper I'd go with kit.

[Luminair]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

This is off topic, but I agree with most of what you're saying.

If I were to do a design based on the m0116 / m0118, I'd start with the 60% layout of this IC and then add a number pad and function keys to it.  Modern Macs have function keys, so I think it's important to include them on a keyboard of this size.

See below.

If anybody is interested in these, we should start another topic thread...

(Attachment Link)

This is an intriguing design! Much of the space saved, with no need for an extra numpad. It even supports "(" and ")" keys above the numpad for complicated equations. Ingenious!

[Matias]

This looks great and I am pretty tempted...

But what I'd love to see is a matias take on the m0116 / m0118. (I say both because the m0118 is easier to use as pipe is better placed and the arrow keys make more sense, however the m0116 did ctrl/caps the right way)

I must admit the popularity of tkl style baffles me when the m0116/m0118 offers the same sized footprint, with the added bonus of a numpad. The nav keys are still there, and home/end/page is on a toggle layer via numlock. That way if you can toggle the numpad on to enter long credit card numbers into webshops, and leave it off for editing text/reading logs/fixing your bodged unix commands when you need ot use home end.

This is off topic, but I agree with most of what you're saying.

If I were to do a design based on the m0116 / m0118, I'd start with the 60% layout of this IC and then add a number pad and function keys to it.  Modern Macs have function keys, so I think it's important to include them on a keyboard of this size.

See below.

If anybody is interested in these, we should start another topic thread...

(Attachment Link)

This is an intriguing design! Much of the space saved, with no need for an extra numpad. It even supports "(" and ")" keys above the numpad for complicated equations. Ingenious!

Thanks, glad you like it.  :-)

I'll post an interest check as soon as the GB for the 60% is done.  I got side-tracked with the arrival of our keycap shipment.  It's all sorted out, and I promise to have the 60% GB up soon...

[tutuling]

I am also interested in this unique 60% layout and being priced competitively amongst the other 60% will be more advantageous in getting more adopters for these switches. So I'm hoping you can consider this wisely for the GB.

Keycaps:
PC. ANSI

Nav Cluster:
Full Nav Cluster (option A)

Switches:
Quiet ALPS

Pre-Assembled.

Thanks for making this happen and looking forward to the GB.

[Matias]

I am also interested in this unique 60% layout and being priced competitively amongst the other 60% will be more advantageous in getting more adopters for these switches. So I'm hoping you can consider this wisely for the GB.

Thanks for posting...

It's looking like the price will come in at around $150 pre-assembled.  I hope that's reasonable.  Given the amount of tooling that's required to build it, I don't think we can make it for much less than that.

Also, remember that the bottom row keys are all PBT, and we'll be offering PBT for the others as tooling permits.

[lenardBone]

Oh mighty Edgar. I was just curious if blank keycaps will be one of the options for the group buy?

[Matias]

I was just curious if blank keycaps will be one of the options for the group buy?

We'll have blanks on sale "very soon"    so that's an easy way to get there.

As for receiving a pre-assembled keyboard with blank keycaps, I wasn't planning on offering that.  A lot depends on how many we sell.  I was planning to include a "special requests" entry on the order form, that you can write to request anything not on offer.  We'll try to accommodate requests that are not too onerous (or if lots of people ask).

Another thing I was considering...  If we get enough orders to cover all our costs + the cost of PBT keycap tooling for the remaining keys, we'd upgrade all the orders to include full PBT keycaps.  Currently only the bottom row is PBT.  The rest are ABS.

[lenardBone]

As for receiving a pre-assembled keyboard with blank keycaps, I wasn't planning on offering that.  A lot depends on how many we sell.  I was planning to include a "special requests" entry on the order form, that you can write to request anything not on offer.  We'll try to accommodate requests that are not too onerous (or if lots of people ask).

Ah, alrighty. Thanks for the info.

[MahBoi]

I am very much interested in this, Mr. Matias. Full nav support is a huge draw for me.

PC
ANSI
Full Nav Cluster (option A)
Quiet Linear ALPS (just because I'm curious!)
DIY Parts

[agbockus]

I love this design!

Mac
Ansi
Option C
Quiet Switches

[vernonlloyd]

Awesome design!

Mac
ANSI
Option C
Clicky Switches
Fully Assembled

[joelcwe]

PC
ANSI
OPTION A
Quiet Clicks

[SacKRoll]

PC
ANSI
OPTION A
Quiet Clicks

I love this design!

Mac
Ansi
Option C
Quiet Switches

fully assembled? say yes, pleeeeeeeeeease. 

[CPTBadAss]

This thread needs more DIY

[vivalarevolución]

This thread needs more DIY

Too many people asking for assembled, you mean?

[CPTBadAss]

Yeah...Not that I'm against having the board assembled already but I enjoy building keyboard kits. Would rather have this board as a DIY kit.

[vivalarevolución]

Yeah...Not that I'm against having the board assembled already but I enjoy building keyboard kits. Would rather have this board as a DIY kit.

It will still be available to anyone that will do DIY if they want, right?  Or has Matias said that if enough want assembled, it will all be assembled?

[CPTBadAss]

Or has Matias said that if enough want assembled, it will all be assembled?

This is how I understand how this vote is going.

[Matias]

PC
ANSI
OPTION A
Quiet Clicks

I love this design!

Mac
Ansi
Option C
Quiet Switches

fully assembled? say yes, pleeeeeeeeeease. 

Yes, those are two of the options on offer.   

Yeah...Not that I'm against having the board assembled already but I enjoy building keyboard kits. Would rather have this board as a DIY kit.

It will still be available to anyone that will do DIY if they want, right?  Or has Matias said that if enough want assembled, it will all be assembled?

Rest assured, DIY is definitely part of the offering.  You'll be able to buy all the component parts, and build it all yourself.

FYI, the web page is done.  I just need to finish setting up the online store with all the items available to buy, and then will post the GB notice.  Not long left to wait.   

I also want to add that this is very much an experiment for us, so we're going to make it as open and flexible as possible.  We're setting aside some of the normal MOQ requirements for some of the options, and just see where it leads.  This may be the only GB we end up doing, so we want to learn as much is possible from it, giving it the best possible chance of success, with as few limitations as we can manage.