[IC] GMK Think

[Croktopus]

GMK Think is dead, long live GMK Thinkcaps!

Basically, the project in its original proposed state was...not doomed per se, but the more I learned about the GMK pipeline the less confident I was that I'd be able to deliver the originally proposed product at a sane price. Thinkcaps is Voodoo's project that he's been working on for a while, which is already sick on its own, and we're working together to try to make something like GMK Think happen within it. so head over there and check out what he's been brewin'

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GMK Think is an add-on kit with blue Thinkpad-inspired accents, meant to accent a white-on-black colorway.











The enter key is the most distinctive element of the Thinkpad's keyboard to be sure, but I also love the look of the blue sub-legends. To translate them into a keycap set, I went for accent legends on some of the keys that make the most sense for me to have blue legends.

Both the enter key and legends were color matched with RAL colors - they're very close to each other, but using the same color for the legends as for the enter key results in pretty poor legibility.

Apologies that my renders aren't top tier, but I hope the potential of the kit comes across.

So, any interest?

[Croktopus]

reserved

[falzm]

Interested.

[spam]

Interested

[ab042896]

Looks good, this will pair nice with a number of colourways I think.

[Macmutant]

Interested.

[dallman5]

Always interested in some accents

[exzone]

Looks great. Definitely interested.

[Rob27shred]

Nice little kit that will match with a bunch of colorways not just WoB, I'll probably bite on one if it makes it to GB!

[directheatedtriode]

That red/pink on the L/R buttons is also characteristic of T series Thinkpads.

We had some T42s going on years after they should have died given how some of us carried/treated them around the hospital. Definitely beasts 

[saesh]

Nice idea. Watching this.

[Myoth]

**** yes.

I'm so down.

[Fnzzy]

Now that's an idea!

[tobiasvl]

Interested!

[mmayhem17]

As a thinkpad user, I'm in.

[mutthunt]

So perfect i'm surprised we haven't seen it before, very interested. Would a red esc or b button be a possibility?

[wholypantalones]

Looks nice, are we attached to the diamond icons? Maybe some super or code keys instead?

[Man In Blue]

Very interested. I would love to see the Windows 10 GUI cap as well, but I would buy this as-is.

[lhotse408]

Interested would love somehow to have a red trackpoint accent.

[mrkantz]

Interested would love somehow to have a red trackpoint accent.

Red B key would be rad

[jagger27]

Oh yes I’m in

[nasp]

What's the 4th board in the OP?!

:thinking:

[noorejji]

Very nice, big potential here. Any plans for additional kits (e.g. spacebars)?

[Croktopus]

So perfect i'm surprised we haven't seen it before, very interested. Would a red esc or b button be a possibility?

Same, it was one of my the first things I wanted when I got into the hobby.

and..

Interested would love somehow to have a red trackpoint accent.

Interested would love somehow to have a red trackpoint accent.

Red B key would be rad

I want to keep the kit small to keep the cost down (as I think a lot of people will be buying it for just a few of the keycaps), but I am getting tempted for a "GMK Dots"-style red trackpoint novelty, and a green B, to represent the RGB IBM logo. It's something to think about.

Looks nice, are we attached to the diamond icons? Maybe some super or code keys instead?

Very interested. I would love to see the Windows 10 GUI cap as well, but I would buy this as-is.

The diamonds are the part of the kit as it stands now that I am least attached to, but the decision i'm wavering between is removing them or changing them to another symbol. The reason they're there in the first place is to give something for GMK Hiragana's bottom row to match with for a blue-legend Fn key, so changing it out to a text mod or a windows key wouldn't make sense to me.

What's the 4th board in the OP?!

:thinking:

That would be my next IC

Very nice, big potential here. Any plans for additional kits (e.g. spacebars)?

spacebars were originally part of the kit, but the more time I spent with it the less I liked it - it ended up distracting too much from the enter key, and while the spacebar does usually have a blue sublegend of its own, the key itself is never blue. And I mean, you can say that for the escape key as well, but that's much less distracting imo, and more in line with modern sensibilities.

[Mcnos]

Yes

[Sunhwan Jeong]

How about expressing the red knob by adding the red color Imprinted g, h keys or something?

[Loztredditor]

>thinkpad inspired
>no nipple

for real?

[Croktopus]

>thinkpad inspired
>no nipple

for real?

the nipple should be included in keyboard designs that use a trackpoint, but im not making a kit to add trackpoint support to existing keebs. ive considered adding g h and b keys with cutouts, but are there enough tex owners to justify that? I hope so cuz I'm kind of a fan of some of their boards (that 7 row is real tempting for obvious reasons) , but idk. itll be in the poll

[VXQN]

This is so classy. I don't have WoB so would love this!

[Zylkan]

Why two enters though? Isn't it better/cheaper to just go with legs or no legs?
I'd prefer icons only tbh

Nice job

[Croktopus]

Why two enters though? Isn't it better/cheaper to just go with legs or no legs?
I'd prefer icons only tbh

Nice job

You have sets like Drop's WoB that have legends and icons, and then you have stuff like WoB Hiragana and a few other kits and sets that use icon only, I wanted the accents to be a seamless fit with any of those sets

[Zylkan]

Why two enters though? Isn't it better/cheaper to just go with legs or no legs?
I'd prefer icons only tbh

Nice job

You have sets like Drop's WoB that have legends and icons, and then you have stuff like WoB Hiragana and a few other kits and sets that use icon only, I wanted the accents to be a seamless fit with any of those sets

Fair enough, thanks for the reply!

[DJSwayde]

Neat. I am assuming the base for the black caps will be CR?

[depletedvespene]

Interested, very interested indeed, BUT I have to be that guy and ask whether this will catch the ire of Lenovo, who I'd assume to have trademark over their distinctive shade of blue for the Enter key. PLEASE make sure you won't get into legal trouble for this set before going any further with this IC.

[depletedvespene]

Also:

CR or N9?

The kit, as is, has no problems (and I dig that you include both versions of each Enter key). A possible addition I would consider is white-on-blue arrows keycaps.

[gfreeman11898]

I like the idea but I prefer color matching the OG IBM logo on Thinkpads? RGB accents for WOB will be 

[Croktopus]

Also:

CR or N9?

The kit, as is, has no problems (and I dig that you include both versions of each Enter key). A possible addition I would consider is white-on-blue arrows keycaps.

Neat. I am assuming the base for the black caps will be CR?

Yup CR and WS1

Interested, very interested indeed, BUT I have to be that guy and ask whether this will catch the ire of Lenovo, who I'd assume to have trademark over their distinctive shade of blue for the Enter key. PLEASE make sure you won't get into legal trouble for this set before going any further with this IC.

I don't believe they have a color trademark, though I will be consulting a lawyer

[neutralstate]

pls take my money.

we need more add on sets..

[Ensaum]

Yes

[tobiasvl]

I really like this set as is, it's very clever. Blue arrow keys and F keys, which are nice accents, but presumably also chosen because the Thinkpad arrows and F keys have blue icons on them even though the arrows are white there. It calls to mind the Thinkpad keys in a subtle way.

Adding RGB keys seems a bit too crazy for this set IMO. It's really nice the way it is. Although it'd be fun with a red Esc key instead of blue – I feel like a splash of red is needed somehow.

[steezkeez]

Dank af

[gfreeman11898]

Not a splash, just a tiny dash of RGB  . At least add a RO2 and N7 enter key with WS1 legend. 

[roguesystem087]

oooooooooo I love this XD
never looked at accent kits before but gosh XD
not flashy but dope AF!! hope this works out!!

[ClicksOnLinks]

Very much interested.

[Hawksmoor]

interested

[Dakk1d]

I like this!
I would rather have Windows logos instead of the diamonds however.

[Biased opinion]

Red legends on G and H could be a way to capture the trackpoint look.

[SuddenlyDonkey]

The word Think and dropping $200 on keys are not synonymous 

...so clearly I'm in for one

[tex_live_utility]

+1 for Windows logos, normally I don't like them but this is the one time they seem really appropriate.

[depletedvespene]

Now, now, Windows logos on keycaps are never appropriate.

Not even in a Microsoft-made keyboard.

[YellowHalo]

Dang this totally reminds me of the Lenovo IBM membrane keyboards used at my university. I personally actually really liked the keycap colors.

[evilpigkiller]

Intrested! How long would you start the group buy?

[rjohn]

my favorite  membrane keyboards

good idea to produce this themed keycaps.

[hottrout]

my favorite  membrane keyboards

Show Image

good idea to produce this themed keycaps.

The slightly older membrane IBM keyboard was an excellent keeb, better than a lot of MX KB's of the time.  I have a few of them and I still like their weight and feel.

BTW, I am in on this for sure.

[directheatedtriode]

my favorite  membrane keyboards

Show Image

good idea to produce this themed keycaps.

Ah yes the fingerprint scanners  :cool:

[Pylon]

Any thoughts on gray F-keys like on T43 and earlier Thinkpads? Otherwise definitely interested.

[tex_live_utility]

Any thoughts on gray F-keys like on T43 and earlier Thinkpads? Otherwise definitely interested.

I'd pay $25 for an addon kit with this.

[DALExSNAIL]

In, so in

I stan my thinkpads too hard not to

[Croktopus]

Intrested! How long would you start the group buy?

impossible to say. reaching out to vendors now but I know GMK sets are gonna have a long lead time

Any thoughts on gray F-keys like on T43 and earlier Thinkpads? Otherwise definitely interested.

Any thoughts on gray F-keys like on T43 and earlier Thinkpads? Otherwise definitely interested.

I'd pay $25 for an addon kit with this.

It's something I went back and forth on for a while. If I was instead going to run it as a whole keycap set, that'd definitely be the route I would take, but for an accent kit that's a lot of bulk, especially since it'd be the f row plus nav cluster plus maybe even some numpad stuff like on the similar full size thinkpad-esque desktop keyboards. plus im gonna be honest, i'm not a fan of the way that exact shade of gray lines up with the rest of the wob-ness and blue accents, and i wouldnt wanna artificially darken it as that'd be less true to the original. instead, i'd recommend going back in time and picking up oblivion + the f-row kit :| maybe as an extra kit it could work but id have to talk to the eventual vendor about feasibility for that

[Croktopus]

after talking to a couple people, looks like doing this as an add-on kit would be kinda prohibitively expensive at the sort of MOQ id expect this to hit. reworking it to a full set, and im liking the way its looking

[hottrout]

Ill add one or two if this happens. 

[wholypantalones]

after talking to a couple people, looks like doing this as an add-on kit would be kinda prohibitively expensive at the sort of MOQ id expect this to hit. reworking it to a full set, and im liking the way its looking

Nice, is it going to be icon mods or text and icon? (text and icon only please)

[Prelim]

GB expected when? (icon mods only please)

[Croktopus]

after talking to a couple people, looks like doing this as an add-on kit would be kinda prohibitively expensive at the sort of MOQ id expect this to hit. reworking it to a full set, and im liking the way its looking

Nice, is it going to be icon mods or text and icon? (text and icon only please)

GB expected when? (icon mods only please)

Pretty sure it'll be icon and text. I mean, I prefer that for one, but also its more true to the original (though the set in whole likely won't be that true to the original). what im considering is having an accent kit with icon only accent mods

[Croktopus]

Alright, so I'm gonna have to re-IC this (I'm thinking as "GMK Thonk") but I wanted to gather some thoughts on this concept.

The idea is to make it a set unto itself, taking the Thinkpad colors as a theme, but without being just a WoB set with blue accents. This way, the thousands of people that already have WoB get a new set, plus some accents that they can kit bash, and people without it get a cool new set that stands on its own.

kit is still in broad concepts phase (considering what I want to do with red and green accents/novelties, as well as compatibility) so this is just a quick render of the basic color scheme on a full-sized layout

Alright, so I'm gonna have to re-IC this (I'm thinking as "GMK Thonk") but I wanted to gather some thoughts on this concept.

The idea is to make it a set unto itself, taking the Thinkpad colors as a theme, but without being just a WoB set with blue accents. This way, the thousands of people that already have WoB get a new set, plus some accents that they can swap around, and people without it get a cool new set that stands on its own.

kit is still in broad concepts phase (considering what I want to do with red and green accents/novelties, as well as compatibility) so this is just a quick render of what I have in mind on a full-sized set.

[neutralstate]

just throwing out ideas, if you are going to be playing around with red and green accents you could consider making all the mods the be the same Thinkpad blue.

This way buyers of the set would get a totally different look, plus at the same time the Blue enter and esc key could be used on a standalone WoB set if the red/green accents are swapped in.

[dantambok]

i dig it! 

[Ensaum]

Since everyone is asking for icon only mods now, then I'll say please keep them icon+text.

[Icte]

Probably the greatest add-on kit to an existing kit I've ever seen! Count me in!

[steezkeez]

I understand the justification but I'm less inclined to purchase a full base kit rather than the original add-on kit.

[hkiri]

Highly interested!

Since everyone is giving their opinion:
Please do both - only icon and icon + text!

[Ensaum]

I understand the justification but I'm less inclined to purchase a full base kit rather than the original add-on kit.

Oh, shoot, I missed this. Yeah, I'm definitely not interested in buying a full set over just the accents.

[mrkantz]

Same, only interested in the accents

[enrique.aliaga]

Same, I don’t care for a full set. Accents only, please. I already own WoB.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sunhwan Jeong]

Then you can add some more accents.
White on Grey function row (as in original Thinkpad)
Red on Black keys (g,h keys)
You can think something else.. I love these as accents

[Zylkan]

Only accents here. Icon only

[hottrout]

I appreciate the thinking (see what I did there) but I also only need the accents.  Also maybe worth pointing out but I will most likely buy two sets or more of the accents.

[hkiri]

Highly interested!

Since everyone is giving their opinion:
Please do both - only icon and icon + text!

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that I don't want to buy a full base kit either, I'm also only interested in the accents.
And I was referring to the Enter keys in my previous message: Please do both Enter keys, one with only the arrow and one with arrow+text!

I will also buy more than one kit.

[julianlamme]

Def will pair well with a bunch of sets. I’m in!

[WHAT!?]

I'm into it. I don't happen to own GMK White on Black so I'd spring for a whole set here. Not sure if I'm in the majority though. Either way, I'd go for it.

[Ensaum]

I'm into it. I don't happen to own GMK White on Black so I'd spring for a whole set here. Not sure if I'm in the majority though. Either way, I'd go for it.

Fyi https://drop.com/buy/gmk-white-on-black-custom-keycap-set

[d0nk]

Interested. In either accents OR full-set.

[ptrick3]

Interested, but as some food for thought: you could consider talking with thekeycompany and see if they could coordinate an enjoypbt double shot abs kit.

It'd probably be more affordable, and thekeycompany has been stocking their own version of white on black in enjoypbt double shot abs.

A smallish kit like this would likely still have a hefty price tag at GMK and would be stuck in the long GMK queue.

But I don't know anything about getting that organized personally.

[Ensaum]

Interested, but as some food for thought: you could consider talking with thekeycompany and see if they could coordinate an enjoypbt double shot abs kit.

It'd probably be more affordable, and thekeycompany has been stocking their own version of white on black in enjoypbt double shot abs.

A smallish kit like this would likely still have a hefty price tag at GMK and would be stuck in the long GMK queue.

But I don't know anything about getting that organized personally.

I actually asked tkc on reddit about offering doubleshot accent kits for their epbt kits. They replied that they are just a reseller and that epbt is mostly interested in volume and not small custom runs.

[voodoo6k]

Hey! Very nice. I've been wanting a Thinkpad themed GMK set for ages.

TKC and myself are actually working on something very similar as we speak. Colour matching is under way (hint: there is no plastic Pantone colour that can match the Big Blue colour).

Daniel at TKC is also working on something similar to your all purple/blue idea (Nightshade)

Edit: removed images to avoid confusion
--

I reached out to @Croktopus privately to talk about a possible collaboration.

[esmtll]

I’m on the Icons only + Add-on only train as well.

Complicating things further, I’m also that rare macos / tsangan user who really wants 2x 1.5u meta/cmd modifiers.

[oldcat]

I am in!

[Pylon]

Thinkpads and Thinkcentre keyboards appear to be text+icon on ANSI and icon-only on Azerty, Qwertz, and some ISO layouts.

[voodoo6k]

Hey all. Here's what's going on behind the scenes:

As mentioned above, I've been playing around with this idea for some time. I thought it would be great if Croktopus (OP) and I, with the backing of some reputable vendors, joined forces to take this concept to the next level...

Like every IC based on a classic theme, everyone has their own take. My feeling is that an add-on kit would have a hard time pleasing everyone at a reasonable price. The theme is already pretty niche, added to the fact that GMK/OG Cherry WoB is required. We're working out with GMK how much it would actually cost to do a minimal add-on kit alongside our GB.

There's two possibilities, in addition to the GMK Think complete set:

• Blue Enters only add-on kit;
• Icon modifier kit, which includes the blue Enters.

We will post a new IC thread with all the details very soon. I will also make a separate form to survey how many people are willing to buy the add-on kit and at what price.

Here's a preview:

Blue accents optional, for you purists

I know it kind of looks like I'm hijacking this IC, but I think offering both options (standalone set + add-on kit) will only increase our chances of meeting MOQ. Croktopus has some really good ideas for novelties, so we're only helping each other out. We're both very attuned to the ways of the Thinkpad, and we plan to have, among other things: Windows logos, multimedia keys, Trackpoint novelty, OG Cherry and IBM legends, icon mods for ISO users, and so on...

The colour scheme is based on the IBM/Lenovo multimedia keyboard posted above in this thread, but will be colour-matched to an actual Thinkpad Enter key (which is darker and better). The set will be compatible with OG WoB and Dolch.

Feedback is always welcome, but for further details please wait for the official IC thread!

[voodoo6k]

I am in!

I will need some 3D models of your Think keyboard for rendering purposes...

[Croktopus]

yeah like voodoo said, we're working on something cool. stay tuned

[Mr.Nonchalant]

yeah like voodoo said, we're working on something cool. stay tuned

:pepoCheering:

[Jaxxstatic]

interested

[Ultimatum]

It looks beautiful. Why don’t you run this full set?
I recommend WS1 on N9 for alphas.

[hkiri]

I really hope the separate Enters only add-on kit will be made reality if this really will be turned into a full base kit.
Already have three WoB sets.

[hottrout]

I agree, this should stay just enter, space (different sizes) and ESC kit.  I don't need another base kit

[bigapplepietart]

If there's a second 1.5u OS key in the kit, I'm in!

[voodoo6k]

If there's a second 1.5u OS key in the kit, I'm in!

I agree, this should stay just enter, space (different sizes) and ESC kit.  I don't need another base kit

You see what's going on? Different people want different things, Enters (icon, icon+text, icon only; that's 6 Enter keys minimum), Esc, OS keys, Windows keys (or anything but Windows keys), and now spacebars...

That kit, sold to 50 people, will cost more than a whole base kit. That's why I'm saying please wait until you see the new IC before getting too deep into the discussion.

There will be a form and we will know exactly how many want the add-on kit and how much they are willing to pay.


Ultimately, if you want vendor backing (which you will need), you have to have a base set to go along, because most of them do not stock a WoB set.

[voodoo6k]

Not to mention that this is a custom colour, therefore MOQ will be something like 150 250 minimum.

I'm just being honest, but I don't think you will find over 100 buyers for a $50+ kit which requires another set sold by no vendor at this time; all the while some are only after one specific blue Enter key.

[Jaxxstatic]

oops. Wrong thread. Still interested in this

[hkiri]

Not to mention that this is a custom colour, therefore MOQ will be something like 150 or higher.

I'm just being honest, but I don't think you will find over 100 buyers for a $50+ kit which requires another set sold by no vendor at this time; all the while some are only after one specific blue Enter key.

Of course you will. The latest prime example is the GMK RBYK Add-on kit with a MOQ of 150.

[voodoo6k]

Not to mention that this is a custom colour, therefore MOQ will be something like 150 or higher.

I'm just being honest, but I don't think you will find over 100 buyers for a $50+ kit which requires another set sold by no vendor at this time; all the while some are only after one specific blue Enter key.

Of course you will. The latest prime example is the GMK RBYK Add-on kit with a MOQ of 150.

I'll be happy if we can, don't get me wrong.

Nonetheless, I think this is different because that kit uses stock colours and fits on a plethora of previous sets.

Also, I was mistaken when I said 150, it is in fact at least 250 MOQ; which basically puts the last nail in the coffin (of not offering it alongside a full set).

[directheatedtriode]

For those requesting icon only I've never seen any Thinkpad laptop with only icons.

[Pylon]

You could split the full-set into the gray/blue add-ons kit and a separate WoB alphas kit for those that don't already have WoB. Those that want a full-set would buy both the add-on kit and the alphas kit, while those that already have Cherry/GMK WoB would buy just the add-ons kit. The alphas kit would be stock colors (probably CR and WS1) and have the lower 150 MOQ. This way you have the option of both while still being able to hit MOQ. The only downside is that the full kit would cost more than if the two were combined.

For those requesting icon only I've never seen any Thinkpad laptop with only icons.

Looks like some Thinkpads with ISO layouts use icon-only, while ANSI Thinkpads with the non-chiclet keyboards all use Icon+text.

[VXQN]

Not really sure where I stand on the current kit-rejigging but I just wanted to say that I love the original look (I sorta bought a copy of WoB for it) but I also really like the look with the dark grey mods.

I think that the original accent kit is probably the best option.

[ttom]

though I would love the original accent kit this is something to note (from the gmk pretty in pink thread):

[dom]

This board - WOW, take my money! 

[voodoo6k]

though I would love the original accent kit this is something to note (from the gmk pretty in pink thread):

Show Image

Thank you.

That's right, resin in purchased in large quantities by weight so the custom colour has to account for hundreds of pounds of plastic.

[powahause]

Was looking for a red keycap or red letter to simulate the trackpad nipple on think pads haha

[steezkeez]

Was looking for a red keycap or red letter to simulate the trackpad nipple on think pads haha

Yo... that would actually be pretty sick. Though I have no idea about the logistics/feasibility of adding a single diff color key like that.

[switchnollie]

Need a red G, H and B for the nub

[voodoo6k]

Was looking for a red keycap or red letter to simulate the trackpad nipple on think pads haha

Was looking for a red keycap or red letter to simulate the trackpad nipple on think pads haha

Yo... that would actually be pretty sick. Though I have no idea about the logistics/feasibility of adding a single diff color key like that.

We're doing it, don't worry.

[KRY2SOON]

Facebook colors! 

[hottrout]

I am in for two sets as shown.

[Badmutha]

Needs a nipple and im sold

For real though it's a good looking set, is there any artisans in the work or nah?

[CandyKeys]

There is stuff in the work, there is a lot of work being done on the backend, just hold on, I promise the stuff is looking great.

[GigaFlop]

If this is being turned into a kit, will support be added for 40s?

[sth]

I've been wanting this for almost a decade. I'm absolutely in.

[voodoo6k]

If this is being turned into a kit, will support be added for 40s?

Yes, there will be ortho + 40's support.

We will do our best to offer the Enters-only kit as well for those not wanting a full set.

Details coming shortly.

[funkmon]

I'm well in for this. I've always thought those were beautiful keyboards.

[Croktopus]

hey keeb fans, new IC for the new and improved GMK Thinkcaps is over here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=106305.0

voodoo's put together a sick set in its own right, and we're working to try to preserve an accent kit in the same vein as outlined in this thread, so let's show how much we want it in that survey, eh?

also wanna take this opportunity to express my own gratitude - when i learned of the state of moq's and price brackets for custom color add on kits, id kinda lost hope, and was having trouble coming up with a worthwhile full set. voodoo saved it and has been great to work with. look forward to continuing to work together!