Gorgeous keyboard brings the typewriter feel to Mac and iOS

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Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Penna is the retro keyboard you've been waiting for.
Photo: Eletron

Still miss the deafening clunk and iconic design of an old typewriter? You can bring it back with Penna, a gorgeous retro keyboard for Mac and iOS.

Packed with Cherry key switches for a firm click, a macro bar for frequent shortcuts, and up to six months of use on just two AA batteries, it’s the old-school keyboard made for modern machines that you’ve been waiting for.

Penna has been perfected over three years of research and development to deliver a stellar typing experience with the look and feel of a classic typewriter. You can get it with chrome key caps for an even more authentic feel, and choose from five different chassis colors.

What’s great about the Penna is its unique macro bar. It sticks out of the left side like a typewriter’s carriage return lever, and it can be programmed to recall frequently used key combinations, words, or shortcuts in just one press.

Penna is also available with diamond key caps for a more modern look, and you get the choice between Cherry MX Blue and MX Red switches. Here’s how it sounds with the former, which offer a firmer feel and a louder click:

Penna uses Bluetooth connectivity, so you can pair it with almost any device that’s compatible with wireless keyboards, including your Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android devices, and Windows PCs. What’s more, up to five devices can be paired at once, so you can quickly switch between them.

There’s also a handy slot in the back of the keyboard where you can place smaller devices like tablets and smartphones to stand them up while you’re typing.

Penna will go live on Kickstarter tomorrow, April 6, and if you’re quick, you’ll be able to claim yours at early bird pricing of $79 — $100 off the planned retail price. Shipping is set to begin this August.

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