ALF X2 by ALF – a 60% custom (UPDATE)

[fishpod]

ALF X2 is a 60% keyboard inspired by the beloved HHKB keyboards and seeks to add more functionalities to the board. ALF X2 has been run within China by team ALF few months ago and it was a successful run. Interested in and impressed by X2, I am here to bring it to you and hope you guys would love it. If there’s enough interest, I would make this possible.

ALF X2 parts:
-   Top case (normal 60% w/o blocked corners or HHKB style w/ symmetrical blocked corners)
-   Bottom case
-   Stainless steel plate: 2.25u left shift (normal 60%) or 2u left shift w/ arrow cluster
-   PCB
-   Front nameplate (mounted by screws)
-   “ALF” logo Brass weight (4 pcs)
-   PC diffuser
-   Microswitch alu buttons*2
* This guy’s hefty, weighting 2.5kg unassembled.


PCB features:
-   3 USB 2.0 ports (X2 can work as a passive USB hub)
-   2 presoldered programmable CHERRY microswitches
-   RGB underglow (RGB lights not presoldered) confirmed by ALF, RGB underglow will be removed.
-   Multiple layout support


Here's a MICRO-ARC OXIDATION White X2 w/ 2u left shift and arrow cluster.







Color Options:

• 4 different colors (Silver white, Black, Titanium, Red) are available and you could choose the color separately for the top and bottom case.
  
  Micro-Arc Oxidation White is also available for the cases but will charge extra fee for handling. Micro-Arc Oxidizing only the top or bottom case will charge the same as micro-arc oxidizing both cases.
  
  the front nameplate and microswitches can choose from Red, Black and silver white.

[bluesclera]

You have the link for the Chinese run? Any additional photos?

[avid]

I LOVE this board. Please bring this beauty to GH!
Is there any estimates on pricing?

Will there be ISO support?

[baxxt14]

What's the color of the case in the preview?
This is super cool, just the price that would steer me away. Cases are usually in the 60-90 USD range, would it be around there?

[Vigrith]

What's the color of the case in the preview?
This is super cool, just the price that would steer me away. Cases are usually in the 60-90 USD range, would it be around there?

When was the last time you saw a custom board like this for under 100 bucks? I don't mean to be abrupt but there is a zero percent chance this is going to be anywhere near the prices you mentioned.

[pixelpusher]

i still think this needs ALF from the TV series on the back...

[baxxt14]

What's the color of the case in the preview?
This is super cool, just the price that would steer me away. Cases are usually in the 60-90 USD range, would it be around there?

When was the last time you saw a custom board like this for under 100 bucks? I don't mean to be abrupt but there is a zero percent chance this is going to be anywhere near the prices you mentioned.

Oh right yeah, that makes sense.

[pixelpusher]

Now this... this I would buy:




Did you know if you google "Gordon" that Gordon Shumway is STILL the first thing that auto populates!  I'm telling ya... we need a TRUE ALF board.

Gordon, Gordon, put us in stitches.  There ain't no one like you in this place.  (that cartoon was so awful, wasn't it?)

[Marutks]

ALF is a pig  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALF:_The_Animated_Series

[odd]

I have been eyeing this board for a couple months now so I am very interested in obtaining one, count me in

[superdoedoe]

Using this board to type this message atm.

It's an awesome board. My only problem with it was the horrible QC. My slot for my badge top right didn't have any holes drilled for the badge at all.

Another friend got the board as well and his SS plate was missing a drill hole, so he had to drill it himself. He was also missing the badge entirely.

[Tree_]

It's Alf ... He's back ... In keyboard form.

[aeryxz]

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbbi1brnZUx

Had some QC problems. Superbuy didn't pack it properly and i got some small scratches that I covered with matte black paint. Top right badge doesn't have holes to screw it in, currently held with bluetack. No build instructions so you might need to have some knowledge about building already. TC had a thread on reddit so you can flash your own QMK layout. https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/79m7rf/photos_alf_x2_hhkb_layout_json_for_qmk_included/

[Mavarina]

Really interesting, would buy...

[THRILLHOIAF]

call me crazy, but this looks slick without the brass ALF inserts

[Unforgivable]

Will this be ran by zFrontier?

Edit: Very interested! Especially if it’s still gonna be sold at the $200 price!

Any chance for a coated brass switch plate?

[anthorix]

Hawt 

[get_weird]

This is about another board, but is there any chance that the Alf LE can be bought outside of China?

[AuthenticDanger]

If it had a split space I'd be 100% sold on this.

[Darknight00z]

YES YES and YES. Been watching the Chinese GB and man does it look amazing! I do have a few questions.

1. Why the removal of underglow? Can we solder strips ourselves?

2. Please add split space support, I've been spoiled by banana split and DZ60

3. ETA timeframe? GB start after CNY?

Thank you

Looking forward to the GB

[regionfree]

Would be in on this. Please bring this!

[dante]

You kids are probably too young to remember.

[superdoedoe]

Some pics of my mates ALF

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ba20TEzH8wC/?taken-by=tre.vc

[fishpod]

The one in OP is a micro-arc anodized white. Plate is a 2u left shift plate and a different plate will be offered for normal 2.25 left shift layouts. PCB is programmed by QMK.

I have urged ALF that if this were to run, QC should keep up. No undrilled holes and all nameplates should be drilled.

YES YES and YES. Been watching the Chinese GB and man does it look amazing! I do have a few questions.

1. Why the removal of underglow? Can we solder strips ourselves?

2. Please add split space support, I've been spoiled by banana split and DZ60

3. ETA timeframe? GB start after CNY?

Thank you

Looking forward to the GB

underglow will be removed 'cause many people told ALF it was too difficult to wire the RGB lights.

Sorry no split space bars, confirmed by ALF

Timeframe and  price still under discussion.

[clee]

My only question: is there a 6.0u spacebar HHKB variant of the top case (with 1.5u blocker on left, 2.5u blocker on right)? The fully-symmetrical-7u-spacebar design is a no-go for me personally.

[vtachkov]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

[Darknight00z]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

He does have a point. Its 2017, make it at least usb 3.0

2x USB A 3.0
1x USB C 3.0

That would be a top notch modern day board 

Future proof would be 3.1, but that would be having a cake and eating it too

[xondat]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

Can a single USB power that much?

[Puddsy]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

Can a single USB power that much?

it can't even power the 3 2.0 ports properly

[vtachkov]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

Can a single USB power that much?

it can't even power the 3 2.0 ports properly

Is that a side-effect of having removable cables? Or also the PCB design to handle that power? The das 4 pro supports 2 USB 3.0 passthroughs, albeit with a connected cable.

If the ALF can't even support it's current three USB 2.0 ports, why have three of them in the first place?

[xondat]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

Can a single USB power that much?

it can't even power the 3 2.0 ports properly

Is that a side-effect of having removable cables? Or also the PCB design to handle that power? The das 4 pro supports 2 USB 3.0 passthroughs, albeit with a connected cable.

If the ALF can't even support it's current three USB 2.0 ports, why have three of them in the first place?

Hard to say without knowing the details of the PCB. My guess would be it's just close to the limits of power available from USB. LEDs would draw from this, and 3 is definitely pushing it.

[Puddsy]

Any reason ALF went with using USB 2.0 instead of USB 3.0/3.1 or maybe even going with 2 USB 3 and 1 USB type C?

Can a single USB power that much?

it can't even power the 3 2.0 ports properly

Is that a side-effect of having removable cables? Or also the PCB design to handle that power? The das 4 pro supports 2 USB 3.0 passthroughs, albeit with a connected cable.

If the ALF can't even support it's current three USB 2.0 ports, why have three of them in the first place?

Hard to say without knowing the details of the PCB. My guess would be it's just close to the limits of power available from USB. LEDs would draw from this, and 3 is definitely pushing it.

bingo

part of why the next version (the one we're getting) doesn't have underglow

[Darknight00z]

Thanks for the clarification guys. I guess the ports on the board would only be good for a mouse imo. I'd be better off plugging into the desktop for file transfers.

[fishpod]

 Updated with more and maybe final information from ALF, PRICE and TIMEFRAME will be announced.

[fishpod]

seems like zFrontier and ALF's been busy and making things happen! 

am posting a GB post in GB subforum and we shall move our discussion there.

info on timeframe and pricing:
Nov 21 - Dec 12

280USD for anodized colors
335USD for micro-arc white
shipping included.

[fishpod]

  GB post APPROVED!

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=92677.0

I will be closing this IC thread. Please continue the discussion there