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System76 tease the new Launch Heavy keyboard

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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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Mountain Man Dec 2, 2022
[quote=mattaraxia][quote=Mountain Man]
Quoting: mattaraxia
Quoting: TuxeeI 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.)

Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: mattaraxia
Quoting: TuxeeI 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.
mattaraxia Dec 8, 2022
[quote=Mountain Man][quote=mattaraxia]
Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: mattaraxia
Quoting: TuxeeI 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.)

Quoting: Mountain Man
Quoting: mattaraxia
Quoting: TuxeeI 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.
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