Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
1–10 of 54 posts
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#2It's been a while since laptops came with trackballs, but it's a cool idea nonetheless.
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#3Is there something similar with a lower profile? I use a Logitech MX Keys keyboard and the trackball seems too high to use it comfortably. Either a trackball or a trackpoint (like the one on Lenovos) would be OK.
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#4>Fun design and internals aside, the new trackball module seems to have a 1/4-20 threaded tripod mount on the bottom, a common addition for ergonomic split keyboards that opens up a lot of options for angular mounting and similar ideas.
Source: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Keychron-Nape-Pro-wireless-tra...
I'm glad they implemented this! Checking the photo of this particular feature, it seems the 1/4-20 thead is paired with another hole: https://www.notebookcheck.net/fileadmin/Notebooks/News/_nc5/...
I was very hopeful that the hole arrangeemnt would be for an ARRI pin-lock: https://www.arri.com/resource/blob/320202/04f5271d1d21f8c7db...
Referring back to the Nape Pro picture from CES, this appears not to be the case. One thing these 1/4-20 mounted ergonomic keyboard designs need is a locking mechanism that prevents the keyboard from gradually pivoting during regular use. For the Nape Pro, I wonder how feasible it would be to drill the hole into it's exterior?
If you're thinking of mouting these at the edge of a surface, then make sure your 1/4-20 mounting arms use the ARRI pin lock on that end. It's annoying when your keyboard pivots, but if the whole mounting arm pivots, then you might be in trouble (i.e, a loosened mounting arm swings 180 degrees down towards the ground, potentially damaging your keyboard).
Here are some examples of those types of arms from SmallRig:
https://www.smallrig.com/Rosette-Magic-Arm-11-inch-with-ARRI...
https://www.smallrig.com/Rosette-Magic-Arm-7-inch-with-ARRI-...
https://www.smallrig.com/SmallRig-Magic-Arm-with-Dual-Ball-H...
And a clamp that has the ARRI holes:
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#5Nice, I want one! Assuming it works great (Keychron products usually do)
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#6Is there something similar with a lower profile? I use a Logitech MX Keys keyboard and the trackball seems too high to use it comfortably. Either a trackball or a trackpoint (like the one on Lenovos) would be OK.
Not exactly trackballs, but Magic Trackpad can be considered an alternative. Or roller mouse slim (crazy expensive)
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#7Is there something similar with a lower profile? I use a Logitech MX Keys keyboard and the trackball seems too high to use it comfortably. Either a trackball or a trackpoint (like the one on Lenovos) would be OK.
I'm not sure if a standalone trackpoint really makes sense, the main benefit of those is being accessible from the home row, which you lose if it's not integrated into the keyboard. If you're moving your hand anyway then you may as well use something more precise for pointing.
If you're willing to replace your keyboard, Lenovo does make a standalone version of their ThinkPad keyboard complete with trackpoint though.
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#8>Fun design and internals aside, the new trackball module seems to have a 1/4-20 threaded tripod mount on the bottom, a common addition for ergonomic split keyboards that opens up a lot of options for angular mounting and similar ideas. Source: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Keychron-Nape-Pro-wireless-tra... I'm glad they implemented this! Checking the photo of this particular feature, it seems the 1/4-20 thead is pai…
I'd hope that if they're releasing the 3D files, then swapping the baseplate out for something custom or aftermarket won't be too hard. I assume there are fasteners under the rubber feet.
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#9It's been a while since laptops came with track balls, but it's a cool idea nonetheless.
Mnt reform and the mini both feature optional track balls. Might be more of a niche but still, you can buy a new laptop with a trackball.
Re: Keychron's Nape Pro turns your keyboard into a laptop‑style trackball rig
#10>Fun design and internals aside, the new trackball module seems to have a 1/4-20 threaded tripod mount on the bottom, a common addition for ergonomic split keyboards that opens up a lot of options for angular mounting and similar ideas. Source: https://www.notebookcheck.net/Keychron-Nape-Pro-wireless-tra... I'm glad they implemented this! Checking the photo of this particular feature, it seems the 1/4-20 thead is pai…
I'd hope that if they're releasing the 3D files, then swapping the baseplate out for something custom or aftermarket won't be too hard. I assume there are fasteners under the rubber feet.
3D files would be fantastic.
Maybe one day we'll see a group buy with an all-aluminum case and PVD brass bottom weight.