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Atreis

The Atreis keyboard.

Atreis Keyboard: The One-Piece Columnar Innovation

Overview

The Atreis keyboard is an innovative take on ergonomic typing, derived from the Iris keyboard’s design. Unlike its predecessor, which is split into two pieces to promote a more natural hand position, the Atreis presents a unique one-piece structure that retains a columnar setup. This design allows for a less conventional yet user-friendly approach to typing, ensuring that the keyboard meets the demands of modern users looking for efficiency and comfort in their typing experiences. The Atreis is fully open-sourced under the MIT license, enabling a community-driven development approach and allowing users to customize and modify as they see fit.

Design and Layout

The Atreis keyboard features a columnar layout with a total of 56 keys, organized into a 4×6 matrix. This distinctive arrangement aims to place keys in a way that aligns more naturally with finger movement, promoting a more ergonomic typing posture. The keyboard does not feature a split design, which can be advantageous for users who prefer a more traditional keyboard feel without the separation of halves. The Atreis also comes equipped with four dedicated thumb keys, enabling greater efficiency for frequently used commands and shortcuts.

Features

One of the key features of the Atreis is its compatibility with Cherry MX mechanical switches, a popular choice among typists and gamers alike for their responsive feel and durability. However, it is important to note that the Atreis does not support hotswap functionality for its switches, meaning that users will need to solder switches onto the PCB if they wish to change them. This keyboard connects via USB-C, offering a modern connector option that is widely adopted across many devices today. The entire project is housed in an MIT licensed repository on GitHub, making it accessible for developers and hobbyists interested in tinkering with its design and functionality.

Buy or Build

The Atreis keyboard is positioned as a DIY project, appealing to enthusiasts and tech-savvy individuals looking for a customizable typing solution. While it may not be readily available as a commercially packaged product, builders can find extensive resources and community support through the Atreis GitHub repository. Those proficient in electronics and soldering will find joy in assembling their own Atreis keyboard, allowing for personalization from the ground up. For users who are less inclined to do it themselves, this might be an avenue worth exploring to meet their ergonomic needs.

Similar Keyboards

Keyboards that are similar to the Atreis keyboard include:

  • CatBoard: The Catboard is one of the early DIY keyboards, created around 2013. More details can also be found on its GitHub page.

  • Lumberjack: The Lumberjack is a split-in-place 5×12 ortholinear keyboard designed to fit a full-size keyboard in a standard 60% tray mount case. More information is available on its GitHub page.

  • Speedo: The Speedo is a 66-key ergonomic mechanical keyboard inspired by the Atreus and Atreus62 keyboards. Learn more about it on its GitHub page.

For additional information on the Atreis keyboard, you can visit the Atreis GitHub Repository.