New Kickstarter campaign introduces a real-life version of the futuristic MDR Dasher keyboard from the sci-fi show Severance. The high-tech keyboard, priced at $599, is predicted to ship from November.
Atomic Keyboards Unveils the MDR Dasher Keyboard: A Nostalgic Homage to the Past with Modern Perks
Atomic Keyboards has announced the upcoming release of the MDR Dasher Keyboard, a mechanical keyboard that pays tribute to the vintage Data General 6053 'Dasher' terminal while incorporating modern technology. The MDR Dasher Keyboard is set to ship starting in November.
The MDR Dasher Keyboard boasts a sturdy, all-metal build made from fully CNC-machined aerospace-grade aluminum, weighing a substantial 7kg. With its compact 73-key 70% layout and USB-C connectivity, it offers a sleek and modern design.
One of the standout features of the MDR Dasher Keyboard is its three magnetic swappable layout options: Innie Layout, Outie Layout, and Dasher Layout. These layouts can be quickly switched thanks to a magnetic top sheet, allowing users to customize their typing experience. However, it remains unclear whether every backer will receive all the components necessary for the three layout options shown during the pre-Kickstarter stage.
The MDR Dasher Keyboard also offers hot-swappable switches, customizable keycaps, a built-in trackball (which can be swapped for a number pad), customizable macros via a web interface, and full compatibility with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
The MDR Dasher Keyboard's case provides an undeniably steady platform, characterized as "thocky, firm, and deeply satisfying." The trackball, if chosen to use, offers a 50mm profile with CNC-machined custom keycaps and MX switches.
The MDR Dasher Keyboard is available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter, with backing starting at $599, touted as a $300 discount compared to retail pricing. Atomic Keyboards offers a low-risk $10 deposit option for the MDR Dasher Keyboard. It's important to note that backing the MDR Dasher Keyboard's crowdfunding campaign is akin to an investment, with no guarantee of receiving a finished product.
The MDR Dasher Keyboard, due to its niche appeal and price, may not make the ranks of the best keyboards on Tom's Hardware. However, for those seeking a unique, high-quality mechanical keyboard with a sci-fi thriller-inspired design, the MDR Dasher Keyboard is a compelling option.
In contrast, the Data General 6053 'Dasher' terminal was an early computing terminal from 1977 known primarily for its archaic, straightforward design suitable for mainframe or minicomputer usage at the time. Unlike the MDR Dasher, it lacked modern features such as hot-swappable switches, customizable layouts, USB connectivity, or integrated pointing devices. The MDR Dasher keyboard recreates and pays homage to the retro aesthetic and feel of this 1970s terminal while incorporating modern technology, mechanical switches, and modular design elements as a collector's item and a cultural artifact inspired by the terminal and the Apple TV Severance series' fictional ambiance.
Key differences:
| Feature | MDR Dasher Keyboard (Atomic Keyboards) | Data General 6053 'Dasher' Terminal | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------| | Era and Purpose | 2025, mechanical keyboard, collector’s item inspired by retro | 1977, terminal for Data General mainframe/minicomputer use | | Build and Weight | Aerospace-grade aluminum, 7 kg, all-metal body | Older, lighter terminal keyboard design from 1970s | | Key Layouts | 3 swappable layouts: Innie, Outie, Dasher (customizable) | Fixed vintage terminal layout | | Switches | Hot-swappable mechanical switches (user-replaceable) | Fixed membrane or mechanical switches typical of 1970s terminals | | Connectivity | USB-C for modern OS support (Windows/macOS/Linux) | Legacy serial or proprietary connection to Data General systems | | Additional Input | Built-in trackball with customizable buttons, swappable number pad | No integrated pointing device | | Customization | Web-based macro and configuration interface, customizable keycaps| No customization or macros | | Weight and Portability | Heavy (7 kg), stationary desk keyboard | Relatively lightweight, designed for station use |
[1] Atomic Keyboards. (n.d.). MDR Dasher Keyboard. Retrieved from https://atomickeyboards.com/products/mdr-dasher [2] Kickstarter. (n.d.). MDR Dasher Keyboard. Retrieved from https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/atomickeyboards/mdr-dasher [3] Tom's Hardware. (n.d.). MDR Dasher Keyboard: A Mechanical Keyboard Inspired by the Severance TV Show. Retrieved from https://www.tomshardware.com/news/mdr-dasher-keyboard-severance-tv-show-atomic-keyboards
- With its modern technology incorporated into a retro design inspired by the original Data General 6053 'Dasher' terminal, the MDR Dasher Keyboard is a unique gadget that seamlessly combines old and new.
- The MDR Dasher Keyboard, featuring hot-swappable mechanical switches and a sturdy all-metal build, is not just a gadget, but a piece of technology that pays homage to the past while delivering modern perks.
