Wow. That board is gorgeous.
The idea of different optional mounting dampeners isn’t new, but I haven’t seen the funky “lattice” ones in keyboards yet - they remind me of airless tires:
I bet they’d outlast foam.
I guess that MODE does put into perspective a question already floating through my mind, how some truly excellent boards can be considered “entry level” when they’re well-made from good materials, etc. - I guess what you’re really getting into beyond that is the realm of functional luxury art.
On that note - an apparently one-time re-run of my very favorite “entry level” keyboard is happening right now:
This is a pretty typical looking 65% with minimal design; though I happen to think it’s at or near the peak of that format. If you want a no-visual-frills 65 with premium construction and clean aesthetics, I think this is a fantastic option.
Here’s what mine sounds like with TTC Hearts:
And with Silk Olivias:
*Note edit: the current sales pages says the kit comes with an FR4 plate; not sure if that’s an oversight typo or if they’ve swapped it for the polycarb one in the photos. Just in case, here’s what mine sounds like with the FR4 plate:
More details / thoughts on this board:
By default the Portico68 BL comes with a flex-cut polycarb plate. I don’t see the FR4 ones they offered with the first sale, but the plate file is available right there on the sales page, so you could theoretically get whatever you want there. That said, of the two I’ve tried, I prefer the one it comes with. *Edit: looks like this round might actually come with the FR4 plate, more info below.
This is one of those keebs I feel like should either be a mainstay product or have regular pre-order waves. I haven’t found anything about it I’d change (except maybe the name), and I think it’s a slight bummer that something like this is only available in these little one-off runs, ostensibly never to return. For me personally, this keeb is the absolute sweet spot of gasket-sandwich 65s:
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Minimal but well-resolved design; hidden seams, great finish
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Premium materials; full alu chassis, *FR4 plate & available cut file, dense dampening foam
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Good ol’ gasket mount; sounds great, feels great, not hard to replace
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$200 barebones; I think this is as good as it gets before diminishing returns start piling-on fast
Single runs make sense to me for customs with unique designs - but for me, this keeb is the equivalent of the perfect low-key neck tie or little black dress - excellent quality and aesthetics without stepping-into the realm of peacocking.
I see this as the apex of the “middle market” between the ever-improving class of budget boards under a hundred bucks, and the pioneering class of luxury desk art we call Custom Keyboards™. The only thing I’d change is the name - I’ve never figured out where the “68” is supposed to come in for a 67-key board. The “black label” part makes sense though - from Quora:
“Black label” usually indicates a brand’s mid to upper range product, but is sometimes used for a lower end, the idea being to convince the customer that even the bottom of the line is high quality.
If TKC is saying this is the Johnnie Walker of keebs… yeah that might work.
I still think it’s kinda nuts they stopped selling the regular Portico 65%, and equally nuts that this one doesn’t come around at least once a year - but hey - they’re giving folks one more chance to snag one now, so here’s your shot if you want one. I’m not a TKC affiliate, they aren’t my favorite vendor on Citadel station, but I do think every 65% enjoyer should consider grabbing one of these.
Full first impressions review from when I first got mine here.
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