Did anyone play Mega Man back in the day? That's the first thing I thought of when I unboxed the new NuPhy Halo75 V2 mechanical keyboard. The amazing “lagoon blue” color just screams Mega Man, and the aptly named Halo75 puts on a really playful light show on your Mac while you type. Come to think of it, that blue color also gives off that 9to5Mac… vibe
Anyway, the NuPhy Halo75 V2 is a completely new take on a previous fan favorite . NuPhy Studio shares the amazing design story and decisions that went into creating V2, which you should read on. For now, here's what I think.
Look and Lighting
First, let's finish presentation about the Blue Lagoon. This mechanical keyboard is a statement keyboard. It talks about work and productivity without being businesslike or boring. Seriously, nothing says, “I’m my own boss.” It's more than just a bright blue mechanical keyboard with flashy RGB lighting around its base. Or maybe you're not your own boss, but just have that mindset and want to express yourself. Halo75 V2 is up to the task.
Moreover, NuPhy managed to make the Halo75 V2 fun and playful while maintaining a premium feel like a well-designed instrument. The shimmering metallic aluminum top casing, LED backlight placement, and backlit Home keys have all been carefully designed.
And while the Halo75 V2 is a wireless mechanical keyboard, I imagine you'll have to connect to the USB-C port most of the time . So you can enjoy the programmable aurora from the RGB lighting that glows through the hard, sticky sneaker-like base without worrying about running out of battery. NuPhy provides 9 to 91 hours of runtime with all lamps on and 307 hours of runtime without lamps on, thanks to its 4000 mAh battery.
Sound and Feel
Behind the presentation is utility. My main driver is the Keychron K2 mechanical keyboard, which is like a retractable pen with a fine tip that you can write with. By comparison, NuPhy's Halo75 V2 feels about the same as what I imagine a mechanical version of an iPhone or iPad keyboard would feel like. It's soft but clicky, and the sound the keys make is more like tapping than clanging keys. This is due to the silicone base layer under the keys. This is amazing!
🔊 Halo75 V2 from @nuphystudio pic.twitter.com/xSCJzLSAPj
— Zach Hall (@apollozac) May 20, 2024
Ultimately, NuPhy delivered on its promise to wage war on dull and boring design. Not just the physical design, but also the sound design. The NuPhy Halo75 V2 is simply an awesome keyboard in every way. The Halo75 V2 should be at the top of the list for those who want to spice up their workspace with some personality.
The $129.95 wireless mechanical keyboard comes in five colors:
- Obsidian Black
- Ion White
- Mojito (green)
- Blue Lagoon
- Sakura Fizz (pink)
You can also choose from four key switch options:
- Mint (37 gf) [switch I tested]
- Raspberry (46 gf)
- Lemon (55 gf)
- Silent Red Clear-Top (45 gf)
Gf in this case means force in grams. The lower the gf, the less force required to press a key.
What you should know
Halo75 V2 from NuPhy is much more than just cursory typing. Here are some things you should also know before purchasing:
- State-of-the-art 1000Hz 2.4G SoC delivers wired-like latency for pro gaming-grade responsiveness when used with the included receiver. This is a jump of 10.3 times. Bluetooth mode is also 5.9 times faster than the V1 model. Wired mode is also 10.4 times faster than V1.
- Halolight supports SignalRGB for backlight customization, and open-source QMK/VIA firmware allows you to assign keys and control color from your Mac.
- Also included: 1.5m USB-A to USB-C cable, 2.4G receiver, keycap/switch remover, 6 extra keycaps, 3 extra switches, set stickers and poster.
- Three typing angles are supported: 5°, 8.5° and 12°.
- At 2.24 pounds, the Halo75 is durable without being heavy.
- NuPhy also sells mSA keycaps, as well as matching wrist rests and desk mats.
As of this writing, the NuPhy Halo75 V2 is shipping in Obsidian Black with all four switch options and Ionic White with Mint or Raspberry switch options. You can sign up to receive notifications when your preferences are available.
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