The term “endgame” holds a special place among keyboard enthusiasts, often serving as a running joke within the community. It refers to the ideal moment when you have meticulously dialed in your perfect keyboard setup—everything from the layout and case to the features, switches, and keycaps. At this stage, you can finally put aside the endless tinkering and focus on what you actually use the keyboard for, usually work-related tasks. However, the allure of shiny new components often leads many to start the quest anew just a few months later.
In the journey towards achieving your endgame keyboard, compromises are often necessary, particularly regarding time and money. Sometimes, the specific components you desire simply do not exist on the market. But imagine a scenario where you didn’t have to compromise at all. With ample time, patience, creative vision, and financial resources, you could build your ultimate keyboard from the ground up. This is precisely what has resulted in the creation of the Seneca, the inaugural keyboard from Norbauer & Co.
The Seneca is not your average keyboard. It features a plasma-oxide-finished milled aluminum chassis, a solid brass switch plate, and custom capacitive switches. Additionally, it boasts the world’s finest stabilizers, custom spherical-profile keycaps adorned with retro-looking centered legends, zero backlighting, and a perfectly flat typing angle. Weighing in at a hefty seven pounds, the Seneca comes with a price tag of $3,600, raising several questions: Why is it so expensive? Who would invest in such a luxury keyboard? And is it worth it? After spending extensive time with an early model of the Seneca, I can confidently affirm: Yes, it’s extraordinary.
The mind behind this impressive creation is Ryan Norbauer, a well-known figure in the keyboard community for his aftermarket housings. The Seneca represents the culmination of a decade-long journey to design his ultimate keyboard, with his business, Norbauer & Co., emerging as an almost incidental result of this pursuit. Growing up in 1990s West Virginia, Norbauer was inspired by shows like Star Trek: The Next Generation, which instilled in him both a love for retro-modern aesthetics and a vision of a more connected future.
The Seneca embodies Norbauer’s ambition to create the best possible computer keyboard according to his own standards and tastes, free from the constraints of cost. “A significant part of the allure of keyboards is the nostalgia connected to my childhood excitement about computing,” he shares. This keyboard is big and chunky, featuring a standard tenkeyless layout—a design that resonates with him personally.
Norbauer has always had a knack for creating things that don’t yet exist, a trait that led him down the path of keyboard design. His journey began about 20 years ago when he envisioned a dating website. Lacking funds and coding skills, he taught himself programming, leading to the creation of a startup, but also to tendonitis from poor typing form. This experience ultimately sparked his obsession with finding a more comfortable keyboard.
After selling several startups in 2010, Norbauer had the resources to explore new interests, including industrial design skills for creating Star Trek prop replicas. His journey eventually led him to Topre keyboards, which feature unique rubber dome switches that provide an unparalleled typing experience. However, the limited options and high costs associated with Topre keyboards spurred Norbauer to create customized housings for them, leading to the birth of Norbauer & Co.
Initially, Norbauer aimed to create a keyboard that would be ready to type right out of the box. He realized that his ambition had grown beyond just making another standard keyboard. Instead, he envisioned a heavy metal chassis paired with the tactile feedback of Topre-like switches and compatibility with a wide array of aftermarket keycaps. This ambition spiraled into a five-year-long project, aimed at achieving excellence irrespective of cost.
One of the standout features of the Seneca is its custom switches, which blend the tactile feedback of Topre switches with enhanced stability and sound. Norbauer’s team worked tirelessly to refine these switches, focusing on eliminating issues like wobbling and crooked keycaps. The result is a switch design that boasts a high tactile bump and a satisfying sound profile.
Equally impressive are the stabilizers used in the Seneca. Traditionally, stabilizers could produce unwanted noise, necessitating extensive tuning and lubrication. Norbauer, however, sought to innovate rather than rely on conventional methods. After years of development, he produced two new stabilizer designs, one of which is used in the Seneca and offers unparalleled performance.
Constructed from solid aluminum and featuring a brass switchplate, the Seneca is designed not just for aesthetics but also for acoustic properties. The careful selection of materials contributes to its rich sound and tactile experience. Additionally, each keyboard is meticulously hand-assembled in Norbauer’s Los Angeles garage, ensuring that every unit meets his high standards.
As Norbauer & Co. transitions from a housing manufacturer to a full-fledged keyboard producer, the Seneca serves as a proof of concept for future endeavors. Norbauer envisions creating other keyboards that explore different materials and designs while maintaining the same commitment to quality. The next model may feature a lighter design and possibly Bluetooth capabilities, further expanding the horizons of what custom keyboards can achieve.
While the Seneca may not enhance your typing speed or writing prowess, its craftsmanship and attention to detail make it a luxury keyboard that enthusiasts will appreciate. The investment of $3,600 may seem steep, but for those who cherish the art of typing and the experience of a well-crafted keyboard, the Seneca stands as a testament to what is possible when creativity and technical prowess unite in the world of custom keyboards.
