Enlarge / System76 Launch mechanical keyboard. (credit: Scharon Harding)
Specs at a glance: System76 Launch
Switches
Kailh Box Jade or Kailh Box Royal
Keycaps
PBT plastic
Connectivity options
USB-A or USB-C cable
Backlighting
Per-key RGB
Size
12.17 × 5.35 × 1.3 inches
(309 × 136 × 33 mm)
Weight
2.09 lbs (948 g)
Warranty
1 year
Price (MSRP)
$285
Other perks
Integrated USB hub, keycap/switch puller, 17x extra keycaps
The Launch is System76’s first mechanical keyboard, but it could be the last keyboard you need. With hot-swappable mechanical switches, legends that won’t fade, a durable build, and a pair of detachable cables, this tenkeyless board can evolve with you.
It’s also open source—from its chassis to its PCB and firmware—allowing for deeper tinkering. There are even some extra keycaps for when you want a new look. And in true System76 style, the board favors Linux users.
At $285, though, the Launch is a big investment, and many won’t like how hard it is to press the keys. The clicky mechanical switches are so tactile that