Would You Buy a Mechanical Keyboard with a Mini PC for $500? A Deep Dive into Kickstarter’s Latest Sensation

Technology has a habit of surprising us, but sometimes it goes beyond curiosity and ventures into the realm of pure invention. Enter the Rakeydo: a mechanical keyboard that incorporates a full-fledged Mini PC, currently on Kickstarter for $500. This hybrid device has been generating intense debates among tech enthusiasts and professionals. Some praise its innovation, while others cast doubt on its practicality and performance. With the campaign smashing its funding goals but raising a critical question about the choice of CPU, let’s dissect what the Rakeydo brings to the table and whether it’s worth considering.

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What Exactly is the Rakeydo?

If you’re a mechanical keyboard enthusiast or someone who has a soft spot for compact computing, the Rakeydo is likely to grab your attention. Here’s what you need to know about this peculiar device:

• Mechanical Keyboard: It features fully customizable mechanical switches, promising the tactile typing experience that enthusiasts cherish.

• Built-in Mini PC: Equipped with a processor, RAM, storage, and I/O ports, the keyboard doubles as a standalone computing device. Imagine plugging in a monitor and getting to work directly from your keyboard.

• Ultra-compact Form Factor: Unlike traditional Mini PC setups, there’s no separate box. It’s all packed within the keyboard’s housing.

• Crowdfunding Success: The project has already smashed its Kickstarter goals, proving that there’s a strong appetite for niche, hybrid hardware.

At its heart, the Rakeydo seems like a sci-fi gadget come to life—something you’d imagine from a cutting-edge workstation of the future. However, as with most Kickstarter projects, not all that glitters is gold.

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The CPU Conundrum: A Potential Deal-breaker?

The main source of controversy surrounding the Rakeydo is its choice of CPU. According to details shared by the creators, the device features an older, underpowered quad-core chip typically found in lower-end laptops and budget PCs. While the team behind the Rakeydo hasn’t shared the exact model, industry experts speculate it could be a CPU from the Intel Celeron or AMD Athlon class.

Why is this a problem? Consider these factors:

• Performance Bottleneck

– A low-end CPU means you’ll encounter serious limitations when running modern applications. Multitasking, media editing, and even intensive web browsing might strain this setup.

• Longevity Concerns

– Investing $500 in a device with outdated processing technology doesn’t bode well for its lifespan. Software grows more resource-intensive over time, leaving users with an expensive gadget that can’t keep up.

• Missed Potential

– The concept of the Rakeydo is undeniably innovative. However, the choice of hardware feels like a compromise, especially for the price. By prioritizing cost savings over performance, the creators may have alienated discerning buyers who demand more value for their money.

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Who is the Rakeydo For?

This question cuts to the heart of the discussion. While the Rakeydo is unusual and cool, its audience may be more niche than the Kickstarter success would suggest.

Ideal Users:

• Tech Enthusiasts: Those who love experimental gadgets and don’t mind some limitations will likely appreciate the Rakeydo’s uniqueness.

• Keyboard Collectors: Mechanical keyboard fans eager to add a hybrid PC-keyboard to their collection might see it as a trophy piece.

• Minimalists: Travelers and remote workers looking for ultra-compact hardware may find this appealing, assuming their use cases are light.

Hard Pass for:

• Gamers: The underpowered CPU and lack of a dedicated GPU rule out gaming beyond basic titles.

• Power Users: Developers, designers, and other professionals requiring high performance will struggle to perform demanding tasks.

• Mainstream Consumers: Average buyers may find the price too steep for a gadget that’s more novelty than necessity.

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The Price Factor: Competitors and Alternatives

At $500, the Rakeydo enters a competitive price bracket. Here are a few comparisons illustrating its challenges:

• Mechanical Keyboards Alone

– High-end mechanical keyboards typically cost $100-$200. At this price, you’re getting premium builds, hot-swappable switches, RGB lighting, and wireless functionality. A keyboard-PC hybrid undeniably justifies higher pricing but must deliver significant value beyond novelty.

• Mini PCs Alone

– Mini PCs from brands like Intel (NUC series), ASUS, or Zotac are priced similarly, often featuring better CPUs and upgradable hardware configurations.

• Combined Budgets

– For $500, one could purchase both a standalone keyboard and a full-fledged Mini PC with modern specs. While this would involve managing two devices instead of one, the performance gap could make the tradeoff worthwhile.

It’s clear that the Rakeydo doesn’t win on practicality or raw value. Its appeal lies in its innovation—but is that enough to justify its price tag?

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Challenges Kickstarter Projects Often Face

The Rakeydo’s crowdfunding success is impressive, but Kickstarter backers know that excitement can sometimes outpace delivery. Common pitfalls such projects often encounter include:

• Delivery Delays: Hardware development can hit unexpected snags, leading to prolonged shipping timelines.

• Longevity of Support: Will the creators offer software updates, warranty servicing, or parts in the long term? The track record of many crowdfunded hardware manufacturers suggests this could be an issue.

• Overpromised Features: Some projects run into trouble fulfilling promises made during campaign hype.

Backers of the Rakeydo will certainly hope these challenges don’t apply, but as always, caution is warranted when supporting Kickstarter hardware.

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The Future of Hybrid Devices

Regardless of the Rakeydo’s success, it highlights an evolving trend in tech: convergence devices. The idea of combining form and function into a single product is taking off. Consider concepts like foldable smartphones or multi-screen laptops.

For mechanical keyboards, integrating computing power could open up new workflows and use cases. Imagine writers, programmers, or video editors using self-contained keyboard systems. If developers can address performance challenges and strike the right price point, such hybrids could redefine how we think about input devices.

The Rakeydo might not be the perfect execution, but it serves as a bold first step toward this intriguing future.

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Key Takeaways

The Rakeydo mechanical keyboard-Mini PC hybrid is as fascinating as it is polarizing. While it’s easy to admire its ambition and celebrate its Kickstarter success, some significant hurdles—most notably the underwhelming CPU—make it a hard sell for many potential buyers.

Why You Might Buy It:

• You’re a collector, minimalist, or tech enthusiast eager for something unique.

• You enjoy supporting innovative projects, even with potential compromises.

Why You Might Pass:

• The price/performance ratio doesn’t meet your expectations.

• You need a more powerful, reliable system for daily computing tasks.

Ultimately, the Rakeydo challenges the status quo and invites us to dream of more integrated devices. However, it’s a reminder that innovation must also deliver practicality and value to truly change the game. Support it if you’re intrigued, but don’t lose sight of the many excellent alternatives at this price point.

As hybrid tech continues to evolve, we can expect future iterations to resolve the Rakeydo’s shortcomings. Until then, it’s up to you to decide whether innovation is worth taking the leap—or waiting for the next revolution.