Want a fancy new keyboard from a Linux vendor that makes their own? System76 are adding the Launch Heavy to their line-up that includes a full NumPad.
They've put up a teaser website, which gives some of the details on what to expect from it. Just like the previous two models, it will be fully customizable with their open source Keyboard Configurator app. Considering the excellent build quality of the original Launch Keyboard that I reviewed, I have high hopes for this one and the full size is great.
From the public details the chassis continues to be open source, it has a detachable bar on the bottom to lift it up at an angle, it has an open source PCB design, RGB LED lighting that you can customize, a few different types of switches you can choose from, 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C (Up to 10 Gbps), 2 × USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type A (Up to 10 Gbps) and open source firmware.
Certainly sounds like something great. What do you think?
Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.
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StalePopcorn Nov 25, 2022
Damn that looks good, only missing volume keys [for me].
0 Likes
EagleDelta Nov 25, 2022
Damn that looks good, only missing volume keys [for me].
IIRC with my Launch, volume is mapped to Left-Fn + PgUp/PgDn.
I.E. The Launch Keyboard software is for mapping such things.
0 Likes
Awesome! If my current corsair strafe keyboard ever fails I'll definitely look into this!
0 Likes
neon_soaked_chryssalid Nov 25, 2022
I'm probably going to have to get one of these at some point. I looked at the original Launch the last time I needed a keyboard, but I use the number pad a lot. So it was a pass for me then, but maybe not next time!
0 Likes
PublicNuisance Nov 25, 2022
I don't see a reason not to be excited over this. Got a couple of keyboards i'm looking to replace so I could see this being one of them alongside the MNT Reform USB Keyboard.
1 Likes, Who?
I have yet to understand the usefulness of lighting with opaque keycaps...
(Apart from that I wouldn't like the cursor keys arrangement and the lack of a proper ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdown block.)
(Apart from that I wouldn't like the cursor keys arrangement and the lack of a proper ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdown block.)
5 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Nov 26, 2022
I'm probably going to have to get one of these at some point. I looked at the original Launch the last time I needed a keyboard, but I use the number pad a lot. So it was a pass for me then, but maybe not next time!Same here. Ha, though a big reason I do is for old dungeon crawlers that use the numpad.
0 Likes
mattaraxia Nov 26, 2022
I have yet to understand the usefulness of lighting with opaque keycaps...
(Apart from that I wouldn't like the cursor keys arrangement and the lack of a proper ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdown block.)
It's actually really great. When you hit either function key to activate another layer, just the keys active in that layer light up, with a different color for each layer.
(I have the first gen launch, and love it so much I registered just to answer that question.)
1 Likes, Who?
ElectricPrism Nov 26, 2022
I like this. I do feel that the space bar should be broken up and include [ tab ] next to it as it essentially is 4 spaces. (Does anyone use their right thumb on the spacebar anyways? It's like "R Shift" it gets used 1/100th as much as one would think)
The layout isn't my thing (nav cluster) but at least they are being innovative and trying something new. I really do wish southpaw would catch on with a left hand nav cluster and optional numpad.
Once you break down the location of the symbols it really doesn't make much sense either besides being grandfathered in.
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/
I wouldn't mind seeing the FOSS community innovate in the keyboard space, the Planet 6 keyboard with the split layout and centered trackball concept is really neat too.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76149.0
!Planet 6 Keyboard
The traditional keyboard layout could use some improvements now that we are unshackling from the legacy since so many people have switched to touch keebs.
The layout isn't my thing (nav cluster) but at least they are being innovative and trying something new. I really do wish southpaw would catch on with a left hand nav cluster and optional numpad.
Once you break down the location of the symbols it really doesn't make much sense either besides being grandfathered in.
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/
I wouldn't mind seeing the FOSS community innovate in the keyboard space, the Planet 6 keyboard with the split layout and centered trackball concept is really neat too.
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=76149.0
!Planet 6 Keyboard
The traditional keyboard layout could use some improvements now that we are unshackling from the legacy since so many people have switched to touch keebs.
3 Likes, Who?
slaapliedje Nov 26, 2022
I have a lot of mechanical keyboards at this point. But my favorites are actually the Unicomp and IBM Model M... the clickiness on them are just amazing.
That being said, the most inovative keyboard I own is the Wooting keyboard. I don't use it all that much as it takes some getting used to, but it is wonderful.
That being said, the most inovative keyboard I own is the Wooting keyboard. I don't use it all that much as it takes some getting used to, but it is wonderful.
0 Likes
Their keyboards look really nice, and I'm sure they have a really good build quality (as is standard with System 76), but they are extremely overpriced imo.
0 Likes
I don't see a reason not to be excited over this. Got a couple of keyboards i'm looking to replace so I could see this being one of them alongside the MNT Reform USB Keyboard.
I have the exact same thoughts! I'm looking for something repairable and programmable. I've been stuck on a dell rubber-dome keyboard from work. Its okay, but really miss the mechanical keyboard that a faulty USB switch killed earlier this year. PSA: Test USB hubs before plugging in expensive stuff!
1 Likes, Who?
I don't really get those 95% keyboards - i want full size for a reason, those 1-2 saved centimeters won't hurt me, less keys will though. Especially if we have QMK or other fully customizable solutions like here, where you can remap 'useless' keys.
And i really don't like the 'integrated' arrowkeys either...
Aaand (just to keep on rambling ;) ) i really got to love the knob on my Q6, so that is a sadly missing thing, too. ^^
Other than that: the more open keyboards, the better! And size matters, so go for everything countering that stupid TKL-Trend ;P
And i really don't like the 'integrated' arrowkeys either...
Aaand (just to keep on rambling ;) ) i really got to love the knob on my Q6, so that is a sadly missing thing, too. ^^
Other than that: the more open keyboards, the better! And size matters, so go for everything countering that stupid TKL-Trend ;P
0 Likes
I don't really get those 95% keyboards - i want full size for a reason, those 1-2 saved centimeters won't hurt me, less keys will though. Especially if we have QMK or other fully customizable solutions like here, where you can remap 'useless' keys.
And i really don't like the 'integrated' arrowkeys either...
Aaand (just to keep on rambling ;) ) i really got to love the knob on my Q6, so that is a sadly missing thing, too. ^^
Other than that: the more open keyboards, the better! And size matters, so go for everything countering that stupid TKL-Trend ;P
That's what I was thinking, albeit with fewer words. 😆 It's close but still not a full size keyboard.
0 Likes
Doc Angelo Nov 26, 2022
Why the weird spacing on the lower left side? Why are caps and tab not aligned?
0 Likes
Why the weird spacing on the lower left side?
Probably to have only three different key widths i guess?
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For me it's missing a UK key layout and an indication of price.
200 USD, minimum. That's the price on their site for the smaller keyboards. I'd expect it to be more.
Which brings me to my question. For those that have them... Opinions? Particularly on value?
0 Likes
I use a big old clickety clack IBM keyboard from the 80's. It was one of the first PS/2 devices. I got it from an old pharmacy dispensary computer that was going to the dump, an old IBM XT.
You can pry this keyboard from my stiff, dead fingers.
You can pry this keyboard from my stiff, dead fingers.
0 Likes
GeoGalvanic Nov 26, 2022
I was excited and then I noticed the layout of the home/end keys. That's gonna be a no from me, those and the missing del key are some of my most frequently used.
(For those that don't know: home moves cursor to start of line, end goes to the end of the line, holding ctrl moves to top/bottom of page, holding shift selects the text from the previous to current cursor position. Insanely useful for programming and also word processing/web browsing)
I use my right thumb for space and r shift significantly more than left. When I was taught keyboarding we were supposed to use left shift for caping right side keys and right shift for left side keys so they get used about equally, but my left pinky is pretty weak and not very dexterous so I always ended up contorting my hands to use the right shift.
(For those that don't know: home moves cursor to start of line, end goes to the end of the line, holding ctrl moves to top/bottom of page, holding shift selects the text from the previous to current cursor position. Insanely useful for programming and also word processing/web browsing)
I like this. I do feel that the space bar should be broken up and include [ tab ] next to it as it essentially is 4 spaces. (Does anyone use their right thumb on the spacebar anyways? It's like "R Shift" it gets used 1/100th as much as one would think)
I use my right thumb for space and r shift significantly more than left. When I was taught keyboarding we were supposed to use left shift for caping right side keys and right shift for left side keys so they get used about equally, but my left pinky is pretty weak and not very dexterous so I always ended up contorting my hands to use the right shift.
3 Likes, Who?
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