The first time I talked about the Qwerkywriter mechanical keyboard was over a year ago, when it was still a project seeking funding via Kickstarter. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since then, and today we are lucky to see that the Qwerkywriter has become a complete product, avoiding the deadly pitfalls that many crowdfunding projects fail to escape. If you want a mechanical keyboard different from the rest and your budget allows it, I think you shouldn't look any further.
From Crowdfunding to Finished Product
The fact that more and more companies are offering mechanical keyboards in the market confirms that this is not a passing fad. We spend a lot of time in front of the screen, and while some seek to eliminate the keyboard from the desk, others do exactly the opposite, investing hundreds of dollars in custom designs and specialized keycaps. Another very attractive aspect of mechanical keyboards is that there is room for all ideas. No matter how far-fetched your plans are, you can probably carry them out. This fantastic possibility is what brings us face to face with the Qwerkywriter. In the past we have seen kits that turn typewriters into keyboards, but if you want a mechanical keyboard with the look of a typewriter, here it is.
Switches, Connectivity, and the Lever
The Qwerkywriter had to modify several details since its official presentation in June of last year. One of them is the type of switch for each key. Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts know that there are serious availability issues around the German Cherry MX switches. This forced manufacturers to adopt alternative switches, and in the case of the Qwerkywriter, the blue variant of the Kailh switches was used, which we can find in products like the Razer BlackWidow series. The wireless support on the Qwerkywriter allows it to connect to almost any Bluetooth-compatible device, and fortunately the lever is not just for decoration; it can be programmed as an additional key or as a macro.
Reviews, Price, and Availability
The vast majority of reviews agree: It is much more comfortable than it looks, although it demands a few hours of training to fully get used to it, and the construction quality is excellent. The big dilemma that every potential consumer will face is whether all this justifies the $349 that the Qwerkywriter costs (personally, I think yes, but I understand it's a complicated decision). Its creators ship worldwide, and the keyboard is already on backorder, so you'll have to wait between one and two months for delivery.
