NuPhy Launches Node 100 Low-Profile and Full-Height Retro Mechanical Keyboard

NuPhy earlier this year unveiled the Node 75, a 75% wireless mechanical keyboard with a retro design inspired by the Braun T3, and it has now brought that retro design language to an 1800 layout, which means you get a keyboard with a full-size num pad in a slightly more compact layout. The Node 100 also has the same touch-sensitive area on the right-hand side of the top edge of the keyboard—kind of mimicking the Apple Touch Bar in functionality—and the same dot matrix indicator LEDs on the left side of that same top edge. The Node 100 has a PCB gasket mount and is constructed of plastic, which allows NuPhy to bring the price down to a pretty reasonable $109.99, and it is available in Ink Grey, Lunar White, and Light Pink from NuPhy’s online store. It is also available as both high- and low-profile designs and with a choice of linear, silent, and light tactile switches in both variants.

The Node series uses both 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, with USB-C available as a wired option. The low-profile version uses NuPhy’s Low-Profile Nano switches, which follow Gateron’s Low-Profile 3.0 design, meaning the switch selection is somewhat limited at the time of writing. The low-profile version of the Node 100 keyboard is pitched as a portable option for on-the-go productivity, although it still weighs in at 787 g. Both versions of the keyboard have PBT keycaps, although the low-profile version uses NuPhy’s nSA profile and dye-sublimated legends, while the high-profile version has double-shot keycaps in the mSA profile. Both versions of the Node 100 have two-stage adjustable feet for typing angles of 6°, 9°, and 12°. The front height of both versions of the keyboard are also reasonably low, at 13.8 mm on the low-profile keyboard and 18.9 mm on the full-height version.

The 1800 layout is often preferred by those who spend a lot of time doing tasks like data entry, because the full-size zero key in the num pad doesn’t violate existing muscle memory. The layout still eliminates some space between the key clusters and cutting the navigation cluster somewhat, effectively shrinking the horizontal footprint by two columns. The Node 100 is also fully remappable and customizable in NuPhy’s web interface, and it uses NuPhyIO firmware, which promises up to 1,000 hours of battery life—from 3,000 mAh in the low-profile keyboard and 4,000 mAh in the full-height version—with the south-facing per-key RGB backlighting disabled. With the lighting enabled, the battery life drops to a maximum of around 100 hours.

NuPhy has also made 3D models and reference files available for the Node 100, allowing users with access to a 3D printer to print accessories—available designs include a pen holder, bar tray, phone stand, LEGO-compatible brick mount, display dock, cap mount, and a card rest—or design their own accessories for 3D printing-powered customization.