Would this Full-Size QMK/Vial compatible be interesting as a product? (IC, sort of, but not a GB)
As per the title, this is not intended as a GB, but would be stocked/sold in my shop.
The background is easy really, I'm more interested in split/ergo/ortho keyboards myself, but I frequently see people ask for a QMK compatible Full-Size or 100% keyboard, and I really can't find one besides the lot of AliExpress specials and other questionable choices (Unless you go for a more gaming oriented one).
And with my wife asking for a 'nice looking' but otherwise very standard keyboard, not necessarily of my own design though I started thinking of the 'why'. Why can't I find a Full-Size/100% QMK keyboard?
One reason is obviously the relatively 'small' market in the hobby, and with the specific target audience sort of not likely to build it themselves, meaning you are very much competing with the 'easy' pre-built ones, rather than the ones designed in the hobby.
So, what if the PCB was 'more' than just a 100% PCB, would it be feasible and economical then? Would it actually sell just enough to keep existing if it could add something more than just the basics? What is that 'extra' needed?
So this is my idea so far, a PCB that can be made as either a Full-Size, with a very standard layout, and only an encoder added for the most basic media functions. Or, you start breaking parts off and it then becomes a TKL, or a 75%, 65% or a 60% in order, all from the same PCB, using the same RP2040 MCU and a cable/breakout USB type C connector. The main 60/65 layout is ANSI/ISO compatible and have the option for a split backspace and 1u nav keys vs the 1.25u keys more common on Full-size/TKL layouts.
The 60/65 layouts should fit a lot of semi-standard cases, but no specific promises as of yet. The larger sizes have no real standards, so no specific cases being targeted.
The plan is to offer this as a kit, with the PCB either fully soldered, or with the MCU and 'brains' in small SMD parts finished, and you add your own easy to solder hot-swap and RGB, and then assemble it in a stacked acrylic case cut/made for the size you pick to build from supplied files/dimensions (Or 3D print if you prefer that).
So the big question. Would anybody buy this? And what would be the 'pain point' price this would actually sell for?