I'm guessing it's simple aesthetics, but also there is no lettering to "wear" (not really an issue with quality keycaps), and you can rebind keys without being "wrong". I've used blank keyboards over the years and the lack of printed keycaps is a look all its own.

I bought (imported!) a happy hacking pro 2 like 8 years ago and I wanted it to be blank. There was no german layout (still not existing?) and wrong labels are a no go for me.

Its still my daily driver and I love it.

Just yesterday I cleaned it, removed every key etc. Its every time a total mess to put it together but I eventually made it.

Good question. I honestly don't know.

First, John Maeda had written about this idea of a computer keyboard being more like a (musical) instrument than a tool.[^1] That always stuck with me.

Second, in itself, a keyboard is a complex object residing in my space. To me, the letters add visual noise. It's just a low hum, not a loud screech. But I would buy the blank version.

[^1]: https://johnmaeda.medium.com/thoughts-on-leading-a-remote-de...

I'm French and have my keyboard setup to French, but I use a German keyboard that I bought used for dirt cheap. I touch type so I usually don't look at it, but in general it would be better if it was completely blank instead of having some keys right and some wrong.

I had the same curiosity about offering a blank keyboard because I've been using one for 8 years or so after it was recommended by a former co-worker who I have huge respect for. So I'll give it a shot to explain the difference after I got adjusted to it:

I did not realize that my brain was still wired to look at the keyboard periodically, specifically when dealing with special characters and really anything outside of typical alphanumeric. I only realized after the adjustment that each time I had to find one of these keys it was a minor interruption to my current thoughts. The best way to describe it is imagine a piano with every single key labeled as to what the note is. It would be difficult to teach people to think about the creativity and harmony and melody aspect of music and to directly translate what they hear in their head into muscle memory to reproduce it. With the keys labeled it would be like training wheels and difficult to get people off of this because the translation would constantly be:

- I hear a "G" in my head

- I see a "G" on the piano

- I play the "G" on the piano

Instead really what you want the brain to do is say:

- Here's what I play to get the sound in my head

With no in between. Or similar to learning a new language and having to internally translate things to your native language before you can understand (or the reverse for speaking). Instead you just want to immediately know what this language is saying with no native translation.

TL,DR: Once you really internalize that looking at the keyboard makes 0 difference, it's one less minor thing for your brain to think about and your flow isn't interrupted as frequent by internal thoughts. Using a blank keyboard is just a (admittedly somewhat extreme) way to force yourself into this.

For me it’s unsettling to have the keys mislabeled. The options are:

- Correctly labeled keys: convenient (positive), but unachievable in practice due to occasional changes to the layout

- Blank keys: no problem (neutral)

- Mislabeled keys: something is wrong (negative)

If I’m spending $$$ on something I want at least the neutral option.

I've covered up certain logos in my line of sight while working to reduce visual distraction. I'm not as confident about my touchtype confidence that I could do it for the keys.

This podcast talks a bit about the visual system's role in focus:

https://hubermanlab.com/dr-emily-balcetis-tools-for-setting-...

First thought was he saw this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHt01D6rOLI&ab_channel=JomaT...

leet cred, I assume

I think that's mostly a "I tested it with these OS so I can guarantee it works" thing - ZMK should work with pretty much anything out there as long as it can do HID over Bluetooth.

There's likely a toggle switch to configure command/option vs. window/alt - I've seen that on other high-end keyboards. With linux you can use either depending on how you like to keybind.

As long as we're being picky, it's also "macOS", no capital M, and not "MacOS".

A few years ago here in Argentina, the "free" keyboard with your desktop computer was usually a Spanish-LatinoAmerica 101-keyboard. You have the "Ñ" key, but the "><" key was missing. One solution was to install a special unofficial device driver downloaded from a page I can't find now. Perhaps this keyboard need some special configuration.

Same question, the command iconography is a turn off. I'm a mixed owner and prefer peripherals that flawlessly work on both.

Fantastic, yes, thank you in advance. I can't imagine the work that already went into the design.

Anecdotally, I love that low, guttural 'clŪCK' sound that Cherry MX Clears make.

Thank so much, that covers the feel – I wish there was sound ;)

Oh, interesting! You might totally be right.

I honestly thought I was the target audience, given I have bought mech keyboards, use them all day and want to buy more. So, in my book, I'm a real prospect but, yeah, maybe there's an even smaller niche.

The creator of the keyboard literally posted this to ask for feedback from HN users. I'm pretty sure in this instance HN users _are_ the target audience--or at least part of it. In any case, feedback is helpful at this stage (and is sought by OP).