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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: MMKB on Wed, 06 December 2017, 14:50:50

Title: [IC] MMKB: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Wed, 06 December 2017, 14:50:50

Hi folks,

I'm excited to share with you the concept of a new 40% case. It grows from my own desire for a truly perfect 40% HHKB-style keyboard and my gripes about my 45% and 40% keyboards. All in all, it's still an early concept and sadly I won't be able to push it over the edge due to other commitment. But it would be fun to have an open discussion here.

The Case, Rendered by Xondat

[attachimg=2]

The Layout

[attachimg=1]

The Mapping -- not essential to this topic but just an example in terms of usability.

[attachimg=3]

Design

Minimaluminiumalism: M0110/HHKB-style, symmetric, aluminum, and 40%. Similiar to X60 but seamless, i.e. the bottom piece is hidden.
Compatibility: Support JD40, Daisy, Golbat, AMJ or similar 40% PCBs. (TBD: different port positions?) Compatible with most keysets.
Top: Angular, angled, thin and seamless. High-profile. Blocked corners. Adequate (5 mm) and even bezel.
Plate: Layout will be as it is. Support switch top opening -- 40% should be mod-friendly. Acrylic or aluminum. Top case mounted.
Bottom: A hidden bottom piece with rubber feet.
Portability: Meant to be lightweight so most likely without brass weight.
Acoustic: Typing should sound deep, solid and fun. I'll explore different plate materials to optimize the sound.
Name: Mumu is the name of my (somewhat small in size) cat.

Summary

The good: Minimal, sharp, small and easy to carry around. Easy to modify because of fewer keys. Beautiful, long spacebar. Compatibility.
The bad: The layout will probably be final since I couldn't perfect it anymore. It has only 38 keys so usability is quite a personal thing. Probably no brass weight needed.
The ugly: I'll not be able to commit to it anytime soon.

Please let me know what you think. Any suggestion would be appreciated! You can find the keyboard-layout-editor link here: https://goo.gl/RGdKUy (https://goo.gl/RGdKUy). Thank you!

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: Vigrith on Wed, 06 December 2017, 15:15:51

issa yes

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: xondat on Wed, 06 December 2017, 15:17:53

I'm not sure I understand the bottom piece but otherwise I like the concept and should be fairly easy to figure everything out with time :thumb:

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Wed, 06 December 2017, 17:42:34

Quote from: xondat on Wed, 06 December 2017, 15:17:53

I'm not sure I understand the bottom piece but otherwise I like the concept and should be fairly easy to figure everything out with time :thumb:

Glad you like it too, Xondat. How about making that the X40? ;)

What I meant is that the bottom piece is a flat plate screwed into the case from below. Similar to the old Mac mini, the case seems unibody because the bottom is hidden from sight.

[attachimg=1]

Like the Daisy, the order from top to bottom: one-body case, plate, PCB, acrylic bottom piece, and screws.

[attach=2]

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: mastercheif116 on Thu, 07 December 2017, 07:46:38

Might be a stupid idea but what about a "WKL" version? It looks like you have 1.5u on either side of the bottom row for those blockers, an option for that 1.5u blocker to be in WKLish position would be awesome. I dunno why I love it so much, but WKL versions of small boards look hilarious and fantastic to me.

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: xondat on Thu, 07 December 2017, 09:02:39

Quote from: Khylnn on Wed, 06 December 2017, 17:42:34

Quote from: xondat on Wed, 06 December 2017, 15:17:53
I'm not sure I understand the bottom piece but otherwise I like the concept and should be fairly easy to figure everything out with time :thumb:

Glad you like it too, Xondat. How about making that the X40? ;)

What I meant is that the bottom piece is a flat plate screwed into the case from below. Similar to the old Mac mini, the case seems unibody because the bottom is hidden from sight.

(Attachment Link)

Like the Daisy, the order from top to bottom: one-body case, plate, PCB, acrylic bottom piece, and screws.

(Attachment Link)

Oh I see what you mean now.

Like this?

(https://i.imgur.com/50hzep5.png)

I haven't seen a lot about the Daisy, but would it just be something like that but with blockers?

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Thu, 07 December 2017, 14:35:28

Quote from: xondat on Thu, 07 December 2017, 09:02:39

Oh I see what you mean now.

Like this?

More
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/50hzep5.png)

I haven't seen a lot about the Daisy, but would it just be something like that but with blockers?

@Xondat, you just drew the keyboard of my dream. I want to thank you for that!

Would you mind me adding the mockup to the original IC post with your name on it?

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: Koobaczech on Thu, 07 December 2017, 14:53:42

That's so funny, moomoo is my cats name xD

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Thu, 07 December 2017, 17:50:29

Quote from: mastercheif116 on Thu, 07 December 2017, 07:46:38

Might be a stupid idea but what about a "WKL" version? It looks like you have 1.5u on either side of the bottom row for those blockers, an option for that 1.5u blocker to be in WKLish position would be awesome. I dunno why I love it so much, but WKL versions of small boards look hilarious and fantastic to me.

Totally fine. I tried it too and although the space is a little cramped, you can still do WKL. Looks funny, right?

[attach=1]

Title: Re: Mumu: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Thu, 07 December 2017, 17:52:54

Quote from: Koobaczech on Thu, 07 December 2017, 14:53:42

That's so funny, moomoo is my cats name xD

Not Pearl? Haha.

Now we have two Moomoo/Mumu.

Title: Re: [IC] MMKB: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: azharkh on Sun, 07 January 2018, 17:06:07

I've been holding off on getting a blocked JD45 because I wasn't too keen on the case. I've also been kicking myself for not getting an X60.

This is exactly what I need.

Title: Re: [IC] MMKB: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: MMKB on Sun, 07 January 2018, 18:53:29

Quote from: azharkh on Sun, 07 January 2018, 17:06:07

I've been holding off on getting a blocked JD45 because I wasn't too keen on the case. I've also been kicking myself for not getting an X60.

This is exactly what I need.

Thank you! The blocked JD45 case is indeed a huge miss. That's why we have the Pearl! That said, Xondat just revealed on Intagram that he will do a small run of X60 with V2 internals. ^-^

Title: Re: [IC] MMKB: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: kmba on Sun, 07 January 2018, 19:14:51

Are you saying this is an IC for a board that will not be made?

Title: Re: [IC] MMKB: an HHKB-style 40% Case
Post by: azharkh on Sun, 07 January 2018, 20:00:49

Quote from: Khylnn on Sun, 07 January 2018, 18:53:29

Quote from: azharkh on Sun, 07 January 2018, 17:06:07
I've been holding off on getting a blocked JD45 because I wasn't too keen on the case. I've also been kicking myself for not getting an X60.

This is exactly what I need.

Thank you! The blocked JD45 case is indeed a huge miss. That's why we have the Pearl! That said, Xondat just revealed on Intagram that he will do a small run of X60 with V2 internals. ^-^

welp, time to sell my klippe.

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