Impressive, but there's still something I wonder about.
I know looks are important to many people. But there are also those of us who consider KBs typing tools (not to mention, we've been taught not to look down when we type, LOL).
So to me, the only truly interesting variation in cases is how they respond to typing—how they feel and sound. Once you have a board that's so stiff and massive that it's completely inert, and all you hear or feel is the switches, what difference does it make what it's made of or what logo's on it? It's just a big, heavy switch-holder, isn't it?
I completely agree with you that ultimately a keyboard must be satisfying to type on and listen to, especially for those of us who type all day for a living. But even the big, heavy ones have very different sounds and characteristics, that is surprising to me. I'm actually hyper sensitive to the sound a keyboard makes, which is why the AEK II is still one of my favorites. I often use mine just to remember how good it sounds.
The sound the VA108 makes is actually one of my favorite things about this board. It's not completely inert— but they did manage to remove all the sounds that I find annoying like rattling stabilizers, spring pings, and the hollow resonance that cheaper plastic cases make. What's left is a wonderful, light sound, that's like music to my ears, and it's more than just the sound of the switches.
As far as typing goes, I can't enough, but that's highly subjective. I bought mine with Cherry blacks (my first experience with them) and I actually like them a lot more than I thought I would. I always considered myself an Alps snob but I'm really coming around to certain Cherry and Cherry clones.
The fact that this keyboard is good looking is a bonus. I like the wood grain, and I agree that it's pretty wacky. I swapped the key caps out with the GMK mint chocolates and they look really cool on a white board with wood grain.
