As somebody who typed on blank keycaps for years in a tacky try to impress folks, I do know slightly one thing about keyboards as they relate to being or not being cool. And but, regardless of my expertise ruminating on the fashionableness of clicky-clacky mechanical gadgets, I can not resolve whether or not or not these Discord keyboards from Kono are cool.
At a intestine degree, it is arduous to really feel like spending $190 on a keyboard with a social media platform’s brand on it’s cool. It is like paying for the form of swag corporations give influencers at no cost. Or, if that is too harsh, it is a minimum of like going to an NFL sport with a hat that claims “NFL” on it: humorous when Rob Lowe did it, however most likely solely that one time. The one brand I need on a keyboard is the brand of the corporate that made it, however ideally, I might fairly see no brand in any respect. (Or no markings in any respect, at one time.)
However there is no method round it: These keyboards look cool. Discord’s major model shade, which it calls “blurple,” is a high tier shade, and appears particularly good on the darkish theme model of the keyboard. It additionally helps that these are high-end boards (Bluetooth 5.0, RGB backlighting, metal plate) within the always-attractive fundamental tenkeyless design.
When Discord and Kono initially provided these keyboards final yr, the earnings had been donated to non-profit group To Write Love On Her Arms, and that is fairly cool, however you’ll be able to not depend on charitable giving to justify the acquisition of this costly blurple keyboard. A second restricted run of the keyboards is being offered “in response to overwhelming demand,” however this time with out the charitable donation. (Discord says to “keep tuned for future probabilities to boost cash for an excellent trigger.”)
The brand new batch is on the market for pre-order directly from Kono’s store, and the corporate says they’re going to ship within the second quarter of this yr—so, someday within the subsequent few months. The official Discord merch site reveals that the keyboards are offered out, however that is the unique batch.
The keyboards could be ordered with Gateron Pink, Gateron Brown, or Kailh Field White switches. I have not used any of these switches earlier than, however the Gateron Pink and Browns are stated to be much like the equal Cherry MX switches. As for the Kailh Field White switches, ergonomic keyboard maker ZSA Expertise Labs says they’re “clicky to the purpose of being crunchy.”
What say you: Discord keyboard, cool or not?
