μTRON Keyboard

By Xah Lee. Date: 2011-11-24. Last updated: 2021-04-24.

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

μTRON Keyboard is discontinued since 2017-03.

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.

TRON TK1, 1991

Design Review

utron keyboard 02 — “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.

For why the μTRON is a excellent design, see: Keyboard Design Flaws.
For why dedicated function is important, see: Function Keys in Computer Keyboard.

utron keyboard 06 — excellent quality LEDs. (img by webwit)

utron keyboard 09 — 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