Redesigning an input device is risky business. When Apple introduced its latest MacBooks, some users complained that the new butterfly mechanism on the keys was a turnoff. They criticized the keyboard for its lack of travel and said the typing experience wasn’t much different from tapping on a touch screen. Other users felt okay with the change. Regardless of which side people fall on the debate, everyone can agree that how a keyboard actually feels under the fingers matters a lot.
With the Lofree Bluetooth keyboard, the designers recreated the experience of operating a traditional typewriter, but tried to imagine the typing process in a more radical way in an elegant retro-modern design. The desire for such a product is unmistakable – Loughry’s Indiegogo campaign began raising $10,000 in 30 days, but has already amassed $364,443 from more than 4,000 backers, with weeks to go. We grabbed a finished unit to see if the Lofree keyboard could live up to expectations.
Design and features
The first thing that struck me about Loughry was its sheer height. At 800g, it’s quite heavy – the Apple Magic Keyboard is just 321g – but the extra weight has a stabilizing effect and adds a retro feel. It has a sturdy round plastic base, with two rubber feet on the back that elevate the keys at a six-degree angle from the desk.
The right side of the keyboard has a micro-USB port for charging as well as connecting in wired mode using the included cable. There is a switch next to the port to turn Bluetooth on/off. A second switch sets the keyboard for use on Mac/iOS or Windows/Android, but a quick look at the layout reveals that Lofree is primarily designed with Apple users in mind.
The functional layout on the top row contains the usual controls you’d expect on an Apple keyboard, such as Mission Control, Launchpad, Volume, etc. However, overall the keys are more crowded, and there are some changes to the layout, the main one being that the number key rows are positioned differently, so 1 is slightly to the right of Q, 2 to the right of W, and so on. . Eagle-eyed readers will notice that key numbers 1, 2 and 3 all have Bluetooth symbols. These are used along with the fn key to quickly switch between the three paired devices.
The keycaps are raised from the base in pseudo-typewriter fashion, making the backlight one of the key features of the keyboard’s design. I found that in a dimly lit room, it gave each key a nice muted corona, but if you find the light bed too bright, you can dial in the intensity, choosing from three levels of brightness, or just turn the backlight off entirely. To save battery, the lights also sleep if you don’t use the keyboard for a few minutes, but they turn on quickly with a tap.
Instead of the squishy rubber membrane you’ll find under the keycaps on most notebooks, the Loughry Gateron Blue opted to use mechanical switches. The decision reflects Loughrey’s effort to not only mimic the look of a typewriter as closely as possible, but also the sound and tactile sensation of hitting traditional typewriter keys.
In practice, this means that the key takes a slight push when actuated, requires more force, and has a lot more travel when the key is fully depressed. The replaceable keycaps have a concave shape to fit your fingers.
performance
I had no problem pairing the keyboard with my MacBook Pro, iPad, or iPhone. As soon as I turned it on, Lofreety appeared in the Bluetooth preferences and the LED next to the Caps Lock key flashed to confirm the connection. The ability to switch between devices also worked well, and I experienced no dropouts when testing the keyboard within a reasonable range.
I type heavily at the best of times, but Loughry’s tapping of the keys was enough to create an echo in the hallway that led to my office room. Gateron switches are louder and “clickier” than Apple keyboards, which is obviously why they were chosen. Whether you (or anyone within earshot) can get the sound will depend on taste as well as circumstances.
Some people find that the constant clackety-clack has a focusing effect on the mind. Others may find it positively off-putting. As such, using Lofree in an open-plan office is probably a bad idea, unless you really want to annoy your colleagues. The best place to use this keyboard is probably at home in a private office or studying with the door firmly shut.
That said, such precautions aren’t likely to cover the volleys of verbal abuse you might hurl at Loughrey during your first few days together. The oddly aligned number keys definitely took some getting used to, but personally they were the least of my concerns.
On an Apple keyboard, the right shift key is a large rectangular target in both the US and UK layouts, but on Loughry, the right part of this area has the up arrow key. This seemingly small change meant that my little finger kept hitting the up arrow and taking me up a line instead of capping the next letter, which was incredibly frustrating. I had to look at the keys to orient my fingers, making touch typing impossible. Despite the initial irritation though, I stuck with it and within a week I was able to type a few paragraphs without error.
Right now, Loughry is still sitting pretty, albeit connected to my iPad on a separate desk in another room. I’ve been using it for journaling, replying to emails, and tapping out quick notes, but I prefer a wireless Apple keyboard for most tasks on my Mac. After a few hours typing on the Lofree started to tire my fingers a bit, which could be an RSI harbinger for some users.
I didn’t drain the battery in seven days of use, but Loughry claims that with the backlight set to low, Bluetooth work time is about three weeks on a single charge, and that extends to about six months with the backlight off. (For comparison, I got about two months of real-world use on a single charge on an Apple Magic Keyboard without backlight).
last row
There’s no denying Loughry’s inviting appearance—its retro aesthetic is an instant eye-catcher that can brighten up any computer desk or study space. Invoking the bygone spirit of typewriting, it broadly accomplishes what it sets out to achieve. It’s just a shame that the tweaked layout distracts from your creative flow and forces you to relearn where certain keys are located. For those with nostalgia and plenty of patience, however, the Lofree should prove a pleasant keyboard to use in the long run.
professional
- Impressive retro design
- Nice adjustable backlight
- Supports switching between up to three paired devices
- Decent battery life
cons
- Some strange layout decisions
- More finger fatigue
- Not great for touch typing
- Noisier than the Apple keyboard
how to buy
The Loughry typewriter-inspired mechanical keyboard is available in pure white, turquoise blue, or sandstone black and costs $79 for early adopters on Indiegogo. According to Loughry, the keyboard will retail for $129 and pre-orders will begin shipping as soon as the Indiegogo campaign ends.
Note: Keyboard provided by lofree MacRumors For the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received.
