PCB is the most important part of customized mechanical keyboard, and key position design, firmware refresh and overall design can be said to be the top priority. The addition of direction keys to 60% of keyboards is the biggest aspiration of players. Of course, Smart68 has all these advantages, but the most important one is the pluggable shaft.

The above figure shows the key position design of Smart68 respectively. As the name implies, the Smart68 key position 68 design can also be counted as 60% of the keyboard. Of course, the more eye-catching is the direction key on the right side and several additional keys. Smart68 has several function keyboards on the right side compared to the common 60% keyboards. The default is del, volup and voldn. Of course, the most important thing is the additional direction keys designed in this way.

Unfortunately, due to the key design problem, the length of Ctrl and Alt from the left is 1.5X, which is more troublesome than the common 1.25X. The right shift length of 1.75X is quite difficult to match. When it comes to the key position, the most special one is the Fn key at the bottom, which is a fantastic idea.

Let's talk about the Fn key first. The Fn key of Smart68 is designed on the side of the keyboard below the space bar. It uses mouse inching to trigger judgment. According to the actual use gesture in the figure above, because the position design is quite good, the space bar and Fn key can switch very quickly, and 60% of the size makes it possible to master all the keys even if you press and hold the Fn key.

According to the time when the shaft body is pluggable, the PCB of Smart68 is divided into two versions, and the price is not yet determined. In terms of key position design, Smart68 provides direction keys for 60% of the size, which is one of the few choices in the market. Of course, due to some pluggable design problems, the length of some special keycaps cannot be avoided.

The shell is made of metal material and matched with a certain design. There are corresponding anti slip pads and brackets at the bottom. Of course, there are slight defects on the material and anode due to engineering proofing.

Although the pluggable lamp is a well-known technology in the mechanical keyboard ring, the pluggable i-axis has been developed for the first time. From my understanding, the research and development of this pluggable shaft technology has taken two years, and the technology is not easy to copy. Of course, from the perspective of effect, the design of this pluggable shaft is very convenient to use. If you want to experience different shafts, you can directly change the shaft body. And according to different moods, even the use of mixed shafts is arbitrary.

Demonstration of the base of the pluggable shaft. Although it seems that it is the same design as the pluggable lamp, in fact, the design involves many technical problems such as PCB matrix, so it has taken more than two years from research to completion.

In terms of positioning plate material, Smart68 uses carbon brazing material, which is the first real product I have seen. The use of carbon brazing dimension material makes the springback more flexible than the common ones, and the metaphysics of the hand feel is slightly subtle. Of course, it is commendable that the combination of the carbon brazing dimension positioning plate and the metal shell is perfect, which is the first time I have seen it.

However, due to the engineering prototype, the Smart68 key pitch is slightly different from the common keyboard, and it is easy to press incorrectly when you first use it, which should also be noted.

In terms of actual use, 60% of Smart68's directional keys are also highly efficient. And the fantastic Fn key design is also a good experience in the use of combination keys. The pluggable shaft is a perfect setting for players with fever.