I’ve never been tempted to use a mechanical keyboard, which is a bit weird for a Linux users – but 8bitdo’s new NES-styled one could change that.
First off, this thing is beautiful to look at.
But it gets better: programmable buttons, volume dials, both wired and wireless support (200 hour battery life), an 80% width (i.e. compact but not cramped), 87 keys, and, best of all, priced at a relatively modest $99 RRP/MSRP – but cheaper in sales, with discounts, etc.
The price point alone is certifiable impulse-purchase territory.
“Uhm, what’s this keyboard got to do with Ubuntu?”, you ask.
Well, nothing – not strictly.
See, the official software 8Bitdo offer to configure the keyboard’s fancier features is not available on Linux (or macOS, which is some consolation). This keyboard only “officially” supports Android and Windows, which is a bit of a bummer.
But (as some of you pointed out to me on Mastodon when I started sobbing about it) it’s just a keyboard, and it will work fine as a keyboard on Linux (and macOS). The inclusion of giant A and B buttons in the standard key set may require some layout tweaking/custom mapping to use.
Update: See the comments section for advice on how to set that up very easily.
Yes, I did say giant buttons. This keyboard comes a pair of big red ones:
So my reason for writing about it is partly selfish.
I’m hoping a talented open-source dev sees this post, falls in love with the keyboard, buys one, and then works on filling in the Linux-lacking gaps so I—ahem, I mean we— can all benefit.
I never had a NES as a kid (it was a touch before my time) but I have always loved the retro aesthetic of Nintendo’s formative home console. The colours, the shapes, the patterns – it’s all *chefs kiss*.
Testament to my adoration – as those of you who follow me/omg on social media will know – my Raspberry Pi 4 lives in a NES-themed case that boasts sweet hot-swappable SSDs in NES game cart enclosures. And, naturally, I use an 8BitDo SNES style controller for all the retro gaming I do on it.
So yeah: this mechanical keyboard — which uses Kailh Box White Switches V2 and supports N key rollover — would match my Pi setup magnificently well.
The 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard (for that is the full name) is available to buy from Amazon.com in the US, as well las other countries (availability may vary). It can also be purchased from the the 8BitDo website itself.
Indulge me, my mechanical keyboard friends – does this actually sound good?