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geekhack Marketplace => Vendor Forums => MechanicalKeyboards.com => Topic started by: JoshMK on Fri, 23 May 2014, 13:19:30
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Ducky sent us a Mini to test/use/sample and I must say, I LOVE it.
First and foremost, I am no expert in keyboards nor journalism. I'm just your average mechanical keyboard lover and these are my opinions and observations.
To be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I saw the production model online. I prefer the simpler look of the Mini v.1, Poker/Pure, etc. However, those feelings have been thrown out the window! In person this board is a thing of beauty and the aluminum surrounding looks great. They are what I'll call 4 layers for this situation:
Layer 1 (bottom) has the base of the board, feet, etc, and it's plastic. Level 2 and level 4 (top) are 3mm slabs of aluminum with a 9mm plastic (layer 3) piece sandwiched in between.
The overall dimensions : 12" W x 5" D x 1.25" H (305mm W x 127mm D x 31.75mm H)
Weight : 1lb, 10oz (730g)
The keys feel very sturdy and relatively quiet. There's no odd thud or audible spring noises. Hopefully they'll also release a "mini wrist rest", as the TKL wrist rest is 15" long.
The function layer is set up quite nicely. No matter what mode you're in (even LEDs completely off), when you press the Fn button, the function layer is illuminated. There's a secondary function layer with Fn+Alt that deals with the lighting.
Although I'm not the biggest fan of LED boards, this one's quite wonderful.
Mode 0 : LEDs off
Mode 1 : All LEDs on. You can adjust the color. This is a dual LED (blue/red split LED for each key) so you can have blue, red, or any combo of both.
Mode 2 : Wave left to right. Blend of blue, red, pink, purple, etc.
Mode 3 : Wave top to bottom. Blend of blue, red, pink, purple, etc.
Mode 4 : Breathing. Blue -> Red -> Pink -> Blue
Mode 5 : "Random"? A new LED mode that lights up keys at random with different colors.
Mode 6 : "Random V.2"? All LEDs are lit, but change color every second or so.
Mode 7 : Reactive. LED activated when key is pressed.
Mode 8 : Seems same as Mode 7?
Videos :
Mode 5 : Mode 7/8 : Mode 23 (0-11 sec / 12-21 sec) :
Please note... the LEDs are MUCH more vivid in person than on those vids.
There is some customization, however this may or not be the final production model, so I won't go into that quite yet.
Pricing will be very competitive with other 60% boards. We're currently expecting blue and red MX at the end of June with black/brown MX a little later.
And no, this sample won't be available for purchase.
If you have any comments, concern, or questions, just reply here! You can also email/PM me!
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Can you post a chart of all the keyboard short cuts? (ie: Arrow navigation, page up/down, etc...)
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Wow - fantastic! I SAID it was aluminium case! :p
Mode 5 lighting it too hypnotic - I can see myself activating it and just staring at it for hours (at work when things get quiet) :))
For reference, it seems the HHKB weighs around 530g (1 lb 3oz), so this would be noticeably heavier.
Does it seem to slide around much on the desk?
Edit: Also the bottom row seems to be 1.25x across the board - is the space bar 6.25x with standard stems? I can't really see Ducky doing anything else, but doesn't hurt to ask.
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I'm interested!
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Can you post a chart of all the keyboard short cuts? (ie: Arrow navigation, page up/down, etc...)
One other question in addition to my quoted one : Can the left/right alt be switched with FN?
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Looks fantastic. I don't mind the extra bulkiness for 60% board.
I just hope it doesn't cost too much.
Will this have a plate?
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Looks stunning, might be interested depending on price. :O
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Nice keyboard, can you write about your exp with mouse movement keys?
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Will this be plate mounted? If so, is the plate mounted into the case sides or is it supported by the switches?
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Has ducky ever produced a board that wasn't plate mounted?
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Has ducky ever produced a board that wasn't plate mounted?
Some might argue the XM Alps boards weren't really plate mounted :D
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> mode 7/8
> some thing very wrong happens
...looks down to see the key you didn't expect you had typed just fade out, mockingly
the breathing/disco floor modes would be awesome if they could be tied to scroll lock light or something, so you could set it via software... receive IM... keyboard lights up with motion... That would be awesome. and minimally useful...
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Sample won't be for sale because you'll never let it go! :p
I'm really diggin' that board, if only I wasn't an hhkb fanboy!
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Can you post a chart of all the keyboard short cuts? (ie: Arrow navigation, page up/down, etc...)
I can and I will. Give me a day or so to catch up from the 3-day weekend.
Mode 5 lighting it too hypnotic - I can see myself activating it and just staring at it for hours (at work when things get quiet) :))
For reference, it seems the HHKB weighs around 530g (1 lb 3oz), so this would be noticeably heavier.
Does it seem to slide around much on the desk?
Edit: Also the bottom row seems to be 1.25x across the board - is the space bar 6.25x with standard stems? I can't really see Ducky doing anything else, but doesn't hurt to ask.
Mode 5 is spectacular. I'm not a huge fan of LED boards, but this mode is something else.
This is no doubt a heavy board. Excellent weapon if needed.
It actually doesn't slide well at all. It has 4 rectangular rubber feet that are mighty soft and stick well to my wooden desk.
Yes, the SB is 6.25x
Nice keyboard, can you write about your exp with mouse movement keys?
Ehhh... "silly"? I don't understand the use as I'm much quicker and more accurate with the mouse that's 6" away from the board. However, I suppose people were interested in the function or Ducky wouldn't have included it.
Looks fantastic. I don't mind the extra bulkiness for 60% board.
I just hope it doesn't cost too much.
Will this have a plate?
Cost will be below similar 60% boards.
And yes, it's plate mount.
Sample won't be for sale because you'll never let it go! :p
;)
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Any word on the possibility of clears?
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Any word on the possibility of clears?
YES having the option of Clears should make this keyboard one of those MUST HAVE's here on Geekhack :thumb: . Please make this happen officially before it's finally released.
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I'm really diggin' that board, if only I wasn't an hhkb fanboy!
AKA: Topre Posterboy?
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I'm really diggin' that board, if only I wasn't an hhkb fanboy!
AKA: Topre Posterboy?
I wish!
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will there be availability for preorders?
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will there be availability for preorders?
Yes, of course! However, the current ETA is "June-July". Stay tuned :thumb:
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Any word on the possibility of clears?
YES having the option of Clears should make this keyboard one of those MUST HAVE's here on Geekhack :thumb: . Please make this happen officially before it's finally released.
As always, people aren't made out of money but having a few bucks thrown on top of the price is better than not having the option at all..
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I'd love to see a take apart of this keyboard. Or better yet, take it apart myself. :p
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Is it just me, or it looks like a Poker in a fancy case?
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Is it just me, or it looks like a Poker in a fancy case?
That's one of the reasons I want to take it apart. :p
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I'm surprised Mashby hasn't done this already, but I am so tempted to just drive to mechanicalkeyboards.com's office and try this thing out. I'm guessing I wouldn't make it past security.... :))
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Is it just me, or it looks like a Poker in a fancy case?
That's one of the reasons I want to take it apart. :p
That's why I asked about the plate mounting.
I was hopping it was going to be plate mounted similar to other Korean type boards where the plate is supported by the case and not by other switches.
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Is it possible to fit the mini into poker custom case?
Edit: nevermind, it isn't compatible.
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Ho' man. My want is so much...I need this board... Need. :|
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Any confirmation on whether this is plate mounted or PCB?
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I am fairly certain it is plate mounted since all currently produced Duckys are plate mounted. I will check tomorrow, when I go in to work... :thumb:
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Any eta?
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Really interesting. Is the LED intensity adjustable, and if so, on how many levels ?
Also, you say that the price will be more or less the same as comparable 60% boards, so can we expect it to be priced about the same as a Pure Pro, or is it in a different league entirely ?
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Timeframe for these still in June?
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It looks like PC Case Gear has them up for pre-order with an estimated arrival date of August 29th 2014. http://www.pccasegear.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=113_1361&products_id=28247&zenid=0ea1b4639714f8a2b05304297a157e60
Any new news from y'all? I'd prefer to order from you guys.
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We've had our up for pre-order for a week or longer now.
Assuming you want a blue MC / gray case : http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=952
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Both you and PCCG have only MX blue and MX red - do you know if Ducky Mini will be available with MX black or green?
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All Ducky told us was blue/red were all that will be available at this time due to a shortage of black and brown. I don't know if those will be released later, or not at all. Same with any other switch types.
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I'm a dumb. Thanks for the link, Josh.
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All Ducky told us was blue/red were all that will be available at this time due to a shortage of black and brown. I don't know if those will be released later, or not at all. Same with any other switch types.
I guess each switch goes through their shortage period.
Thanks for the update! :)
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Is the listed depth of 1.25" correct? On Ducky's website it states that they lowered the switches down as far as they would go yet by the specification on MK the depth is the same as all other boards they sell.
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Cherry needs to MAKE MOAR SWITCHES :(