High-end enthusiast keyboards are marvels of engineering and design, with microblasted aluminum housings, hanging gasket brackets, and convenient features like hot-swappable key switches. Gaming keyboards are all RGB lighting effects, sleek angles, glossy keys, and eye-catching bells and whistles. Announced today, just in time for this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the $ 400 Hyte Keeb SR65 combines both sensibilities in one shiny package.
From Hyte, the new peripherals and accessories subsidiary of PC builder IBUYPOWER, the Keeb SR65 is an incredibly ambitious first entry into the enthusiast keyboard market. Available for pre-order Jan. 14 for $ 400 fully loaded or $ 350 without switches or keys, the Keeb is a 65% card, avoiding the number pad and feature row of a full-size keyboard while still keeping the arrow keys very. important.
“We designed keeb to encourage expression,” Hyte’s lead architect Rob Teller said via an official announcement. “It’s a multisensory reward for hitting that keeps you comfortable, engaged and in control. “
Unlike many keyboards at 65%, the SR65 includes dedicated media keys, which sounds odd, as well as a pair of spinning wheels that by default control the board’s RGB lighting and adjust the sound volume, which is also strange. I’m just used to seeing more space saving in my small footprint keyboards. It’s like racing stripes on a fuel-efficient compact car. But this is an expensive little keyboard aimed at the gaming market, where things like quick access to media controls can come in handy, so I can see where Hyte is coming from.
The upper part of the keyboard case is blasted aluminum, which should give the small board a heavy weight. The base is frosted polycarbonate, which should make the Keeb’s 138 RGB lights look amazing. Some of my favorite custom kits make heavy use of frosted polycarbonate, and I’m a huge fan.
The interior of the Keeb SR65 is just as pretty. The board uses a hanging gasket bracket, which prevents the switch mounting plate from touching other pieces of metal, for a more pleasant feel. Although the $ 400 model is available with a selection of tactile and linear keys Durock Switches, the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) features hot-swappable switch sockets, allowing you to install any Cherry-MX compatible switches you want.
As well it should at its price. In my experience, $ 400 is the low end of the high end when I buy a really, really nice mechanical keyboard. This is where I start buying hardcore designers like Rama, whose online store breaks my heart regularly. It’s strange to see an unconfirmed player trying to slip into these ranks from the start.
But Hyte appears to be focused on high-end designs with remarkable engineering, from what the company has announced so far (Revolt 3 PC case is so hot). Plus, mechanical keyboard insiders and hobby makers like Alex (alexotos) Medeot and Marcia (apiary keyboards) Robert provided feedback on the design of the Keeb SR65, which reassures me a little with the price of the Keeb.
We’ll see if the Hyte Keeb SR65 is worth the hype once we get closer to the board’s launch in May.
