Apple accessories often come with the reputation of being quite costly. For instance, a Magic Keyboard starting at $129 might seem steep when you can find third-party alternatives for under $20. However, the Seneca keyboard from Norbauer takes Apple’s pricing to a whole new level…
The Seneca mechanical keyboard launches today with a “starting” price of $3600. With that amount, you could easily purchase a well-equipped MacBook Pro or a Vision Pro.
Founder Ryan Norbauer acknowledges that this price point may sound outrageous.
“On paper, no part of this makes sense. It’s excessive, unnecessarily lavish, and exuberantly irrational.”
And that’s the point. If you’re after a keyboard solely for practical use, the Seneca might not be for you. It serves as a nostalgic escape to a place filled with luxury, exquisite engineering, and forgotten dreams of a shining future.
So, what justifies the high price?
Its complex mechanisms are painstakingly assembled and tuned by skilled hands, usually by a single artisan from start to finish.
Every part is custom-crafted—including the individually-machined screws—engineered meticulously for optimal acoustic, artistic, and tactile quality, regardless of cost.
Even the key switches are exclusively designed and produced by Norbauer and are not the mechanical styles typically found in premium keyboards.
The elastomeric domes used in capacitive keyboards feature a controlled collapse at a specific point during the downstroke, offering a gratifying tactile snap. Additionally, the unique physical design of the key system—a free-sliding linear bearing, made from resin, that compresses a helical coil against a sensor pad—results in a distinct and pleasing sound often referred to as a “thock.”
The Seneca draws inspiration from the architecture of these switches but reimagines and restructures each component completely. This allows the creation of a keyboard with a vintage essence while optimizing for the contemporary preferences of keyboard enthusiasts, enhancing both sound and feel.
The design melds elements from Midcentury aesthetics with influences from the 80s and 90s.
However, it’s not simply because I find these semiotic codes (excuse the terminology) beautiful. They resonate with me because they evoke a feeling: a nostalgic hopefulness for the future.
These decades were marked by remarkable advancements in aerospace, energy, computing, and communication, alongside a widespread belief in the certainty of cultural progress, economic growth, and liberalization.
Experience it in action here:
While I won’t be placing an order myself, you can secure yours later today via the company’s website.
Highlighted accessories
Source: Daring Fireball. Image: Norbauer
