Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
I don't really come here for assembled, off-the-shelf, factory boards. I can get those anywhere. This is not at all what I expected after months of hype. I don't even really know what to say right now.
Offering a SINGLE board that lives up to the K-Types initial purpose - to be a high quality board that enthusiasts, gamers, and casual users alike can enjoy and appreciate.
Naturally, being made to cater to ALL keyboard lovers essentially, means it can't please everyone without offering a terribly large number of options. I think this is where the hot swappability, and configurator really come into play. Sure, you could save $15-$30 without switches or caps, but being the first run of the board I think that is is EXTREMELY wise of MD and IC to keep production as simple and streamlined as possible.
We have all seen drops that just have too many options. And they often end with a lot of people needing support/unhappy. I think kicking off the K-Type with a single option is absolutely the right idea, and hopefully we see more options in future drops after a (very) successful first drop (which it will be).
They're already offering multiple switch options. There could be 8 or more Kailh switches available for this drop. That's 8 or more SKUs to juggle just from switch options alone. You're telling me adding a "no switches, no keycaps" option is too complicated for assembly and fulfillment? Sorry, I gotta call bullshit.
Not only is that not customer-friendly, it's antithetical to the very concept of enthusiast keyboards established by every single prior Input Club group buy.
Look, they can do whatever they want. Nobody's holding a gun to my head. I don't have to buy it and I probably won't. But fuck, man, this is not living up to the last 6 months of hype and anticipation. There's absolutely no excuse to limit options as severely as they're proposing on a board that proudly advertises its modularity and "open source" roots. Give me a break.
So I do see the validity of the point you are making for sure about the barebones kit and absolutely respect your personal decision not to buy in.
Again, I do hope to see more options in the future drops as well too, but still and rooting for this one to be a big success