If you think RGB LEDs dancing on your keyboard’s keys are distracting, you might want to look away from Finalmouse’s upcoming mechanical keyboard. The Finalmouse Centerpiece announced Saturday is a mechanical keyboard with its own display that shows animated images through the keyboard’s transparent keys and switches for a look that is as dazzling as it is distracting.
Finalmouse is known for making PC mice with detailed designs and often limited availability. It usually involves PC gamers looking for something unique and exclusive for their setup. Now Finalmouse announces its first keyboard, which takes detailed design to a new level.
Finalmouse didn’t share many details about the screen that runs below the Centerpiece’s switches. For example, we don’t know the exact size, brightness, resolution or refresh rate. However, the screen is said to be powered by “interactive skins” using Unreal Engine 5. It’s unclear how many skins the Centerpiece will launch with, but in its video, Finalmouse showed off a variety of possibilities, from swimming koi fish running away when you press a key, for a rippling water effect, a grazing lion and 3D animations.
Mechanical keyboards are among the most customizable peripherals you can find, but Finalmouse’s Centerpiece is way flashier than most, even Asus’ ROG Strix Flare II Animate, which features 312 customizable mini-LEDs.
We’ve seen mechanical keyboards with a display near the keys before, but the Centerpiece’s display is front and center. As such, we can see the animations being extremely distracting, especially for non-touch typists and those playing competitive games. Wisely, a brightness button on the side of the keyboard lets you turn off the screen.
Interestingly, Finalmouse says the Centerpiece uses its own CPU and GPU, so powering the screen doesn’t consume the connected system’s resources.
Artists claimed by Finalmouse can submit skins to play on the screen of the Centerpiece and have the opportunity to monetize them. However, more details were not provided. Finalmouse’s announcement said that people would be able to submit different skins for the Centerpiece to use via a Finalmouse Steam app called The Freethinker Portal, which would allow Centerpiece users to download designs and switch up to three via a special switch on the side of the keyboard.
The centerpiece would rely on what Finalmouse calls its Laminated DisplayCircuit Glass Stack. As you might imagine, glass is not a material commonly used in mechanical keyboards. Within an aluminum chassis, it must be properly protected; although there are still plenty of questions about sustainability and how it all works. Finalmouse, of course, claims that the keyboard is strong enough to withstand extreme use.
Furthermore, the company claims that the glass stack is sandwiched by gaskets, providing “typical acoustics and a feel like no other”. Finalmouse’s announcement said that the keyboard’s sound profile has been described (it wasn’t said by whom) as “soft marble raindrops”, but we’ll just have to hear it for ourselves to know for sure that’s a good thing.
In addition to the wild look, the keyboard also uses mechanical switches based on Gateron’s linear Black Ink switches. Gateron’s switch has a 4mm stroke and operates with a force of 60g. The switches in the Centerpiece keyboard should work faster and have “slightly” different travel specs, Finalmouse said. The company will also sell a version of its analog keyboard switches using Hall effect sensors, allowing users to select the actuation point of the switches themselves (somewhere within the switch’s total travel).
The Centerpiece, with its truncated layout, bizarre design (including keycaps with legends printed only on the side), and high price point, will be limited to those looking for a bold PC accessory to transform and dominate their setup and keep themselves or, perhaps online viewers, stunned. Finalmouse said the keyboard will be available early next year for $349.
You can watch Finalmouse’s video showing the midpoint effects below:
Finalmouse Centerpiece keyboard revealed.
