The full-size wireless mechanical keyboard with a customizable screen and unique gimmicks has captured the attention of enthusiasts and casual users alike.
[CITY, DATE] – If you thought the mechanical keyboard market had settled into a routine, Chilkey is here to prove you wrong. The company, an established name in the enthusiast space, launched a Kickstarter campaign for its ambitious ND104 keyboard in mid-October with a modest $5,000 goal. Now, with the campaign preparing to close in under 48 hours, it has become a resounding success, having raised over $123,000 from 642 backers—obliterating its initial target by more than 2,300%.
This explosive response underscores a significant demand for innovation in the full-size keyboard segment. While compact keyboards often steal the spotlight, Chilkey’s ND104 proves there's a passionate audience for a full-featured, 104-key board that doesn’t compromise on customizability or cutting-edge features.
For a closer look at the campaign and to see the project for yourself, you can visit its Kickstarter page here.
More Than Just a Keyboard: Specs That Impress
At its core, the Chilkey ND104 is a premium, full-size wireless mechanical keyboard built around a sturdy, CNC-cut 6063 aluminium case. But a quick glance at its spec sheet reveals this is far from a basic peripheral.
Key Specifications:
- Connectivity: Tri-mode (USB-C wired, 2.4GHz with dongle, Bluetooth 5.0)
- Battery: A massive 8,000 mAh cell, promising up to 120 hours of use
- Case: Anodized aluminium with a 7-degree typing angle and 20mm front height
- Customization: Hot-swap sockets for any MX-style switches, VIA/QMK software support, and south-facing RGB
- Keycaps: Stock double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile
The foundation is premium, but it's the unique features that truly make the ND104 stand out from the crowd.
A Tinkerer’s Dream: Screens, Swappable Mounts, and Storage Trays
Chilkey has packed the ND104 with thoughtful details that appeal to both mechanical keyboard veterans and users looking for a versatile daily driver.
The most obvious standout is the built-in customizable screen. Through Chilkey’s web driver, users can set the display to show anything from the time and date to custom animations and GIFs. It even doubles as a fully functional calculator, a nod to its office-friendly aspirations.
Perhaps even more impressive for enthusiasts is the keyboard’s interchangeable mounting system. Users can choose between three distinct typing feels:
- Top Mount: For a consistent feel and a focus on acoustic performance.
- Elastic Bar Gasket Mount: Offers a softer, more cushioned bottom-out.
- Silicone Particle Gasket Mount: Provides an alternative gasket-mounted feel.
Swapping these mounts is made simple thanks to a quick-release ball-catch system, encouraging experimentation without the fear of complicated disassembly.
Furthering its customizable nature, the 3x2 navigation cluster above the arrow keys is completely swappable. You can keep the standard keys, or pop in a small storage tray perfect for paper clips, USB drives, or screws for your other hobby projects. Combined with a magnetic compartment on the bottom for the 2.4GHz dongle, the ND104 is as practical as it is powerful.
With a range of vibrant color options—including white, grey, black, pink, yellow, and blue—the keyboard is designed to fit any desk aesthetic.
The ND104 began as a niche project on Kickstarter but is clearly poised for a much wider audience. To learn more about its final specifications and future availability, you can check out the official Chilkey product page.
As the Kickstarter campaign draws to a close, the message is clear: the community has spoken, and they are eager for a full-size mechanical keyboard that isn’t afraid to innovate.
