Cramming the fn key into the sacred ctrl-alt-cmd triumvirate is disagreeable. Would require learning and remapping. I prefer fn to be distant as I have chorded for decades with the said trio.
Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
141–150 of 246 posts
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#142The thing I find most attractive about mechanical keyboards is that they send a keypress when a key is only partially pressed down. When combined with the tactile bump and audible click created by actuating the key, this means that typing on a mechanical keyboard is much less fatiguing than using a rubber dome or laptop keyboard because you're only pushing the key down partially until you feel the bump and hear the c…
I believe you are referring to the "pre-travel" of the key and yes, Altar II has a very small amount of pre-travel actually. This is partially due to it having such a small vertical travel.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#143Earlier quoted context omitted.
A fingerprint sensor isn't possible, appreciated, but what about a U2F activation button? It could even just be a wireless pass-through for USB to allow your yubikey to work for example (I'm certain this can be done on Linux but unsure about other oses)
> It could even just be a wireless pass-through for USB to allow your yubikey to work for example Everyone would be better served with a generic USB hub in the keyboard, not shipping a security key with the keyboard.
My favorite keyboard for years was the Dell SK-8135. It had media buttons without messing with your function keys, a volume knob, and two USB ports!
For a long time I would argue (as an IT support person who would have to support your wireless keyboard problems) that having a wireless keyboard was wasteful and unnecessary if you never used it more than 3 feet from your computer anyway.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#144Love the keyboard, great job!
the website however is a terrible experience. There is so much movement whilst scrolling that it triggers my motion sickness.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#145The 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!
Thank you so much! A genuinely silly amount of time went into the website. If you'll indulge me for a moment, because I never get to talk about this stuff: the corner radii of the cards on the site are actually "squircles" rather than perfect rounded corners. To me this is much more pleasing to the eye. The squircles are achieved by creating a PNG mask which is then 9-sliced and expanded to mask off the edge of the c…
That is a silly amount of detail that in many ways is what Apple design is known for.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#146This looks incredible but I’m skeptical you can actually produce it for $250 and maintain the level of quality and features that you claim. And it appears you’re offering $100 off of that (or is that the post discount price? It’s hard to tell). I guess I will wait and see.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#147Earlier quoted context omitted.
Fingerprint sensor is technically possible: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=120964.0 CC @gtsteve
fingerprint sensor is easily done. Touch ID-compatible fingerprint sensor from someone other than Apple is not possible as I understand it.
I just linked you a post with a Touch ID-compatible mechanical keycap.
Reverse-engineered from the Apple Magic Keyboard and requires a donor board, though
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#148LOVE the industrial design. HATE the font, especially on the number keys. But, great job overall!
I actually like the number font, the presence, but the loss of visibility for the shifted symbols is a huge loss. I know where the numbers are -- I admittedly need more reminding for the symbols as I never explicitly practiced them. The muscle memory for them isn't quite as strong and in low light I need to see them.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#149An indie dev beating Apple at its own game is some feat. This inspires me. Would purchase in a heartbeat.
Right? When Apple expects $149 minimum for their extremely mediocre membrane keyboard, and its only feature is the one they cheat to keep exclusive, it's embarrassing how much better a tiny team can do.
Re: Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard
#150This looks incredible but I’m skeptical you can actually produce it for $250 and maintain the level of quality and features that you claim. And it appears you’re offering $100 off of that (or is that the post discount price? It’s hard to tell). I guess I will wait and see.
We have spent a lot of time and effort finding manufacturing partners and ensuring they can produce Altar II at the scale and quality we require. In fact we have delayed announcing Altar II for a long time because we wanted to be absolutely certain it was manufacturable and shippable at our price points.
Do also bear in mind the final retail price is $349. the $249 price is for early pre-orders only.