Show HN: I spent 2 years designing a mechanical Magic Keyboard

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

A new low‑profile mechanical keyboard designed as a premium alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard is drawing praise for its industrial design, custom scissor switches, open-source firmware, and Mac-focused features like a globe key and configurable haptics. Commenters largely welcome the thin, wireless form factor and attention to detail, but are divided over choices such as the oversized number legends, lack of Touch ID and numpad, flat typing angle, and high price point. Many see it as a niche, luxury device that fills a gap for Mac users who want a mechanical feel without the bulk of traditional enthusiast keyboards.

Overall Reception

  • Many commenters praise the industrial design, thinness, and Apple-inspired aesthetic; several immediately placed reservations.
  • Others find specific visual choices off-putting, especially the oversized number legends and red-only backlight.
  • A recurring theme: “finally a mechanical keyboard that feels like a Magic Keyboard but better.”

Typing Feel & Switches

  • Described by the creator as similar to recent Mac laptop/Magic keyboards but with more travel (1.8 mm vs ~1.0 mm or less) and a snappier, more tactile feel.
  • Some users are excited about low-profile mechanics; others explicitly dislike low profile, preferring high-profile or split/ortholinear boards.
  • Questions arise about pre-travel and whether one can type without bottoming out; answer: minimal pre-travel, more like a refined laptop feel.

Layout & Ergonomics

  • Strong split between users: some love the compact Mac layout; others criticize:
    • Squished arrow cluster.
    • Lack of numpad, Insert/PageUp/PageDown block, or dedicated screenshot key.
    • Flat angle and absence of built-in feet.
  • Requests for ISO, Nordic, French/German, and other international layouts; HHKB-style and 60% versions also requested.
  • Multiple users want split and/or ortholinear variants, or at least split spacebars.

Touch ID / Biometrics

  • Lack of Touch ID is a major sticking point for some, especially Mac users who rely on it heavily.
  • Several posts explain that Apple’s Secure Enclave and proprietary design make full Touch ID integration effectively impossible for third parties.
  • DIY approaches using donor Magic Keyboards or smart-card–emulating fingerprint projects are discussed as workarounds.

Features: Dial, Haptics, Speaker, Firmware

  • Dial and haptics are widely seen as novel and appealing; some question the point of haptics on a mechanical keyboard until they learn it’s for the dial and shortcuts.
  • Keyboard stores configuration in firmware, not in the macOS app; works across machines and OSes.
  • Firmware is based on ZMK; previous model’s firmware is open-sourced, and Altar II’s is promised to be as well.
  • Works as a standard keyboard on Linux; advanced haptic/notification features may need host software.

Price & Business Viability

  • Early price ($249) is seen by some as good value for a boutique device, by others as “crazy expensive” for a keyboard.
  • Concern about whether it’s actually manufacturable at that price; others note similar boutique boards at comparable cost.
  • Retail price expected to be higher (~$349); small team emphasizes long-term sustainability.

Website & Marketing

  • Site design gets strong praise for visual polish and detail (e.g., “squircles”); others find it heavy, motion-sickness-inducing, or sluggish on mobile and slow connections.
  • Some think the marketing is over the top for “just a keyboard,” though it still drives interest and reservations.