Skip to main content

This mechanical keyboard attaches directly to your MacBook or Surface

NUPHY | NuType F1 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard

The developer behind SliceCharge and SliceCharge Pro is preparing to offer what it claims is the world’s first mechanical keyboard designed for MacBooks, the NuType.

NuPhy designed its mechanical keyboard to physically reside above the built-in keyboard of a MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro. It “locks” into place using notches on the bottom that fit between and around the laptop’s keys. It does not extend over the Function keys or Touch Bar.

Related Videos

This mechanical keyboard seemingly targets users on the go. In the home or office, many MacBook owners may use traditional, full-sized external keyboards rather than the built-in keyboard. But once they’re out and about, that bulky keyboard isn’t ideal, especially when paired with a mouse, stand, and other accessories.

“When we work on a laptop outdoors, we may feel discomfort with its keyboard,” the company told Digital Trends. “And this discomfort is especially noticeable on the latest MacBooks. We want to make the mechanical keyboard much smaller and can also use on your mobile devices. This is the origin of NuType.”

Many current MacBooks have “butterfly” switches. This design has a hinge in the middle to form a “V” that’s prone to collecting dust, dirt, and food particles. Despite three generations and Apple’s efforts to eliminate failure rates, butterfly key issues persist.

A mechanical switch doesn’t share this design. Instead, it has a stem, a coil spring, and a crosspoint contact. They’re typically loud, provide some tactile feedback, and don’t fall apart like the commonly used “X” design used in most laptops.

Due to the NuType’s target market, it uses Kaihua’s Choc low profile switches. They feature a “box” design that encloses the stem to prevent exposure to dust, moisture, and grime. NuPhy says they’re 42% smaller than the standard mechanical switch.

While the NuType’s overall design complements MacBooks, it’s compatible with the Surface Pro, Surface Book, and Surface Laptop. It includes a SmartCase cover that connects to the keyboard using magnets and folds into a stand.

For customers who don’t own a MacBook or Surface device, this portable mechanical keyboard works with any Bluetooth-enabled device, such as the iPad Pro or a Windows 10 desktop.

NuPhy’s crowdfunding project for NuType begins on November 11.

Editors' Recommendations

A new iMac and 15-inch MacBook Air are almost ready to launch
A student types at a desk on a pink Apple iMac 24-inch M1 desktop computer.

The M1 iMac made a big splash when it launched in spring 2021, but it’s been a long two years without updates since then. There’s some good news for Apple fans, though, as a new iMac is apparently almost upon us.

That’s according to a new report from Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, who claims the next iMac is undergoing production tests as we speak. This stage of development (known as engineering validation testing, or EVT) means the product is getting close to launching.

Read more
USB-C charging laptops: Here’s what you need to know
Close up on the USB-C ports on a Macbook Pro.

The arrival of USB-C and USB-C laptop chargers has been a game-changer for many electronics. You can use the connection to charge devices and transfer media, and it's conveniently reversible. The best laptops no longer need a big power brick -- you can just use USB-C. But there are some precautions you should take when charging over USB-C. Here's everything you need to know.
USB charging and laptops

You have probably already used USB connections to charge smaller devices either from your computer or from an outlet. That works well because past USB connections had enough wattage to successfully power up those smaller batteries. Prior versions of USB could only handle a limited amount of power, which is why laptop chargers have typically retained their larger, bulkier cables.

Read more
The most common Zoom problems and how to fix them
zoom privacy feature freeze active users meeting office

Is Zoom giving you problems and you can't seem to fix them? Video conferencing software is more popular than ever, with thousands of companies turning to teleworking to keep their employees in the loop. Zoom and other online meeting tools make that easier than ever, but as with any other software, issues will arise, and they disrupt or even prevent good video calls.

Fortunately, while there are Zoom service outages you can't do much about, you often can fix typical problems yourself. To help get your Zoom calls working properly, we’ve collected the most common Zoom problems users face and have provided easy solutions to be able to fix them.

Read more