8BitDo celebrates Apple’s fiftieth anniversary with AP50 aluminum keyboard
8BitDo is transferring from its inexpensive retro roots into the high-end market with its newest keyboard launch, the AP50. Created to commemorate Apple’s fiftieth anniversary, this restricted version mechanical keyboard is a love letter to the Apple II. Whereas the beige and brown colourway screams 70s, the development is strictly trendy, aimed squarely on the “endgame” mechanical keyboard neighborhood and critical collectors.
The AP50 (by way of ITHome) is a departure from typical plastic-shell retro peripherals. It encompasses a full CNC-machined aluminium chassis, an aluminium inner plate, and even all-aluminium keycaps. This materials alternative ends in a staggering weight of two.2 kg, making it one of many heaviest 65% keyboards available on the market. To make sure that typing on steel feels nearly as good because it appears to be like, 8BitDo has utilised a gasket-mount system to supply the cushioned, versatile really feel and superior acoustics that trendy fans demand.
The board is outfitted with Kailh Field Ice Cream Professional Max switches that ship clean linear journey and a “creamy” sound profile. For individuals who favor a distinct tactile expertise, the PCB is totally hot-swappable, making it straightforward to change and not using a soldering iron. Regardless of the old-school look, the board is full of trendy options, together with per-key RGB backlighting and deep programmability by way of the 8BitDo Final Software program V2. Nonetheless, customers may map macros straight on the board for a software-free expertise.
Connectivity is kind of versatile, providing a tri-mode setup that features 2.4 GHz wi-fi, Bluetooth LE, and a conventional wired USB-C connection. It’s totally suitable with macOS, Home windows 10, and Android. Powering the wi-fi expertise is a considerable 6500 mAh battery that claims as much as 300 hours of use on a single cost, although a full top-up by way of the USB-C port takes roughly 9 hours. 8BitDo additionally consists of its signature Wi-fi Twin Tremendous Buttons within the field: two outsized, programmable macro pads that mirror the keyboard’s retro aesthetic. The 8BitDo AP50 is at present priced at $499.99.
KitGuru says: Whereas that price ticket may trigger some shock for these used to the model’s budget-friendly NES and Commodore 64 homages, the transfer to all-aluminium building and a limited-edition run locations it in direct competitors with high-end customized group buys and luxurious gaming peripherals.