After two years of dedicated design, the Altar II, an ultra-low profile mechanical keyboard, has been revealed. Created to be the mechanical alternative to Apple's Magic Keyboard, it boasts fully mechanical switches, a magnetically detachable dial (M-Dial™), haptic feedback, and a red backlight, all managed by a native macOS companion app.

The designer, a heavy Mac user, felt Apple's keyboards lacked attention to hardware, software, and features. Developing the Altar II presented significant challenges, including integrating a substantial battery into the thin chassis and optimizing power consumption without compromising user experience. The limited space on the PCB also necessitated intricate component placement.

This project builds on a previous keyboard design shared on Hacker News 4 years ago, which received an overwhelming response and inspired the creator to pursue keyboard design full-time. Feedback from that initial post, such as the inclusion of the detachable dial, has been incorporated into the Altar II. The keyboard is priced at $349, with a reservation offering a $100 discount. The Altar II measures an impressive 4.75mm in thickness, significantly thinner than other keyboards like the Apple Magic Keyboard (10.09mm) and Logitech MX Keys (20.50mm).