On the planet of customized mechanical keyboards, there exists a legendary, platonic excellent: the “endgame.” The endgame keyboard is the one that’s the last end result of your data, expertise, and presumably your credit score restrict. The Indignant Miao AFA 2 would possibly simply be that keyboard, in case you’re into the favored “Alice” break up format (as seen on the Keychron Q8) and ridiculously extreme design. Nevertheless it’s the aesthetic decisions, primarily based on fashionable franchises like The Legend of Zelda and Neon Genesis Evangelion, that push this super-pricey board excessive.
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The AFA 2 (noticed by The Verge) begins with a “floating” body design, CNC machined from an enormous chunk of aluminum and allegedly impressed by the VF-19 fighter/mech from Macross (AKA Robotech). It’s enhanced with an adjustable leaf spring “suspension” designed to imitate that of a supercar, giving the keyboard a novel suggestions as you kind. It’s all tied along with that central PCB bridging the break up key sections, protected with a trendy little bit of smoked glass. There’s Bluetooth and RF wi-fi with a battery and wi-fi charging, decisions for plate supplies together with POM or FR2 plastic, inside foam, RGB lighting, and naturally, hot-swap switches for much more customization.
However the colours, Duke, the colours! The AFA R2 is available in 5 completely different main coloration decisions. The “Magic Forest” model has darkish inexperienced physique panels and a gold body evoking The Legend of Zelda. The “VF-19” model has a red-on-cream coloration scheme from Macross’s fighter jets. “Pink Slayer” has a largely pink body and panels with a inexperienced central accent, designed after Nezuko Kamado from Demon Slayer. “Unit-01” has the unmistakable purple-and-neon inexperienced mixture of the primary Eva unit from Neon Genesis Evangelion. And in a sole nod to western popular culture, “Cyber Cop” has black pads, a light-weight gunmetal body, and pink accents echoing Robocop.
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Now for the massive reveal. How a lot do it is advisable half with with a view to get your palms on this factor? Properly, for the “Base” mannequin, which incorporates the aluminum body, circuit boards, leaf spring suspension, plates, and a storage bag, you’re $680 even. That’s notably with out keyboard switches or keycaps, which you’ll want to provide your self. If you need matching translucent keycaps, switches, and stabilizers, it’ll be $795. The AFA R2 is up for pre-order now, scheduled to ship in October. Hey, no less than you gained’t have to attend too lengthy.
