Hey so ive had the feenix autore for nearly a month now I believe, so I feel pretty familiar at this point to leave a solid review.
I will be splitting up the review into the following categories : Aesthetics, Feel, Build Quality, Purchasing Practicality, and Functionality
Now for those who want more information you can get it at:
http://www.feenixcollection.com/autore.htmlAs for the keyboards ive used before this: Das brown (costar version), filco, and cooler master red switch
Aesthetics:
Now obviously as most people have already mentioned the aesthetics on the autore are probably one of the best if not the best out there. The website says the design was inspired by the monolith in the space oddyssey, whether this is true or marketing BS... I dont know... but Its just simply a very stunning and elegant keyboard. The subtle font is my favorite part about it because when its sitting on your desk it looks like a blank keyboard, almost like a solid slab of metal, but up close when your sitting at your desk the font shines through in just the most amazing yet subtle way. The whole thing is aluminum COATED not full aluminum, but this adds to the aesthetic appeal and gives the keyboard an amazing look. The sharp edges all around combined with the minimalist design just look great. Nothing really else to say about aesthetics. For people that try and say their custom keyboards they built look better.... all i have to say is... no... it doesn't. You need to be a high end designer to get something to look good in the same artistic essence.
Feel:
So the feel on the autore is one of the most interesting and unique things about it. So its a brown switch, but as some notable gamers who use feenix products have been saying... it DOESNT feel like brown switch. It honestly feels right inbetween brown and red. I dont really know how to explain this other than the keycaps are so fluid and effortlessly light that the actuation force is noticeably different than the browns Ive used or owned in the past (mainly being my DAS). The tactile bump is still there in the browns, but its definitely not as HEFTY... so hard to explain... one of those things you really need to try in person. But as for what Im using, this has officially become my favorite keyboard, since im getting essentially best of both worlds from the red and brown switch. Its really personal preference, but what sets this keyboard apart is that ive never felt a brown like this. It feels more like reds that I have used in the past in all honesty... I even had to check the keycaps to make sure they were actually browns.... As for the material the aluminum coating is once again a UNIQUE feel. I think this is personal preference again as well but the coating on this feels like a slightly more textured feel than what is on the back of your iphone 5.... not sure if that really helps... But overall I have to say I like this material better than anything else Ive ever used. It just feels nice. Same way an iphone feels nice. But even functionality wise it is very easy and comfortable to type on. The angle of the keyboard is good as well, subtle upward tilt but not so much that you get wrist cramps. The only thing that you can do to the keyboard to improve the feel in my opinion is add a wristpad, apart from that its flawless.
Build Quality:
So many people have wondered whether its fully aluminum or aluminum coated. Its aluminum coated.... but its actually very hard to tell even when you get it... I know that makes me sound stupid but the coating is not just a coating, its very immaculate and because the plastic is so well put together I had to look at the keyboard for a solid minute before I could tell if it was real aluminum or not. Thats because its so heavy, and there are no hallow points to the case really. There is no break in the case either. What I mean by that is its like a unibody case. There is no area where you see that one plastic piece is screwed onto the other, its a very well fitted unibody case. Theres a gold steel plate (not actual gold just gold colored for aesthetics) running through the length of the case. This metal plate actually goes across the entire keyboard without any breaks, unlike some of the other plates you see running through like on some of those rosewills. There is literally no space where water can spill through the keycaps. I havent spilled anything on it, and I dont really want to... but I imagine if I did nothing would happen.. the liquid would just collect on top of that plate. This also makes it easy for cleaning as well. The edging and everything is pristine, honestly no assembly or manufacturing defect of any kind that I can see. Only thing I did notice was that when a lock key is lit, the white led slightly glows through into the other lock key light holes. I think they could maybe add seperate chambers for these key lock light holes so its independently lit. The usb connection is modular as well, which i was apprehensive about... but the fit is so perfect. This actually makes me love modular cable designs, theres a weirdly satisfying sensation when you plug the usb cable into the back, it just goes in so nicely. So do I wish it was full aluminum? Im not sure on that one yet. Just because its so heavy to me already, and I dont know how much more expensive a full unibody aluminum case would have been. Id like to get input from one of their engineers as to why they didnt just go balls to the walls full aluminum. (Im thinking its a cost related issue) Lastly, the keycaps I have been told are double polyurethane coated. According to some review articles that came up during CES this is actually one of the only keyboards with this kind of PU coating. So from what I have been told the keycaps shouldnt wear at all. But obviously I havent used it enough to test this... but i have tried scratching the font with sharp objects and nothing really happened to it.. so I guess thats a good sign.
Purchasing Practicality:
This is the double edged sword for the autore... (and any feenix product for that matter). You can only buy direct from them. So you get amazing customer service, quality checking on the product, and after purchase support. But you dont get super cheap shipping, you dont get discounts you usually find from amazon or some similar retailer. And the price in general... I think its a bit high. The double PU coating on the keycaps apparently were one of the main reasons for this price hike, and probably the aluminum coating and the metal plate... who knows. But I think if it wasnt such a boutique and restricted purchasing environment it would probably be cheaper. SO obviously no competition means they can price it however they want. Also international customers are getting the shaft because they have to pay EVEN more for shipping. So this is whats going to be the main deciding factor I think for most people that are interested, but can get something for cheaper with free shipping. Id like to see Feenix products not be so exclusive in the future.
Functionality:
There is almost no functionality to the keyboard. Its simple. I personally LOVE that. Plug and play with any OS, and just so minimalist. But this is something thats purely personal preference of what you need. I dont neeed backlighting with an LCD screen and macros... so its perfect for me.
Conclusion:
It is my new full time keyboard. It has beat out my 3 other keyboards, das, filco, CM. Take with that what you will. Im not the most experienced out there so obviously I havent used Topres, or any greens or ergos. But for the mainstream stuff I have used I like it the best.
