Keyboard Builders' Digest / Review
WIND X80 review
Wind Studio's WIND X80 is a visually clean yet very refined F13 TKL keyboard kit with endless customization options.
Published July 26, 2024
Today's review unit, a WIND X80 prototype by Wind Studio, is a visually simple yet attractive TKL keyboard kit in a nice aluminum case – with an intimidatingly wide range of customization options: colors, materials, mounting styles, etc.
Some key features: F13 key, cool decoration light, VIA/Vial support, WKL and wireless versions.
Yep, the WIND X80 is available as a group buy. While I very rarely cover GBs here on kbd.news, not to mention featuring one, I received and tested a review unit a month ahead of the GB start. This means that the X80 is not a concept or render but an existing product already, so I hope there will be no problems or delays with the delivery. The often criticized group buy model makes sense in this case because of the large number of customization options you can choose from.
Disclaimer
Just like earlier with the DaringRun DR-70F, I received this sample from Wind Studio with the help of Divinikey's Carl, the US vendor of this group buy. (Thank you guys!) Divinikey has been selected by Wind Studio to run the X80 and they were looking for reviewers for this project.
As always: I received the review unit for free which may introduce all kinds of bias – both negative and positive in my experience.
Since the prototype was shipped to me weeks ago, I was told that the team already made some fixes to the final design based on reviewer feedback. That's another reason to take everything I write with a grain of salt.
Variants
I'm pretty overwhelmed by the sheer number of options:
- WK or winkeyless 6063alu case,
- wired soldered, hotswap or tri-mode wireless hotswap PCB,
- PCB gasket mount, plate gasket mount or sandwich mount structure
911 case colors (it's hard to keep up with all the options…),- 8 accent/weight/middle frame colors and materials from anodized to mirrored and brass,
- 4 plate materials (PP, FR4, PC or alu),
- brass, copper or black mirrored stainless steel decoration weight bar.
X80 review unit
I received a green WK case with ano grey weight block and accent piece, copper decoration weight bar, hotswap PCB and alu+PC plates, plus an extra middle frame piece for the sandwich design.
While the green color is not anodized but spray-coated, it's actually very nice. I'm sure it works well with a lot of working environments. The case feels a bit rougher to the touch, at least compared to anodized versions, but it has an important advantage: absolutely no fingerprints.
First impressions, design language
I'm not sure why I'm blown away by heavy alu cases and fancy materials in general, but the quality is impressive and clearly visible and tangible in the choice of materials and design of the WIND X80.
Wind x80 is the fourth project under our X series. It still continues the consistent design language of the X series, a minimalist concept that is simple and attractive, and is given new elements and designs to make every line of the keyboard simple but not simple and more personalized – Wind Studio.
The best example for the minimalist approach is the branding, or the lack thereof: a restrained "X80" engraving is hidden in one of the back corners, and the "X80 BY WIND DESIGN" on the bottom is so small that it's barely visible on the decoration weight bar. A much more appealing approach than a huge logo on the front.
The white hard-shell case is also noteworthy, probably the nicest I've ever seen. Sure, there are very similar cases out there, but I especially love this white one with its smooth surface.
Specs
- Layout: 80% F13 TKL, WK/WKL
- Typing angle: 7 degrees
- Dimensions: 364.6mm x 140mm x 34.6mm (the final size of the GB item is different from the prototype size)
- Material: 6063 aluminum case,
- brass/aluminum/mirror stainless steel PVD weight block and front accent piece,
- brass/copper/mirror stainless steel PVD weight bar.
- Mount: PCB Gasket Mount, Plate Gasket Mount, sandwich mount
- Gasket mount plate: 1.5mm, FR4, PC, ALU, PP
- Sandwich mount plate: Aluminum, 1.5mm, 8 colors available.
- Case material: 6063 aluminum
- PCB: Non flex cut, 1.6mm thickness, wired hotswap, tri-mode hotswap (4400mAh battery, 2.4g/bluetooth/wired) or soldered PCB
- Polling rate: Wired 1000Hz, Tri-mode (1000HZ in 2.4G and wired, 125HZ in bluetooth)
- Software support: wired on VIAL, tri-mode on VIA
Unboxing & Contents
As already mentioned, the hard-shell case is pretty sick. I love it.
In the gorgeous white case came the kit: a green spray-painted case with the gasket middle piece already mounted, wired hotswap PCB, PC and alu plates, sandwich middle piece, an extra USB daughterboard (one was already mounted), foam kit, silicon gaskets and bumpons. No caps, switches or stabilizers of course, since this is a barebone kit. But no cable, tools, quickstart guide or any documentation either. This may be due to the fact that I received this way ahead of the group buy, so the final contents of the package may change.
Layout
The layout is 80% F13 TKL this time, either WK or WKL. As the fourth model in Wind Studio's X series, X80 follows the FKL Wind X, the X65 and the 1800-ish X98.
The proven tenkeyless design is popular among typers, coders and gamers alike. If you are new to the scene and are not familiar with the TKL layout: Basically chop off the numpad for more desk space. In addition, the extra F13 key is such a nice touch! Other than functionality, this makes a lot of sense visually too, making the function row symmetric: the offset F13 key rhymes with Esc, as this shot hopefully shows with the accented Esc and F13:
The X80 supports both ANSI and ISO, plus multiple bottom rows are another customization option, depending on your taste – and WK/WKL case are available too.
Build quality, structure
The case I received is simply perfect. Pretty impressive given we are talking about a prototype. As already mentioned, the spray-coated finishing feels a bit rougher, but very nice anyway. Fingerprints on the first touch, a frequent experience e.g. with black anodized boards, can drive me crazy so I'm not just content with this green one but in fact prefer anything fingerprint-resistant over something which may be considered a more fancier finishing.
Case
The four-piece case is a sandwich of the top and bottom parts encompassing either of the two middle pieces: for gasket or sandwich mounting. The weight block is an integral part of the sandwich too, just like the weight bar which is hidden in this shot.
Typing angle: fixed 7 degrees (no adjustable feet).
Structure & Mounting
Either gasket or sandwich mounting.
Yep, the bundle comes with gaskets (either for the plate or PCB) for gasket mounting. As you probably know, this design allows for some flex and cushioning, which can result in a softer typing experience.
The tiny silicone gaskets need some extra room so you have to reverse the middle piece to swap between PCB or plate gasket mounting. The orientation is clearly indicated, as you can see in the photo above.
That said, the good old sandwich mounting is also supported via a different middle frame I received with the bundle.
PCB
The 1.6mm matte black PCB has no flex cuts and is MX compatible, supports screw-in stabs, and the wireless one wireless modes of course.
The PCB's copper layer is exposed in an X-shape, visible even through layers of foams and the plate:
No per-key RGB, just the cool accent light above the arrow cluster with nice diffusion.
Plate(s)
No flex cuts but plenty of options. I went with the PC plate but PCB gasket combo, so the plate is floating over the cutouts here:
If you opt for a wireless PCB, PC or PP plates make more sense (metal ones probably less).
Switch
This is a barebone kit with a hotswap PCB (soldered available too), so feel free to use your favorite switches.
I'm trying to resurrect my monthly switch overviews with a top list of community favorite switches, and just leaned that Akko's best-selling switch model this month is the V3 Cream Yellow Pro (US | EU). I had a set of those laying around so went with these nice 50gf linears.
Keycaps
Again, we are talking about a barebone kit, coming without keycaps.
With regards to keycap compatibity, the TKL layout should be widely supported, except maybe the F13 key.
You can use an artisan or pretty much any key there (luckily my huge Akko set came with an F13 key).
Weights
A big part of the X80's design language are the weights – shape, material and colors.
As an additional visual element, a quite nice one if you ask me, is the thin decoration weight bar coming in different materials.
Sound & Sound dampening
Plenty of foam: bottom poron + 2mm hotswap poron + 0.5mm IXPE + 3.5mm poron switch layer + battery foam.
I have no problem with the sound, but apparently some reviewers reported issues so Wind Studio already decided to alter the inner design to reduce ping and hollowness. Since I have the original prototype, I'm not in a position to comment on the final sound.
Obviously, because of the many mounting styles, plate materials and optional foam layers, it's pretty pointless to talk about the sound and feel: you can easily customize this board as you wish. Given the 5-pin switch footprint and thick switch foam you can even try a plateless build.
Lights
No per-key RGB, but a cool accent light:
Software
Software support: you can easily customize your keymap with Vial (wired) or VIA (tri-mode wireless). Yay! Being able to use these familiar interfaces and not having to install and rely on any custom firmware (often lacking essential features) is always good news.
SpaceFN test? Passed.
Wireless
According to specs, the X80 is a three-mode wireless board (Bluetooth5.0 / 2.4GHz / USB Type-C) with 4,000mAh battery. Polling rate: 1000Hz in wired and 2.4G mode, 125Hz in Bluetooth mode.
I received the wired PCB so can't test the wireless features.
Portability
Given the wireless PCB option, the X80 is portable for some degree – in theory. I personally would think twice before dropping a 2kg slab of aluminum into my backpack, but who am I to stop you? :) Basically it's just as portable as similar chunks of aluminum, e.g. the recently reviewed MoeeTech Glitter, Akko YoD, Whitefox Eclipse – literally about 2kg each.
The quality case may help:
That said, if you need something on the go, there are surely better options for you. The X80 definitely excels as a stationary device.
Ergonomics
This is a classic layout with row stagger, in a relatively high case with positive typing angle. If ergonomcs is your concern, you should probably look for something else: split and columnar. The X80 is just as ergonomic as its competitors in the same genre.
Conclusion
Wind Studio's WIND X80 kit comes with a clean and simple design language which is simply beautiful imo. This very well built 80% TKL offers endless customization options, comes in a gorgeous hard-shell case, has a F13 key, and supports VIA/Vial. It may be a bit pricey, but given the plethora of options, even the most serious enthusiast can put together his/her dream setup for sure.
Pros
- Design language, build quality, lots of options, F13, VIA/Vial.
Cons
- Price?
Price & Availability
The X80 is available as a GB from 25th July to 8th August. Check out Wind Studio for the full list of regional vendors (e.g. Divinikey for the US.)
Because of the many options, the final price varies within a wide range: around $305-410 depending on your setup.
- Wind Studio WIND X80 GB at windstudio.store.
- WIND X80 at Divinikey (US vendor)
- WIND X80 IC on geekhack.
Published on Fri 26th Jul 2024. Featured in KBD #170.
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