UNLOCK THE ELEGANCE: DUCKY'S YEAR OF THE DRAGON EDITION KEYBOARD

Ducky isn’t a household name in computer peripherals the way Microsoft and Intel are, but that’s part of what makes it great: our first encounter with this company, producers of the highest-quality mechanical keyboards, was to be dazzled by a product that is half-tradition and half-technology. The fruit of this combination is the Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard, unveiled earlier this month at Computex. It is not just a keyboard but a work of art — and one that you might just have to run several races to possess.

THE FIRST IMPRESSION: A LIMITED EDITION LEGEND

At a first glance, you might think this is just another stunning piece of Ducky’s art. The Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard gives you a combination of beautifully calculated aesthetics and rarity — it was made in 1,000 limited units all around the world. But that’s just the beginning. The keyboard is based on Cherry MX Purple switches. Purple switches are exactly as rare as the keyboard itself. It’s easy to see why this keyboard is collecting dust instead of being used, sitting quietly in someone’s hall of fame. But more than that, this is another gem in Ducky’s unmatched Chinese Zodiac collection that will be followed by the Year of the Snake Edition.

A MASTERY OF DESIGN INSPIRED BY ANCIENT CHINESE PORCELAIN

Embracing Tradition with Every Detail

Ducky’s Year of the Dragon Edition pays tribute to ancient Chinese craftsmanship. This is seen in the design of the keyboard, which is inspired by Qinghua, a type of blue-and-white porcelain from the 14th century. Each keytop is exactly like the knobs on a jar, with inscriptions that make it look as if they were painted by hand.

The Significance of Detail and Durability

It’s not merely the beauty of the keyboard that creates this impression but also a sense of the device’s longevity. Although the weight is not advertised, holding it is pleasing because it feels chunky and well-made, as if this isn’t just a beautiful but fragile object. It feels like it has purpose and it’s good to hold. After all, you’ll be handling it every day. The keyboard suggests someone who likes the finer things in life.

AN EXCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITY: SECURING YOUR MASTERPIECE

The Rarity of the Dragon

Ducky’s release of the Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard is highly exclusive, with teasers spread across social media channels; you have to be paying attention — or fast — in order to get your hands on one of these limited-edition pieces. Amid social media hype, news of a new keyboard can make the hunt feel desperate, competitive, like a treasure hunt for the chosen few. Haste makes waste: in the rarefied space of limited edition peripherals, time is of the essence.

The Legacy Continues

The excitement is heightened by the fact that Ducky has a history of TKO keyboards with a Zodiac theme (the first was back in 2012 with the Year of the Dragon Keyboard) so these special editions, combined with the special spacebars, are another of these TKO traditions that is spreading to even those who aren’t able to purchase one of the limited editions.

Staying Connected for a Chance

As for the Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard, ‘If you are interested, watch our Facebook or Twitter,’ Ducky writes. ‘It is always the first place breaking news and info. Release date? TBA! [To be announced.]’ These messages are, by necessity, vague. But they’re also a gift to the would-be owners: a lifeline of hope, and a beckoning light for the true keyboard-fanatic.

THE IMPRESSIONS THAT LAST: MORE THAN JUST A KEYBOARD

Ducky’s Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard is a mashup of history, art, and technology. Photo courtesy of Ducky. It’s a product that will stay with me for a long time. Not only because it looks amazing, or because it’s a pretty limited-edition keyboard (just one run of 300 units was made), but because it signifies something to me: the pride of craftsmanship, the beauty of cultural heritage, and the future of mechanical keyboarding – through a series of weekly improvements that will never be complete, but makes the process all the more worthwhile.

ABOUT IMPRESSION

It’s the impression – more definitively, the footprint – that Ducky’s Year of the Dragon Edition keyboard leaves on the faces of its obsessive fans. Each appearance of the word mentioned in this article isn’t a verbose meandering, or an unnecessary reiteration of what has already been said. It’s an addition, an emphasis on the impression, the lustre, and the exclusivity of this beautiful objet d’art. It’s an artful statement of the impression that artists imprint on their creations. Of the art that goes into crafting it. Of the rarity with which one has the opportunity to buy it.