CM Storm Novatouch

[Quardah]

If the rumoured pricing for the keyboard is true, to be around ~200+, then I guess I'll be going for the FC660C :/

I don't get this. The FC660c is almost $200 anyway and has a non standard layout. For the small price difference the Novatouch will be a much better purchase.

Am I insane or did you all expect this thing to be priced like an MX board? Topre boards are all pricey and this has way better features than most while still being cheaper than a HHKB.

Since the Novatouch is a TKL keyboard mainly using different sliders, I don't see why the cost should be any different from that of a TypeHeaven for around ~$150+. As Xowie said, for 200$, why bother getting a Novatouch that comes with stock ABS keycaps, only to be switched to another keycap set and pay an extra $50+ more, when I can just buy an HHKB for a little bit more than $200 or a Leopold FC660C for a little bit less than $200 which includes the cost of PBT keycaps coming as stock.

That's fair, if you're happy with stock caps then this probably isn't the board for you.

Happy with stock keycaps? No sir, I'm talking about quality keycaps. From your "replace stock keycaps on novatouch" logic: if I were to get an HHKB or FC660C for around 230$, you would waste another $50-$100 to buy a "new" "replacement" keycap set for those keyboards that already have quality keycaps. If a keyboard comes with quality PBT keycaps, whether dyesub or blank, why should I bother wasting money getting a replacement set? The NovaTouch comes with ABS keycaps, so of course I would replace stock ABS keycaps with some quality PBT keycaps or at least some doubeshots. I'd rather not spend the extra $50 to $100 for a thick PBT dyesub set for the novatouch, when I can pay only slightly more for an HHKB or FC660C.

Then you're clearly not the target audience for this board. Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps? Then you'd all be complaining that they'd juiced up the price for caps you don't want. And I'd also like to know where you're getting HHKB's so cheaply.

Out of curiousity I decided to do a mini roundup on Topre boards just to clear up pricing.

Type Heaven @ $129 - No TKL available so not a great comparison, ABS Caps, some say not quite as sturdy as Topre boards. Made in China.
Leopold FC660C @ $189 - Lasered PBT (dye sub is $220), solid construction. Made in China.
Realforce 87U @ $199 - PBT dye subs, very well constructed board. Made in Japan.
HHKB @ $260 - Same as above.

None of these boards support MX caps obviously so the question you need to ask yourself is how much do you like the stock ones? We all know sourcing Topre caps is a total joke, you'll be looking at $150+ for a full set.

"Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps?"

Why not?

I mean not because you can change the caps means you have too. And if the main selling point was really the ability to add MX caps then why can't it comes without caps?

I understand that the board is made so people can use Topre while still using MX compatible caps, that's fine. But it's not an excuse to over-charge cheap keycaps. Some CM boards are under 100$, therefore i strongly believe this one will be close to this price. I mean, a set of the cheapest ABS caps, on the cheapest PCB inside the cheapest case, even if there's a "revolutionary" new Topre/MX stem, it can't be 200$. That's just impossible for CM to do that.

If they do, well, i hope they are not expecting to sell much. Cause what will a consumer do in front of mechanical boards when it comes to choose which one he wants? Get an MX like everyone does or try this new board using Topre switches but MX stems which are things clearly beyond his understanding for twice the price?

200$ board would mean suicide for a plan that will only work if they manage to properly flood the market.

[bueller]

If the rumoured pricing for the keyboard is true, to be around ~200+, then I guess I'll be going for the FC660C :/

I don't get this. The FC660c is almost $200 anyway and has a non standard layout. For the small price difference the Novatouch will be a much better purchase.

Am I insane or did you all expect this thing to be priced like an MX board? Topre boards are all pricey and this has way better features than most while still being cheaper than a HHKB.

Since the Novatouch is a TKL keyboard mainly using different sliders, I don't see why the cost should be any different from that of a TypeHeaven for around ~$150+. As Xowie said, for 200$, why bother getting a Novatouch that comes with stock ABS keycaps, only to be switched to another keycap set and pay an extra $50+ more, when I can just buy an HHKB for a little bit more than $200 or a Leopold FC660C for a little bit less than $200 which includes the cost of PBT keycaps coming as stock.

That's fair, if you're happy with stock caps then this probably isn't the board for you.

Happy with stock keycaps? No sir, I'm talking about quality keycaps. From your "replace stock keycaps on novatouch" logic: if I were to get an HHKB or FC660C for around 230$, you would waste another $50-$100 to buy a "new" "replacement" keycap set for those keyboards that already have quality keycaps. If a keyboard comes with quality PBT keycaps, whether dyesub or blank, why should I bother wasting money getting a replacement set? The NovaTouch comes with ABS keycaps, so of course I would replace stock ABS keycaps with some quality PBT keycaps or at least some doubeshots. I'd rather not spend the extra $50 to $100 for a thick PBT dyesub set for the novatouch, when I can pay only slightly more for an HHKB or FC660C.

Then you're clearly not the target audience for this board. Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps? Then you'd all be complaining that they'd juiced up the price for caps you don't want. And I'd also like to know where you're getting HHKB's so cheaply.

Out of curiousity I decided to do a mini roundup on Topre boards just to clear up pricing.

Type Heaven @ $129 - No TKL available so not a great comparison, ABS Caps, some say not quite as sturdy as Topre boards. Made in China.
Leopold FC660C @ $189 - Lasered PBT (dye sub is $220), solid construction. Made in China.
Realforce 87U @ $199 - PBT dye subs, very well constructed board. Made in Japan.
HHKB @ $260 - Same as above.

None of these boards support MX caps obviously so the question you need to ask yourself is how much do you like the stock ones? We all know sourcing Topre caps is a total joke, you'll be looking at $150+ for a full set.

"Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps?"

Why not?

I mean not because you can change the caps means you have too. And if the main selling point was really the ability to add MX caps then why can't it comes without caps?

I understand that the board is made so people can use Topre while still using MX compatible caps, that's fine. But it's not an excuse to over-charge cheap keycaps. Some CM boards are under 100$, therefore i strongly believe this one will be close to this price. I mean, a set of the cheapest ABS caps, on the cheapest PCB inside the cheapest case, even if there's a "revolutionary" new Topre/MX stem, it can't be 200$. That's just impossible for CM to do that.

Again comparing apples to oranges, what does the price of an MX Coolermaster board have to do with anything? Look at the prices I posted above, the Novatouch is priced similarly to other Topre boards but is actually doing something new. The research and development to pump out the sliders would not have been cheap and you guys act like they just knocked it up in CAD overnight. They've been working on this board for like a year now. It would cost a **** load of money to create all the tooling to produce these boards on a large scale.

EDIT: One other thing, I think you guys are putting a little bit too much weight in the value added by PBT caps on some Topre boards, they might sell for $100 retail but there is no way that the manufacturers are paying anything close to that for them.

[Xowie]

Again comparing apples to oranges, what does the price of an MX Coolermaster board have to do with anything? Look at the prices I posted above, the Novatouch is priced similarly to other Topre boards but is actually doing something new. The research and development to pump out the sliders would not have been cheap and you guys act like they just knocked it up in CAD overnight. They've been working on this board for like a year now. It would cost a **** load of money to create all the tooling to produce these boards on a large scale.

EDIT: One other thing, I think you guys are putting a little bit too much weight in the value added by PBT caps on some Topre boards, they might sell for $100 retail but there is no way that the manufacturers are paying anything close to that for them.

My take:
People are expecting quality and pricing to be similar to a type heaven. If it is significantly more, I think most of CM's audience will pass for a much cheaper MX version. People who already have topre boards will probably be more likely to test it out if it is ~$100.
I think it will be very interesting to see how they price this.

[Quardah]

If the rumoured pricing for the keyboard is true, to be around ~200+, then I guess I'll be going for the FC660C :/

I don't get this. The FC660c is almost $200 anyway and has a non standard layout. For the small price difference the Novatouch will be a much better purchase.

Am I insane or did you all expect this thing to be priced like an MX board? Topre boards are all pricey and this has way better features than most while still being cheaper than a HHKB.

Since the Novatouch is a TKL keyboard mainly using different sliders, I don't see why the cost should be any different from that of a TypeHeaven for around ~$150+. As Xowie said, for 200$, why bother getting a Novatouch that comes with stock ABS keycaps, only to be switched to another keycap set and pay an extra $50+ more, when I can just buy an HHKB for a little bit more than $200 or a Leopold FC660C for a little bit less than $200 which includes the cost of PBT keycaps coming as stock.

That's fair, if you're happy with stock caps then this probably isn't the board for you.

Happy with stock keycaps? No sir, I'm talking about quality keycaps. From your "replace stock keycaps on novatouch" logic: if I were to get an HHKB or FC660C for around 230$, you would waste another $50-$100 to buy a "new" "replacement" keycap set for those keyboards that already have quality keycaps. If a keyboard comes with quality PBT keycaps, whether dyesub or blank, why should I bother wasting money getting a replacement set? The NovaTouch comes with ABS keycaps, so of course I would replace stock ABS keycaps with some quality PBT keycaps or at least some doubeshots. I'd rather not spend the extra $50 to $100 for a thick PBT dyesub set for the novatouch, when I can pay only slightly more for an HHKB or FC660C.

Then you're clearly not the target audience for this board. Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps? Then you'd all be complaining that they'd juiced up the price for caps you don't want. And I'd also like to know where you're getting HHKB's so cheaply.

Out of curiousity I decided to do a mini roundup on Topre boards just to clear up pricing.

Type Heaven @ $129 - No TKL available so not a great comparison, ABS Caps, some say not quite as sturdy as Topre boards. Made in China.
Leopold FC660C @ $189 - Lasered PBT (dye sub is $220), solid construction. Made in China.
Realforce 87U @ $199 - PBT dye subs, very well constructed board. Made in Japan.
HHKB @ $260 - Same as above.

None of these boards support MX caps obviously so the question you need to ask yourself is how much do you like the stock ones? We all know sourcing Topre caps is a total joke, you'll be looking at $150+ for a full set.

"Why would they put decent caps on a board that's main selling point is the ability to add MX caps?"

Why not?

I mean not because you can change the caps means you have too. And if the main selling point was really the ability to add MX caps then why can't it comes without caps?

I understand that the board is made so people can use Topre while still using MX compatible caps, that's fine. But it's not an excuse to over-charge cheap keycaps. Some CM boards are under 100$, therefore i strongly believe this one will be close to this price. I mean, a set of the cheapest ABS caps, on the cheapest PCB inside the cheapest case, even if there's a "revolutionary" new Topre/MX stem, it can't be 200$. That's just impossible for CM to do that.

Again comparing apples to oranges, what does the price of an MX Coolermaster board have to do with anything? Look at the prices I posted above, the Novatouch is priced similarly to other Topre boards but is actually doing something new. The research and development to pump out the sliders would not have been cheap and you guys act like they just knocked it up in CAD overnight. They've been working on this board for like a year now. It would cost a **** load of money to create all the tooling to produce these boards on a large scale.

EDIT: One other thing, I think you guys are putting a little bit too much weight in the value added by PBT caps on some Topre boards, they might sell for $100 retail but there is no way that the manufacturers are paying anything close to that for them.

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

[Justintoxicated]

Is it time to start calling this board the nevertouch yet?   I don't think it is ever coming out.

[minho]

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

$120 retail for Topre is unheard of. $70-90 for a mechanical keyboard (most common price of the QFR, even lower with special discounts) was definitely not unheard of.

[Quardah]

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

$120 retail for Topre is unheard of. $70-90 for a mechanical keyboard (most common price of the QFR, even lower with special discounts) was definitely not unheard of.

Yea well this is what i'm expecting, higher is just out of mind. It's the most cash-saving decent board i've heard of.

Also think about this; if they pop out the Novatouch line with multiple MX board and their new Topre MX-Compatible board, they'll have to drop em on the same price tag, else a person looking for a board which doesn't really know the difference will only grasp the price difference and go straight to MX.

[HoffmanMyster]

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

[Quardah]

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

Indeed and i would like it as well, but CM as always targeted the enthousiast level of users and not the high-end professional one. Look at CM cases, boards, mice and cooling system; they are great products, but great products ACCORDING to their prices. There's is always something above them in the fields they are working on, therefore this is why people expect them to deliver lower-end boards.

I'm not saying it's bad, i'm just saying that considering their history, there is a "pattern" we expect. Also if it fell like a good quality board then why mind if it's 120$. Price doesn't really means better, it only means more expensive.

If the Topre Novatouch fits you flawlessly then the price doesn't matter.

Also i'm a little unsure about the whole pricing stuff; if the Topre edition gets to expensive, it'll be overthrown by it's MX counterpart. If it's the other way around and all the Novatouchs are at same price tag, i strongly believe the Topre one will litterally outsell and outshine all other CMs.

We'll see.

[Xowie]

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

$120 retail for Topre is unheard of. $70-90 for a mechanical keyboard (most common price of the QFR, even lower with special discounts) was definitely not unheard of.

Type heaven is pretty close. I think most of the speculation was ~$150 price tag.

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

To be fair, I think it is a consequence of CM exploiting this part of the market successfully (which is not a bad thing imo). They built their image on offering mid range quality at a very reasonable price. In this regard, I don't think it is unreasonable for people to be somewhat hesitant for a product that is rumored to have premium pricing.

[HoffmanMyster]

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

To be fair, I think it is a consequence of CM exploiting this part of the market successfully (which is not a bad thing imo). They built their image on offering mid range quality at a very reasonable price. In this regard, I don't think it is unreasonable for people to be somewhat hesitant for a product that is rumored to have premium pricing.

I completely agree.  I was simply bringing up the possibility that it's priced as such due to an increase in quality.  Everyone seems to be making assumptions, and I'm just trying to steer people towards waiting and seeing what actually happens.   

I'm not the biggest fan of speculation, in case that wasn't clear. 

[Abn]

I talked to a rep yesterday on release and he said this.


Cant say specifics because we are working on a global launch. We will have a notification sign up page released a few weeks before.

[minho]

We will have a notification sign up page released a few weeks before.

That page isn't out yet... = no Novatouch for a few more weeks? 

[SSIPAK]

Coming soon... (in year 3015)  )

[jameslr]

Coming soon... (in year 3015)  )

So, you're starting a group buy for Novatouch, right? Put that DeLorean to good use and build a time machine!

[Elrick]

Coming soon... (in year 3015)  )

So, you're starting a group buy for Novatouch, right? Put that DeLorean to good use and build a time machine!

Don't waste your time hoping it may come around, better get this baby here;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topre-Realforce-87-10th-Anniversary-Edition-All-55gram-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-/271567392251?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3f3aad8dfb

Have already bought one and looking forward to receiving my FIRST 55g Anniversary Edition which are now so ultra rare it's not even funny anymore.

[jameslr]

Don't waste your time hoping it may come around, better get this baby here;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topre-Realforce-87-10th-Anniversary-Edition-All-55gram-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-/271567392251?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3f3aad8dfb

Have already bought one and looking forward to receiving my FIRST 55g Anniversary Edition which are now so ultra rare it's not even funny anymore.

That's a beautiful board right there. Congrats on your purchase! It's too rich for my blood though.

[AKIMbO]

Don't waste your time hoping it may come around, better get this baby here;

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Topre-Realforce-87-10th-Anniversary-Edition-All-55gram-Tenkeyless-Keyboard-/271567392251?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3f3aad8dfb

Have already bought one and looking forward to receiving my FIRST 55g Anniversary Edition which are now so ultra rare it's not even funny anymore.

That's a beautiful board right there. Congrats on your purchase! It's too rich for my blood though.

Word....so nice, but so 'spensive. Plus, once that spacebar starts to shine there's no gray spacebar replacement.

[Demetrium]

Does anyone know what color(s) backlit this will be? Thinking about grabbing those color changers on Massdrop if it's white.

[AKIMbO]

Does anyone know what color(s) backlit this will be? Thinking about grabbing those color changers on Massdrop if it's white.

It's not backlit.

[Demetrium]

Does anyone know what color(s) backlit this will be? Thinking about grabbing those color changers on Massdrop if it's white.

It's not backlit.

Nuts!

[HPE1000]

How? There aren't any backlit topre boards afaik, and if there was, it wouldn't even work great considering where the leds would have to go.

[dorkvader]

on the sample I saw there were no LEDs whatsoever, not even for capslock and scrolllock. I'm not sure if they mean to have any and when I inquired about it, the rep intimated to me that there would likely not be lock lights at all.

[samsam]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

[dorkvader]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

qtan is a user here on GH, you can sometimes contact him here.

Here's his vendor forum
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0

[calavera]

TLDR

Any comparisons between a realforce?

[AKIMbO]

TLDR

Any comparisons between a realforce?

So far the most I've been able to glean from numerous posts is 45g feels heavier than on a RF 45g. Nothing else...cmon Carter send us some moar samples mang!

[Quardah]

TLDR

Any comparisons between a realforce?

The Topre switche's stems can hold Cherry MX compatible Keycaps.

That seems to be all the fuss about this board.

[YuukiHaruto]

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

$120 retail for Topre is unheard of. $70-90 for a mechanical keyboard (most common price of the QFR, even lower with special discounts) was definitely not unheard of.

Type heaven is pretty close. I think most of the speculation was ~$150 price tag.

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

To be fair, I think it is a consequence of CM exploiting this part of the market successfully (which is not a bad thing imo). They built their image on offering mid range quality at a very reasonable price. In this regard, I don't think it is unreasonable for people to be somewhat hesitant for a product that is rumored to have premium pricing.

Companies change directions all the time. If they don't they will remain stale, growth is required  Just like why CoolerMaster started CM Storm in the first place.

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

Indeed and i would like it as well, but CM as always targeted the enthousiast level of users and not the high-end professional one. Look at CM cases, boards, mice and cooling system; they are great products, but great products ACCORDING to their prices. There's is always something above them in the fields they are working on, therefore this is why people expect them to deliver lower-end boards.

I'm not saying it's bad, i'm just saying that considering their history, there is a "pattern" we expect. Also if it fell like a good quality board then why mind if it's 120$. Price doesn't really means better, it only means more expensive.

If the Topre Novatouch fits you flawlessly then the price doesn't matter.

Also i'm a little unsure about the whole pricing stuff; if the Topre edition gets to expensive, it'll be overthrown by it's MX counterpart. If it's the other way around and all the Novatouchs are at same price tag, i strongly believe the Topre one will litterally outsell and outshine all other CMs.

We'll see.

It's not really a "topre edition". What you people really fail to understand is that it's a genuinely solid topre keyboard and will be priced close to one. If they are to price it any lower it will be suicide too.
Market penetration is by giving you topre feel for your brobots  Not the other way round 
It's not like people don't pay 120$ for razer crap 

I understand the whole developpement process and i agree it has to be expensive, but put yourself in the shoes of a marketing expert at cooler master: they've been selling board ranging 80$-120$ with questionably cheap assets and managed to be reknown in the mechanical world for providing bang-for-your-bucks entry-level solutions compared to other boards.

I know they had to develop this whole thing but considering they've been operating in the low-grade mechanical selection, i strongly believe they studied the market and their new stem in order to keep that "low-price not-so-bad hardware" market advantage.

I don't mean to diss CM boards, they are fine, but they are defenetly not high level boards. The novatouch is nice bringing a new Topre board but i hardly believe they'll have an above 120$ price tag; they just can't rival versus any other Topre board.

Why can't CM break out of that hole that everyone puts them in and offer a high-end board?  The Novatouch felt really solid when I typed on it, and I wouldn't be surprised if they really stepped everything up for this.  We'll have to wait and see how it goes, but I just don't get why everyone seems to be ignoring the possibility that they might be changing things for this totally new market they're creating.

To be fair, I think it is a consequence of CM exploiting this part of the market successfully (which is not a bad thing imo). They built their image on offering mid range quality at a very reasonable price. In this regard, I don't think it is unreasonable for people to be somewhat hesitant for a product that is rumored to have premium pricing.

I completely agree.  I was simply bringing up the possibility that it's priced as such due to an increase in quality.  Everyone seems to be making assumptions, and I'm just trying to steer people towards waiting and seeing what actually happens.   

I'm not the biggest fan of speculation, in case that wasn't clear. 

CM quality is already top notch to begin with when it comes to the rest of the brands and price proposition but of course the pricing of them doesn't reflect that 

on the sample I saw there were no LEDs whatsoever, not even for capslock and scrolllock. I'm not sure if they mean to have any and when I inquired about it, the rep intimated to me that there would likely not be lock lights at all.

There are lock lights.

[Rewind]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

qtan is a user here on GH, you can sometimes contact him here.

Here's his vendor forum
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0

I'm also in the Netherlands, and you're right. We do get screwed over. We pay for tax in the country of origin, then we pay for shipping and after that we pay our own tax over the total price PLUS shipping, which is retarded.

I had to pay over 100 USD in cash to receive my HHKB from the post service.

Oh well, we got stroopwafels. 

[Carter]

Hello fans, sorry I have been a way for a while. Working on tons of projects unfortunately not all consisting of Keyboards. Novatouch will be here soon.... we welcome the feedback and while understand that we cant please all, we do hope to bring a new option to the novatouch/topre/electrostatic switchtype lovers.

All who tried it at KeyCon seem to know the quality of this board and I do hope everyone will soon be able to experience it. Countdown is on, they are on the ship.

[dorkvader]

Hello fans, sorry I have been a way for a while. Working on tons of projects unfortunately not all consisting of Keyboards. Novatouch will be here soon.... we welcome the feedback and while understand that we cant please all, we do hope to bring a new option to the novatouch/topre/electrostatic switchtype lovers.

All who tried it at KeyCon seem to know the quality of this board and I do hope everyone will soon be able to experience it. Countdown is on, they are on the ship.

Good to hear!

I would like to say that the KB I saw at keycon was very nice indeed. I am seriously considering getting one, once I am able.

[rowdy]

Hello fans, sorry I have been a way for a while. Working on tons of projects unfortunately not all consisting of Keyboards. Novatouch will be here soon.... we welcome the feedback and while understand that we cant please all, we do hope to bring a new option to the novatouch/topre/electrostatic switchtype lovers.

All who tried it at KeyCon seem to know the quality of this board and I do hope everyone will soon be able to experience it. Countdown is on, they are on the ship.

Hey Carter,

Hope your projects are going well

The Novatouch is one of the fer keyboards still on my wish list, although I would prefer a 55g version.  Hopefully the 45g one sells sufficiently well to lead to a 55g variant being developed.

[skuko]

i sure hope this will be available in EU asap

[margo baggins]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

qtan is a user here on GH, you can sometimes contact him here.

Here's his vendor forum
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0

I'm also in the Netherlands, and you're right. We do get screwed over. We pay for tax in the country of origin, then we pay for shipping and after that we pay our own tax over the total price PLUS shipping, which is retarded.

I had to pay over 100 USD in cash to receive my HHKB from the post service.

Oh well, we got stroopwafels. 

you've got loads of plenty better things than stroopwafels too!

You have - Febo, and Oorlog AND AMSTERDAM.

[Grim Fandango]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

qtan is a user here on GH, you can sometimes contact him here.

Here's his vendor forum
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0

I'm also in the Netherlands, and you're right. We do get screwed over. We pay for tax in the country of origin, then we pay for shipping and after that we pay our own tax over the total price PLUS shipping, which is retarded.

I had to pay over 100 USD in cash to receive my HHKB from the post service.

Oh well, we got stroopwafels. 

Yup. Basically we pay VAT twice over both shipping costs and retail price of the item, plus additional customs charges.

Even stroopwafels is not enough to compensate XD

You have - Febo, and Oorlog AND AMSTERDAM.

Personally I would not call the FEBO a proud Dutch culinary tradition  . It is kind disgusting . If you are going to eat something unhealthy, I suggest "poffertjes" instead if you are ever in Holland and want to eat something typically dutch.

[margo baggins]

One Thing is for sure i will be very careful buying from abroad 
Tomorrow i will be getting my Leopold FC-660M with clear switches and extra set of dy-sub keycap set..

Paying:

€118,34 for the keyboard.
€38,51 for the keycaps.

And €47,60 for customs and tax..
Makes a total of €204 YEP that's $273 for a Leopold keyboard..
From vendio.com ..a store in china from a guy called "Qtang" (worst communication i ever had in my life)

So al in all..what i'm saying is that we in the EU (some of us) even pay tax for the shipping cost of other countries..
 

i give up my next buy is from EU ground or an other solution on the package..you know what i mean..
This is becoming way to expensive as a hobby..

qtan is a user here on GH, you can sometimes contact him here.

Here's his vendor forum
http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=81.0

I'm also in the Netherlands, and you're right. We do get screwed over. We pay for tax in the country of origin, then we pay for shipping and after that we pay our own tax over the total price PLUS shipping, which is retarded.

I had to pay over 100 USD in cash to receive my HHKB from the post service.

Oh well, we got stroopwafels. 

Yup. Basically we pay VAT twice over both shipping costs and retail price of the item, plus additional customs charges.

Even stroopwafels is not enough to compensate XD

You have - Febo, and Oorlog AND AMSTERDAM.

Personally I would not call the FEBO a proud Dutch culinary tradition  . It is kind disgusting . If you are going to eat something unhealthy, I suggest "poffertjes" instead if you are ever in Holland and want to eat something typically dutch.

I think that's why I like FEBO! Can't get anything even remotely like it here. I like poffertjes as well! and waffles, and stroopwaffles. Whenever I go to Holland all I do is eat! I am going to try and do one more trip before christmas The netherlands is also home of that magic device that can be used to get the last bit of sauce out of a jar, can't buy those anywhere else!

[Quardah]

^^ ^^ ^^

margo baggins

All you do is eat? I mean you're not getting stoned legally before?

I wouldn't be a broke-ass student that would be the best trip of my lyfe yo.

[jameslr]

^^ ^^ ^^

margo baggins

All you do is eat? I mean you're not getting stoned legally before?

I wouldn't be a broke-ass student that would be the best trip of my lyfe yo.

I'm guessing that's the reason that's all she does is eat. I think going to Holland just to get stoned is a waste, but as the old adage goes, "when in Rome...".

[Quardah]

^^ ^^ ^^

margo baggins

All you do is eat? I mean you're not getting stoned legally before?

I wouldn't be a broke-ass student that would be the best trip of my lyfe yo.

I'm guessing that's the reason that's all she does is eat. I think going to Holland just to get stoned is a waste, but as the old adage goes, "when in Rome...".

Yeah when in Rome act like a Roman
When in Amsterdam act like Snoop Dogg

[Grim Fandango]

Haha, it does seem that Holland is a place people like to go to give into their ... ehmmm temptations. XD

And yeah, I am with you on the FEBO thing. Sometimes, things that are terrible can be sooo good.

[Blusey]

Currently at the UK event i-series, while in the exhibition hall I managed to get a sneak peak at the novatouch. Looks pretty insane and it's definately going to be worth the time

[SigLogical]

The hype came early and went by. It's been a fun ride onboard the hype train but the price set on singapore dollars killed it. 

[jameslr]

Holy **** that stings (~$230 USD). Doesn't seem like they got the memo on pricing under $200.

[Glod]

so more than 200, and does not come with premium key caps? lol they must be on geekhack a lot then, its essentially saying. "hey guys you have your own key caps anyway, and we know you will buy this"

[exitfire401]

Holy **** that stings (~$230 USD). Doesn't seem like they got the memo on pricing under $200.

Yeah...probably not happening for me at that price. I'll build my Kingsaver and be happy with that.

[HoffmanMyster]

so more than 200, and does not come with premium key caps? lol they must be on geekhack a lot then, its essentially saying. "hey guys you have your own key caps anyway, and we know you will buy this"

I probably won't.  If I'm paying that much for a topre board, I'll probably get a Realforce and just be happy with whatever caps it comes with.  Topre caps are such great quality and have a generally classy feel to them, I'll just stick with that.

[Novus]

What do you think will come first?
The Alcor+ or the Novatouch?

[SpAmRaY]

Didn't this list on CM's website with an MSRP of ~$199.99??

[Lingj]

I think I may just get an HHKB instead.