I use a Pure as a work keyboard at the office, and I can see Filco put a lot of thought into this layout. It seems really bizarre at first glance, but it's actually very logical and makes a lot of sense. Here are some of my favorite features.
Pros:
1) The dip switches are excellent. I use the "HHKB" layout, so I would switch backspace with pipe and switch capslock with L-Ctrl. It's always nice having dip switches for that functionality, and the fact it comes with replacement keycaps is great. Being able to switch the Fn keys to spacebar is a nice touch, but I don't seem myself using them. I can see how a small backspace can be annoying to people, but you all should really swap backspace and pipe!
2) The Fn key placement looks perfect. If anyone has used a Poker or a Pure, you know that you really have to curl your thumb to reach Fn or you have to move you hand. You definitely have to move your hand for the HHKB Fn button. But the MiniLa looks like it's placed in a way where you never have to move your hands off the home row.
3) The Fn layer looks better than anything I've seen, definitely an improvement over the Pure. Arrow keys under your left hand without moving them from the home layer! That's huge for quick edits where you don't want to move your hands to the dedicated arrow keys. But, if you are doing heavier text editing where you are using a combination of Shift, Ctrl, Arrow Keys, and Home/End, then the dedicated arrow keys will make that much easier than on any usual 60% keyboard.
Insert, Delete, Home, End, PgUp, and PgDn all look pretty easy to access without moving from the home layer as well.
Cons:
1) Odd key sizing.Makes for finding aftermarket keycaps difficult to impossible. R-Shift is definitely a worry, and the spacebar might take some getting used to. You'll probably also have to turn L-Fn into a spacebar in order to use it for gaming. But I see this keyboard as geared towards typing and working in an office environment. I don't think a small spacebar is actually a bad thing, there is a lot of wasted space there in standard layouts. It will just be something to get used to. L-Ctrl is also a bit awkward. It could be manufacturing ease that people have talked about, but it's either have it the way it is or make another key larger (App or Spacebar I suppose.
This keyboard is definitely meant for someone who touch types properly. If you have "proper" technique then you should be hitting that small spacebar fine.
2) I really like using stock keycaps for work keyboards to keep them looking "normal" as well as preserving Fn layer legends. But I don't hear anything good about Filco's keycaps. If their UV coating is as ****ty on the MiniLa as other Filcos, then that's a worry.
In the end, I can see this as a robust 60% workhorse keyboard if you take a little time to get used to the changed layout. But in order to improve the standard keyboard layout, you have to deviate from the standard. This is especially true for 60% boards where real estate is limited. If I didn't want to try topre switches so badly and Filco's keycaps didn't suck so hard, I would seriously consider this keyboard. Might consider it regardless...