Topre switch / Cherry MX compatible

[Muirium]

Unless they demo this thing with a set of Round 4 SPH on it, I'll still be anxious!

[002]

Round 6 = replacement stabilised caps for Rounds 1,2,3,4 & 5

Personally I think they've gone with Cherry-style stabs because I just don't think they'd've bothered making the new caps without the mounts to provide the clearance for Topre's larger stabilised key switch housings.

Makes sense to me for them to re-use as much as they can because:
a) Costs less for them
b) Means that people who've invested in Cherry caps already can use their collections

[matt3o]

I'm just wondering if the sliders for the spacebar are compatible with currently available topre keyboard. I hardly believe so, but still... they probably just used cherry stabs.

[002]

Ohh OK, my guess is that they are, but you'd still have the problem of the extremities of a Cherry space bar not being compatible with Topre's configuration?

[matt3o]

Ohh OK, my guess is that they are, but you'd still have the problem of the extremities of a Cherry space bar not being compatible with Topre's configuration?

you mean mounting point position and scrollbar size?

[Bramster]

Yes @ all.. this project is indeed also being shown @ CES along with some other CM projects (not peripherals).. Keep an eye out on your favorite media that will visit our booth at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas..

But for you guys who have given us some good support here just an other picture for you


Any questions or feedback about the above picture?

[bazh]

so the dreaming of HHKB wearing GMK, BSP key set has gone...

[matt3o]

Yes @ all.. this project is indeed also being shown @ CES along with some other CM projects (not peripherals).. Keep an eye out on your favorite media that will visit our booth at the Palms Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas..

But for you guys who have given us some good support here just an other picture for you


Any questions or feedback about the above picture?

FINALLY!

this is pure magic! so basically the key is held in position just by the barrel. The stems do not actually fit into the mounting points. MOAR pictures!

oh and btw, where do I order?

[Muirium]

Ah, good news. Phew!

Next up we want pricing and model choices, of course! (This is the hybrid Topre MX keyboard we've been waiting for.) I'd like an ANSI TKL…

[Carrion]

Is that a ISO DE Layout in the picture above? The 'STRG'-label on the CTRL key and the '+' key seem kind of suspicious

That would be really, really exciting news for me.

[Monkay]

Is that a ISO DE Layout in the picture above? The 'STRG'-label on the CTRL key and the '+' key seem kind of suspicious

That would be really, really exciting news for me.

Oh I did not noticed that.
Topre + MX compatible + ISO set = Instant preorder.

Seriously, the hype intensifies incredible!

[matt3o]

wondering if Microsoft is paying companies to show the win logo...

[Bramster]

Feedback - sure - have some:
1. More pictures, please !
2. Pricing ?
3. Availability (Europe) ?
4. Looks interesting ...

Hi there..

1. More pictures will be slowly teased to all and you guys at DT are my first forum to go to... But also keep an eye on CES content from your favorite media because we will also have on dispaly there.

2. Pricing I cannot confirm at this stage but we aim to be 'agressive' thats all I can say ...

3. If general EU is interested in this like DT community stay tuned... Project for this year!

4. Thanks

[adhoc]

Is that a ISO DE Layout in the picture above? The 'STRG'-label on the CTRL key and the '+' key seem kind of suspicious

That would be really, really exciting news for me.

Yeh it's ISO, you can tell from the picture. Double enter. Looking very promising! Blank caps option y/n?

[Muirium]

wondering if Microsoft is paying companies to show the win logo...

You know how it is. Companies pay Microsoft to put the logo on the box, and the logo key is part of the deal. Nothing a set of good caps can't fix. Much easier to replace this than your Realforce's bubble key!

It's a standard 1.25-1.25-1.25-6.25-1.25-1.25-1.25-1.25 bottom row, I hope.

[matt3o]

wondering if Microsoft is paying companies to show the win logo...

You know how it is. Companies pay Microsoft to put the logo on the box, and the logo key is part of the deal. Nothing a set of good caps can't fix. Much easier to replace this than your Realforce's bubble key!

It's a standard 1.25-1.25-1.25-6.25-1.25-1.25-1.25-1.25 bottom row, I hope.

yeah, not a big deal. just saying...

[scottc]

Super excited about this. Tried a friend's HHKB for the first time yesterday and needless to say, I'm hooked. I really hope that this is released sometime soon... are you still not allowed to give any hints about an ETA?

[Monkay]

Just found this youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt4TvdGt4i4

You can see the new backlit Quickfire Rapid (Both normal and Stealth) and something called the "Novatouch" which seems like it would be the Topre board. Although the Coolermaster dude does not actually say it uses Topre, but just a different, more high quality, switch.

[002]

Nice find! Definitely the one -- "Japanese electrostatic switch" surely means Topre


Edit:
Some more pics of the 'Novatouch' from here:

[matt3o]

okay. a few notes:

1) rapid fire is LAAAAME
2) release in Q2 ?!?!?!? ohmy...
3) the guy strangely seems to know what he is talking about
4) not a big fan of the legends, but the keyboard overall looks fantastic
5) maybe mx brown backlight could be amber instead of white

[Muirium]

That Novatouch right there: want.

[Broadmonkey]

3) the guy strangely seems to know what he is talking about

He is Carter, a CM rep whom is pretty active (for a rep) on the different forums talking about keyboards (eg.OCN and GH). When you read so much feedback as he does, you have to gain some knowledge

[adhoc]

Fantastic looking board. Offer me a blank version and I'd have a very difficult time finding anything not likable on this board.

[mtl]

Looks like they just threw on some caps from a backlit MX keyboard -- notice how many of the legends are positioned over where an LED would be. So maybe there is some hope for better legends, but if not at least there will be many options for swapping them out.

[Bramster]

At CES is indeed my USA colleague Carter (active on geekhack a lot as CM rep). And the product you see there and possibly in other videos and media is indeed the Topre Switch with Cherry MX Compatibility... And it will indeed be called: NovaTouch TKL

[Bramster]

wondering if Microsoft is paying companies to show the win logo...

You know how it is. Companies pay Microsoft to put the logo on the box, and the logo key is part of the deal. Nothing a set of good caps can't fix. Much easier to replace this than your Realforce's bubble key!

It's a standard 1.25-1.25-1.25-6.25-1.25-1.25-1.25-1.25 bottom row, I hope.

To use the windows key from Microsoft it indeed requires a certificate/licence from MS.


Regarding the bottom row it is indeed: 1.25-1.25-1.25-6.25-1.25-1.25-1.25-1.25

[matt3o]

it's all good and I love CM (I also like the new Elite 110 case) but no release date and no pricing

[reziak]

I would personally love to see the case without the rubber coating the QFR's come with. My QFR's coating started rubbing off and it just looked bad then.

[Muirium]

I would personally love to see the case without the rubber coating the QFR's come with. My QFR's coating started rubbing off and it just looked bad then.

Good point. I'm interested to see just how the NovaTouch differs from the QFR, besides its switches.

Glad to hear the bottom row is standard. My caps are waiting!

[Julle]

At CES is indeed my USA colleague Carter (active on geekhack a lot as CM rep). And the product you see there and possibly in other videos and media is indeed the Topre Switch with Cherry MX Compatibility... And it will indeed be called: NovaTouch TKL

He said in the video that the board has N key rollover (over USB, I assume), which would make the first of its kind (Topre, I mean). Is this true or did he in reality mean 6 key rollover?