Tag Archives: keyboard

$239 Angry Miao Silent Keyboard Channels Tadao Ando’s Concrete Church

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Cheap office keyboards sound like plastic rain, which becomes unbearable in open-plan offices or when working late while someone else is trying to sleep. Custom mechanical keyboards feel better, but they tend to be loud, visually aggressive, and often shrink to compact layouts that sacrifice the numpad. Most people end up compromising on sound, feel, or functionality, rarely getting all three at once.

Angry Miao’s ATM 98 tries to bridge that gap with a silent-first philosophy. It keeps a full 98-key layout with a numpad and function row, wraps it in an aluminum shell that weighs around 2.6 kg, and centers a large Star Ring knob on the top right. The whole thing reads more like a desk sculpture than office equipment, built for people who type all day and want something that feels deliberate without announcing itself.

Designer: Angry Miao

The design references are specific. One version channels Tadao Ando’s Church of the Light with a matte concrete-gray shell and controlled RGB lighting, treating the keyboard like a minimalist architectural object. The translucent Frost Whisper and Night Ink editions take inspiration from Off-White x Rimowa’s see-through luggage, revealing the gold-plated PCB and mounts underneath. The structure and lighting become part of the composition, not just decoration.

What matters more on a Tuesday morning is how it feels to type all day. Angry Miao worked with Bsun to develop custom Light Sakura silent linear switches with an S-shaped damping stem and low-friction LY material that delivers smooth, crisp bottom-out without the mushy rebound typical of silent switches. Paired with an eight-layer gasket stack, the board kills hollowness, letting you type emails without sounding like you are auditioning for a contest.

The 18.8mm front height and 8-degree typing angle let you skip a wrist rest without cramping by lunchtime. The 98% layout keeps the numpad for spreadsheets and shortcuts while fitting on a normal desk, and the Star Ring knob becomes a habit for volume, timelines, or switching layers. It is the kind of control you miss when you go back to a plain keyboard.

Tri-mode wireless with tuned 2.4GHz lets you jump from Bluetooth on a laptop to low-latency gaming on a PC without swapping dongles. The board runs QMK firmware for deep remapping, but Angry Miao also built a web-based configurator for people who just want to drag and drop keys and RGB effects without learning command-line tools, making it approachable even if this is your first custom board.

The Angry Miao ATM 98 treats quiet as a design material alongside aluminum and light. It is built for people who live at their keyboards and want something that feels deliberate under their fingers without turning every keystroke into a sound effect that echoes across the room. When loud gaming slabs and forgettable boards dominate the office space, that kind of architectural silence feels oddly refreshing, like finally getting a desk object that understands the difference between personality and noise.

The post $239 Angry Miao Silent Keyboard Channels Tadao Ando’s Concrete Church first appeared on Yanko Design.

iKKO MindOne Snap-In Case Turns a Card-Sized Phone into a Pocket Writer

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Typing long messages on glass feels clumsy, juggling Bluetooth earbuds means pairing headaches and dead batteries, and using wired headphones now requires a tiny USB-C dongle you will lose three times before accepting defeat. Phones have become powerful but strangely less tactile, and that clashes with people who write a lot, listen a lot, and still like the certainty of a cable and the click of a real key under their thumb.

The card-sized iKKO is a small AI-centric smartphone built for always-on connectivity and lightweight productivity. The MindOne Snap-In Case is where it changes character, a snap-on expansion shell that adds a physical QWERTY keyboard, a proper 3.5 mm headphone jack, a dedicated DAC, and a small backup battery in one compact piece, turning the minimal phone into a tiny writing and listening machine.

Designer: iKKo

The QWERTY keyboard changes the way MindOne is used. Raised, separated keys and a slightly sloped surface make thumb typing feel more deliberate than tapping on glass. It is something you reach for when drafting emails, capturing ideas, or editing text while AI handles summarizing and organizing in the background, treating the phone as a tool for active writing rather than just passive messaging and scrolling through feeds.

The case adds a 3.5 mm headphone jack backed by a Cirrus Logic CS43198 DAC, the kind of chip usually found in dedicated portable players. It supports Hi-Res audio with 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256, low-noise playback, and enough dynamic range to make lossless playlists and long podcasts feel crisp and detailed without worrying about pairing or battery levels in wireless earbuds that will die halfway through the flight.

The built-in 500 mAh battery is a quiet safety net rather than a second fuel tank. It tops up MindOne during long typing or listening sessions and helps offset the extra draw from the DAC and keyboard, extending comfortable use without turning the phone into a brick of battery cells. The point is not doubling battery life, but making intensive sessions feel smoother and less anxious.

MindOne stays slim and card-like on its own, then becomes a different kind of device when it snaps into the case. You might carry the phone bare for quick AI tasks and navigation, then drop it into the case on a flight, in a café, or at a desk when you know you will be writing and listening for a while, using the same object in two distinctly different modes.

Customizable keycap stickers and a range of colors that match or complement the phone are not just fashion accessories; they are small ways to make a very compact device feel personal. The case is tuned to MindOne’s proportions and personality, not a generic keyboard sled trying to fit every phone, which makes the combo feel considered rather than cobbled together from unrelated parts.

The iKKO MindOne Snap-In Case is less about nostalgia and more about choice, letting a tiny AI phone become a pocketable notebook and Hi-Fi player when needed. Most phones today are sealed slabs, which makes this case feel like a quiet reminder that hardware can still click, plug in, and feel like something you work and listen with, rather than just stare at until the next notification arrives.

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HP Eliteboard G1a keyboard is a next gen AI PC in disguise

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It’s CES time, and we’re not expecting anything short of extraordinary at the event. The other day, we saw the Pentagram x Caligra c100 keyboard, which houses computing hardware inside. Now, HP has announced its own version of a keyboard PC, and it looks even better, with practicality at the forefront. At first glance, you might not realize the desktop keyboard has computing power inside, but that’s where the surprise lies.

According to HP, the Eliteboard G1a is “the first and only AI keyboard PC,” and is capable of doing most of the day-to-day tasks you desire while being mobile. Rather than going the AIO route (slamming a PC into the screen), HP chooses a piece of hardware that goes portable with you. The screen PC idea is novel, but it restricts you to one place. A keyboard PC is a more practical idea, and I’m glad it’s here.

Designer: HP

The EliteBoard G1a keyboard is a tad thicker than normal peripherals, and it’s completely understandable as computing hardware requires space. Measuring 58 x 118 x 17 mm and weighing just 726 grams (with the battery included), the keyboard is ideal for tasks like browsing the internet, opening the odd survey form for input, listening to music, and more. The spill-proof peripheral has 93 keys, including the number pad. In retrospect, it makes the Bapco mechanical keyboard that houses a working PC inside look bulky.

If you’ve used the HP Elitebook range, the keyboard has the same tactile typing experience, with the key travel (2mm) fine-tuned for desktop space. The keyboard PC comes with the choice of AMD Ryzen AI 300 Pro mobile processors, capable of a maximum of 50 NPU TOPS, making it a Copilot+ equivalent PC. You can connect up to two 4K monitors (running at 60Hz) since it has an integrated Radeon iGPU. Memory capacity is capped at 64GB DDR5-6400, which should be enough to handle sizeable tasks on the fly. The user can install up to 2 TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD, while the Ryzen AI 7 350 SKU variant can be configured for 32GB of eMMC storage.

The Windows 11-powered EliteBoard G1a has a built-in 32 Wh battery that can be charged at speeds of up to 65 Watts. You can connect monitors via the USB4 and USB-C ports on the back, or any other compatible hardware. The keyboard has a claimed 3.5 hours of battery run time on a single charge, but that’ll vary depending on usage and connected devices. There are vents to channel airflow, and the keyboard even comes with stereo speakers for a holistic setup. The keyboard comes in two models, with the high-end version having an optional fingerprint reader and a detachable USB-C cable.

HP is slated to release the keyboard PC in March 2026, and there’s no word on the pricing yet.

The post HP Eliteboard G1a keyboard is a next gen AI PC in disguise first appeared on Yanko Design.

This $1,999 Computer Hides an Entire PC Inside Its Minimal Keyboard

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There’s something oddly nostalgic about Caligra’s c100 Developer Terminal, yet it feels completely modern at the same time. At first glance, it looks like someone took a pristine keyboard from the early computing era, polished it up, and reimagined it for 2026. But this isn’t just a keyboard. It’s an entire computer, cleverly disguised as the thing you type on.

Designed by Pentagram’s Jon Marshall in collaboration with London startup Caligra, the c100 is what happens when you strip away everything unnecessary and focus on what actually matters for people who build things. It’s described as a “computer for experts,” which is a refreshingly honest way of saying this isn’t meant for scrolling through social media or binge-watching Netflix. This machine is built for developers, designers, engineers, and anyone whose work involves deep focus and technical precision.

Designer: Jon Marshall for Pentagram

The design itself is absolutely gorgeous in its restraint. The entire body is CNC-milled from a solid block of aluminum, giving it a weight and solidity that modern tech rarely has anymore. That bead-blasted metal finish manages to evoke both sleek consumer electronics and industrial tools simultaneously, walking a line between approachable and professional. There’s something satisfying about a device that doesn’t try to hide what it is. No glossy plastics, no unnecessary curves. Just clean geometry and honest materials.

What makes the c100 truly clever is how it solves the problem of desk space. The keyboard sits at an angle, with the computing hardware tucked into the thicker rear section, creating a wedge shape that echoes those chunky terminals from the ’70s and ’80s. But here’s the genius part: there’s a central magnetic pivot structure that lets you detach and fold the keyboard without any visible external hinges. It’s the kind of detail that seems simple until you realize how much engineering went into making it look effortless.

Open the removable lid and you’ll find tool storage built right in. It’s such a practical touch that it almost feels subversive in an era where most tech companies would rather you never open your device at all. The message is clear: this computer expects you to tinker, to maintain it, to actually use your tools. One photo even shows calipers and a pen tucked inside, the kinds of things you’d need if you’re working on something physical alongside your digital projects.

The keyboard layout itself is unusual and deliberate. Keys are grouped into separate clusters rather than the standard continuous layout most of us are used to. There’s a numeric pad on the left, arrow keys grouped together, function keys in their own section. It takes a moment to understand, but the logic becomes clear when you think about workflow efficiency. The design uses Fitts’ law to accelerate task management, meaning every key placement has been optimized for speed and minimal hand movement.

Even the mouse is thoughtfully designed, with that same geometric clarity as the rest of the system. And yes, it’s wired, which might seem retro until you consider that wireless connections mean batteries, charging, and occasional lag. For someone writing code or working on time-sensitive projects, that reliability matters more than the convenience of going wireless.

The c100 runs Workbench OS, a Linux-based operating system that Caligra built specifically for technical work. It has no decorative elements, no pop-ups, no need for “do not disturb,” which honestly sounds like a dream compared to the constant notifications and distractions modern operating systems throw at us. The whole philosophy behind Workbench is to create a clear space for deep thought, getting out of your way so you can actually focus on making things.

Under that elegant exterior, the specs are serious: an 8-core AMD Ryzen 9 processor, 96GB of DDR5 memory, and 1TB of storage. The terminal includes two USB4 ports, two HDMI outputs, ethernet, and all the connectivity a professional setup needs. The aluminum body isn’t just for looks either; it helps with thermal performance, keeping things cool without noisy fans disrupting your concentration.

At $1,999, the c100 isn’t cheap, but it’s also not trying to compete with mass-market laptops. This is a statement about what computing could be when it’s designed for creation rather than consumption. In a world where most tech products feel disposable and designed for obsolescence, there’s something genuinely refreshing about a computer that’s built like a tool, looks like an artifact, and functions like it’s been optimized for the way professionals actually work.

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Naya Connect Keyboard Lets You Snap On a Trackball, Numpad, or Dial

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Most desks end up with a nice mechanical keyboard, a separate mouse, maybe a trackpad, a macro pad, and, if you work in 3D, a space controller, all fighting for room. Keyboards stay fixed layouts, even as workflows get more complex and tools multiply. Naya Connect treats the keyboard as the center of a modular workstation instead of just another rectangle, letting the rest of your input tools snap onto it and adapt as your work changes.

Naya Connect is a low-profile mechanical ecosystem built around the Naya Type keyboard and a dock. Naya Type is a slim 75% board with an aluminum body, Kailh Choc V2 switches, and a 14.9 mm profile, designed to be wireless when paired with the dock. The interesting part is not the layout, but what can snap onto it, a family of input modules that attach magnetically and talk to the same software layer.

Designer: Naya

The keyboard and dock have magnetic connection points on both sides, letting you attach modules wherever they make sense. You can add a Multipad as a numpad or macro pad, a six-key strip for extra shortcuts, or build a full console by chaining modules along one edge. The system grows sideways with your workflow instead of forcing you into a single configuration that never quite fits once your needs shift or projects change.

The modules cover different input modes. A Multipad acts as a numpad or macro grid, a six-key strip handles quick actions, a Track module replaces a mouse with a trackball, a Touch module works like a compact touchpad, a Tune dial offers dynamic haptics for scrubbing timelines or adjusting values, and a Float puck gives six degrees of freedom for 3D navigation and camera control.

The hardware only works because the software is flexible. Naya Flow is the configuration app that lets you remap keys, tune module behaviour, and build complex logic with drag-and-drop tools. You can set per-app profiles, change how the Tune dial feels depending on what you are doing, and decide what each touch zone or trackball gesture should trigger, without writing scripts or diving into config files.

The aluminum body, low-profile keycaps, and clean black aesthetic keep the keyboard from looking like a science project, even when it is covered in modules. The modules share the same design language, so a trackball, dial, and macro pad feel like parts of one system rather than a pile of mismatched gadgets. The result is a desk that looks intentional even when it is heavily customized and adapted to very specific tasks.

Naya Connect is aimed at people who live in code editors, timelines, spreadsheets, or 3D scenes all day and want input tools that can evolve with their work. It is not trying to be a mass-market keyboard. Instead, it’s trying to be a platform that grows and reconfigures as often as the projects do, without asking you to keep buying entirely new peripherals or cluttering the desk with orphaned tools.

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DeckTop Makes the Steam Deck and ROG Ally Feel Like Tiny Laptops

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The Steam Deck, ROG Ally, and Legion Go are powerful little PCs that still behave like oversized controllers when you actually need to type, browse, or use desktop mode. Most people end up juggling a separate keyboard, mouse, and stand. DeckTop by Invensic takes a different approach, a clamp-on keyboard and trackpad that tries to give these handhelds a laptop posture without turning them into dock-only machines stuck next to a monitor.

Invensic frames DeckTop as a Bluetooth keyboard and trackpad you can mount to your Steam Deck, with a 360-degree swivel and multicolor LED backlighting. It is sold as a Steam Deck accessory but is also designed to work with Steam Deck OLED, Killswitch cases, ROG Ally, and Legion Go, so it is really a general handheld shell that treats all of them like screens on a tiny notebook.

Designer: Invensic

The folding clip has spring-loaded arms that grab onto the handheld and connect to the keyboard via a swivel hinge. The hinge lets you tilt and rotate the device through a full circle, so you can find a comfortable viewing angle on a desk, on a tray table, or on a couch. When you are done, the clip folds flat over the keyboard, bringing the whole thing down to about 1 inch thick, so it actually fits in a bag.

The low-profile keyboard has multicolor backlighting, and the integrated trackpad sits below the space bar. Brightness and color can be changed with simple key combos, and the trackpad supports single-finger tap for left-click and two-finger tap for right-click, just like a laptop. The idea is to give you a familiar input surface for desktop mode, emulators, and web browsing without reaching for a separate mouse.

DeckTop connects over Bluetooth, so there is no cable between the keyboard and the handheld, only whatever USB-C cable you are already using for power or docking. Invensic calls out low latency, which is fine for typing, navigation, and most games, but serious competitive players will still prefer a wired or 2.4 GHz setup. For travel and couch use, though, the wireless link keeps the whole rig clean and portable.

The spring-loaded arms are wide enough to handle bare devices and chunky cases like Killswitch, and the same deck can be swapped between different handhelds. The dual cinch straps on the back let you mount a power bank, turning the whole thing into a self-contained clamshell with extra runtime. It is a small detail, but it acknowledges that these devices burn through batteries fast when you treat them like laptops.

DeckTop does not magically transform a Steam Deck into a MacBook, but it does make writing, modding, remote desktop, and light productivity feel less like a hack and more like a supported mode. Whether or not you use it every day, it sits in a useful middle ground between treating a handheld as a pure gaming device and wishing you had brought a laptop instead.

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GravaStar Mercury V60 Pro Deluxe Edition keyboard has serious sci-fi vibes

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GravaStar is known for turning everyday tech into bold, futuristic design objects. Instead of following the usual clean, minimal aesthetic, Gravastar leans hard into a sci-fi, cyberpunk, mech-inspired look. Their products often resemble tiny robots, armored pods, or mechanical artifacts pulled straight from a video game universe.

Majorly expertising in Bluetooth speakers and earbuds, the China-based brand has crafted a niche in the gadget market with its eye-popping creations, including the robot-inspired Bluetooth speaker, gaming mouse, and earbuds with a sci-fi case. Now the makers have tried their hand at creating a limited edition keyboard, because why not? Even though they’ve got the Mercury V75 Pro in their arsenal, this one hits different with its design and functionality.

Designer: GravaStar

This is the Mercury V60 Pro Deluxe Edition keyboard that looks unlike any buyable keyboard we’ve seen thus far. Just imagine this one sitting on your geeky desk alongside other themed gadgets. In fact, going through the catalogue of products is an interstellar experience in its own. Coming back to this cool peripheral, it’s not about the looks alone. It comes with an 8000Hz polling rate and 256kHz key-position scanning that ensures True 8kHz polling. Thus, making it ideal for power users and gamers, since the latency is just 0.125ms and 0.005 RT precision. The acoustic five-layer foam on the inside absorbs any off-putting vibrations during typing.

The fun doesn’t stop there, as the keyboard has GravaStar UFO magnetic gaming switches for a satisfying tactile typing experience.  It also gets the hot swappable keys for swapping with magnetic Hall Effect switches. Other important features include the dynamic rapid trigger, rapid trigger mode, last keystroke prioritization (LKP) + snap click. The bundled translucent frosted keycaps further enhance the overall aesthetics of the peripheral, as it turns into a sci-fi gadget the moment you turn on the RGB lights. The multi-zone RGB lighting has 16 customizable modes and dual-zone control for keys and ambient side lights. The brightness, hue and color of the selected modes can also be toggled.

Pair that with the full-aluminum alloy frame that’s mildly skeletonized, and you’ve got a seemingly premium accessory ready for your tasks. The keyboard, measuring 12.8 x 4.95 x 1.61 inches, has a 60 percent layout and measures a comfortable 1. Lbs. This makes it perfect for all kinds of tasks, whether you are at home or mobile. GravaStar is offering the Mercury V60 Pro Deluxe Edition in two color options: gunmetal and chrome silver. Both of these variants look cool, and for a price tag of $220, you can’t go wrong with this head-turning keyboard.

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Freewrite Wordrunner Counts Words With Clicking Mechanical Wheels

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Writers spend more time with their keyboards than any other tool, yet most options are either gaming boards covered in RGB lights or cheap office slabs optimized for cost rather than comfort. Neither category really thinks about what writers actually need, which is a keyboard that can keep up with long sessions without killing your wrists and maybe even help you stay focused when the blank page starts feeling oppressive.

Freewrite’s Wordrunner is a mechanical keyboard built specifically for writing, complete with a built-in mechanical word counter and sprint timer. It works with any device that accepts a USB or Bluetooth keyboard, from laptops and desktops to tablets and phones, and its core features live in the hardware rather than in yet another app or cloud service that you’ll forget to open halfway through your writing session.

Designer: Freewrite

The standout feature is the Wordometer, an eight-digit electromechanical counter with rotating wheels driven by a coreless motor and controlled by an internal microprocessor. It tracks words in real time using a simple algorithm based on spaces and punctuation, stays visible even when the keyboard is off, and can be reset with a mechanical lever to the left of the display. The counter makes a soft clicking sound as the wheels turn, giving you tactile and audible feedback every time you hit a milestone.

The keyboard also includes a built-in sprint timer that lets you run Pomodoro-style sessions or custom writing sprints without leaving your desk. Subtle red and green lights keep you on track, and you can configure the timer to count up or down depending on how you prefer to work. The standard function row has been replaced with writer-centric keys like Find, Replace, Print, and Undo, plus three programmable macro keys labeled Zap, Pow, and Bam for whatever shortcuts you use most.

The typing experience is what you’d expect from a premium mechanical keyboard. High-quality tactile switches, multiple layers of sound dampening, and a gasket mount design deliver what beta testers kept calling “so satisfying.” Each switch is rated for eighty million presses, which should be enough to see you through multiple novels without the keys wearing out. The die-cast aluminum body gives the board a heft and solidity that plastic keyboards can’t match, keeping it planted on your desk no matter how fast your fingers fly.

Tucked into the top right corner is a multi-directional joystick that controls media playback and volume, so you can adjust your music without touching the mouse or breaking flow. Connectivity is equally flexible. The Wordrunner supports wired USB-C and Bluetooth, pairs with up to four devices at once, and switches between them with a keystroke. It works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and Android without requiring special software, which means you can move it between machines without reconfiguring anything.

Wordrunner is designed for writers who want their keyboard to be more than a generic input device. It turns progress into something physical with the mechanical word counter, structures writing sessions with the built-in timer, and wraps it all in a solid, retro-industrial chassis that looks like a specialized tool rather than consumer electronics. It’s less about flashy features and more about making the act of writing feel intentional every time you sit down to work.

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Lemokey Keyboard With Analog Keys Triggers 4 Actions Per Press

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The mechanical keyboard market has split into factions that rarely speak to each other. Gaming boards chase millisecond advantages with features most people will never configure, while design-focused options prioritize clean lines at the expense of functionality. Premium keyboards exist in both categories, but they seldom bridge the gap between looking appropriate in a minimalist workspace and delivering the kind of technical depth that competitive players actually use.

The Lemokey L1 HE addresses this gap with a CNC-milled aluminum chassis that weighs nearly two kilograms and looks deliberate rather than flashy. Available in white with yellow accents, black, or silver, the 75% layout includes macro keys and a programmable roller on the left side that defaults to volume control but accepts custom assignments. The metal construction and clean lines work on desks where aesthetics matter.

Designer: Lemokey (Keychron)

The switches underneath are where things get interesting. Gateron’s double-rail magnetic switches use Hall Effect sensors instead of physical contact points, which sounds technical until you realize what it enables. Every key’s activation point adjusts from feather-light to deliberate across a 3.6mm range. Set your movement keys to hair-trigger sensitivity. Configure typing keys deeper so resting fingers don’t accidentally fire off characters. The keyboard adapts to how you work rather than forcing adaptation the other way.

Press a key partway, and one action triggers. Press deeper, and a different command fires. Deeper still, another. Release at the right depth and a fourth activates. This isn’t theoretical; it changes how certain games and workflows operate once you stop thinking in binary keypresses. Walking versus running becomes pressure instead of separate keys. Multi-key shortcuts collapse into single presses with varying depth. Finger gymnastics get replaced by pressure control.

Switching to analog mode turns the keyboard into something closer to a controller. Racing games suddenly respond to how deeply you press acceleration keys, not just whether they’re pressed at all. The magnetic switches detect these pressure variations smoothly enough that steering feels genuine rather than approximated. People who prefer keyboards over controllers gain functionality that previously required switching input methods entirely.

The web-based configurator runs through any modern browser without installation, working identically across operating systems. Remapping happens quickly. Macros are built through straightforward menus. The keyboard connects wirelessly at 1000Hz polling for gaming or switches between three Bluetooth devices for productivity. Battery lasts long enough that charging becomes a weekly task rather than a daily concern.

Typing produces sounds that feel dampened and substantial rather than hollow or sharp. Multiple foam layers and gasket mounting create that quality, along with stabilizers that keep larger keys smooth. The double-shot PBT keycaps handle daily wear without developing shine, and the metal body prevents any flex during aggressive typing sessions. RGB lighting exists but stays subdued enough not to dominate the aesthetic.

The L1 HE occupies unusual territory between gaming keyboards and professional boards. It delivers rapid trigger modes and analog control alongside a build quality and appearance that work in spaces where RGB unicorn vomit would draw complaints. The programmable roller, magnetic switches, and four-action keys make it technically ambitious, while the design keeps it visually restrained.

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Waveshare MK20 Macro Keyboard Turns LCD Keys Into Creative Tools

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For anyone who juggles creative projects, streaming, or multitasking throughout the day, a regular keyboard just doesn’t cut it anymore for complex workflows. Shortcuts, macros, and visual feedback can make or break your workflow, but most macro pads feel either too basic for serious work or too locked down to customize the way you actually need them to function properly for your specific use case.

The Waveshare MK20 macro keyboard changes the game with 20 mechanical keys, each topped with a full-color LCD display, a 2.8-inch secondary screen, and dual programmable knobs for precise control. It’s a control deck that’s as expressive as it is powerful, designed for users who want complete creative freedom over their workspace and workflow without compromising on build quality or functionality.

Designer: Waveshare

The MK20’s compact, square form is crafted from aluminum alloy with a 2.5D high-transparency acrylic lens, giving it a premium, sturdy feel that matches high-end keyboards and professional gear. Available in black or white finishes, it looks right at home next to professional monitors and mechanical keyboards on any creative desk. The build quality is immediately apparent, with satisfying tactile feedback and durable materials throughout.

Each 0.85-inch LCD keycap can display static images, animated GIFs, or even video snippets, letting you theme your deck for different apps, games, or moods throughout your day and workflow changes. The secondary 2.8-inch display up top shows system stats, weather widgets, or custom information at a glance. The 20-screen splicing feature lets you create panoramic backgrounds across all keys for stunning visual effects.

Two high-precision, anti-slip aluminum knobs can be programmed for volume, timeline scrubbing, zoom, or any function you need during work or play sessions. Both rotation and press actions are supported, making them perfect for creative software like Premiere Pro or Photoshop, where precision control matters most. The tactile feel and smooth operation make adjustments satisfying and accurate every time you use them.

The MK20 runs a dual-system architecture with a T113-S3 processor running Linux for complex display logic and a GD32 MCU running QMK firmware for zero-latency mechanical input. Macros, key combinations, and mouse control are natively supported in QMK, and the drag-and-drop theme editor means you don’t need coding skills to make it your own or share configurations with the community.

The keyboard supports dynamic theme editing, real-time data widgets like CPU temperature and network stats through LibreHardwareMonitor integration, and even AI voice interaction for hands-free control during busy sessions. Home Assistant integration lets you control smart lights, devices, or automation with a single tap. The feature set goes far beyond basic macro functionality into true workspace automation territory.

With a detachable 24-degree stand, USB-C connectivity, Kailh Box Silent switches for quiet operation, and hot-swappable keys, the MK20 adapts to any workspace setup seamlessly. Whether you’re editing video timelines, streaming gameplay, or automating repetitive office tasks, it brings both power and personality to your desktop without taking up excessive space or requiring complicated software installation procedures.

The Waveshare MK20 is a macro keyboard built for users who want complete creative control over their workflow and visual environment. With its LCD keys, dual knobs, and open-source foundation, it offers the kind of flexibility and personality that typical macro pads simply cannot match, making it a compelling upgrade for anyone serious about their desktop productivity and creative expression.

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