Electronic Materials Office has unveiled Altar II, a mechanical keyboard designed to be significantly thinner than existing models. According to the product specifications, the keyboard measures just 4.75mm in height—substantially smaller than Apple Magic Keyboard (10.09mm), Logitech MX Keys (20.50mm), and most other mechanical keyboards on the market.
The core innovation involves a laterally arranged preloaded tension spring rather than a vertical arrangement, enabling a vertical travel depth of just 1.8mm while maintaining fully mechanical switches. The keyboard uses a steel construction for durability and houses all components in an aluminium chassis machined from a single block.
Altar II includes several proprietary features. The M-Dial™ is a customizable rotary control that twists for volume, offers single/double/triple-click functions for playback control, and can be detached for travel. Users can 3D print their own M-Dial variants using publicly available specifications. The Harmonic Synthesiser™ provides haptic feedback for typing and system events, including gentle oscillating hums when holding modifier keys.
The keyboard features a native macOS app written in Swift that allows customization of key bindings, M-Dial behaviors, backlight settings, and haptic intensity. A NiteLite™ backlight uses long-wavelength amber-red light that activates only in low ambient conditions to avoid disrupting circadian rhythms.
Ergonomically, the sub-5mm chassis minimizes wrist extension compared to typical mechanical keyboards, which may reduce repetitive strain injury risk. The keyboard uses a 75% layout with complete function row and full-size arrow keys.
Battery life reaches up to 30 days with typical use, and the keyboard can charge to 2 days of usage in 2 minutes using standard USB-C. The design emphasizes sustainability, using at least 50% recycled plastic (REGEN™ polymer), recyclable aluminium, and plastic-free packaging made from paper and biodegradable sugarcane pulp.
Altar II launches on Kickstarter on November 10, 2026, with a reservation-only price of $249 (regular price $349). Reservations are fully refundable until launch.
Key facts
- Altar II measures 4.75mm—thinner than Apple Magic Keyboard (10.09mm) and most other mechanical keyboards
- Features laterally arranged tension springs enabling 1.8mm travel depth while maintaining mechanical switches
- Includes M-Dial™ rotary control with customizable functionality and 3D-printable variants
- Haptic Harmonic Synthesiser™ provides tactile feedback for typing and system events
- Battery life reaches up to 30 days; charges 2 days of use in 2 minutes
- Native macOS app enables app-specific shortcuts and deep system integration
- Sub-5mm design minimizes wrist extension to reduce repetitive strain injury risk
- Launching November 10, 2026 on Kickstarter at $249 reservation price