Upgraded 'Hybrid' HHKB sale announced

[rxc92]

https://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/news/2019/new191210.html?fbclid=IwAR0SYGtH5zBGS6FuoUXxSXpQ5LdU5Rd1PVQZg3MOdznx8g1qEkWr_juvAkw 
 
From google translate, the main differences are that they can be paired to up to four devices (including phones) and the layout can be altered on internal memory (in addition to the DIP switches). Type-S and regular models are available in the standard black/white, printed/blank, and JIS/ANSI. The price increase is quite steep. A 'Classic' HHKB 2 costs 25,300 yen ($232), a standard Hybrid is 30,250 yen ($279), and the Hybrid Type-S is 35,200 ($324). Finally, the first 3,000 people who purchase the product from today till December 22nd will receive a free.. plastic keyboard roof (lol). 
They're opening or have opened three direct sales locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. 
 
Thoughts? I personally wasn't very impressed, and this probably means that HHKB 3 is not happening any time soon.

[PikaJoyce]

I emailed Fujitsu (USA) last night about HHKB 3 and got this response :

Dear Valued Customer,
Im sorry but I have not heard any information about the HHKB 3 in our department at all. Im not sure if or when it will be sold here in the US.

I was really hoping to see some major improvements to this revision to be honest.

[sleepy]

I'm pretty interested, but i'm unsure what the date range on the preorder page (over here https://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/direct/campaign/hhkb/sale-201912.html) means. I hope its not some kinda limited release.

It also seems like only the BT models are programmable, which is a bit disappointing. The USB-C is nice though, and I really like the new case design of the HHKB classic. I'll probably try get one of those if they go to US/international sellers sometime. Though if that date range is indicating a limited release, then i'm not sure.

[Sup]

The same keyboard but the housing is changed a little bit and USB-C. Maybe the feel has been improved idk would like to hear a review.

[Findecanor]

Apparently, they updated their entire Professional line-up: a total of 16 models, of which four are Professional Classic.
They are probably going to discontinue all older models with Topre.

There is a review in Japanese of the Japanese HYBRID model. According to it, there is slightly less wobble, but I dunno. It might just be his older keyboard that is worn.

[Aerizu]

Apparently, they updated their entire Professional line-up: a total of 16 models, of which four are Professional Classic.
They are probably going to discontinue all older models with Topre.

There is a review in Japanese of the Japanese HYBRID model. According to it, there is slightly less wobble, but I dunno. It might just be his older keyboard that is worn.

Seems like the keymap software is only usable for the HYBRID series, and is only available on Windows.

[swedishpiehole]

I'm pretty interested, but i'm unsure what the date range on the preorder page (over here https://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/direct/campaign/hhkb/sale-201912.html) means. I hope its not some kinda limited release.

It also seems like only the BT models are programmable, which is a bit disappointing. The USB-C is nice though, and I really like the new case design of the HHKB classic. I'll probably try get one of those if they go to US/international sellers sometime. Though if that date range is indicating a limited release, then i'm not sure.

The date range seems to be the "launch period" during which the roof is offered to the first 3000 customers.

Have to say, I'm super underwhelmed with this update. The battery bump means, I assume, that it still takes disposable batteries. Jeez, they added USB-C functionality but didn't put in a rechargeable battery? WTF

[Findecanor]

They have portability as a big point their marketing. So, I think they had prioritised light weight when they designed it.
No batteries ⇒ almost same weight as the wired models.

The real reason for also launching the Professional Classic models now is probably just to share as much parts as possible between the models. The wireless keyboards' battery bump needed a higher bottom, and they use the same tops for all keyboards with classic layout. The USB port is in the same position on all keyboards.

PFU had a launch event in Japan today, which they livestreamed on Youtube, but they have made the videos private afterwards:
Short version, Long version
They are in Japanese, and if you want subtitles you would have to enable auto-translated automatic subtitles.

[Findecanor]

[sleepy]

Dat hhkb hg tho

[benfrain]

Looks like uprated grips on the bottom though? They needed that!

[GlennL42]

Was kinda expecting something more to be honest, it seems like just a product refresh at first glance, with some minor gain like better grip, usb-c (welcome to 2010/almost 2020, PFU ) and a better look IMO (almost Rama work M60-a like with its edges, I wonder if Hybrids design is influenced by M60-a). But I was honestly hoping they would close the gap in variety with Realforce by introducing variable weighting or 55G in the HHKB platform, just why they refused to do that is beyond me.

[shadowku]

Was kinda expecting something more to be honest, it seems like just a product refresh at first glance, with some minor gain like better grip, usb-c (welcome to 2010/almost 2020, PFU ) and a better look IMO (almost Rama work M60-a like with its edges, I wonder if Hybrids design is influenced by M60-a). But I was honestly hoping they would close the gap in variety with Realforce by introducing variable weighting or 55G in the HHKB platform, just why they refused to do that is beyond me.

The jump from the HHKB 1 to HHKB 2 was quite subtle as well. I didn't expect them to do anything crazy and this is about what I expected. The thing I wanted most was to see them eliminate the USB hubs. I'm actually surprised to see that they moved away from mini-USB.

What I was hoping for was that they'd either make Type-S the regular or at least have a Type-S for every variant. I'm not too crazy for Bluetooth so having to go Bluetooth for the Type-S sucks for me.

On another note, I'm glad I kept my unused HHKB stickers. Might use them now if I get one of these HHKBs.

[GlennL42]

The jump from the HHKB 1 to HHKB 2 was quite subtle as well. I didn't expect them to do anything crazy and this is about what I expected. The thing I wanted most was to see them eliminate the USB hubs. I'm actually surprised to see that they moved away from mini-USB.

What I was hoping for was that they'd either make Type-S the regular or at least have a Type-S for every variant. I'm not too crazy for Bluetooth so having to go Bluetooth for the Type-S sucks for me.

On another note, I'm glad I kept my unused HHKB stickers. Might use them now if I get one of these HHKBs.

Well part of my high expectation is from the fact that changes on the Realforce R2 is quite striking, atleast cosmetically, which even the new HHKB didn't change as drastically as well, though I failed to consider the fact that Realforce is produced by Topre themselves while HHKB is by PFU, which may have something to do with the lack of dome variation in HHKB as well.

On side-note, did they improve the space-bar on the Hybrid? Cause that is the most disappointing aspect of previous gen-HHKB for me personally.

[shadowku]

On side-note, did they improve the space-bar on the Hybrid? Cause that is the most disappointing aspect of previous gen-HHKB for me personally.

Do you mean the included ABS spacebar?
I've gotten so used to after-market spacebars that I forgot about that.

[GlennL42]

Do you mean the included ABS spacebar?
I've gotten so used to after-market spacebars that I forgot about that.

I meant the rattle, which is pretty bad on stock HHKB from my previous experience

[VimLover]

I purchased the Black Hybrid with no legends - smoke case through a proxy site.

Since I own pretty much all the HHKBs, I think that the redesign is an acceptable upgrade to force me to buy another one. I am not a huge fan of the BT bump, but lithium ion batteries do have a limited lifespan unlike disposables, and they are far heavier. I also am not a huge fan of the type-S and only use mine when people find my HHKB annoyingly loud. The thock is just far scratchier and doesn't sound right. The thock is what makes Topre Topre.

USB-C is a good ugprade, and I'm glad they ditched the back ports. USB 2.0 + no power made them really useless.

By far the biggest feature - the one I'm shelling out for - is the full programmability in the Hybrid models. I definitely don't think the Classic is worth upgrading for. But being able to do QMK style remaps will be great.

I also opted for the black on black because my white boards have gone yellow over the years, it's super gross.

[shadowku]

I meant the rattle, which is pretty bad on stock HHKB from my previous experience

I haven't seen rattling on my two HHKBs or my FC660C but I did have some on my FC980C which went away after lubing.

[shadowku]

By far the biggest feature - the one I'm shelling out for - is the full programmability in the Hybrid models. I definitely don't think the Classic is worth upgrading for. But being able to do QMK style remaps will be great.

I also opted for the black on black because my white boards have gone yellow over the years, it's super gross.

I'm considering the white hybrid. Not sure if I want Type-S or not, though.

For me, it's mostly the aesthetics that I like. I've HASU'd one of my HHKBs but it wasn't that helpful for me because the stock layout on the HHKB works just fine for how I use it.

My white HHKB from 2012, despite being my daily for a few years hasn't really yellow'd as much as I thought it would. It actually still looks quite nice.

How much of a premium did you pay on the proxy site?

[Sintpinty]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

[caonv]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

Hybrid means you can use the board in either wired or bluetooth, while regurer version offers wired connection only.

[rxc92]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

 
 
It's in the original post, Sint. Learn to read the thread before making stupid comments like this.

[shadowku]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

 
 
It's in the original post, Sint. Learn to read the thread before making stupid comments like this.

There's no need for that type of language.

[rxc92]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

 
 
It's in the original post, Sint. Learn to read the thread before making stupid comments like this.

There's no need for that type of language.

 
 
On the contrary, such comments are common in almost every thread that they comment in. If they are too lazy to even read the original post and then ask about what's in the post, why should anyone else read for them and reiterate what has already been written? No, they need to show a minimum of respect for others before they are afforded the same.

[Sintpinty]

https://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/news/2019/new191210.html?fbclid=IwAR0SYGtH5zBGS6FuoUXxSXpQ5LdU5Rd1PVQZg3MOdznx8g1qEkWr_juvAkw 
 
From google translate, the main differences are that they can be paired to up to four devices (including phones) and the layout can be altered on internal memory (in addition to the DIP switches). Type-S and regular models are available in the standard black/white, printed/blank, and JIS/ANSI. The price increase is quite steep. A 'Classic' HHKB 2 costs 25,300 yen ($232), a standard Hybrid is 30,250 yen ($279), and the Hybrid Type-S is 35,200 ($324). Finally, the first 3,000 people who purchase the product from today till December 22nd will receive a free.. plastic keyboard roof (lol). 
They're opening or have opened three direct sales locations in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya. 
 
Thoughts? I personally wasn't very impressed, and this probably means that HHKB 3 is not happening any time soon.

This means i could possibly use it with my ipad!

Interesting.....

[switchnollie]

What is the difference between hybrid and regular

 
 
It's in the original post, Sint. Learn to read the thread before making stupid comments like this.

There's no need for that type of language.

 
 
On the contrary, such comments are common in almost every thread that they comment in. If they are too lazy to even read the original post and then ask about what's in the post, why should anyone else read for them and reiterate what has already been written? No, they need to show a minimum of respect for others before they are afforded the same.

In the time it took you to say all of this you could have just said the main diff is hybrid has bt and regular doesnt 🧐

[rxc92]

In the time it took you to say all of this you could have just said the main diff is hybrid has bt and regular doesnt 🧐

 
 
Or, and imagine this: you could've just read the original post. Or clicked the link. Too hard for some people though, apparently

[DWawa]

By far the biggest feature - the one I'm shelling out for - is the full programmability in the Hybrid models. I definitely don't think the Classic is worth upgrading for. But being able to do QMK style remaps will be great.

Can you move Fn? Of the programmability, the new HHKB page says, "Except for some keys assigned special functions."

[sleepy]

By far the biggest feature - the one I'm shelling out for - is the full programmability in the Hybrid models. I definitely don't think the Classic is worth upgrading for. But being able to do QMK style remaps will be great.

Can you move Fn? Of the programmability, the new HHKB page says, "Except for some keys assigned special functions."

yeah it'd be nice to see the full limitations / implementation of the software once someone gets their hands on one of the hybrids. My interest mainly lies in using some of the right modifiers for stuff, as I never use them for their intended purpose.

[DWawa]

A key question for me is whether the Hasu controller will work with the new Classic, since it might be better than PFU's implementation. My Pro 2 works fine now (with occasional slight stickiness on left shift), but it would be good to know what the best option for a back-up is. The choice might be Hybrid versus Classic with Hasu.

[RefrigeratedToiletPaper]

Does anyone know when and where I can scoop one of these hybrids in the US?