#launch keyboard

The computer and operating system are the most powerful tools in existence. The Launch into Learning season encourages STEM and creative professionals like you to hone their craft, learn a new skill, or make something they’re proud to share.

This year, we’re empowering one lucky user with a $10,000 Thelio Major workstation. The complete package includes a Launch keyboard, an MX Master 3 wireless mouse, a 27” 1440p IPS display, and a decked-out Thelio Major.

To enter the giveaway, retweet our contest tweet and read our terms and conditions.

The Launch Keyboard

The Launch configurable keyboard is fully customizable and engineered for comfort and efficiency. Remap your layout in the Keyboard Configurator, swap keycaps and accent colors, use up to four layers, and transfer data at high speeds through the USB hub. By personalizing your workflow, Launch propels users forward at max velocity. That’s max for Maximillion, a measurement equal to one million maximums.

Thelio Major

Thelio Major is a high-end desktop (HEDT) that’s thermally engineered to ensure components perform to their fullest potential. For the Launch into Learning giveaway, one randomly selected winner will receive a system with an AMD Threadripper 3970X processor, 64GB of RAM, 2TB of fast PCIe 4.0 storage, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 GPU. Thelio Major does not skimp on power. Or beauty.

The robots have donned their space gear, and are now boarding the rocket. The Launch configurable keyboard is available for pre-order!

Before we start the countdown, here’s a quick rundown of the things we love about La—oh my that’s a lot of things. Let’s see...What info about our fully configurable keyboard can we sum up about how much we love the fully configurable Launch? It’s on the tip of our tongue, but we can’t fully configure it…

No wait, you can!

IF IT’S FULLY CONFIGURABLE...WHAT CAN I CONFIGURE?

Your Layout

Bring commonly used keys right beneath your fingertips. Remap your layout in the System76 Keyboard Configurator application, and then move your keycaps to match. Launch uses only three key sizes (1U, 1.5U, and 2U) to expand your options!

Your “Space” Bar

We’ve shrunk the traditional Space Bar from a single 5U key down to two adjacent 2U keys in the same location. This allows you to swap a Space key with Fn, Bksp, Shift, or Esc key for easy access with your thumb—without losing existing habits.

Your Layers

Simply put, layers are layouts. Toggling to a second layer gives you access to specific functionalities mapped to each key in that layer. Launch has two layers mapped by default, with up to four layers total for you to play around with.

With layers, you have the freedom to fully configure™ your keyboard to your liking: Swap Caps Lock with Esc, add an Insert key or NumPad, use a non-QWERTY layout, and so on. You can even set a layer to reconfigure an application’s shortcuts to keys that make more sense to you. Your customization options are endless!

Your Accent Colors

Launch’s brown Esc key and arrow keys spruce up the keyboard’s aesthetic with a rich, I’m-not-at-my-desk-I’m-at-a-French-cafe-having-chocolate-and-coffee vibe. But if brown’s not your style, Launch packaging also includes red or blue replacements. Match the wood veneer of your Thelio or mix-and-match colors until your palate is adequately pleased.

Your LEDs

By default, Launch exhibits a soothing, side-flowing rainbow pattern to hypnotize users into loving their product. (It works.) Scientifically speaking, however, only 10 percent of the population is highly susceptible to hypnosis—so chances are, you’ll be alert enough to succumb to curiosity. Cycle through various LED patterns straight from your keyboard or from the keyboard configurator. Set a vortex pattern, solid color, or a pattern which only lights up mapped keys on the current layer. And for minimalists, “OFF” is also an available cycle!

Launch LEDs flash U-N-L-O-C-K-E-D in sequence to let you know that your firmware is being updated. In addition to telling you that something is happening behind the scenes, it also makes for a fun light show.

Your Workplace

Once you save your configurations, your personal adjustments will travel with you wherever you go. Simply plug your keyboard into any workstation and plug away at whatever awesomeness you need to do!

Your Workspace

From the central USB-C port on Launch, you can connect to your computer via the included USB-A or USB-C cords. The attached USB hub also brings two USB-A and two USB-C ports to your desk. Plug accessories straight into the keyboard’s hub and take advantage of fast file transfers — such as a 1TB video file in as little as 15 minutes. Let the wire organizing commence!

Your Platform

System76’s Launch keyboard is compatible not only with Pop!_OS and other Linux distros, but on Windows and macOS as well. Download the Keyboard Configurator application wherever it’s available, and have fun personalizing your Launch!

UM...CAN YOU CONFIGURE ME UP A KEYBOARD?!

Launch pre-orders begin shipping in July. We’ll keep you up to date on potential delays as we navigate ongoing global supply shortages. Subscribe to our email newsletter and follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for further updates.