System76 Open Source Hotswap Mechanical Keyboard

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Thanks Rico, I think these points are easier to understand and more constructive. I’d like to look into them a little bit more:

  1. This is a fairly heavy keyboard, with full-size MX switches. We don’t use low-profile switches. If simplicity is important, why should we add more bezels or height to the keyboard unless it is necessary? This is the smallest PCB and chassis we could make that would fit our layout, with full sized switches and per-key RGB, and the USB dock. In fact, there are larger 75% keyboards that do not have the USB dock. So it seems to me that we are following the guide for simplicity, while maintaining the feel of full profile switches and a heavy full metal chassis.

  2. I think in the end this is an unavoidable difference of opinion. There are certainly more drastic keyboard designs that have less compatibility with keycap sets than Launch has. And there are those that are just standard staggered layouts with very little change but dropping the ten-key. There are benefits to both sides of this. Our layout can still be made to fit alternative keycap sets, with only about 8 swaps that need to be made from standard, mostly for the changes to modifier keys and split spacebar.

  3. I’m not sure the PCB looks ugly. This is one where I think some experience in high speed design is required. You can then appreciate the care taken to fit in the 4-port USB 3.2 Gen 2 dock in less space than some keyboards use for their controller.

In the end, I feel this keyboard offers things that simply aren’t there on others, with the milled aluminum chassis, compact size, and integrated USB dock. Sure, others check one box, but few check all. Some may do things we don’t do, like an ortholinear layout. The point is, this keyboard would have far less value if it was simply a clone of the GMMK Pro. Having a design no other keyboard has is what I found interesting about it, I didn’t want System76 to make yet another TKL keyboard, I wanted to make something that could drive people to think about what they want in a keyboard. For example, maybe in the future, more manufacturers are willing to add high speed USB docks?

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