Altar II Keyboard Launches Nov 10 With 4.75mm Thickness for $249

The Electronic Materials Office has introduced the Altar II, a mechanical keyboard that prioritizes extreme thinness without sacrificing the tactile feedback enthusiasts expect. This device matters to buyers who want a compact peripheral that fits neatly on a desk while still offering the physical response required for typing and gaming. By compressing the internal mechanism into a slim profile, the vendor aims to blend minimalist aesthetics with functional durability for daily use.

The thin profile mechanical keyboard starts at $249 on Kickstarter

The Altar II utilizes a 75 percent layout, which retains essential navigation keys while reducing the overall footprint compared to full-size boards. The chassis is constructed from CNC-machined aluminum alloy, creating a single-piece unibody that provides structural rigidity. The design also integrates speakers and an M-Dial knob for volume or media control, adding utility beyond standard input capabilities.

Altar II Specifications

• Thickness: 4.75mm
• Key Travel: 1.8mm
• Layout: 75%
• Battery Life: 30 days
• Material: CNC Aluminum Alloy

Engineering the keyboard to just 4.75mm in thickness required a custom switch design that still delivers 1.8mm of key travel. The backlighting system uses long-wave red LEDs that adjust their brightness automatically based on ambient light conditions, reducing eye strain in varying environments. The keycaps are made from REGEN polymer, a material containing at least 50 percent recycled plastic, addressing sustainability concerns in hardware manufacturing.

Power management is a central feature of the Altar II, with the vendor claiming a battery life of 30 days on a single charge. The device supports fast charging, allowing users to gain two days of operation from just two minutes of charging time. The vendor markets the keyboard as the "world's thinnest mass-produced mechanical keyboard," though this specific claim lacks independent verification in the provided source material.

Pricing for the Altar II varies based on the purchase tier, starting at 249 USD (around $249) for the pre-order option. Early bird supporters can secure the keyboard for 279 USD (around $279), while the standard crowdfunding price is set at 299 USD (around $299). The final retail price is listed at 349 USD (around $349). The Kickstarter campaign launches globally on November 10, 2024, with shipments expected to begin in the summer of 2027.

We looked at thin-profile mechanical keyboards earlier while tracking niche peripheral launches. The Altar II joins a growing segment of devices that challenge traditional height limitations in mechanical input devices. Buyers should note the significant delay between the campaign launch and the expected delivery date when considering this purchase.