When you see someone using computer hardware from the 1980s, they're often being ironic. Mechanical keyboards - also known as clicky keyboards for their distinct sound and tactile feedback - are a notable exception.
Unlike most things you type on these days, mechanical keyboards have physical switches instead of the quieter, oh-so-boring rubber membranes that are ubiquitous these days. Some classics remain in high demand, chief among them the IBM Model M with its buckling-spring mechanisms and signature cha-kung sound. But you can find brand-new mechanical keyboards, too.
The $163 Feenix Autore mechanical gaming keyboard is one of them. This high-end mechanical marvel isn't just built to last, it's beautiful. Borrowing its overall design aesthetic from the monolith in Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, the Autore is wrapped in an understated silver-gray aluminum-coated body and festooned with gold-plated accents and connectors.
To be fair, you could argue any dark, rectangular object was inspired by Kubrick's monolith, but Autore has an undeniably striking design. Its clean lines, deep shade of gray, and white caps-lock light make it look like it's wearing a business suit. But there is one shortcoming to the understated aesthetic: There's no onboard USB port for plugging in a wired mouse, so you'll need two free ports on your computer.
While this is a mechanical keyboard, don't expect the same satisfying cha-kung as the Model M. The Autore packs Cherry MX Brown switches under its keys. Compared to the the Model M's hollower, springier sound, the Feenix Autore sounds more like someone playing ping-pong while wearing plastic tap-dance shoes. Still pretty awesome, just different.
Those Cherry MX Brown switches aren't just gold-plated, they're also mounted on a gold-plated plate. But wait, there's more. Even the Mini-USB-to-USB cable that comes with the keyboard has gold-plated connectors.
This keyboard costs about 8 to 16 times what you'd pay for a run-of-the-mill USB keyboard, so it better be loaded with perks. Well, perks beyond the satisfying sound of a mechanical masterpiece and the tactile joy that comes with truly responsive keys. One bonus is that everyone who buys one of these keyboards also receives their own 'personally assigned support manager,' so you'll never be left scratching your head if the 'S' key sticks.
My hands-on time with the keyboard totally converted me. My enthusiasm goes far beyond the Autore's wonderful clackety-clack and durable build, though. The Feenix Autore is thicker and heavier than your average keyboard - it weighs more than 2.5 pounds. That extra weight, plus four rubber grips on the underside, means it will remain rooted to your desk. That's a good thing, because you'll want it to stay there a long time.
Photos: Feenix
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