Commander X16

@Jestin @troj Thanks, I've got a friend nearby with Brown and Blue I'm gonna try before I buy, but I don't think Blue is really gonna be an option. Maybe I'll try to sample a Red before, but I don't want to drive myself crazy and cause analysis paralysis again ?

@jtk If you like the feel of the blues, but they're too noisy, then the reds will be a good fit for you.

Yep, don't over-think it.  I've yet to use a mechanical keyboard that I didn't like the feel of. One of my kids has a Razer keyboard (they use their own switches) and it's still a nice feeling keyboard.

Reds are a good choice. With dampeners, they're not annoying. I use a Kinesis mechanical keyboard at work, with dampeners and red switches. So far, no one has complained (although, to be fair, I do have a few other neighbors that use mechanical keyboards. So they're less likely to complain than someone who doesn't understand the One True Way.)

@troj one of my kids has a Razer too, that's one of reasons I realized I need to upgrade, I get jealous every time I use his. I'm on an Amazon Basics ?  I know no matter what switch I choose I certainly won't be any worse off than that.

When I bought my X16 keyboard, I wanted it *now*.  Though I wanted MX Brown or MX Red, I got an MX Clear.

And I love it.  But I'm sure I'd love the other ones too.

 

On 9/5/2020 at 12:57 AM, rje said:

When I bought my X16 keyboard, I wanted it *now*.  Though I wanted MX Brown or MX Red, I got an MX Clear.



And I love it.  But I'm sure I'd love the other ones too.



 

I mostly have boards with Browns, but the Clear ones are really great (like browns, but a little crisper/harder). Good choice!

 

OMG $200 ?? that is insane. What is in there? Gold ?

What is the specific Design that has gone into it? The PETSCII caps? If they would be alike the C64 (graphics on the front, not on the top) I might consider it .. but to be honest ... that is by far too much for a standard keyboard without Num block.

@SerErris I had the same sticker shock.  Since @Perifractic has stated that only a small amount goes to the the x16 team, it makes me question whether I will bother with this keyboard at all.  Ideally, I'd prefer a set of keycaps that I can put on the keyboard of my choosing.  I own several mechanical keyboards, but only one has hit even the $100 mark.  Unless this keyboard is really something special, I'd feel like I'm paying $200 for a set of keycaps.

From experience, mechanical keyboards for keyboard enthusiasts goes upwards of C$100, and the keyboard on sale now is designed to be a deluxe keyboard, and the keyboard that would come with the X16 will be more low-cost. I guess it's the one that would give the team the most profit.

40 minutes ago, Juju said:

From experience, mechanical keyboards for keyboard enthusiasts goes upwards of C$100, and the keyboard on sale now is designed to be a deluxe keyboard, and the keyboard that would come with the X16 will be more low-cost. I guess it's the one that would give the team the most profit.

Yes, and custom printed keycaps is another step up from all mechanical switches. An 87-key "custom keyboard" from WASD costs $170, and "customizing" there is choice of six key switches and a choice from one of their 23 standard designs or upload your own, so not really paying any appreciable fee for the design IP.

That makes the gross margin after fulfillment at equal or less then $25 (there might be more fulfillment costs I've not included ... it's extremely optimistic to assume a cost is $0 just because you didn't think of it!)

And it's by "8-Bit Productions and Chloe", so Chloe might be getting some cut as a license fee ... and working with Chloe is, after all, what let the project go ahead without a long delay to "clean room build" an alternate Kernel and Basic ROM (thanks Chloe!!).

I can't afford the deluxe keyboard by any stretch of the imagination (with 8 grandkids to buy presents for and twins on the way in October) ... but if those of you who have generated enough NET revenue to "8 Bit Productions LLC" to help offset prototype production costs and the like, that makes me happy, so big props to y'all.