Wooting is a brand that is near and dear to me in that it brought about the most innovating keyboard feature in ages with its analog control Flaretech switches a few years ago. It's debut product—the Wooting One—is a tenkeyless (TKL) form factor keyboard, which was then supported by the full-size Wooting Two. New switches and an updated software suite came about earlier this year with the Wooting Two HE, whose review is in the works as we speak, but that did not stop the company from seeing everyone else come out with a 60% form factor keyboard this past year too. Enter then the Wooting 60HE, and it's already a commercial success!

Wooting went the crowdfunding route with the 60HE, but hosted the campaign on its own website rather than going the Kickstarter or Indiegogo route and giving a cut to the platform. It was a risk that paid off big time clearly, with the campaign meeting its goal within 12 hours and now stretch goals in the consideration, with the first one being a differently color USB cable. If you fancy being a founder, hit up the link below and see some other cool features available, including founder's only swag and even an Easter egg on the PCB itself. The Wooting 60HE can be backed starting from €154.99 (inc. VAT), which in itself is a 10% discount over the eventual MSRP of €169.99, and delivery is slated for Q2 of 2022.

Epomaker announces the Epomaker NT68, a wireless 65% compact mechanical keyboard designed with versatility, which comes with a foldable carrying case which can be used as a movable stand. This is a slim, sleek, and smart keyboard designed for creators, developers, gamers, and anyone who seeks performance, portability, and comfort anywhere they need to work and game.

Type and play games efficiently and comfortably on your familiar keyboard layout - the NT68 can directly sit on the top of your laptop's built-in keyboard while preserving the laptop's trackpad at your most familiar position for more precision and control. No matter you are using windows system or macOS, the media keys you need can be easily accessed by designated shortcuts. By pressing FN+W/E, you can effortlessly switch the keyboard layout between Windows and macOS. If there are any specific preferences, NT68's software allows you to customize the layout and remap the keys based on any personal needs. Your customized layout can be stored as a layer in the keyboard, and you can save up to 3 customized layers， which refers to three different layouts to fit your various devices.

[Editor's note: Our review of the Mountain Everest Max keyboard can be found here]

MOUNTAIN, creator of innovative, premium peripherals with user-centric design to enable gamers to perform at their best, brings integration of OBS Studio to Base Camp. Starting with version 1.0.36, MOUNTAIN's critically acclaimed management software interfaces with OBS Studio to allow for easy streaming setup and management.

Users of MOUNTAIN Everest mechanical keyboards will be able to create custom key bindings to easily access OBS Studio functions, significantly decreasing the complexity of setting up a streaming or recording setup. Everest Max' surplus of available buttons offers plenty of room for different functions, doing away with the need to remember complex hotkeys.

SteelSeries, the worldwide leader in gaming and esports peripherals, today unveiled SteelSeries PrismCaps. The new line of PrismCaps are designed to provide gamers with the ultimate option to upgrade and enhance the gaming experience through their keyboards. Engineered to deliver the widest compatibility available for mechanical keyboards, the universal keycaps are designed for durability, fit, placement, and precision. Additionally, PrismCaps provide a stunning appearance through a "double shot" pudding-style design that emphasizes the brilliance of dynamic RGB lighting.

• Widest Compatibility - It's about fit, placement, and precision. SteelSeries PrismCaps include two additional sets of alternate bottom row keycaps to fit the widest range of mechanical keyboard brands (SteelSeries, Razer, HyperX, Corsair, Ducky, and more).
• Extreme Durability - Engineered with PBT, one of the hardest and most durable keycap materials available, SteelSeries PrismCaps retain consistent texture and appearance through extreme use - even for the most hardcore gamers.
• Enhanced Lighting - With millions of color options, gamers can power up their keyboards with brilliant pudding-style RGB illumination through a specially engineered double shot design with translucent sides and letters.
• Delivering best-in-class compatibility, durability, and dynamic RGB lighting, SteelSeries PrismCaps are available in both black and white colors in North America for $29.99 | EMEA for €34.99 | APAC for $34.99 at Steelseries.com. Choose from US/UK/NORDIC layouts.

[Editor's note: Our review of the Epomaker AK84S can be found here for those interested.]

The Epomaker AK84S, now available on Kickstarter, is an 84-key wireless hot-swappable mechanical keyboard that is specifically optimized for macOS compatibility. It's versatile and customizable, even for its switches and keycaps. Compared with Epomaker previous GK/SK keyboards, the AK84S is equipped with a new set of silicone keycaps. On top of that, the proprietary Chocolate switches are available in different types to offer various tactile feelings. The AK84S provides several types of designs, including an aluminum frame version, a full aluminum case version, and a unique bold acrylic design version.

Cooler Master, a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative gaming peripherals and computer components, announces today an addition to the SK600 series of low-profile gaming keyboards with the Cooler Master SK620 wired gaming keyboard available in silver white and gunmetal. The SK620 is a compact gaming keyboard in a 60% layout for small form factor and portability. It retains many of the same features as its wireless counterpart, the SK622 Bluetooth gaming keyboard: sleek brushed aluminum styling, TTC low profile mechanical switches, improved keycaps and adjustable feet, and signature Cooler Master customization capabilities. It provides all of this in a convenient, wired format for a simple, straightforward package.

"The SK622 is one of our most popular gaming keyboards in the lineup, but not everybody needs Bluetooth wireless in their keyboard, which is why we designed the SK622 for gamers who want a viable portable input option, and for creative professionals who want something a little more durable than your standard chiclet keyboard" says Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager. "The SK620 maintains the striking aesthetics and improved typing experience of the SK622, but in a wired format for those who prefer it."

AOC, a global leader in high performance gaming monitors, today adds true mechanical keyboards, gaming mice and mousepads to its eSports and gaming line-up. The new products include:

• Gaming Keyboards: the AGON AGK700 tournament-grade mechanical keyboard for eSports, and the mid-level AOC GK500 gaming mechanical keyboard
• Gaming Mice: the AGON AGM700 tournament-grade RGB gaming mouse for eSports, and the mid-level AOC GM500 RGB gaming mouse
• Gaming Mouse Mat: the AGON AMM700 RGB mouse mat

In competition, the right equipment often makes all the difference. AGON and AOC gaming monitors with have set a standard, enabling fast and accurate visual feedback to gamers, allowing their unhindered skill to determine their performance. AGON and AOC peripherals similarly enable competition-level performance, while providing complimentary design for a striking desktop system look.

"Ever since AOC entered the gaming market, we have strived to put the best-performing, feature-rich, and most reliable products in the hands of our fans. As we continue our growth in the eSports and gaming space, adding these high performance and highly customizable products to our gaming arsenal is a seminal moment," says David Ray, Director of Marketing at AOC North America.

CHERRY MX, the market leader and expert for mechanical switches in keyboards, presents the Ultra Low Profile. With this model, the German-based company once again achieves a milestone in the development of switches: CHERRY MX manages to create the ultra-low profile mechanical switch into its own portfolio, which brings new technical possibilities to the design of ultra-low profile notebook and desktop keyboards in the high-end segment. In addition, the ultra-thin solution combines the feature set of the MX switches that have been proven for decades with new attributes, making the CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile a game-changer for the industry.

CHERRY MX has not only presented a completely new development with the Low Profile switch introduced in 2018 but also significantly reduced the overall height of mechanical switches in this new design. This step is radically continued with the brand-new Ultra Low Profile. CHERRY MX is moving toward the current limit of technical feasibility with this model: the overall height is now reduced to only 3.5 millimeters. Accordingly, the development team realized a mechanical switch that is around 70 percent smaller than the Low Profile.

ZSA Technology Labs, the makers of the excellent ErgoDox EZ Shine and the Planck EZ today introduced their latest ergonomic keyboard titled The Moonlander Mark 1. The company claims this is a result of over three years of R&D, incorporating feedback from customers and the general keyboard community as a whole on what they wanted from the ErgoDox EZ and other such split, ergonomic keyboards. The Moonlander Mark 1 boasts features including a thumb cluster that can be positioned to better suit your hand size/shape, tilting and tenting of the two keyboard halves for better ergonomics, a wrist rest (on each half) that automatically angles with tilting/tenting, hot-swappable switches with Cherry MX and Kailh BOX switches to choose from out of the box, and enhanced portability with the ability to fold the wrist rest (wing) and just plug in the left half via Type-C connectivity to use as a game/macro-pad.

The Moonlander Mark 1 continues the design scheme of the ErgoDox EZ and Planck EZ in having columnar keys, is available in black or white colors, and with ten switch options at checkout. Fully open source firmware is available here as well, for both programming the keys and layers of functions and also the RGB LEDs for backlighting of every single key. There is a first-party configurator available as well, with Windows, macOS, and Linus support without any special drivers needed. The keyboard also has status LEDs on board and, as the name is befitting here, uses audio buzzers to beep out status feedback if desired. The wings and thumb clusters are optional, and come in the package that also includes a carry case. Going for a significant $365 from the dedicated product page (shipping included), the company also offers a no-questions-asked 2-year warranty to help sweeten the deal.

Fujitsu Computer Products of America, Inc. introduces new Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) models including a Bluetooth enabled model, as well as HHKB branded accessories for avid HHKB fans!

The HHKB was developed by programmers for programmers to provide a smooth and fast keying experience while minimizing hand and finger fatigue. The keyboard only has the most necessary keys resulting in a light, compact and minimalist device. Since its introduction, the HHKB has been used by many customers including programmers and engineers and has sold over 500,000 units worldwide. The core concepts for the HHKB are its intelligent key layout and compact size. While these features have never changed for more than 20 years, keymap customization software and multi-platform support have been introduced to meet the changes in today's technology and work environment.

"I've personally used HHKB for over 20 years for professional and personal use, and I'm very excited to bring the latest generation of this cult classic to the U.S. market." said Yasunari Shimizu, CEO of Fujitsu Computer Products of America.

Logitech G, a brand of Logitech and leading innovator of gaming technologies and gear, today introduced two new high-performance gaming keyboards - the LogitechⓇ G915 LIGHTSPEED Wireless Mechanical Gaming Keyboard and the LogitechⓇ G815 LIGHTSYNC RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. By combining Logitech G's advanced LIGHTSPEED wireless technology, with its new high-performance, low-profile GL Switches, these new keyboards were designed and built to be the most advanced and innovative keyboards imaginable.

"These new keyboards are perfect examples of what's possible when our award-winning designers and engineers at Logitech G push the envelope of advanced gaming technology and design," said Ujesh Desai, vice president and general manager of Logitech Gaming. "The G915 combines LIGHTSPEED Wireless, RGB lighting and amazing battery life in a sleek, ultra-thin, aluminium case that creates a new standard for gaming keyboards."

The Input Club Keystone Mechanical Keyboard is an unparalleled leap forward in typing and gaming technology. It will launch on Kickstarter on July 16th, 2019 at 8 AM PST, at this link - kty.pe/keystone. The Keystone combines two new keyboard features - High Definition Analog Control and per-key fast Hall Effect (magnetic) sensing - for supreme performance. Our magnetic switch technology enables near-infinite customization, billion-press (Source: Honeywell Testing Article) durability (20x the industry standard), and analog control benefits for everyone. Full firmware programmability and RGB lighting round out its features.

This project is the future of mechanical keyboards. We believe that there is more to the main tool everyone uses for work, playing games, and connecting with others. Input Club is a group of engineers and designers who drive innovation in the field of input devices. The team formed in 2014 because there was very little innovation in the keyboard space. Our team has developed special mechanical keyswitches, open source keyboard firmware, and some of the more iconic keyboard designs to hit the marketplace. The Keystone is the next technological lead forward for keyboards - it is our flagship keyboard showcasing the best and most sought after features in a keyboard.

Readers of our website may be familiar with the Wooting brand for their then, and now, excellent Wooting One analog keyboard that we examined in late 2017. It impressed us enough to be the top keyboard for the year as well, and still remains one of the few keyboards to offer analog control at all, let alone on every single switch it is on. The company has since come out with a full-size Wooting Two, along with another switch option using a heavier spring. Their switches to date are linear optical switches manufactured by Flaretech to Wooting's design, and the company admitted there was not much more they could do with the current design. This brought us to Computex 2019, wherein they demonstrated their next generation switches for analog control, gave us some samples to take apart, and also showed off a neat prototype technology for the future- if it pans out, anyway.

The Hall effect has been used for keyboard switches in the past, as much as nearly four decades ago, no matter what some people may tell you when describing Steelseries' new switch from Computex also based off the Hall effect. Indeed, it had a small resurgence a couple of years ago in the enthusiast keyboard arena when "Ace Pad" and "XMIT" worked together for a Massdrop-exclusive keyboard, but 2019 does seem to be the year they come back in the public eye. Wooting's take is called the Lekker switch, a word in Dutch that can stand for different things depending on the context but generally stands for something impressive. Read past the break for more on the Lekker switch, as well as other things that might interest you.

Kailh introduced their newest lineup of mechanical keyboard switches at Computex 2018 in the form of the Sun switch. The aim of this lineup was to retain the Cherry MX keycap compatibility with the same stem design, but allow for centralized lighting akin to what Omron did with their light pillars in the Logitech Romer-G and Creative PRES switches. This meant designing new molds for the various switch parts, and also finding a wider spring that together all still work into providing a tactile and clicky switch with a 1.8 mm actuation depth, total travel distance of 3.5 mm, an actuation force of 50 gf and tactile force of 60 gf.

It found little interest, however, with only Hexgears choosing to adopt it to date in their GK760 keyboard. In a move to drum up more business, Kailh have already updated the Sun switch to allow for a clear stem with walls surrounding the stem to help add some dust and spill resistance, with the clear housing now allowing more light to pass through. The rest of the switch is identical, as seen below in samples we received recently (old switch at the left/top of the new switch), although now there is little scope left for a more diffused backlighting experience. Time will tell how the changes work out, and yours truly would have rather seen the older design in use.More pictures follow.

Ducky Channel is one of the oldest mechanical keyboard OEMs and whitebox manufacturers in Taiwan, and brought a vast selection of new mechanical keyboards to Computex 2019, with a focus on space-saving TKL (tenkeyless) and sub-TKL form-factors without compromising on the size of the keycaps. A running design theme at the Ducky booth has been a fusion of the Chinese Year of the Pig in a rendition by Formosan artists (indigenous people of the island of Taiwan). We begin our tour with the Shine, a lineup of full-size 108-key units that now come in the new Gunmetal Grey color option. These keyboards feature a zinc-alloy top, with PBT double-shot seamless keycaps, and another in hot-rod red+black color scheme. You can have the Shine in a number of Cherry MX switch options. The 2019 edition also comes with USB type-C cabling in addition to type-A.

Leopold is a boutique keyboard manufacturer based out of Korea, and one we have not yet had the pleasure of covering in detail on TechPowerUp. That is about to change, however, as we were invited to meet representatives of the company and go through their products at their Computex booth. I have been familiar with their existing lineup to an extent, noting that they use both Cherry MX and Topre switches in their keyboards designed for the high end market. The FC660 especially is quite popular among keyboard enthusiasts wanting a small form factor keyboard for ergonomics, and Leopold showed off their new version of an electrostatic capacitive switch based on the Topre switch.

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. The rest of the keyboard is unchanged, and that by itself is a good thing in my books given it is hard to improve on the build quality provided by the thick metal case paired with the 1.5 mm thick PBT keycaps with dye-sub legends. Read past the break for more Leopold offerings at the show floor!

Mistel Keyboard has been making waves in the mechanical keyboard market for the last few years now, with new products shown off at Computex that then get ready for the retail channels soon after. Their product portfolio has been predominantly based on split keyboards and non-traditional form factors to appeal to a more specific market segment not targeted by the vast majority of other companies. The company has dipped their feet into the TKL form factor before with the MD870 SLEEKER, and at Computex this year they showed off their first full-size keyboard in the form of the HACKER MD800.

The keyboard supports USB (over a Type C detachable cable) and Bluetooth connectivity options, uses a metal case thick enough to ooze build quality and mass alike, OEM-profile thick PBT doubleshot injected keycaps in black, white, or a special mix edition, onboard macro support with three layers for functionality and programming, native Windows and MacOS support, and white LED backlighting with multiple lighting effects to choose from. Powered by AA batteries on the back, as well as the new Mistel logo on the Esc key, the HACKER MD800 arrives in Q3 2019 with a price point the company is finalizing on to appeal to the mass market upon release. Read past the break for more on the new Barocco MD770 keyboard as well.

ZSA Technology Labs, Inc. is the company behind the Ergodox EZ keyboard that we had taken a look at in great detail, and appreciated a lot. It was a retail take on the open source Ergodox keyboard concept which, until then, was available as a kit or pre-assembled by artisans in low numbers, and was not a mass-market product. One could argue the Ergodox EZ is still not a mainstream keyboard, but it certainly made things much more accessible via options to choose from for a pre-assembled keyboard, as well as a powerful, GUI-based configurator for those wanting easier firmware access and control.

In that same vein, the parent company has now introduced the Planck EZ which, as the name suggests, is based on the 47-key Planck keyboard design. Designed in conjunction with Jack Humbert, the creator of the Planck, the Planck EZ aims to be a simple, complete, portable, mechanical keyboard built with layers and ergonomics in mind. The Planck EZ goes a bit further with adding in not only multiple switch options, but also backlighting and a buzzer that can also be controlled to play 8-bit tunes from the keyboard- definitely a first in my books! The Planck EZ is up for pre-order now beginning at $180, with an estimated shipping date in June 2019.

The Input Club Keystone Mechanical Keyboard is an unparalleled leap forward in typing and gaming technology. The Keystone combines two new keyboard features - High Definition Analog Control and per-key fast Hall Effect (magnetic) sensing - for supreme performance. Our magnetic switch technology enables near-infinite customization, billion-press durability (20x the industry standard), and analog control benefits for everyone. Full firmware programmability and RGB lighting round out its features. This project is the future of mechanical keyboards; join our waitlist to have the future of keyboards at your fingertips.

The Keystone brings novel features together to continue pushing keyboard invention further - with its SILO Hall Effect and High Definition Analog Switches. These are both keyboard switch technologies that have been produced in the past, separately, but this implementation takes them to the next level. With Hall Effect switches, instead of relying on a bending piece of metal for actuation, your keyboard tracks the movement of a magnet. This allows you to change when and where the keyboard receives the signal, while also providing a billion press switch lifespan that simply cannot be competed with.

[Editor's note: Our own review of the Cooler Master MK850 is published here for those interested to know more.]

Cooler Master, a global leader in designing and manufacturing innovative gaming peripherals and computer components, today announces the release of its new analog mechanical gaming keyboard, the MK850. "The MK850 is the world's first mechanical keyboard, using Cherry MX switches, capable of sensing exactly how far down you press the key," says Lance Madsen, Aimpad Principle Engineer. "It provides unparalleled control in even the most demanding PC games."

"We wanted to implement Aimpad technology to provide gamers with an extra tool and to push our innovation efforts to the next level," says Bryant Nguyen, Peripheral General Manager. " What sets the MK850 apart is that it is the only analog keyboard that uses prestigious Cherry MX switches and can sense the entire 4mm range of a key press versus competitor analog keyboards that are only capable of measuring 2mm of analog movement and do not utilize Cherry MX switches.

Hexgears is, in their own words, "a global gaming brand with influences from the USA, Germany, and China". We briefly covered them before thanks to their first adoption of the new Kailh Sun switches, and at CES 2019 they had a booth on the showfloor for this very keyboard and other products. The GK760 from Hexgears is still the only keyboard announced to use those new Sun switches, which effectively allows for a central backlighting similar to Omron switches, while still retaining Cherry MX keycap compatibility. The GK760 is a full-size keyboard with 104 keys and ABS plastic keycaps, which also appear to be low in profile even though the actual switches are not necessarily so. There is an entire column of programmable G-keys (macro keys), as well as a dedicated volume scroll wheel and a thick plushy wrist rest. Read past the break to know more about the products they showed off at CES.

Mad Catz Global Limited, leading gaming hardware innovators for nearly 30 years, announced an all-new line of S.T.R.I.K.E. professional gaming keyboards, including a S.T.R.I.K.E. with ultra-reliable mechanical keys, ideal for the Esports community. Expected to begin shipping from Spring 2019, the S.T.R.I.K.E. range is a perfect addition to the Company's recently announced range of G.L.I.D.E. gaming surfaces and R.A.T. mice., forming part of a complete PC eco-system. With two S.T.R.I.K.E. keyboards to choose from, gamers can pick the keyboard that suits their preference and budget.

Armed with Cherry mechanical switches, the S.T.R.I.K.E.4+ is the gamers' new secret weapon. Tested to withstand at least 50 million hits, the Cherry switches provide perfect travel and precision every time. With anti-ghosting featuring on every key, gamers can combine with the powerful F.L.U.X. software, which allows for staggering customization and control over every aspect of the keyboard including individual key lighting and control over the USB report rate. Chameleon RGB Lighting baths the keyboard in 16.8 million colors, fully adjustable and customizable via the F.L.U.X. software and creating a new standard in keyboard lighting.

Tesoro announced today the launch of their latest keyboard, the Gram MX One, in time for Christmas in North America. Indeed, the keyboard is slated to be available December 24 for those wanting a last minute gift, and is part of their popular GRAM series of keyboards. This means that the keyboard uses the same body and case as their Gram Spectrum or SE Spectrum (but not the XS, which uses low profile switches), in the usual black or white color options to choose from. Adding to the options list is a choice of genuine Cherry MX Blue or Brown mechanical switches, both in their non-RGB variant.

The Gram MX One has single color blue backlighting integrated, and uses a minimalist design for those wanting something simple and more affordable than many of the new keyboards released this year. Durability and build quality are emphasized by the company, with specific mentions on the use of doubleshot injected PBT keycaps that adopt the floating style design on a thick steel plate as seen below. Pre-programmed onboard functionality includes lighting effects, key assignment and macro recording. The keyboard measures 445 x 139 x 32 mm and weighs 1.2 Kg (2.65 lb), and there is no word on pricing at this point despite imminent release.

Update Dec 20:- MSRP of the Gram MX One is $79.99 as per Tesoro, and at launch the model available for purchase will be the white color, MX Brown switch variant only. Others will follow thereafter.

We first saw the new SUN switches from Kailh back at Computex this year, featuring centralized and bright lighting incorporated in mechanical switches that also offered a lower-than-average actuation and travel distance. At the 2018 Electronica tradefair in Munich, Kailh showed off the first retail keyboard to make use of these switches in the form of the Hexgears GK760.

Hexgears is a Chinese startup company in collaboration with Andrew Lekashman of Input Club fame, and already has an interesting keyboard in the form of the X-1 low profile wireless unit. The new GK760 is a full-size keyboard with 104 keys and ABS plastic keycaps, which also appear to be low in profile even though the actual switches are not necessarily so. This makes for a confusing choice, but we will hold judgement until we get our hands on one ourselves. There is an entire column of programmable G-keys (macro keys), as well as a dedicated volume scroll wheel and a thick plushy wrist rest to go along with a keyboard case with angles galore to provide an aesthetic different than the usual, while still looking clean and minimalist. We can also see what appear to be two USB passthrough ports, and secondary legends on the keycaps indicate lots of onboard control as well. No word yet on retail availability and pricing, and we look forward to seeing more of the keyboard and the new Kailh switches in action.

Das Keyboard today announced the launch of the 4Q mechanical keyboard, the first Cherry MX-based keyboard in the company's Q-series family of smart, cloud-connected keyboards that empower users to increase productivity by changing the color of its keys from information coming from the Internet.

The new gold standard for mechanical keyboards, the Das Keyboard 4Q takes the company's flagship mechanical keyboard-the Das Keyboard 4 Professional-to the next level by adding in the Q technology and RGB lighting. Concurrent with the 4Q launch is the introduction of Das Keyboard's Q marketplace for applets, a place where users can share and download free and open source Q applets.