By: Ronald Chow (Guest Editor)
December 13, 2024
I recently came across a video that looked like it was straight out of science fiction. A towering, metallic monolith had been erected on a flat plain near the water. It stood over 120 meters tall, with its silvery surface partially covered by small pieces of black hexagonal armor. With a roar, giant flames erupted from underneath the structure as it began its ascent toward the heavens. This was the fifth flight test of the SpaceX Starship. Although the sight of rocket launches has become far more prevalent due to broadcasts on video-sharing platforms, this launch had something special to offer. As the booster completed its part of the ascent, it detached from the spacecraft. As usual, it came back down, falling through the clouds at a rapid pace. Suddenly, the engines lit up once more, slowing its descent in a controlled manner. As it approached the Earth, it guided itself back to the launch site, hovering into the welcoming embrace of two massive mechanical arms. It was a display of human ingenuity and achievement. Not only did it have cost-saving implications, but it was also a step toward creating the first fully reusable rocket. Today’s space-themed story brings us to examine a similarly space-themed device with a budget several magnitudes smaller. Welcome the LEOBOG Hi75, a 75% wired mechanical keyboard featuring a cute little astronaut mascot. It is touted as the “pinnacle of keyboard design” for users who “demand both style and functionality”. With such promises, let us launch right into this keyboard to see how it performs and whether it lives up to these aspirations.
Our review unit of the LEOBOG Hi75 was shipped from mainland China in a gray shipping bag. It traveled overseas via various shipping services before being labeled and picked up by Canada Post. It arrived at our APH Networks location in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, in good condition, with the retail box sustaining a bit of bruising on one corner and edge. The thick, stiff cardboard used for the box held up well, and the couriers did a good job handling the package.
The front and sides of the box for the LEOBOG Hi75 are a dark navy blue decorated with small star graphics. The front of the box features the LEOBOG logo in yellow at the top left, with the word “LEOBOG” in white beneath it. In the center, we find the astronaut mascot graphic in white, “Hi75” in bold yellow font, a white planet graphic, and Chinese text beneath that, which Google translates to “customized mechanical keyboard”. There is also a rocket ship blasting off on the right. Around the edge, there are additional graphics and text in Chinese, highlighting the keyboard’s features. The back of the box is white with a line-art representation of the keyboard as well as the specifications, manufacturer, and model in a mix of mostly Chinese and a bit of English. Due to the predominant Chinese text, it appears that this keyboard is tailored for the Chinese domestic market.
Specifications from LEOBOG's website are listed below:
Technical Specifications
Brand: Leobog
Type: Keyboards
Case material: Aluminum
Structure: Gasket
Connectivity: USB Type-C Wired
Anti ghosting: NKRO in All Keys
LED: South-facing
Weight: 1.23kg
Dimensions: 330x135x45mm
In the box, the keyboard is surrounded by a centimeter-thick closed-cell foam to protect it from bumps. The keyboard is also covered by a dust cover, wrapped in a plastic bag, and encased in plastic wrap to protect the paint job. Inside, we also find a welcome card, user manual, a braided coil USB Type-A to USB Type-C cable, a combo keycap-switch puller, two replacement switches, and three metal sticker labels featuring the LEOBOG brand, Type-C port, and light indicators.
Page Index
1. Introduction, Packaging, Specifications
2. A Closer Look - Hardware
3. A Closer Look - Disassembly and Internals
4. Conclusion
