Thanko's Silent Keyboard...shhh

From the folks who brought us the silent mouse and PC in a vat of vegetable oil (oh wait, that wasn't them) comes the Silent Keyboard. Thanko's latest contribution to the inane claims to squash that tap-tap-tap to a squishy silicone whisper -- cutting the typical 61dB blast from a standard keyboard in half. Yours for the low, low price of ¥5,800 or about $51 cash money.

[Via Impress]

[Ommid @ Jun 13th 2006 8:58AM]

hire a descent designer to compete with things like the dinovo or the makers of the led key keyboard and theyre onto a winner

[stev @ Jun 13th 2006 9:06AM]

but the click is the fun thing that slowly drives the people around u insane
y would anyone not like it

[Jonathan Graft @ Jun 13th 2006 9:50AM]

I hope it is wireless and comes with a silent wireless mouse to make it a combo package.

[peter @ Jun 13th 2006 10:01AM]

Sound is logarithmic.. Half as loud as 61db would be 58db.. (3db per doubling of volume)..

31db is 1/1024 as loud as 61db.

[DeepKeeper @ Jun 13th 2006 10:36AM]

"Silent" - is an advertisement only:) Allmost all "slim" keyboards are silent. For ex I have OKlick 520S... And it is really silent.

[Jeff @ Jun 13th 2006 11:04AM]

So in other words, it's just another cheap rubber dome keyboard.

I guess you have to come up with some way to justify charging $51 for a $5 device...

[tcc3 @ Jun 13th 2006 11:35AM]

Keyboards arent loud or clicky enough anymore. You dont even know that you've pressed a key. Those old IBM clicky keyboards - those were the best. A satisfying click (both sound and tactile)when you click a key...ahh the good ole days.

[Ricky @ Jun 13th 2006 12:00PM]

this is why there isn't a cure for cancer...quit wasting my time!

[Derin K @ Jun 13th 2006 1:45PM]

Errr, 61 db a keyboard? thats very clicky.
these make a bit of sound too but they are not news as many firms have been using them for a while, benq has some for 10$ actually with a better tap mechanism.

For real silence one could pick up those washable keyboards

[wingman358 @ Jun 13th 2006 4:03PM]

I've "silenced" my keyboard by putting a regular old t-shirt under it. Ta da!

[calistud4fem @ Mar 28th 2009 1:28PM]

thanks so much wingman 358, I actually folded a thick towel twice and placed that under my keyboard, although its not totally silent it's a lot quieter than before, thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep typing like this until I get my silent keyboard from coolestgadgetsdotcom, its cheaper there than other places and I'm sure it won't be totally silent but anything is better than what i have now and I'm sure it will be quieter than having a towel or shirt under my keyboard but again it does sound quieter than not having anything under the keyboard. =)

6db of noise In comparison, a standard keyboard is like a jackhammer at 30db.

I can't wait to get the silent keyboard, this is great when your in a college dorm and sharing a room with other people and you need to do an all niter to type out a report or need to type super early in the morning. the clickety-clack of keys can get really irritating especially when one is trying to get some sleep.

[PacketMonkee @ Jun 13th 2006 5:57PM]

tcc3:
Totally! Nothing will ever beat those individually microswitched keys IMO; both for tactile/aural feedback and durability. You don't see too many keyboards these days that have that kind of lifespan.

[MMV @ Jun 14th 2006 9:51AM]

Best. Keyboard. Ever.

IBM model M keyboard with buckling springs
http://www.clickykeyboards.com

[gio @ Jun 14th 2006 12:24PM]

I never heard of a loud keyboard in the first place.

[Travisio @ Jun 14th 2006 2:15PM]

"Sound is logarithmic.. Half as loud as 61db would be 58db.. (3db per doubling of volume)..

31db is 1/1024 as loud as 61db."

the "energy" of a sound wave measured in decibels is logarithmic but when percieved by the human ear, the loudness of proportional to the decibel rating. i think that's what they were talking about.

[Alek @ Mar 7th 2007 8:29AM]

I want!!! My keyb is way too noisy.. Are they available in the UK?