These days, sitting in front of a computer screen isn’t as fun and exciting as it used to be, mainly because computers are now used more for work and school purposes, both of which are pretty boring. But there are ways to make it fun, either by getting loads of office gadgets to fill out your cubicle or… get a keyboard from the 19th century (…yeah, typewriter!). For this article I will focus solely on keyboards that will wake up your inner Retro Steampunker… so strap in for some awesome Steampunk Keyboards!
Wanting a Steampunk Keyboard or Retro Keyboard on a budget – then look here!
The Steampunk Keyboards of your Victorian era dreams. From Datamancer.
Keyboards after all, are peripherals partially modelled after those good old typewriters – yes, what a surprise! As time goes on more and more of them try on designs that distance their images from those of their “predecessors” – they have become more slick, more futuristic, more minimalistic than ever to bait Apple fans into buying (I kid, I kid).
To counter that, some companies decided that they should produce products for the customers who turned the other cheeks, because they seemed so pitiful not owning the latest trendy things on the electronics market and not to mention the potential for marketing was quite large.
So how does one counter the trend of smartphone-like keyboards?
You go ‘retro the hell out of it’.
In came Datamancer with their fantastic steampunk keyboard custom designs.
For daydreamers, Jules Verne fans, steamy airs and bronze composite apparatuses lovers everywhere this is one article to read, because it sounds romantic as hell to work on a typewriter (but not really) to produce that 5 stars novel or autobiographical book that you’ve promised your 15 years old cosplaying self to finish but instead got put off – as soon as a draft was defined – by the idealistic keyboards of conformity and clichés.
Tighten your goggles’ leather strings as I present to you a list of 5 Steampunk-styled keyboards from the famous steampunk-styled electronic products manufacturer Datamancer, ones that will spark the long dead fires in your anachronistic, clockwork heart that looks forward more to lunches than getting up in the morning for breakfasts. For happier Mondays!
They are all VERY EXPENSIVE, though, with the least expensive one at least $500. Just a warning before you inevitably buy it anyway amidst the cries of your wives and kids. But fear not, we can spare their tears – we have added some alternate Retro Keyboards to ease those Steampunk desires. You just have to skip to the end!
1. The Sojourner
- Bronze shiny look giving off steampunk aura
- Hand-crafted in polished brass
- Fantastically designed keycaps
2. The Seafarer
- Stunning attention to details with map face background
- Solid spiral rod frame that enhance durability
- Nautical cast brass design
3. The Aviator
- Brilliant brushed aluminum construction
- Extreme attention to details
- Top-notch mechanical switches with great feel
4. The Machinist
- Rugged distressed aluminum construction and design
- Hand-crafted
- Industrial, gritty look
5. The Diviner
- Wooden design and construction
- Relatively minimalistic and compact with high durability
- Relatively cheap (less expensive) compared to other Datamancer keyboards
Want a Steampunk Keyboard for Less?
The Datamancer Keyboards are works of art, hand made, quality items. However, they might be beyond the budgets of most of us, so can I get a Steampunk Keyboard for cheaper? Yes you can! Take a look at these Steampunk Keyboards, available from Amazon, we’ve stacked some in a handy table for you to compare if any of these will fill that Steampunk void in your life!
