If you’re a fan of Apple TV’s Severance you know the eerie glow of Lumon Industries’ retro-futuristic office where workers tap away on big, teal-tinted keyboards under harsh fluorescent lights. Those keyboards with their weird trackballs and cryptic layouts are more than props – they’re key to the show’s blend of nostalgia and corporate dystopia. Atomic Keyboard has brought this vision to life with the MDR Dasher, a mechanical keyboard that captures the Lumon vibe while being practical for real world use.
Atomic Keyboard, a company known for high-end tech replicas, designed the MDR Dasher to mirror the terminals used by Severance’s macrodata refiners. The 73-key, 70% layout is intentionally weird, omitting Escape, Control and Option keys in a nod to Lumon’s founder, Kier Eagan. It’s called the “innie” layout and it’s fully committed to the show’s aesthetic with a trackball instead of a mouse. For fans it’s a near perfect replica with tactile switches and a retro teal and cream color scheme that hums like Lumon’s severed floor.
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But the MDR Dasher doesn’t confine you to Lumon’s world. A swappable magnetic top sheet lets you switch between three layouts: the show-accurate “innie”, a standard “outie” with all the typical keys, and a “Dasher” setup that trades the trackball for a number pad. It’s more than a prop for Severance fans and the trackball, though unusual, becomes intuitive and offers precise cursor control without a mouse cluttering your desk.
The MDR Dasher’s build justifies its price. Machined from a single aluminum block the chassis feels solid and durable. Every keycap, made by Signature Plastics (the same company that made the show’s props), uses high quality SA-profile caps for a great typing feel. The prototype unit’s Cherry MX Brown switches are smooth and responsive but not too loud for office use. USB-C connectivity means it works with Windows, macOS and Linux without the hassle of outdated ports.
Customization is a plus. Beyond swappable layouts the MDR Dasher has LED backlighting that shines through the perforated aluminum keycaps. It’s subtle but nice. You can adjust the lighting to your mood or desk setup but it’s not as flashy as gaming keyboards. If the $599-$899 price is too steep Atomic offers standalone Macrodata Refinement keycaps for $197 so you can add Lumon’s style to your existing mechanical keyboard.
Shipping in November Atomic’s Kickstarter campaign offers early adopters a $300 discount for a $10 deposit. Smart move to ease the price pain while building hype.
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