System76 have revealed the Launch Lite, a smaller version of their rather fancy and highly customizable keyboard that will properly launch for ordering tomorrow.
Featuring the same fancy tricks as the bigger Launch keyboard like custom multi-layer layouts, solid aluminum chassis, RGB LED patterns, magnetic angle bar and secure open source firmware. The difference of course is the size. This is a 67% keyboard and doesn't have the USB hub integrated so overall it's a bit more portable.
You will be able to customize the layout with the updated System76 Keyboard Configurator application allowing you to set 4 different layers, LED patterns and more with it all saved directly to the keyboard so you can take the layout with you anywhere to any system.
System76 say the Launch Lite comes with a "key and switch puller, as well as a few extra essential keys (Esc, Shift, arrows) in different sizes and accent colors" and in addition to the Jade and Royal switches you can also pick it up with either Silent Pink or Silent Brown switches. Additionally, the newer switch options will also be available for the bigger Launch keyboard too!
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More info on their teaser page.
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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15 comments
i want some keyboard with 10+ extra keys.
not kidding.
the main issue is that i probably wont be able to afford the keyboard+importing
Last edited by elmapul on 13 July 2022 at 11:59 am UTC
not kidding.
the main issue is that i probably wont be able to afford the keyboard+importing
Last edited by elmapul on 13 July 2022 at 11:59 am UTC
1 Likes, Who?
I still don't understand why nobody wants to take the ortholinear route as an option.
Fortunately, a lot of custom keyboards are available in the OS/OH world but still not cheap and for tech savvy people.
Last edited by Bogomips on 13 July 2022 at 12:44 pm UTC
Fortunately, a lot of custom keyboards are available in the OS/OH world but still not cheap and for tech savvy people.
Last edited by Bogomips on 13 July 2022 at 12:44 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
fenglengshun Jul 13, 2022
as an accountant, every time i see a keyboard without numpad, i just feel so scared...
11 Likes, Who?
BlackBloodRum Jul 13, 2022
Quoting: fenglengshunas an accountant, every time i see a keyboard without numpad, i just feel so scared...Same here!
I always feel like I have a "half keyboard" when the numpad is missing!
I don't use it solely for accounting, but anything with lots of numbers? Has to be on a numpad! I can blitz through a lot of number entries using the numpad, even for using a calculator. The numbers above the letters always feel slower to me for number entry and less comfortable, I use them for an odd number here and there, but for serious number entry it has to be the numpad, so my numpads tend to be more worn than the letter keys. My last keyboard had to meet three criteria:
At least 5 programmable "G" buttons (Used for lockscreen, language entry switching, workspace switching etc), have a numpad and be in UK qewtry, ended up settle on a corsair keyboard.
Last edited by BlackBloodRum on 13 July 2022 at 2:06 pm UTC
6 Likes, Who?
Quoting: fenglengshunas an accountant, every time i see a keyboard without numpad, i just feel so scared...
As a developer I am turned off by a keyboard without dedicated function keys, no insert key and no numpad (which is actually very handy with games like War Thunder, too).
5 Likes, Who?
Great - the first one is already too small and instead of following up with a proper size keyboard they make an even smaller version? :/
1 Likes, Who?
The main thing about ten keyless keyboards that I don't like is the missing PRT SCN button. Just in case I need to REISUB the machine.
Last edited by buono on 13 July 2022 at 3:43 pm UTC
Last edited by buono on 13 July 2022 at 3:43 pm UTC
0 Likes
Quoting: TuxeeQuoting: fenglengshunas an accountant, every time i see a keyboard without numpad, i just feel so scared...
As a developer I am turned off by a keyboard without dedicated function keys, no insert key and no numpad (which is actually very handy with games like War Thunder, too).
It works fine if you use a modal editor. I'm not running a 60% (anymore) but it's not that bad.
1 Likes, Who?
Mountain Man Jul 13, 2022
My son loves minimalist keyboards like this, but I personally can't stand them. Give me my full 104-key monstronsity any day!
1 Likes, Who?
I suppose, I don't use the numpad that often. And I'm sure there's market research that these companies use.
But... I like having it when I need it...
I guess I could buy a numpad accessory with some cool features to go with it.
Last edited by denyasis on 13 July 2022 at 10:42 pm UTC
But... I like having it when I need it...
I guess I could buy a numpad accessory with some cool features to go with it.
Last edited by denyasis on 13 July 2022 at 10:42 pm UTC
1 Likes, Who?
Do they offer a full-sized version with numpad?
0 Likes
Quoting: BogomipsI still don't understand why nobody wants to take the ortholinear route as an option.
Fortunately, a lot of custom keyboards are available in the OS/OH world but still not cheap and for tech savvy people.
I present you: https://www.zsa.io/planck
Small, portable, mechanical, open source, completely customizable in layout/button functionality & keycaps ortholinear keyboard.
That being said, I still wouldn't use it as my main kb. It's fantastic for portability though. Just imagine this with a ~14" portable monitor, a 10 yr warranty USB dock, and a Steam Deck. All you need for a portable office + spectacular gaming station.
Oh, and maybe a trackball mouse. Spoiler, click me
I haven't tested it. Feel free to send me one! XD
I'm with you guys. As much as I want to trade in my Logitech G910 kb for a ZSA Moonlander, I like the 9 extra G keys, number pad, multimedia keys, and especially the volume roller. I wish it had better software support and even more G keys.
---
System76 thinks they're cleaver by releasing a 67 somethingsomething, don't they?!
306.5mm x 107.5mm is still too big compared to the ZSA Planck measuring 234mm x 82mm which they claim is pocket size.
I do like a few extra keys but, it still feels like it fits into this weird middle area.
---
Keep in mind that the QMK keyboard firmware that S76 forked allows any key to be mapped to any other key so you can still have a number pad, multimedia keys, et. al. You just have to hit an extra key to get there (and maybe get back). It's just a matter of playing around with different layouts. :D
0 Likes
Quoting: EWGQuoting: BogomipsI still don't understand why nobody wants to take the ortholinear route as an option.
Fortunately, a lot of custom keyboards are available in the OS/OH world but still not cheap and for tech savvy people.
I present you: https://www.zsa.io/planck
Small, portable, mechanical, open source, completely customizable in layout/button functionality & keycaps ortholinear keyboard.
That being said, I still wouldn't use it as my main kb. It's fantastic for portability though. Just imagine this with a ~14" portable monitor, a 10 yr warranty USB dock, and a Steam Deck. All you need for a portable office + spectacular gaming station.Spoiler, click me
I haven't tested it. Feel free to send me one! XD
I'm with you guys. As much as I want to trade in my Logitech G910 kb for a ZSA Moonlander, I like the 9 extra G keys, number pad, multimedia keys, and especially the volume roller. I wish it had better software support and even more G keys.
---
System76 thinks they're cleaver by releasing a 67 somethingsomething, don't they?!
306.5mm x 107.5mm is still too big compared to the ZSA Planck measuring 234mm x 82mm which they claim is pocket size.
I do like a few extra keys but, it still feels like it fits into this weird middle area.
---
Keep in mind that the QMK keyboard firmware that S76 forked allows any key to be mapped to any other key so you can still have a number pad, multimedia keys, et. al. You just have to hit an extra key to get there (and maybe get back). It's just a matter of playing around with different layouts. :D
I know the ZSA keyboards I considered an ergodox for a while ^^
Strangely I am fully ortholinear with a very old G13, a TypeMatrix 2030 and a N305 numpad.
And somewhere in boxes ready to be soldered a Lily58 with nice nano v2 and zmk with gateron ink black is waiting for me.
I'm still not sure if it will be ok for me with the layout shifting but why not.
What I would love to see is an ortholinear option for laptops, because for work I have a TypeMatrix on top of a MBP keyboard, it is fine but cumbersome.
1 Likes, Who?
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