London-based Electronic Materials Office introduces the Altar II, a 4.75mm thick premium mechanical keyboard featuring haptic feedback, customisable controls, and eco-friendly materials, set to revolutionise desktop computing in 2027.
Electronic Materials Office Limited has unveiled the Altar II, a full mechanical keyboard that compresses an unusually wide feature set into a 4.75mm chassis. According to ASCII.jp, the London-based company is positioning the model as a premium successor to the original Altar I, with mechanical switches, haptic feedback, built-in speakers, a magnetic detachable M-Dial and red LED backlighting all integrated into the design.
The company says the keyboard uses a 1.8mm key travel and combines a damping film with large elastomer foot pads under its monobody structure to reduce noise and vibration. It also supports Bluetooth and USB-C, while a native macOS app called Sanctuary allows users to remap keys, adjust haptics, control backlighting and sound levels, and build app-specific shortcuts. Windows and Linux support are also planned, although the software focus remains on Mac use.
A notable addition is the removable M-Dial, which works as a rotating control and pressable input for volume and media functions. Electronic Materials Office says it provides real-time haptic feedback to mimic the feel of a clicky control. Two shapes are included at launch, standard and low-profile, with more variants expected later. The keyboard also uses a long-wavelength red NiteLite backlight and, according to the company, can gain up to two days of use from a two-minute USB-C charge.
The product continues the sustainability theme seen in the original Altar I. Electronic Materials Office says the keycaps use REGEN polymer with more than 50% recycled plastic content, while the case is made from recyclable solid aluminium. Packaging is described as plastic-free, using paper cartons and moulded sugarcane pulp. The earlier Altar I was presented as a wireless, ultra-low-profile mechanical keyboard built around recyclable aluminium and waste-derived polymer materials, with Bluetooth connectivity and layouts for both the US and UK markets.
Reservations are already open on the company website with a $1 deposit. ASCII.jp reports that early buyers will be offered a $249 reservation price, while Kickstarter pricing is expected to range from $279 to $349. The crowdfunding campaign is due to go live on November 10, with shipping expected in early summer 2027.
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