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Open Source Hardware

System76 Unveils Open Source 'Launch Configurable Keyboard' for Linux, Windows, and macOS (betanews.com) 61

Posted by msmash from the moving-forward dept.
System76 today unveiled its newest product -- the "Launch Configurable Keyboard." It is a mechanical keyboard made in the USA with a focus on open source. The Launch has both open source firmware and hardware. Even the configuration software -- which runs on Linux, Windows, and macOS -- is open source. From a report: "With a wide swath of customization options, the Launch is flexible to a variety of needs and use cases. The keyboard's thoughtful design keeps everything within reach, vastly reducing awkward hand contortions. Launch comes with additional keycaps and a convenient keycap puller, meaning one can swap keys based on personal workflow preferences to maximize efficiency. Launch also features a novel split Space Bar, which allows the user to swap out one Space Bar keycap for Shift, Backspace, or Function to reduce hand fatigue while typing. Launch uses only three keycap sizes to vastly expand configuration options," says System76. The keyboard, which has a removable USB-C cable for connectivity, is priced at $285.
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System76 Unveils Open Source 'Launch Configurable Keyboard' for Linux, Windows, and macOS More

System76 Unveils Open Source 'Launch Configurable Keyboard' for Linux, Windows, and macOS

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  • Looks Awesome (Score:3)

    by JBMcB ( 73720 ) on Thursday May 13, 2021 @01:39PM (#61380924)

    I'd love one, but I'm used to a full-sized 101-key form factor. I actually use the keypad quite a bit.

    Also, what's with the double spacebar?

    • Re: (Score:2)

      by Junta ( 36770 )

      They cover the purpose. You can replace half your 'spacebar' area with a shift key or backspace, or Fn, or Esc key.

    • Re: (Score:3)

      by Misagon ( 1135 )

      The most common use for a split spacebar is to map one to Backspace.

      This was introduced back in the '90s as the "Erase-Eaze" key on keyboard from NMB, BTC and Lexmark.
      It is also common on higher-end split ergonomic keyboards (i.e. not from Microsoft).

  • Anyone know if there's a good reference design for a keylogger?

  • I mean, I knew it would be expensive, but HOLY SHIT

    Also it's a cramped compact keyboard with no numpad...

    • Pre-orders for the âoeLaunch Configurable Keyboardâ begin today here, and it will begin shipping to consumers in June. System76 is asking $285, which may scare away some consumers. However, this pricing is totally appropriate given the companyâ(TM)sâ(TM) small size and the fact that it is being handmade in Colorado.

      Oh, they are a small company, that explains it!

      • Re: (Score:3)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        Unicomp will sell you a brand new Model M buckling spring keyboard, made in Lexington USA, for about $100. Whatever switches these guys use are unlikely to be as nice as a Model M.

        If you want the reprogramable option and open source then you can buy a replacement controller board for a Model M.

    • Re:Make sure you're sitting when you see the price (Score:5, Informative)

      by Misagon ( 1135 ) on Thursday May 13, 2021 @02:25PM (#61381140)

      The chassis is milled from a solid block of aluminium. That get pricey, especially if made in small series in the US.
      The price is actually pretty low for keyboards made that way.

      Mainstream mechanical keyboards with "metal chassis" you'd find in shops are typically made from stamped sheet metal, which is much cheaper to produce. (and actually part of almost every mechanical keyboard, just not always exposed and hauled as a special feature when it isn't)

      There is now a vibrant custom keyboard scene, where people spend much more on their keyboards that they build themselves, with chassis made from even larger lumps of metal. A couple hangouts are /r/mechanicalkeyboards on Reddit, Keebtalk.com and Geekhack.org.
      But it would be difficult to find a keyboard with milled metal case in 100% "full-size" layout with numeric keypad: there have only been a couple such designs.

      There are other open source designs that I think may be better than this though, except for the part with the USB 3.x hub.
      The Launch Keyboard has non-standard key sizes, making it difficult to get matching replacement keycaps (in case you'd want another profile, legends or colour scheme). Split spacebars are now common in the custom keyboard scene though.

      • Well put.

        It's odd, I would expect the general /. user to, if not be a keyboard hobbyist, to at least know of the hobby and how the costs and craftmanship can be.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by xwin ( 848234 )
        I use this keyboard this keyboard [amazon.com] but with just red back-lighting. It feels very solid and cost 1/10th of the "Open Source" keyboard. These days "Open Source" is attached to the any product that you want to overcharge for.
        People building keyboards themselves to show it on youtube and make money this way. Or because they enjoy building things. I have not seen that many people using these fancy keyboards, and I am around keyboards all day. You can get a fully mechanical keyboard [pckeyboard.com] for third of the cost.

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by tlhIngan ( 30335 )

        Mechanical keyboards are fairly easy to make as the hard part is already done.

        It's really just putting components on a PCB and securely mounting that PCB to a frame.

        It's like the difference between making an SSD vs a HDD - there are millions of companies making SSDs because at the end of it, it's just a circuit board and those are easy to make. An HDD requires lots of fiddly mechanical bits that you have to get in precisely the right place and special coating machines, etc.

        DIY keyboards is a PCB, a sturdy f

      • Then that's a stupid way to make a keyboard case. You can get cast aluminum cases for the myriad 60% keyboards out there, like the KBC Pok3r, for less than $50. [amazon.com]

      • Re: (Score:2)

        by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

        Milled alu is not really worth it though. It looks nice but sheet metal is more than good enough. The Model M is basically a big lump of sheet metal holding the switches that makes it super rigid and very heavy.

  • or do they deliver in person and share the drugs they're on?

    • Re: (Score:1)

      by Anonymous Coward

      Do you know of another keyboard that has these features but cheaper than $285?

      * open source firmware
      * open source OS drivers supporting Linux, Windows, OSX
      * 4 port USB hub including two USB-A and two USB-C ports
      * made in the United States of America
      * RGB lighting
      * additional custom keys
      * mechanical switches

      If you do and it includes a numpad, I'll buy it today. The lack of a numpad is the only issue I have with this keyboard.

      • Ducky has full-size keyboards for around $100 that have all of those features except a USB hub and being made in the US. Key mapping and RGB control is configured on-board; they do not require software or a driver. If the USB hub is that big of a deal for you, I'm sure you can find one for well under $185.

      • You list me at "open source firmware" - why is that valuable? It's a f--king keyboard, for goodness sake!

        • Re: (Score:1)

          by wfj2fd ( 4643467 )

          You list me at "open source firmware" - why is that valuable? It's a f--king keyboard, for goodness sake!

          It's valuable because it's nice to know that the thing I'm entering all my information is under my own control.

  • It make Apple's Magic Keyboard (which I quite like) seem reasonably priced!!

    • It make Apple's Magic Keyboard (which I quite like) seem reasonably priced!!

      That's what i was thinking!

      And the Wired one actually has a Numeric Keypad and a USB hub...

      And it doesn't look like a 12 year old designed it!

      Apple stopped selling theirs in 2018; but a company called Matias sells an improved Replica (with RGB backlighting) in both silver and space grey for $99; so...

      https://www.theverge.com/circu... [theverge.com]

      In fact, they have several variants, some with NumKeys, some not, down to $55...

      https://matias.ca/products/ [matias.ca]

      Full disclosure: I didn't even know these existed before 10 minutes ag

  • This thing costs a fortune, but there are already a ton of opensource keyboard designs and keyboard firmwares out there. You can buy them for less than half the price. So what does this thing do that the existing ones don't? A split spacebar is a minor advantage at best.

  • Let's see... (Score:3)

    by CrappySnackPlane ( 7852536 ) on Thursday May 13, 2021 @02:09PM (#61381104)

    $300

    No numpad.

    No print screen or scroll lock buttons.

    Vertical home/end/page buttons (with an absolutely atrocious default layout, but since that can be reconfigured I'll only mention it as a clue to the aesthetic abilities of the designers).

    Delete button placed in an insane location.

    No media buttons.

    To reiterate: $300.

    Yeah, I'll pass on this one, thanks.

    • They should be selling you a link to a JPEG of the keyboard. As a totally unique, individually numbered blockchain NFT, it would be worth at least much.

    • The 10keyless is a feature, not a drawback. Who the hell actually uses home/end/page buttons or media buttons? I don't see anything here superior to Keychron offerings, and it appears to be horizontally compressed and to not offer low-profile keycaps and switches. Nothingburger.

  • If I were in the market for a ridiculously expensive keyboard, I'd go for an Optimus keyboard from the mid-2000s. Each key had a tiny display that could be configured to your current key configuration, allowing you to change it for each game/application that you use. The cost was a mere $1,600!

    The Wikipedia page even credits Slashdot for raising awareness of the keyboard.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/... [wikipedia.org]

    • Speaking of the Optimus keyboard, does anyone out there have one of these?
      Do all of the key displays still work? Does the configuration utility and driver still work?
      Did art.lebadev continue to support it?

      When Russia was opening up, art lebadev design studio was gaining an international presence and I see that they've been busy with a variety of projects.

  • Offer this as a full sized keyboard without the ridiculous LEDs underneath and I may take another look. The only good use for LEDs in a keyboard is to light up the symbols on the key caps themselves.

  • ... to put a Rasberry Pi inside, I would take one.

    My Ono Sendai!

  • Replaceable keycaps? My 30 year old Model M keyboard has those. If someone invents a better keyboard than the Model M, I'll consider it.
    • Interestingly, unicomp [wikipedia.org] (the inheritor of IBM keyboard making, via Lexmark) has just introduced a mini-m [pckeyboard.com] that is similar to the old model M (SSK). It is cheaper than this System76 unit, also made in USA, but no LEDs, programmability or USB hub functionality. It is also plastic. I think they layout is a little better, and I personally prefer buckling spring keyboards. There seems to be a lot of interest in smaller layouts these days.

      I daily use one of unicomp's other models and can recommend them if you li
      • When, or rather if, my 30 year old Model M fails, I'll consider that Unicomp compact keyboard since I rarely use the numeric keypad anyways. I don't care about LED's, programmability, or USB hub on a keyboard. But I really need the tactile feedback of the buckling keys.
  • Hey ! Looking for some fun to get into? () Me too! Let's get to know each other on a much more personal level ==>> v.ht/cDoB

  • If they were serious, they would offer a $125 version with an Injection-molded case. And worst of all, how to spatter-coating a beautiful milled block of aluminum so it looks like cheap folded sheet metal is an Epic Fail, aesthetics-wise.

    As it stands, this is nothing but an expensive fashion-less fashion accessory. It looks like a hobbyist built it, and doesn't even have a Numeric Keypad.

    Heck, the keycaps don't even have double-shot molded legends!

  • No numpad, non-standard layout... do keyboard manufacturers even understand muscle memory?
  • My fingers cry when looking at standard staggered keyboards. So much interesting ideas around... https://x-bows.com/ [x-bows.com] - https://ergodox-ez.com/ [ergodox-ez.com] - https://trulyergonomic.com/erg... [trulyergonomic.com] - https://shop.keyboard.io/colle... [keyboard.io] - http://xahlee.info/kbd/axios_k... [xahlee.info] Large manufacturers (Logitech, Microsoft, Apple, HP, Dell, Lenovo...) still do not get ergonomics seriously.

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