78 comments

• Webwit wrote on 8. December 2009 @ 15:40:

  Well done and good luck! This is the keyboard I am waiting for.

• Michael Grafl wrote on 9. December 2009 @ 21:09:

  I am waiting for this and wish you good luck as well!

• Vath wrote on 10. December 2009 @ 22:12:

  I”m glad this has evolved past the prototype stage ! I hope I can buy myself a chocolate-colored deliciously awesome ultimate über-geek keyboard for Christmas 2010 !

• Hamblet wrote on 13. December 2009 @ 19:38:

  It reminds me some kinds of Docking systems as in Laptops. Where is the rest ? (I posted in http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/1125395 ). Good Luck !

• prisoner24601 wrote on 13. December 2009 @ 23:02:

  mmmm chocolate
  i can’t wait to eat this keyboad

• Andrew O'Brien wrote on 15. December 2009 @ 02:52:

  Smaller form factor than my Space Saver II with mechanical keys!! Very excited to see this for sale.

• phavx wrote on 22. December 2009 @ 01:11:

  Sweet, hurry up, please :)

• Thorsten2k3 wrote on 23. December 2009 @ 00:10:

  would be nice when you build tools for linux as windows. The most things called as Geek-Tool are just windows-toys ;)

• watduzhkstand4 @ geekhack wrote on 7. January 2010 @ 22:18:

  I can’t wait to get this in my hands. I already know what color I want =D

• Jeff Rhyason wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 05:23:

  This is exactly what I’ve been looking for–a HappyHacker with a trackpoint. The programmability is a huge feature as well. I hope the pointing stick is as good as the IBM ones, as others (such as ALPS) aren’t quite as predictable, IMO.

  You can count on my order.

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 11:28:

  I’m really looking forward to the release of this keyboard… I love the entire concept… especially since I’m a trackpoint addict, which means that I use my laptop as keyboard at work even tough I have a docking station and separate screen. It will be wonderful to have a external keyboard with a trackpoint.

  The only thing that I hope for is that the Miniguru will come with a alternative to use Cherry ML switches since I like flat (laptop style) keyboards better.

• n49o7 wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 11:59:

  Perfect. You only forgot to make the “mouse” buttons available in different colors.

• James Philp wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 12:20:

  Very excited for this!!! My only real concern though is with the trackpoint… Was sorely dissapointed with the stick on my Unicomp endurapro. Will the miniguru have a proper trackpoint with negative inertia? And will the middle-click give scroll wheel emulation?

• Rickard Gimerstedt wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 12:52:

  get to it, i want it.

• Rickard Gimerstedt wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 12:59:

  btw, shrink the spacebar on the left side and put the swirl-key there, i like my alt and win/command-key (super-key) where they are and i have no use for a spacebar that long.

• Will Maitner wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 14:54:

  So, let me get this straight. It’s a Happy Hacker with a trackpoint… Won’t Fujitsu or whoever is still doing the Happy Hacker have an issue with this keyboard?

• anekos wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 19:28:

  Please remove caps lock key!

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 21:06:

  Yes! Exactly… As earlier people wrote:
  *Remove the capslock
  *Shorten the space bar
  *Put the alt, win/command-key (super-key) where they are supposed to be
  *Put a real middle mouse button with scroll support.
  *Make the mouse buttons programmable so that you can choose which mouse button that do what.

• John N. wrote on 13. January 2010 @ 21:29:

  I’m interested! You get this out and solid, I’m buying one. Maybe two. (Certainly, as others have said, more customizations would be nice; me, I want a split variant. And a third mouse button would be very good. But I would take one as you have it now!)

• Daniel Liuzzi wrote on 14. January 2010 @ 04:57:

  Amazing work. You’ve put an incredible amount of thought on everything down to the most minute detail. The one thing I would BEG you to include is a middle button. As a long time ThinkPad user, I cannot stress enough just how convenient trackpoint + middle-click scrolling is. Please keep up this great work.

• Steven wrote on 14. January 2010 @ 07:34:

  Dang this looks awesome! Hope it comes to market without problems… I’ll definitely be in for one (or more)!

• Richard S. wrote on 15. January 2010 @ 01:15:

  You get this ouy and i will be buying one on release day. No doubt.

• john wrote on 15. January 2010 @ 04:21:

  want!

• Rob Andrews wrote on 15. January 2010 @ 04:24:

  Please figure out how to make this WIRELESS with media keys!!!!

  I don’t care if you have to strap on a bunch of AA batteries. Media keyboards and “second” keyboards have to be wireless (since you get wired keyboard with your pc/laptop).

  Logitech has the worst touchpad in the world and they get outrageous money for the keyboard because there are no other options out there that work.

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 15. January 2010 @ 08:51:

  I actually don’t care for mediakeys and wireless…. but I hope that the “Swirl”-button position also is programmable. So you can program to have the altgr and windows keys where you like… and that I can program to get the second layer keys with some other key then the predefined Swirl-key.

  I nice thought would be if you could program keys to be media keys… so you don’t have to but extra keys on the keyboard… cause I like the bare minimum of keys on the MiniGuru. :)

• Jamie Popkin wrote on 15. January 2010 @ 18:16:

  You’ve definitely nailed it. This is the first time I’ve seen a keyboard I’d exchange for my Happy Hacking Pro.

  Good luck with your release. :-)

• Vladimir wrote on 16. January 2010 @ 04:10:

  That’s I’m waiting for. Except (IMHO) small “Enter” key.
  Good luck!

• covari wrote on 16. January 2010 @ 13:40:

  The trackpoint (pointing stick) is fantastic! However there is no middle button on Miniguru!

  The middle button is very important nowadays, since it simplifies the process of browsing web pages and codes. If your idea is to prevent fingers to move from the home row, then the middle button is absolutely necessary.

  Will it be possible to set up a middle button?

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 16. January 2010 @ 17:40:

  @covari:
  It says in the FAQ that the released version of the board probably will have a third mouse button… I just hope that they will be programmable, so you can choose what each button acts as. (I would myself most likely use the physical middle button as left mouse button…)

• Das Keyboard User wrote on 16. January 2010 @ 21:49:

  middle mouse button is a very useful.

  adding mini function and arrow keys is nice, but it will affect the size and appeal.

• JimmyZ, HHKB2 user wrote on 18. January 2010 @ 16:24:

  trackball is great!

  please do provide a wireless version~

  and, for the blank keys on the bottom corner, you can provide printed caps separately, user can change them to inflict their configuration, left them blank is not nice i think.

• snogglethorpe wrote on 19. January 2010 @ 02:28:

  Excellent! Finally a worth successor to the HHK!

  I’ve always wanted a HHK with a trackpoint controller, but the various other mini-keyboards with TP I’ve seen are always very disappointing — bad mini keys or horrid windows-style key layout etc.

  The guru board seems to completely nail the HHK aesthetic, and do it even better. Cherry keys .. Absolutely minimal metal body .. Proper key layout .. USB hub (with optional power!) .. Trackpoint… Even user selectable color combos?! Wow!

  I hope this project comes to fruition … I’ll buy one, and I know others that will as well.

• Vath wrote on 19. January 2010 @ 22:24:

  Many people have requested the Caps lock key be removed.

  THE MINIGURU DOESN’T HAVE ONE ! Just look at the layout page.

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 20. January 2010 @ 10:23:

  @Vath:
  Aaah… Yes… that’s true. Excellent!

• ck_max wrote on 21. January 2010 @ 09:52:

  Hope you can build a mouse wheel between two mouse key, and that is wonderful…

• Peter Mattsson wrote on 21. January 2010 @ 20:55:

  @ck_max:
  Or just do as on Thinkpad… scroll by holding down the middle mouse button and scroll with the stick.

• r5d wrote on 24. January 2010 @ 16:42:

  Congratulations for an excellent project. I’ll preorder as soon as possible! The many color and configuration options are very nice, as are the overall aesthetics. Is there a mailing list or newsletter for updates?

  Best wishes!

• Steff wrote on 25. January 2010 @ 12:19:

  Hi r5d, the newsletter link is in the menu in the lower right.

• legumbre wrote on 26. January 2010 @ 06:11:

  I love this concept. I’ve considered buying a HHKB but I’d definitely buy one of these keyboards instead. Nice work! And good luck!

• timetrack wrote on 3. February 2010 @ 13:21:

  This is the keyboard I’m waiting for! It’s just perfect.
  I like the second keyboard layer with the arrow keys very much and the ability to program it is awesome!
  Can’t wait to get one of those under my fingers!

• Marcos wrote on 4. February 2010 @ 13:52:

  I am SO getting one of these. Just a reminder that unlike Windows users, we Mac users do need to use the left ‘Alt’ key on occassion, and I don’t see that in the layout (it’s replaced by the ‘Guru’ key?). I use it all the time for writing in accented spanish characters on the mac. Maybe the Guru key could be “dual-function”? I wouldn’t mind the space bar being a little smaller, as long as there’s the guru key AND an alt key on the side. Since it’s reprogrammable, placement doesn’t matter, just as long as you put another key in there.

• timetrack wrote on 4. February 2010 @ 16:25:

  Hi Marcos, the left “Alt” key isn’t gone. If you have look at the layout page, you can see that there are three keys on the left side of the spacebar. So you can freely set the alt key on one of those :)
  http://www.guru-board.com/english/layout_en

• blueslobster wrote on 7. February 2010 @ 00:32:

  Amazing design and functionality in combination with quality keyswitches. This is a no-brainer, no matter the price :)

• mrtn wrote on 7. February 2010 @ 05:26:

  Amazing! I so want this, can’t wait! Any ideas on price? Well done so far and good luck with getting it to product!

• Peter wrote on 13. February 2010 @ 01:08:

  Create a facebook page so we can support it that way too! :D

• MrDru wrote on 16. February 2010 @ 13:54:

  what’s about an illuminated version of this great keyboard? as an freelancer i work often in the night with a dimmed light. in this environment it’s hard to read the keys (like the combos for {,},[,] for example).

  anybody else interested in an illuminated version?

• Peter wrote on 16. February 2010 @ 19:18:

  An all black keyboard with illuminated keys would be interesting. that way you could do the blank keys or turn them on for someone else that uses it.

• Chris wrote on 24. February 2010 @ 15:21:

  Love it. Hoping I can buy a separate key set as well. will the f and j keys have nubs on them? (not bothered about illuminated keys)

• FernandoCCJ wrote on 28. February 2010 @ 23:31:

  This is great!! Will there be RED keycap? I would love to have an all RED keyboard :D

• kevin wrote on 2. March 2010 @ 13:37:

  wow I’ve been going around looking for a mechanical keyboard and I really like the HHKB and RealForce ones, but I’m not willing to drop 250 for either. If this is anywhere from under 200 I would totally buy!!

• Jonas wrote on 5. March 2010 @ 08:01:

  I will buy 3 when it’s done and shipping… One for Home, one for the Office, and one for the Road…

• jesperj wrote on 8. March 2010 @ 20:31:

  I will definately buy one! Will swedish layout be available? I’m touchtyping but for entering those extremly long passwords I do look at the keyboard layout to get it right…

  What is the estimated price? I really hope you can keep the price down, as the only thing I can see that might hinder this keyboard from being a success is too high a price. I don’t buy stuff that is overpriced out of principle even if I could afford it, and I think many other people think the same way. But I hope this keyboard will have a fair pricetag, and I hope to see it available for ordering soon. Best of luck to the developer/s of the keyboard with this project!

  Please make an email list to which you will send an email about the release/pre-order date when you know (and please also add my email to the email list).

• Brian wrote on 21. March 2010 @ 07:43:

  Great work!
  This is the keyboard I’ve been looking for, with or without the trackpoint. Love the custom colors too!

• Mad wrote on 6. April 2010 @ 14:52:

  Uuuuuh, I am waiting since a long time for exactly this keyboard. Bring it in good quality and I’ll buy one immediately…

• spindoctor wrote on 9. April 2010 @ 03:26:

  This looks fantastic! Considering how much time we spend on keyboards these days, it’s almost shocking how little choice there is and how lame the basic designs are. I think this is a wonderful idea and I’d definitely buy one if you can figure out some way to keep the price from being too high – that might be the hard part though ;)
  And for me, the trackpoint is key. Can always use a mouse when you have to, but once you get used to it. the trackpoint is so much nicer a lot of the time.

• me wrote on 16. April 2010 @ 23:22:

  can you inform me, if i can buy one in your shop? (didnt found a form to put my email there),
  thanks.
  (i`ll buy than it it really comes in 04/2010; online?)

• Basil wrote on 23. April 2010 @ 22:16:

  Is the pointing stick in the Miniguru the very same model which was made IBM? I bought an Endurapro keyboard and found out that it has an awful useless pointing stick which has nothing to do with the model used in IBM keyboards.

• sebko wrote on 25. April 2010 @ 14:10:

  I agree with jesperj. Price should be affordable. Perhaps this could be achieved through the introduction of two options 1 default (defined Configuration), 2 your own configuration (colors, etc.). It may be able to keep the price at $ 100-150. Spend more money for the keyboard than the $ 150 is IMHO crazy

• HHK owner wrote on 27. April 2010 @ 18:00:

  I would gladly drop $150 for a keyboard like this.

• Erik wrote on 28. April 2010 @ 22:07:

  OMG! I’ve been crying my eyes out for months looking for a decent keyboard, and finally I stumble upon this! I’m definitely getting one of these when they come out.
  A tip is to put yet another swirl key (I hope they will be distinguishable when programming them) on the left side and shrink the space key. A big space key is so useless considering the flexibility of the thumbs.

• iMav @ geekhack wrote on 4. May 2010 @ 20:12:

  Lots of folks waiting on this. Hope all is going well. Let us know what we can do to help you (if anything).

• Me wrote on 4. May 2010 @ 23:46:

  Hi I just want to add to the chorus here and say yup I’m interested and would buy at least two of these if you can keep the price somewhere between $50-$75 USD.

  For price comparison I’m looking at a pretty tricked out MS Natural Ergo 4000, and e.g. the Apple aluminum keyboard (which – surprisingly (because you wouldn’t think so to look at it) – is quite nice to type on). Both of these run around 50 bucks. I’m willing to pay extra for the customized colors etc but not a lot. Anyway that’s just to give you an idea of what I would expect to pay for it.

• Shane wrote on 5. May 2010 @ 04:02:

  Can’t wait :) Hope everything is going well.

• firedevil wrote on 9. May 2010 @ 23:28:

  I am looking forward to end of this year to get one of these mega cool keyboards. Very nice that it is so customizable. Good luck.

• Marten wrote on 11. May 2010 @ 12:59:

  +1 to wireless

• izzypizzy wrote on 11. May 2010 @ 23:14:

  Very happy to see that someone will finally make cherry reds available in the US, on a high quality and customizable keyboard to boot!

• A.de.Lioncourt wrote on 15. May 2010 @ 04:04:

  @me I can’t speak for the owner, but $75 would probably only pay cost on the mechanical switches themselves, much less the custom key caps, programmable memory, NKRO processor, metallic base, and of course some profit.

  I would refer you to geekhack.org so you can understand the quality and benefits of a keyboard like this.

  Steff,

  Awesome project; I really appreciate the work you’re putting into this and look forward to being the proud owner of one.

• Mosin wrote on 17. May 2010 @ 11:05:

  any plans on the case? since this may seem to be one of the types I could carry to the work.

• Ben wrote on 18. May 2010 @ 21:25:

  Looking forward to getting this when it is available.

• zmurf wrote on 21. May 2010 @ 11:12:

  “but $75 would probably only pay cost on the mechanical switches themselves, much less the custom key caps, programmable memory, NKRO processor, metallic base, and of course some profit.”

  I would gladly pay $200-$250 for this keyboard… I want it now! GIVEME!

• Jones Lee wrote on 21. May 2010 @ 14:45:

  I want USB3 hub, give it to me! :D

• erricrice wrote on 30. May 2010 @ 16:58:

  Good work!

  Count me in for one!(at least…)

• flok wrote on 3. June 2010 @ 21:38:

  This ‘board looks friggin awesome. Will_definitely_buy one when it comes available.

• albert wrote on 12. June 2010 @ 18:11:

  come on, bring it!

• Nave wrote on 12. June 2010 @ 22:57:

  When can I buy it?
  How much is it?
  Can I buy it from Japan?

• Birdlives wrote on 13. June 2010 @ 22:30:

  Eagerly awaiting when I can order one. It’s exactly what I want in a keyboard

• JW wrote on 15. June 2010 @ 18:18:

  Looking forward to getting one. BTW, which country is Guru Board based in?

• Aaron wrote on 27. June 2010 @ 08:30:

  I just stumbled on this in searching for a high-end keyboard. This is exactly what I need. I absolutely love your concept of storing the customized settings internally. It’s a real shame you’re not going to manufacture it. My time is very valuable and I spend 90% of my time at my keyboard. I’d gladly pay a premium price for a keyboard that will improve my productivity.

  Any chance that you could sell your prototypes, or do some limited run of custom built units? If the keyboard is as good as it looks, I’d gladly pay double the price of a HHK. If not, rather than just let the project die, any chance of you releasing the technical details (firmware, schematics, etc.) and see if someone else wants to pick up the project, or for some of us to DIY? It would be a total shame if all your work into this project never saw anything come out that could be used by some of us.

  Thanks for all your effort!

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