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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 10:35:19

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 10:35:19

Check it (http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fakiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp%2Fhotline%2F20100522%2Fetc_topre.html).  They discuss the low-noise Topre and few other prototypes.  Apparently, the low-noise switch has dampening material that prevents noise on the upstroke and not the downstroke since it's already quiet as is.  Another interesting note is that the company feels that the 55g. models are more popular in the US market and the 30g. models are more popular in Japan.  They state that one of the reasons is due to more female users in Japan.  Anyway, check out the article, and let's see if any of this stuff is made available outside of the Asian markets.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 10:54:00

Yeah, that thing's pretty hideous, isn't it?  I do like the label they used for the lock lights.  Maybe we can get them to do an orange keyboard with gray keys for Geekhack.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:04:44

oooh,  I like this prototype - they need to do this in a STANDARD layout:
(http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20100522/image/vrf5.jpg)

All your base are belong to us.
(http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20100522/image/vrf11.jpg)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:08:37

I like a woman with strong fingers.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:11:51

I'd use an ilovex (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/ampll/20100418/1271580442) in a standard layout
(http://ampll.org/hatena_img/20100418_rf_3.jpg)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:15:58

Quote from: ripster;185375

Elliot Spitzer's call girl filed a RSI complaint with OSHA.

Well done.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:23:26

I want this for a keychain so I can feel the good feeling of oneness with cup rubber anytime I put my hand in my pocket.

(http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20100522/image/vrf12.jpg)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:36:00

I hope they come out with a US version of the uTron.  That is a sweet 'board.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:38:40

I, personally, would like a 30g. HHKB.  If Realforces were cheaper, I would do a mod, and sell the unused 'board.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:46:53

Quote from: didjamatic;185370

oooh,  I like this prototype - they need to do this in a STANDARD layout:

Show Image

(http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20100522/image/vrf5.jpg)

I agree didj - although what would really make it better is if they didn't use topre switches in this layout... maybe cherries would be better. (what can I say I'm a cherry fan)

And throw in a trackpoint too and it would be perfect.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=10202&stc=1&d=1274460310)

Oh wait I already have that keyboard.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:53:23

Quote from: ripster;185392

I WAS going to tell Didja it would be pretty easy to hack up a HHKB for $3 keychains.

Yeah, I should have bought and hacked up elbowglue's Realforce 101 that went for only $100 on ebay - I tried to snipe it but my iphone choked at the last minute.  That would have been only $1 per switch and I could sell them as cup rubber switch dangly cell phone things that make you game better for $20 each.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:54:46

Quote from: elbowglue;185396

I agree didj - although what would really make it better is if they didn't use topre switches in this layout... maybe cherries would be better. (what can I say I'm a cherry fan)  And throw in a trackpoint too and it would be perfect.  Oh wait I already have that keyboard.

If I could find a Desko with blues or browns, I would pwn it.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:57:19

Quote from: didjamatic;185401

If I could find a Desko with blues or browns, I would pwn it.

Buy the desko in blacks from ebay, I got mine $45 shipped, take about 2 hours of your time to switch the switches out, boom you're done.  It's still on sale on ebay.  
The guy ships from Hawaii. 4 left (http://cgi.ebay.com/DESKO-MOS-5023-UP-KEYBOARD-USED-4-AIRPORT-CHECK-/150354249772?cmd=ViewItem&pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item2301cfc82c)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 11:59:57

I've seen that auction and considered it but I don't have any spare blues to use so the cost would go up significantly.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 12:04:00

Quote from: webwit;185397

I do think if you're patient, you can pick up the μTRON board for much cheaper. Same price still on the website, but I've seen the photos of that keyboard in Japanese shops. They have stock, but they don't expect to actually sell anyone of those for that price are they?!? They will realize their mistake and cut prices eventually.

I agree.  Other than the controller, there really isn't anything special going on with the uTron to warrant the price.  The HHKB has a special controller to handle its unique layout, but it doesn't retail for much more than the Realforce.  Splitting a keyboard isn't worth an additional $250, IMO.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: didjamatic on Fri, 21 May 2010, 12:08:33

Lower production numbers = increased manufacturing costs.  I bet they don't make very many uTrons compared even to HHKB's but that's just a guess.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 12:10:13

True.  The Tron mode that it has might be a little more special than that.  That just further proves my point, though.  The uTron has some pretty cool accessories, too.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: Morning Song on Fri, 21 May 2010, 12:40:21

Bah! Bah, I say! I happen to be female, and i rather like the weight of buckling spring keys! And the wiki says those are 70 grams!

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 21 May 2010, 15:00:02

Why do I want this monstrosity? I could get this one and give up all others, and not end up with fewer switches.

(http://akiba-pc.watch.impress.co.jp/hotline/20100522/image/vrf11.jpg)

Is vrf11 the model number?

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 15:03:48

I didn't really pay too much attention to it before, but I wonder what's blurred out on that placard.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: negidaku on Fri, 21 May 2010, 16:06:55

The blurred text is probably the name of the company or organization that uses that customized keyboard.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 21 May 2010, 16:11:27

Good call.  It was probably in Japanese, so I wouldn't have been able to read it, anyway.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 21 May 2010, 16:36:09

Quote from: negidaku;185501

The blurred text is probably the name of the company or organization that uses that customized keyboard.

Interestingly enough, I noticed that what was on a couple of the keycaps has also been painted over in the image, also presumably to hide the identity of the customer.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: Morning Song on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:23:35

I wonder if it has NKRO. *.*

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:25:29

We have this running theory around here that all capacitive keyboards are capable of NKRO without further modification... The limiting factor here is that they don't seem to offer any PS/2 versions of their boards any more.

In fact, has anyone around got a Realforce 101? I think Nowsharing did... that was PS/2 only so it would be interesting to see if that had NKRO.

Get a Model F, the layout isn't that bad :P

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: Infinite north on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:44:09

Trying to use that thing would make me feel like an organist
(http://www.undermountain.org/monster-con-26.jpg)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:45:20

Could be worse -

(http://geekhack.org/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=113)

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: Morning Song on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:46:25

I'm mostly being silly here :) Having visions of that many keys, all pressed at once. It's as glorious as it is silly.

But in all seriousness... are the AT model F's capacitive too? If so, i have some shopping to do.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: elbowglue on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:47:13

Quote from: ch_123;185517

In fact, has anyone around got a Realforce 101? I think Nowsharing did... that was PS/2 only so it would be interesting to see if that had NKRO.

Get a Model F, the layout isn't that bad :P

The Realforce 101 was indeed NKRO over Ps/2

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:47:43

The Model F uses a capacitive buckling spring system. Due to the nuances of the mechanism, they're noticeably nicer to type on compared with a Model M.

They have NKRO too.

Quote

The Realforce 101 was indeed NKRO over Ps/2

Thought so =]

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: Rajagra on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:53:26

Quote from: ch_123;185533

Could be worse -

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=113)

Ironically, that would keep the mouse within easier reach than most people's keyboards.

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 21 May 2010, 17:57:13

That thing is an awful lot bigger than the picture would suggest...

Title: Topre Realforce Event/News
Post by: kriminal on Fri, 21 May 2010, 18:01:37

ugh look at that spacebar... ewwww