System76 tease shots of their custom Keyboard and release the source code

CHEESE GRATERS!!!

Looks a bit small, and no numpad...

Size looks perfect. I wonder what switches they use. I'm partial to Topre myself but I guess they're using Cherry or some other maker.

Hope they release a nice keyboard. Unfortunately, since I learned from the ZSA Moonlander my eyes can't look anywhere else: https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

However, my wallet is looking everywhere else.

An interesting point for gamers is that the keyboard has n-key rollover!

I really hope they release a keyboard with the numpad, and dedicated media keys.

Quoting: ArehandoroHope they release a nice keyboard. Unfortunately, since I learned from the ZSA Moonlander my eyes can't look anywhere else: https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

However, my wallet is looking everywhere else.

I am in the exact same situation :D

My only question is regarding QMK and if I'll be able to use the standard method to flash the firmware. Github states the firmware is based on QMK, I just want to be sure that's still a fallback in case something fails with the official firmware updater or something. Otherwise this looks like a good keyboard, I just hope the price is at least as good as GMMK Pro.

Quoting: Arehandoro

Quoting: minkiu

How do you like these keyboards? Did it take long to get used to them? I attempted to use one before I knew how to type properly and it was a mind bender.

I have issues typing on standard keyboards comfortably due to American football injuries to both hands. This led me to prefer chiclet keyboards over mechanical due to the low actuation force. It wasn't until I forced myself to learn to type properly that ergonomic keyboards started to "click" for me. I've now got the logitech Ergo K860 and I love it. If this keyboard had back-lighting and the build quality of the MX keys it would be perfect in my eyes.

The open source firmware and the fact that system76 makes this keyboard makes me want it but I'm afraid it would be physically painful for me to use. Hopefully there is an ample return window as I'd really like to try it.


Last edited by drlamb on 11 February 2021 at 3:03 pm UTC

Quoting: JanneSize looks perfect. I wonder what switches they use. I'm partial to Topre myself but I guess they're using Cherry or some other maker.

It sounds like the switches will be user swappable; so I'd expect the default models to be customizable as well.

I've been longing for a mechanical keyboard since my Unicomp died on me last year; but good ones are really expensive & usually don't even ship where I live. This Sys76 keyboard is sure to be on the expensive side as well — though I have to say I really like that they're using a solid aluminum chassis.

Quoting: drlamb

Quoting: Arehandoro

Quoting: minkiu

How do you like these keyboards? Did it take long to get used to them? I attempted to use one before I knew how to type properly and it was a mind bender.

I have issues typing on standard keyboards comfortably due to American football injuries to both hands. This led me to prefer chiclet keyboards over mechanical due to the low actuation force. It wasn't until I forced myself to learn to type properly that ergonomic keyboards started to "click" for me. I've now got the logitech Ergo K860 and I love it. If this keyboard had back-lighting and the build quality of the MX keys it would be perfect in my eyes.

The open source firmware and the fact that system76 makes this keyboard makes me want it but I'm afraid it would be physically painful for me to use. Hopefully there is an ample return window as I'd really like to try it.

I haven't tried it yet, too expensive. Only have experience with an MS ergo keyboard similar to the Logi you posted, and it was a delight to type with. Then I discovered mechanical keyboards and not keen going back to chiclet keys. Have been saving for a while for the Moonlander, but for now I'm using a Phantom non-ergo keyboard.

I'm way past the mechanical/RGB keyboard stage. Uncomfortable to write on, tacky to look at. I wish them luck and many customers. :-)

Quoting: damarrinI'm way past the mechanical/RGB keyboard stage. Uncomfortable to write on, tacky to look at. I wish them luck and many customers. :-)

RGB is tasteless & annoying as hell, sure; but I strongly disagree that mechanical keyboards are 'uncomfortable' in general. Quite the contrary, actually.

Quoting: wvstolzing

Quoting: damarrinI'm way past the mechanical/RGB keyboard stage. Uncomfortable to write on, tacky to look at. I wish them luck and many customers. :-)

RGB is tasteless & annoying as hell, sure; but I strongly disagree that mechanical keyboards are 'uncomfortable' in general. Quite the contrary, actually.

Have to say I disagree about RGB being tasteless & annoying... sure it's used by many as just flashy tuning but I got myself a Corsair K95 recently and really loving to be able to setup colors depending of my activity/game. Still kind of looking at what I can do but certainly more than tasteless and annoying stuff :)

Have to agree about mechanical comfort... Even after having this keyboard for a few weeks I feel like I could type so much faster compared to any of my previous keyboards

I'll admit, I'm in the RGB hater club, but I do appreciate the tasteful idea of changing the backlight based on situation.

I just want one that doesn't accumulate cruft. A dim backlight would be nice for low light situations.

Part of me would want a numpad, but if I'm being honest, I don't use it outside of my job and I'll keep my issued keyboard for that.

Quoting: drlamb

Quoting: Arehandoro

Quoting: minkiu

How do you like these keyboards? Did it take long to get used to them? I attempted to use one before I knew how to type properly and it was a mind bender.

I have issues typing on standard keyboards comfortably due to American football injuries to both hands. This led me to prefer chiclet keyboards over mechanical due to the low actuation force. It wasn't until I forced myself to learn to type properly that ergonomic keyboards started to "click" for me. I've now got the logitech Ergo K860 and I love it. If this keyboard had back-lighting and the build quality of the MX keys it would be perfect in my eyes.

The open source firmware and the fact that system76 makes this keyboard makes me want it but I'm afraid it would be physically painful for me to use. Hopefully there is an ample return window as I'd really like to try it.

I've been using an Ergodox EZ Shine for a couple of years now, due to carpal tunnel syndrome and mild psoriatic arthritis and I consider it one of the best purchases of my life. Together with a proper layout (I recommend Dvorak or a custom BEAKL15 layout - that's what I'm using these days) a keyboard like this can alleviate a lot of finger and wrist pains; I now have to put on a compression/heat glove only once every few months instead of daily.
Ideally, you need to take the time and figure out which keys and shortcuts you need most often (lots of typing measurements to go through) and which of your fingers are most flexible and in which directions, but it will be worth it. Plus, no-one will ever ask to use your computer again :P

Here's my current layout if you're interested. Pretty much everything is on or around the home row through the use of layers and it lets me type one-handed as well with either hand (great for when you're on the phone).

Quoting: drlamb

Quoting: Arehandoro

Quoting: minkiu

How do you like these keyboards? Did it take long to get used to them? I attempted to use one before I knew how to type properly and it was a mind bender.

I have issues typing on standard keyboards comfortably due to American football injuries to both hands. This led me to prefer chiclet keyboards over mechanical due to the low actuation force. It wasn't until I forced myself to learn to type properly that ergonomic keyboards started to "click" for me. I've now got the logitech Ergo K860 and I love it. If this keyboard had back-lighting and the build quality of the MX keys it would be perfect in my eyes.

The open source firmware and the fact that system76 makes this keyboard makes me want it but I'm afraid it would be physically painful for me to use. Hopefully there is an ample return window as I'd really like to try it.

It's possible, by what you say, that you just need to choose the correct switches to be comfortable on a mechanical keyboard. I'm thinking linear switches with not too high of an actuation force might be what you want. Key travel might need to be addressed as well. It's possible that it could be a sticking point.

Quoting: minkiu

Quoting: ArehandoroHope they release a nice keyboard. Unfortunately, since I learned from the ZSA Moonlander my eyes can't look anywhere else: https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

However, my wallet is looking everywhere else.

I am in the exact same situation :D

I wasn't before, but maybe I am now!

I'm using a sweet K65 RGB. What's weird is I type the fastest when leaning back in my chair. The angle of my arms and wrists are more relaxed and less curved that way, and I can type quite smoothly and quickly. When I sit up straight, my typing is like listening to steps. I am a tall person. I'm starting to think I could improve my comfort and enjoyment of typing.

I hope they make version with numpad and iso layout. also no need for any led shenanigans...

Quoting: GuestToo bad they did not decide to make a keyboard with properly aligned keys.

Do you mean an ortholinear layout or something about the spacing?