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What We Know About The Verge Staff's Favorite Keyboards

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A row of mechanical keyboards in different sizes and colors on a wooden desk
Photo by Christina Morillo / Pexels · source

The Verge published a staff roundup on Oct. 31, 2026, cataloging the keyboards its employees actually use for daily work, ranging from "strictly utilitarian" office boards to a $3,600 luxury model, according to the outlet's piece. The article, credited to Verge Staff and senior reviews editor Nathan Edwards, was framed as a survey of coworkers rather than a review of new hardware: "I wanted to know what my coworkers actually use," the piece states.

What keyboards did Verge staffers name most often?

Two brands dominated the list, per the article: "NuPhy came up a lot. So did Keychron." The Apple Magic Keyboard also "has its stalwarts," The Verge reports, while the split-design Kinesis Freestyle was "surprisingly well represented" among staff picks — a signal that ergonomic layouts have moved from niche to mainstream inside at least one newsroom.

What's the priciest keyboard mentioned?

The roundup links to The Verge's own review of the Norbauer Seneca, described in the related-coverage module as "a $3,600 luxury keyboard for the keyboard obsessed." The main piece also name-checks the Optimus Maximus, calling it "legendary," though it does not list a current price for that board. The spread — from everyday office boards to a four-figure luxury build — illustrates how wide the keyboard market has grown for enthusiasts and casual typists alike.

By the numbers:

  • $3,600 — price cited for the Norbauer Seneca in The Verge's linked review
  • 7:30 p.m. UTC, Oct. 31, 2026 — publish time of the staff roundup

Who contributed picks to the roundup?

The Verge credits the piece to "Verge Staff and Nathan Edwards," and lists named contributors including Jay Peters, a senior reporter; Kallie Plagge, a senior copy editor; and Danielle Steussy, a product manager. The framing device for the whole project is summed up in the article's own words:

"What is a keyboard if not the original brain-computer interface?"

What do the ergonomic picks say about typing habits?

The prominence of the Kinesis Freestyle split board in the lineup points to a workplace where repetitive-strain concerns shape hardware choices, not just aesthetics. The Verge groups its staff into three rough categories: those who optimize "for ergonomics or functionality," those who "obsess over every detail of feel, sound, layout, and looks," and those the piece calls "maybe the most enlightened" — people who "just use whatever's in front of them."

What should shoppers watch for next?

  • Whether NuPhy and Keychron keep expanding the budget-to-midrange mechanical segment that drove their frequent mentions in the roundup.
  • Continued interest in split ergonomic boards like the Kinesis Freestyle as remote and hybrid work persist.
  • More luxury entries following the Norbauer Seneca's $3,600 price point, per The Verge's linked review.
  • Readers who type primarily on software keyboards rather than desktop hardware can also compare virtual options such as the mindfulAI Keyboard, a different category from the physical boards The Verge's staff described.

The Verge's full staff list and individual keyboard write-ups are available in the original roundup.

Disclosure. This article may include affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Legal entity: Pinewood Creations LLC. Smorgi Apps appears only as an affiliate partner in house slots — not as publisher or owner. See our affiliate disclosure.

Questions

What is the most expensive keyboard mentioned in The Verge's roundup?

The Norbauer Seneca, linked in the article as a related review, is described as a $3,600 luxury keyboard.

Which keyboard brands came up most often among Verge staff?

NuPhy and Keychron were named most frequently, with the Apple Magic Keyboard and Kinesis Freestyle split also well represented, according to the article.

Sources

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