Introduce Full metal keyboard.

[kant1971]

Introduce Full metal mechanical keyboard.
Detail spec is as below.

- Dark Gray body color
- Full alumnium body
- USB
- N key rollover function
- Alumninum Metal frame
- MX brown Switch
- US ASCII 87 Key
- Aluminium metal frame with orange color
- Aluminum keyboard stand
- Laser cut keycap printing

We will make english site and english blog for introduce this keyboard.
Please send mail to me if you have interesting or question.

My email adress is kant1971 at hitel.net

Thank you.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

[ch_123]

Which switches do they use?

[hyperlinked]

His post said MX Browns.

[NOMiS]

Looks sick! Can we get more pics of the back, and inside?

[Otterclock]

I like the orange. Price check on register 7.

[kant1971]

Dear NOMiS..

Sorry. It takes a some time to open inside and bottom part's detail picture.
Because it's now under develooing. It's not fixed.

Anyway, I wil add inside and bottom side picture after all things is fixed.

THank you.

[NOMiS]

Thanks.

Will they be available in North America?

[kant1971]

I hope it sells in various area.
But official selling takes a some time. Because we have to aquire some certification each area.
Of course, Direct sending is always possible after officai release.

[Otterclock]

I like the name. YOU TYPE NOW.

[kant1971]

Thanks, Otterclock.
I was a big fan to WriteNOW; Mac Wordcessor.

[ch_123]

I assume these will be quite expensive?

[skcheng]

Looks nice!!  No chance of getting double shot keys??   I find the orange somewhat distracting, but I could get used to it.  How is the paint applied to the metal outer casing?  Or is it powdercoated?   Will there be a white model??

A higher end Filco Tenkeyless.  

skc

[didjamatic]

I like it, but are you making any without the engraving by the arrow keys?

[kriminal]

hmm i'll buy this and some doubleshots... mmmm

[kant1971]

To Ch_123

Yes, It will be quite expensive. Material (Full aluminum body) and CNC processing make a unit price serveral times than general plastic body mehanical keyboard.

Please consider it as flagship model in mechanical keybaords.

[itlnstln]

Looks awesome.  What kind of plastic is used in the keycaps?

[kant1971]

To skcheng.

It use a laser cut keycap not a two shot keycap. We knows double shot keycap has a many merits, but it make a keyboard more expensive. If you like a keyboard, you can change this keycap as other keycap or you can buy dobule shot keycap seperately.

Black color only in first stage. But it can be provided as many color if first stage's result is good.

Body color is anodized aluminum.

[kant1971]

To itlnstin.

It's use ABS mateifial as keycap materials. Yes, most mechanical keyboard use a ABS material, specially in black keycap.

[Phaedrus2129]

Will the switches be PCB-mounted or plate-mounted?

[NOMiS]

Will the switches be PCB-mounted or plate-mounted?

Looks plate mounted, considering the orange inside.

[itlnstln]

Does it come with a full-metal jacket?

[kant1971]

To Ripster

Yes, Your saying is right. So, I use a 'most' instead of 'every'
PBT is rather than ABS in many parts.
But this keyboard is made by one company and also have to consider balance of parts. It's pefect to use all best parts in one keyboard, but it's some impossible in real world.

Anyway, there are a many ways to acquire keycaps.
It's not bad to try switching keycap from one to others.

[itlnstln]

Anyway, there are a many ways to acquire keycaps.

Unfortunately, in the US and Europe, it's pretty close to impossible (to get new sets such as the KBC ones)

[itlnstln]

It's a nice 'board.  I think if it had a virtual numpad, I would be all over it.  I wonder what the price will be.  The metal Filco is $300.

[itlnstln]

Agreed.  That's why I'm thinking this is going to be pretty expensive.

[kant1971]

To itlnstln,

Thanks for your opinnion.
I think it's possible to provide extra PBT keycap as option.
But anyway, it needs a time to provide it.

[itlnstln]

There's a (fairly small) market for keycaps and other accessories here, but we really don't have anybody to sell them to us.  There are a few distributors that might be willing to help (elitekeyboards, The Keyboard Co.), or they could be sold on eBay.  Right now, we have to use brokers to get some products, but that can be cost-prohibitive for some things.

[salcan]

Looks awesome. Sort of like the dksaver, no?

Lose the orange and I'm in.

[itlnstln]

To each his own, obviously, but I like the color scheme as it sort of looks like Geekhack.

[Rajagra]

Looks great, but I'm not fond of blue LEDs.

Any chance of alternative colors?

[didjamatic]

I like it, glad to see another machined alloy case since the 356cl.  I do wish the logo was smaller or on the edge rather than where it is, but you can't have everything perfect.  And the Orange plate is a nice touch, different than others out there.

Well done.

[microsoft windows]

I don't like aluminum keyboards. Steel ones are better since you can stick them to your refrigerator.

[itlnstln]

Huh?

[itlnstln]

I find Ms too heavy to mount to the gum under my desk, so I don't know how he'll get it to stick to the fridge.

[TheSoulhunter]

Too bad about the orange. That's just a bit too much.

Hey, you are from NL, you have to love Orange... Orange, and Gouda!

[TheSoulhunter]

For the board...
Add black anodized aluminum keycaps, remove the logo, and I'll get one, or two!

[kant1971]

To salcan,

This keyboard is tenkeyless type or spacesaver type.
it means small keyboard without numberic pad.
Surely, I think orange is not absolute color. But I don't find proper color to inside plate.
I checked black, white, red as internal plate's color.

[Phaedrus2129]

You could do a special "GeekHack" edition board, with the orange plate. It fits the GH color scheme.

[kant1971]

To Rajagra,

Definitely, it's really good idea. and it's no problem in technical part.
But in first stage, anyway we have to maintain some stock, can send this keyboard where some users want. It's a some difficult in starting point. But surely, it is possible if this keyboard can sells well some.

[kant1971]

Dear Thesoulhunter,
It's a acessory that developed in Korea.
good and luxury items for keyboard. I will consider it, too.

[kant1971]

Dear Phaedrus2129,
It will be a my pleasure if I can prodvide geek hack edition.
Frankly speak, I don't think geekhack color scheme.
Orange internal color is just my choice in this project.

[TheSoulhunter]

Dear Thesoulhunter,
It's a acessory that developed in Korea.
good and luxury items for keyboard. I will consider it, too.

Yeah, already own some of this Korean caps...
Unfortunately they neither offer black anodized caps, nor full keysets! :/

[kant1971]

I think it's not technical issue.
If they can provide full keycap set or other special keycap, they need a minium order quantity. I think making metal keycap is very expensive and difficult work. Just It needs a big investment or long wating by customers.

[Xuan]

Looks nice, sadly it will never get to my region...

To salcan,

This keyboard is tenkeyless type or spacesaver type.
it means small keyboard without numberic pad.
Surely, I think orange is not absolute color. But I don't find proper color to inside plate.
I checked black, white, red as internal plate's color.

He meant this (check the blue printings):

[Otterclock]

I really like the orange. Or purple. I wish the board had the slight curve to it like the Filco, though. I like boards with that curve.

[armenws]

naise

[sixty]

Looks great. I am looking forward to this. It would be great if there will be a bigger "hole" in the metal plate so we can use both style of capslock keys.

Anyway, I don't mind the orange. I am looking forward to this!

[ch_123]

I find Ms too heavy to mount to the gum under my desk, so I don't know how he'll get it to stick to the fridge.

Good things that Model Ms are predominately made of PC or ABS.

[Rajagra]

I doubt this will go  through FCC or UL.

The FCC requirement "This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation." is clearly a conspiracy to enable the CIA to monitor our typing, or even to put words into our mouths. I often suspect the CIA is behind the undesirable operation of webwit's keyboard.

[kant1971]

To tuan,
We can send to any place over the world directly
Don't worry.

[kant1971]

To ripster,
I already commeted it. Yes, if we have selling channel in US or Europe, we have to acqure certificaion like FCC, UL.

Before release this keyboard, we try to scan to this keyboard.

Anyway, first target is Japan. No need any certification to sell keyboard.

Secondly Korea when I live in. Yes we will acquire Korea certification.
 
Thirdly, One or two piecs from me to any user in this forum, I think no problem.
But as I wrote in above, if quantity will be increased or have a sub channel, we have to acquire certification in soon or later.

[hoggy]

Kant1971, Looks nice.  How much does it weigh?

[kant1971]

KOREA Keyboard Company will release full metal keyboard as 499$ in Oct, 2010

Korea keyboard company-IOMANIA will release TYPENOW SOLD in October. This mode has been developing by them as export model.

This model is some different to other aluminum keyboard in retail market. All main body is processed by difficult CNC and anodizing works. As a result of this step, this product can have excellent durability and natural color with superior metal feeling.

Recently, aluminum is not a special material to PC devices. Many computer peripherals use aluminum material as their purpose. But it’s really rare to make a peripheral device as a full aluminum body and CNC, hard anodizing works. Even it is rare in High-end AV device area.

Following above steps, TYPENOW SOLID has so heavy weight as a 1.9kg. It’s no problem to call TYPENOW SOLID as armed car compare to most PC keyboard.

David Han, general manager of IOMANIA said “Originally we don’t think a making a keyboard as full aluminum body and CNC, hard anodizing works. We have been considering various methods to make product. First of all we select whole keyboard by full CNC working and anodizing for providing best quality and satisfaction of customers.

There are so many interesting parts expects Keyboard housing.

Above all, this keyboard is mechanical type keyboard that some PC geeks, PC programmer, PC gamer or student like.

As a using a Cherry MX (Basically installed Brown/non-click switch, other switch is possible in near future) to each keys, this keyboard provide light and soft touch feeling. Unlike a common membrane type keyboard, typist can feel special touch rhythm.

Appearance of keyboard is compact type. Some users call it as Space Saver or Tenkeless type. Anyway it helps a saving space on desktop or it’s quite easy to touch type compared general Mini type keyboard. It inherits same edit key and position of standard US layout keyboard. Yes, Type NOW SOLID is ideal for enjoying PC games too that need a full mouse moving.

TYPENOW SOLID has been developing for PC game too. So, it provides N-key rollover function. This function means user press many keys simultaneously, keyboard can accept this. Only some professional or gaming keyboards only provide N-key rollover function. TYPENOW SOLID can provide about 10 keys simultaneously input (Anyway, 6 general key input + 1 special key like a Shift or Ctrl in USB connection) in USB and provide 20~30 keys input in PS/2 connection.

According to IOMNAIA, TYPENOW SOLID will be placed as flagship in their. Also they express want to make a 1~2 full aluminum body keyboard per year if selling quantity keeps a proper face.

David Han, General Manager of IOMANIA “TYPENOW SOLID will be a one of quite expensive keyboard. So, don’t think this keyboard sells very well from first stage but gadget or PC peripherals have a micro trend to getting high-end and higher price. It’s not easy in first but it’s a meaningful works in mid or long-term.  

Real retail selling is based on order production, IOMANIA try to keep a flexible stock for customers. Additionally, they want to find a good partner in foreign area to make a various chance to introduce TYPENOW SOLID in many countries. For a promotion or marketing the have been preparing product launching blog or web site as English.

Retail price of TYPENOW is not fixed, officially. But material original cost is very expensive and considering difficult and complicated CNC and chemical anodizing works. So, its original unit cost is expensive than general mechanical keyboard as many times.

IOMANIA consider first price of TYPENOW SOLID as 499 USD (It’s can be changed when official product launching.)

After product launching, IOMANIA start direct selling to foreign customer in Ebay. If reseller or distributor will be set in foreign country, after acquire proper certification, start to official selling.

*** Contact ***

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/IOMANIA
Web and Blog: Under construction
E-Mail : kant1971@hitel.net

**** Specification ****

Product Name: TYPENOW SOLID
Housing: Full Aluminum body with CNC working and anodizing
Type: Mechanical keyboard
Switch: Cherry MX non click/brown color switch (Consider other switches too)
Weight: about 1.9Kg (about 4.18 pound)
Color: Dark Gray (consider light gray too)
Metal Frame: Aluminum Frame (Orange Color)
Layout: US Layout
Keys: 87 Keys (include 2 LED keycaps; CapsLock, ScrollLock)
Keycap: ABS material with laser engraving
Interface: USB, PS/2 COMBO Interface
N-Key rollover: Support
Stand: Aluminum stand (Screw type, can detachable)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Below are final sample picture of TYPENOW SOLID. Specification will be changed when product is officially release.

[kant1971]

Thanks for comments. I edit my mistake. Thank you.

[chongyixiong]

This is nice, weird that I never saw this thread before.

Any options of coming out with blank keycaps (and charging lesser)?

Keycaps are PBT right (from what I have read previously)?

The keycap letterings are lasered not double-shot right?

Any options of making it in other colours?
Hope that the final price will be below USD$350 and I'll get one straight away.

[ThirdLap]

Five hundred bucks?  Sexy keyboard, but that's way too rich for my blood.

[clee]

Oh, MAN that is sexy. I hadn't seen this either. I don't know if I'd drop $500 on it, but I definitely want one.

[ch_123]

Obviously given that the thing is made from machined aluminium, it's going to be very pricey. I'm just not sure I'd be interested in buying a $500 brown Cherry keyboard...

Maybe if it had gold-plated Beam Springs or something =P

[TheSoulhunter]

Humm, 500 is indeed a bit pricey...
But what actually kills it for me is the engraved logo!

[Konrad]

It apparently has great style, workmanship, quality, nice solid materials.  Looks sleek and elegant, good quality switches.  No doubt it's all machined to awesome tolerances which make other keyboards look like sludge.
 
So are they just going to slap in some generic cheapo PC-104 controller?  (It'd be like taking a rolls royce chassis, suspension, transmission ... and throwing in a lawnmover engine.)
 
I really hope they use some high-end electronics.  $500 for a cheap keyboard in a better case?

[Konrad]

But who's got a gold-plated USB hub to plug 'em into?  I don't mean a gold hub, I mean gold electrical contacts.

[washuai]

At $500, they'd better let you pick your own custom anodized color plate and case, mmmhmm.  I need to reread this, because I can't remember if whether the cable is detachable is known.  What kind of spill resistance does this board have?
I'm more of a sucker for titanium or platinum, than gold.

[Infinite north]

If the keycaps were aluminum then it would be worth it. having to spend another $300 on scarface keycaps really makes the price skyrocket.

Edit: The modifier keys would still be plastic with the current scarface keycaps too sadly enough.

[Brian8bit]

There's a silver version Maybe I could justify the cost as it would look good with my MBP. Needs white backlighting though, like the MBP. Not keen on the orange. And of course an Apple layout would be great. Rather than blank keycapping it.

[British]

A couple "options" would be lovely to hopefully get price down:

• No blacklighting
• No keys or blank ones

[washuai]

A couple "options" would be lovely to hopefully get price down:

• No blacklighting
• No keys or blank ones

There isn't backlighting, someone just wants some.  

Cheap keys on a good chassis, been there done that with Filco.

No, I would not pay the still over Topre price for a metal body, with cheaper keys.  In fact, I agree that it needs all aluminum caps, too.  
$121 Filco + $175 double shots = better key feel than this aluminum board at a cheaper price point.  This keyboard does not need cheaper keys, it needs better keys.

[zmurf]

I would consider this keyboard if it was available in Euro ISO layout and had a Trackpoint. ( I don't want to take apart and modify a $500 keyboard myself.... The project I have with my G80-3000 is expensive enough )

[British]

There isn't backlighting, someone just wants some.

Woot, that orange background tricked me, color me ashamed !

No, I would not pay the still over Topre price for a metal body, with cheaper keys.

A little excerpt for you:

Code: [Select]

[I]op·tion
   /ˈɒpʃən/ Show Spelled[op-shuhn] Show IPA
–noun
1. the power or right of choosing.
2. something that may be or is chosen; choice.
3. the act of choosing.
4. an item of equipment or a feature that may be chosen as an addition
    to or replacement for standard equipment and features:
    - a car with a long list of extra-cost options;
    - a telephoto lens option for a camera. [/I]
You would pay more/equal for quality keys.
That's a valid option.
I would pay less for crappy/no keys.
That's a valid option as well.

I was making propositions that work for me.
Just because you have different propositions/opinions doesn't mean you have to bash others'.

It's not like I've got any confidence it will be that way, though :wink:

In fact, I agree that it needs all aluminum caps, too.

Indeed.

$121 Filco + $175 double shots = better key feel than this aluminum board at a cheaper price point.  This keyboard does not need cheaper keys, it needs better keys.

See options up there.
Now to elaborate a bit, try figuring you as a non-ANSI user when it comes from double-shots :pout: