This is absolutely fantastic, but those gigantic numbers are just bizarre and not at all good to look at. They feel completely out of place there, like you enlarged them by mistake. Not good.
Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
111–120 of 246 posts
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#112Maybe a bit (a lot) overboard with the marketing snazz on this page.
it's a keyboard
It's not a miracle.
If you're going to have all this 3D imagery, put a glTF model viewer on the page, and let me look at it.
though to be told, I definitely want one. low profile keyboards are indeed my jam. I don't know why the hell keyboards need to have batteries though. No one needs a wireless keyboard. Wires are not that much of a pain in the ass. Coiled, self-retracting keyboard cables are a thing. Keyboards do not need to be wireless. Wires are fine, I promise! Wireless mouse? Sure. Wires make the mouse move when you don't want it to move. Wireless credential entry device? Those should remain wired, I think.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#113The promo website is something to behold and by itself is sufficient reason to chuck a buck at the possibility of Altar II coming into existence. Thank you, good luck, and looking forward!
It looks nice on mobile but I initially viewed it on desktop and found it unpleasant to use.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#114Love it! Can you offer full color lighting instead of just red?
I’d like to second this. Being able to change the color using the dial would be…satisfying.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#115Well, for programming it's not convenient -- no Insert/Pageup/Screenshot buttons.
Why do you need screenshot button for programming? How many times do you press it? You can just use fn button for that. People are programming on a 36-key keyboards just fine and they don't miss any keys. It's easier to press fn + something than reaching out for screenshot button, which is usually far away. That way, you don't have to move your hands.
Does a Mac even recognize the screenshot button?
I take lots of screenshots and videos and add them to PRs, which clearly communicate what has changed.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#116My dream keyboard, if only it could split down the middle for ergonomics :(
yea split + ortholinear would be peak
Ergo users are never going to be happy.
I'd complain about the lack of thumb keys, and then the flatness, and suddenly we're talking about a completely different keyboard.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#117Earlier quoted context omitted.
15 years of mouse-free professional programming and never in my life have I touched these.
30 years of professional programming and I touch "Home", "End", "PgUp", "PgDn", "Ins", and "Del" every single day.
You can do this using fn button, without moving your hand every time you need to press them.
It's very convenient, when your hand don't move at all and can reach every button.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#118Well, for programming it's not convenient -- no Insert/Pageup/Screenshot buttons.
Why do you need screenshot button for programming? How many times do you press it? You can just use fn button for that. People are programming on a 36-key keyboards just fine and they don't miss any keys. It's easier to press fn + something than reaching out for screenshot button, which is usually far away. That way, you don't have to move your hands.
The cognitive load of having to press two keys takes its toll and breaks flow, even though it doesn't seem like it should make a difference, at least in my experience. I'm back to TKL or larger.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#119I can't go back to a staggered typewriter layout, ergonomic columnar is where it's at.
I'm curious what the purpose of haptic feedback on an already mechanical keyboard is?
Cool that you've been able to turn this into a livable business though.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#120Love what you did, the dedication for 2 years to launch this is awesome. Apple keyboards are near-horrific IMO so you are filling an important niche for sure. I know it is a silly complaint in the mech KB space but the price compared to something like a Keychron K3 makes this a no-go for my preferences. The K3 is very close to what I'd consider suitable as a daily driver at work.
Thank you for including audio of the typing!!!! Again this is my preference, the Alter II is not "thocky" enough for what I like to hear. Clacky and Clicky keyboards are just far too distracting or painful to listen to for extended periods.
Also interesting to see a speaker built-in. I'd have cut it for cost and space.