System76 tease the new Launch Heavy keyboard

@GeoGalvanic -- exactly, delete and insert are essential to programmers and vim users. I use home/end pgup pgdown all the time too though I admit their naming schema is confusing as to their function -- "First" and "Last" or "Beginning" and "End" would be more appropriate -- certainly pressing the "Home" key on a Linux computer doesn't open the "~/" "$HOME" directory.

At a second glance tthe pause/play doesn't have a mute or volume either so it feels incomplete if you are going to have those functions.

Fair point on having a tweaked hand and using the R Shift

The layout looks unnecessarily condensed to me. It's a desktop keyboard. Am I the only one who doesn't care if they are a few inches wider if it makes them more comfortable? And instead of an ergonomic layout it's got...LEDs! Apparently a keyboard intended for gaming isn't a keyboard if it has no LEDs.

Pass.

Personally I just don't feel right without a numpad.

I like how customizable this is and it's usb hub ports.
I carry an old Mac keyboard for various things just for the usb hub and range of keys.
This would make a nice replacement.
Especially if it pairs well with the steam deck.
If only it could pass power through it too but that might be outside it'a scope.

I'd lkke it in black also.

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.)

The complaint is not about the RGB lightning but that the keycaps are not shine through, so you can't see the legends in the dark. The key caps also appear to be a non-standard size, so you can't replace them with something off the shelf.

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.)

The complaint is not about the RGB lightning but that the keycaps are not shine through, so you can't see the legends in the dark. The key caps also appear to be a non-standard size, so you can't replace them with something off the shelf.

Yeah, it completely ruins the idea of having backlit keys. Same reason I had to go through several keyboard covers for my macbook because too many of them are not transparent enough for using the keyboard in the dark.

Well, still lacking basic features and not as good as the TypeMatrix...pass.
!Typematrix Qwerty keyboard

Or even better in Dvorak: !TypeMatrix Dvorak

Why would you buy an expensive keyboard that's not even split?

Why would you buy an expensive keyboard that's not even split?

I want to know why there are not many split mechanical keyboards out there, especially of the ergonomic variety. I did end up finding one for work, but I mostly switch between various mechanical ones and that one.

I will say my favorite are the IBM Model M and Unicomp keyboard that I have, but I don't use them very often as they offend coworkers.

@GeoGalvanic -- exactly, delete and insert are essential to programmers and vim users. I use home/end pgup pgdown all the time too though I admit their naming schema is confusing as to their function -- "First" and "Last" or "Beginning" and "End" would be more appropriate -- certainly pressing the "Home" key on a Linux computer doesn't open the "~/" "$HOME" directory.

At a second glance tthe pause/play doesn't have a mute or volume either so it feels incomplete if you are going to have those functions.

Fair point on having a tweaked hand and using the R Shift

You could but a Mute function on Layer 2 for the Play/Pause button and Volume up and down for the next and previous buttons if you wanted to. Right now those should be on Layer 2 for PgUp and PgDn.

[quote=Mountain Man][quote=mattaraxia]

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.)

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.)

The complaint is not about the RGB lightning but that the keycaps are not shine through, so you can't see the legends in the dark. The key caps also appear to be a non-standard size, so you can't replace them with something off the shelf.

No I get that, that's the point. I'm not sure how to put this that doesn't sound a bit snarky, but I thought it was implied -- people who need to see the keys to type aren't exactly this keyboard's target audience. I interpreted Tuxee's point as, given that, why bother with lighting?

It's a really niche device. It's ok if it's not for you. I can hit the key I want just as well blindfolded (it does have old school little ridges to help you find the home row) but it is sometimes nice to visually see what layer I'm on.

[quote=mattaraxia][quote=Mountain Man]

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.)

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.)

The complaint is not about the RGB lightning but that the keycaps are not shine through, so you can't see the legends in the dark. The key caps also appear to be a non-standard size, so you can't replace them with something off the shelf.

No I get that, that's the point. I'm not sure how to put this that doesn't sound a bit snarky, but I thought it was implied -- people who need to see the keys to type aren't exactly this keyboard's target audience. I interpreted Tuxee's point as, given that, why bother with lighting?

It's a really niche device. It's ok if it's not for you. I can hit the key I want just as well blindfolded (it does have old school little ridges to help you find the home row) but it is sometimes nice to visually see what layer I'm on.

There are reasons to look at a keyboard other than not being a proficient typist.

[quote=Mountain Man][quote=mattaraxia]

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.)

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.)

The complaint is not about the RGB lightning but that the keycaps are not shine through, so you can't see the legends in the dark. The key caps also appear to be a non-standard size, so you can't replace them with something off the shelf.

No I get that, that's the point. I'm not sure how to put this that doesn't sound a bit snarky, but I thought it was implied -- people who need to see the keys to type aren't exactly this keyboard's target audience. I interpreted Tuxee's point as, given that, why bother with lighting?

It's a really niche device. It's ok if it's not for you. I can hit the key I want just as well blindfolded (it does have old school little ridges to help you find the home row) but it is sometimes nice to visually see what layer I'm on.

There are reasons to look at a keyboard other than not being a proficient typist.

Right? But no one's saying they're not? Just that this one isn't? There are thousands of keybaords on the market, it's ok if this one is not for you?

I'm really not sure what you're getting at. The point was there is a reason for the lighting other then lighting the glyphs, and it is not obvious until you use it. If that reason isn't for you, cool man, no one is suggesting otherwise. Get a different keyboard, there are plenty of choices.