[Computex 2019] Leopold: new switches, Bluetooth, OEM-profile keycaps

davkol

05 Jun 2019, 11:24

TechPowerUp's report on Leopold's booth at Computex 2019.
The new switch finds its way in the equally new FC660PT keyboard, with the primary design change being the location of the spring relative to the switch housing and rubber dome that gave Topre switches the unique tactile feedback which people either loved or did not. The new design attempts to appease users who long since have wanted compatibility with Cherrry MX stem keycaps, which account for the vast majority of aftermarket keycap sets. The spring is thus right on top, and makes for an interesting two-step feedback mechanism seen in the force-travel diagram below, which may well be just as divisive as the Topre switch itself. Noting that the springs may work loose and possibly be lost, Leopold tells us they plan to also include an extra set of springs with the keyboard as well.
I've seen a comment that it's foam&foil, though, and found an infographic and a brief video coverage.
Leopold also gave the Bluetooth connectivity treatment to several of their other popular keyboards, including the FC660M, FC750R, FC900R, and FC980M, which fall in the 60/TKL/full-size/95% form factors respectively. The new variants get a BT at the end of the product name to help quickly distinguish them from the older USB-only versions, and are powered by two AAA batteries on the back.
The lack of an OEM keycap profile for some of their current generation keyboards was seemingly a dealbreaker for many, and they should be pleased with the new OEM profile versions, currently marked OE but subject to change. Leopold had the FC750R OE and FC900R OE with the OEM profile treatment to show at their booth, and the other major change we saw here was one we missed on the other new keyboards. In order to address the louder clack from the space bar key, Leopold has integrated a soft pad on the contact surfaces which minimizes noise and does not detract further from the typing experience.
Just like two years ago, they've apparently had a tenkeyless with a trackpoint too. Another is visible in TechPowerUp's gallery, possibly as a collaboration with Archiss.

Findecanor

05 Jun 2019, 14:56

Yeah, Hardware Canucks' video indicate that they could be using a stiffer kind of foam than classic foam-and-foil keyboards. I dunno...

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Elrick

07 Jul 2019, 04:07

Findecanor wrote:
05 Jun 2019, 14:56
Yeah, Hardware Canucks' video indicate that they could be using a stiffer kind of foam than classic foam-and-foil keyboards. I dunno...
You've got superior foam and plastics now being produced, that would outlast the life time of us here on this forum.

Not worried about Leopold going down this route but it remains again the time honoured equation of designing a superior switch within certain budgetary limits that allow this keyboard to ever come onto the retain market, for a decent price tag.

Leopold would do this easily since they do produce QUALITY products for sale around the world.

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