The NovelKeys Classic-TKL Underscore Edition is a wired-only, gasket-mounted tenkeyless mechanical keyboard that offers a retro-inspired design with a focus on quality and ease of use. It's a preassembled version of an enthusiast DIY keyboard, featuring high-quality components and a fully remappable design. The keyboard comes in three colors: clay (warm beige), boulder (taupe-ish), and lichen (a dusty green). The clay version is the one I reviewed, but I'd personally go for the lichen color. The keyboard ships with NovelKeys' own Classic Blue switches, GMK CYL Classic Beige keycaps, a USB A-to-C cable, and preinstalled and pretuned TypePlus stabilizers. These are name-brand parts, with GMK CYL keycaps being the benchmark for doubleshot Cherry-profile keycaps, and TypePlus stabilizers and Classic Blue linear switches providing a smooth and stable typing experience. The keyboard also has hot-swap MX switches, full RGB backlighting (which can be turned off), and a light bar. It's fully programmable using the Via web app, making it a versatile and customizable option for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. However, the keyboard has some limitations, such as only one keycap and switch option, and no extra keycaps. It's also wired only, which might be a drawback for some users. Despite these limitations, the Classic-TKL Underscore Edition is a well-executed version of what it is, offering a great choice for those who want an earth-tone retro-looking tenkeyless board with linear switches and beige Cherry-profile keycaps. It's also a good deal, especially when compared to the DIY version of the same board, which costs $276 to build. However, there are other options available in the market, such as the Evoworks Evo80 and Wobkey Crush 80, which offer similar features but with different aesthetics. Overall, the Classic-TKL Underscore Edition is a solid choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts who want a high-quality, preassembled keyboard with a retro-inspired design.
