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| Finalmouse Centerpiece gaming keyboard has a massive display under the keyboard deck. |
For mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, the quest for the perfect blend of form, function, and flair is endless. While keyboards with small built-in screens have carved out a niche, Finalmouse promised something revolutionary back in 2022: the Centerpiece, a keyboard where the entire typing surface becomes a dynamic display. After a rollercoaster of delays that tested the patience of its early supporters, the first units are now arriving at doorsteps. The reality, however, is proving to be as complex as the product itself.
A Vision Two Years in the Making
Finalmouse first unveiled the Centerpiece with ambitious promises. This isn't just a 65% gaming keyboard with a tiny info panel. The core innovation lies in its 2K display situated directly beneath the keycaps. By employing clear polycarbonate keycaps and specially designed Hall effect switches, the screen shines through, enabling everything from mesmerising animated backgrounds to incredibly practical custom key maps and shortcut displays.
The journey from concept to delivery, however, has been fraught. Originally announced to a wave of excitement, the project entered what fans dubbed "R&D hell," facing multiple development hiccups and production delays. Some "Founders" pre-order customers have waited nearly two years since plunking down their money. The company recently confirmed on its X account that the first production wave is officially shipping, marking the end of a long, uncertain chapter.
Interested in the specs? You can explore the full technical breakdown on the official Finalmouse Centerpiece Pro product page.
Hello Centerpiece, welcome to the world.
— Finalmouse (@finalmouse) November 30, 2025
Let’s take your first steps.
👶
Wave 1 of founders batch shipping now. pic.twitter.com/30PERzAu2L
Premium Tech at a Premium Price
So, what do you get for your $349 and years of anticipation? The Centerpiece is a highly engineered package. To make the under-key display work, Finalmouse couldn't use off-the-shelf parts. It features a custom Hall effect switch with an integrated spring, boasting a 55 gf actuation force. This proprietary design means users cannot simply swap in more common magnetic switches, like the popular Gateron Magnetic Jade Pros, limiting future customization.
On paper, the feature set is formidable for a gaming peripheral: 0.1mm adjustable actuation, rapid trigger technology, SOCD cleaning, and a blistering 8 kHz polling rate. It’s designed to be a performance powerhouse that doubles as a piece of desk art.
For context on switch alternatives: A pack of 70 Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro switches is currently listed on Amazon.
The First Wave: Excitement Tempered by Quality Concerns
The initial excitement of unboxing has been slightly marred for some early recipients. Across social platforms like Reddit, a number of users have reported their high-end keyboards arriving with noticeable blemishes and scratches on the top case.
Finalmouse has addressed these complaints, stating that the marks are not scratches but "nit marks" from the injection moulding process. The company asserts that "it completely disappears once the keyboard display is on," as the light from the screen masks the imperfections.
This explanation hasn’t fully satisfied everyone in the community. At a premium price point of $349, expectations for flawless finish are high, leading to debates about quality control versus the understanding owed to a groundbreaking, complex product.
Follow the official update: Finalmouse addressed the shipping and quality discussion in a post on X.
Availability and Verdict
Currently, the Finalmouse Centerpiece is sold out, a testament to its enduring hype despite the delays. When it returns to stock, it will represent one of the most unique—and debated—propositions in the keyboard market.
The Centerpiece stands as a bold testament to innovation, pushing the boundary of what a keyboard can be. It delivers on a futuristic vision of a living, interactive typing canvas. Yet, its turbulent launch and the early quality reports highlight the challenges of delivering such an ambitious product. It’s a keyboard that asks for not just a significant financial investment, but also a degree of patience and understanding from its users—a true niche product for the dedicated enthusiast willing to embrace both its brilliance and its potential flaws.
Centerpiece QC
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