μTRON Keyboard

By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .

The μTRON Keyboard (aka microTRON, muTRON, uTRON.) is from Japan, came out in 2007.

μTRON Keyboard is discontinued since .

utron keyboard
“μTRON Keyboard” [image source http://www.techdigest.tv/2008/12/the_tron_keyboa.html ]

Total key count: 76.

The μTRON keyboard is a modern version of the TRON TK1 keyboard of Japan.

Design Review

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“μTRON Keyboard” (img by webwit)

This is a excellent design. The only design issue i found is that it doesn't have dedicated function keys. The function keys are merged with the number keys. However, the other quality design makes up for it.

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excellent quality LEDs. (img by webwit)
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A keyboard with such a physical logo on it means it's EXPENSIVE. Also, here you can see the quality of the keycap labels. Probably by a process called Dye Sublimation, a very expensive process. The label will NEVER rub out because it's part of the plastic. (img by webwit)

μTRON Keyboard Layout

μTRON keyboard has 2 modes. Normal mode, and the TRON mode. Normal mode is using standard JIS input method. (which is very inefficient.) TRON mode is based on the TRON Keyboard , a very efficient input method for Japanese. To understand Japanese input methods and what does TRON mode do, see: Japanese Keyboard Layouts

utron keyboard layout normal mode
Normal mode
utron keyboard layout tron mode
TRON mode

μTRON vs Happy Hacking

μTRON compared with Happy Hacking (HHKB) Keyboard .

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HHKB vs μTRON, size compared. (img by webwit)

The μTRON's keys are smaller. Note that, the width of four keys (ASDF) on HHKB measures 7.5 cm, but 6.8 cm on the μTRON.

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Sizes of Keys, and also showing the Topre key switch underneath. (img by webwit)

The key switch mechanism is Topre switch. Some people prefer Topre over Cherry MX switches. [see Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms]

utron vs hhkb keyboard 3
(img by webwit)

μTRON vs Cherry Ergoplus

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• top: Cherry G80-5000 Ergoplus keyboard • bottom: μTRON Keyboard

Unboxing

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All the big photos are by the keyboard expert webwit, at http://webwit.nl/input/utron/ and http://forum.hardware.fr/hfr/HardwarePeripheriques/Clavier-Souris/unique-clavier-mecanique-sujet_6902_27.htm. Used with permission. Thanks to webwit for real quality photos.

TRON Operating System

Note that TRON is a operating system kernel design, from Japan. [see TRON Operating System]

Video Intro and Official Website

《はじめてみようμTRONキーボード》

Official website: www.personal-media.co.jp

As of list price is JPY$50000, which is about USD$418.

DIY μTRON

μTRON Keyboard Manual

utron_keyboard_manual.pdf