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Keyboards

Over the course of the day, many people type thousands of words onto a keyboard, whether it’s one physically built into a laptop or a standalone model. Alongside the mouse, they’re the most important peripherals for modern computers and have attracted a huge following of enthusiasts looking for the best typing experience. The Verge covers them all, from Apple’s latest wireless peripherals to clacky mechanical models with custom keycaps and switches designed by enthusiasts and sold through forums.

“We’ve tested it with a lot of raging.”

That’s Razer CEO Min-Liang Tan, introducing the company’s new flagship Huntsman V3 Pro gaming keyboards. They’ve got a second-gen optical switch that can still reset instantly after you press — now with adjustable actuation as little as 0.1mm (down from 1.2mm), and lighter at 40g (down from 45g). See them in the gallery below.


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“Simply slot the TypePak into a keyboard with a compatible Game Boy cartridge slot, flip the power switch, and you’ve got yourself a working wireless keyboard.”

This incredible 58-key split ergo wireless keyboard by FlatFootFox runs on Game Boy Advance cartridges. Excellent concept, great execution, and no vintage carts were harmed in the process. Do yourself a favor and read the build log.


Overhead shot of a split wireless mechanical keyboard. It has an ortho staggered layout, a 3D printed purple chassis, purple modifier keys, white-on-grey alpha legends, and a translucent Game Boy Advance cartridge on each side holding its microcontrollers.
The brains of the TypeBoy keyboard are, of course, inside its Game Boy Advance cartridge.
Image credit: FlatFootFox
A surprisingly notable firmware update for SteelSeries’ hall effect Apex Pro keyboards.

The keyboards are getting a new Rapid Trigger feature, which makes use of their magnetic analogue switches to register keypresses quicker when you press the same key multiple times. It’s a feature that’s made other hall effect keyboards like the Wooting 60HE so popular for gamers looking for the speediest response times.


Apex Pro TKL in front of several eSports stars.
Keyboards like the Apex Pro TKL are being updated with the new Rapid Trigger feature.
Image: SteelSeries
This $795 keyboard is straight outta Hyrule.

Angry Miao’s new AM AFA R2 Alice-layout mechanical keyboard looks like something Purah from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom would type on. It’s a lot like the original I tried last year, but with easier access to its internal adjustable leaf springs.

It’ll come in six colorful, nerd-inspired colorways when it goes up for preorder / group buy August 31st, starting at $680.


An Angry Miao AM AFA mechanical keyboard in a colorway themed after The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, sitting on a desk setup with a Zelda aesthetic.
A keyboard fit for a researcher at Hateno Village’s Ancient Tech Lab.
Image: Angry Miao
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The Verge
Wait, does Corsair own Geekhack now?

Corsair buying Drop is big news for keyboard nerds. But what happens to Geekhack, the venerable forum which Drop acquired in 2018?

Along with Deskthority, Geekhack is one of the longest-running communities for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, and its archives are a historical treasure trove of the mech revival. It’s not clear whether today’s acquisition includes Geekhack; we’ve reached out for clarification.


Remember the OnePlus keyboard?

Way back at its OnePlus 11 launch event in February, OnePlus revealed the Keyboard 81 Pro, its first ever mechanical keyboard. Today, the company is announcing that it’ll finally go on open sale on July 26th. Prices start at $219 for the tactile variant, rising to $239 for the linear version, which represents a small premium over the Keychron Q1 Pro it’s based on.


OnePlus keyboard sitting on a desk.
Image: OnePlus
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Our most recommended mechanical keyboard for newcomers is $20 off.

The Keychron V1 mechanical keyboard is currently on sale for $79.99 ($20 off) at Amazon, pre-built with red linear switches or brown tactile switches. It’s a Prime Day Lightning Deal, so it may not last long.

If you’re a little mech-curious, we cannot recommend the V1 enough. It’s an approachable layout, it’s affordable, and it both sounds and feels good. Go ahead and let the keeb bug bite ya.


Keychron V1

[Amazon]

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Youtube
How much does the shape and material of your keycaps impact the sound of your keyboard?

It turns out quite a bit. If you weren’t aware, keycaps for mechanical keyboard can come in a wide variety of sizes and various materials. The height of the keycaps can change the sound of your keyboard dramatically, from higher pitched clacks to deeper tones.

If you’re going for that trendy deep thocky sound, you’re going to want tall, preferably PBT keycaps.


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Youtube
You ever wonder what it would be like to press both control buttons at the same time with one finger?

Say hello to the BLOMFU keyboard.