Limited-edition Severance keyboard features a built-in trackball, but aptly, there’s no Escape

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This ‘Dasher’ style input device from Atomic Keyboards was inspired by the Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller.

Atomic Keyboards - MDR Dasher Keyboard
(Image credit: Atomic Keyboards)

Hit sci-fi thriller Severance, on Apple TV+, has inspired a remake of one of the signature keyboards featured in the show. The input peripheral enthusiasts at Atomic Keyboard are now accepting sign-ups for a limited edition Macrodata Refinement (MDR) Dasher Keyboard.

Atomic Keyboards - MDR Dasher Keyboard

(Image credit: Atomic Keyboards)

The pictures show various angles of the gorgeous new MDR Dasher Keyboard from Atomic Keyboards. Your eyes are probably immediately drawn to the spacious deck, which actually features a compact layout. Also, the purposeful design, with a trackball and cluster of directional keys nearby, makes this keyboard stand out from the crowd.

In the words of Atomic Keyboards, this largely blue-shaded device “boasts a unique 73-key, 70% layout with no Escape, no Control, and no Options keys (Praise Kier).” That is a reference to the stifling situation in the show and Kier Egan - the revered founder of Lumon Industries, where Severance is set.

Those with an ear to the ground in either sci-fi or keyboard circles, might already be aware that the new Atomic Keyboard effort is set to be a tribute to a tribute. The famed TV show MDR device is thought to be a rework of the Data General 6053 ‘Dasher’ Terminal, an archaic design from back in 1977.

Thankfully, the Atomic Keyboard product will bring some aspects of its influences back up to date. The upcoming limited run will come with a USB Type-C interface and is said to be compatible with Windows, Linux, and MacOS systems.

We aren't sure about the price of the upcoming MDR Dasher Keyboard, or how limited the quantities may be. However, Atomic Keyboards shows a $399 price crossed out, hinting at a price not too far below this figure.

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Atomic Keyboards - MDR Dasher Keyboard
(Image credit: Atomic Keyboards)

A device purposed for claustrophobic retro office grind

Alternative retro-inspired tech features heavily in Severance, which revolves around the lives of a few workmates in the Macrodata Refinement dept at Lumon Industries. A central quartet of office workers sit across from each other in front of bulbous screened monitors focused on a character-based UI. Terminal users interact with a large matrix of numerals using the keyboard and trackball to narrow down and select data.

We don’t really understand this data refinement role, and we probably aren’t supposed to. It is probably just a visual metaphor for meaningless daily office grind. Meanwhile, the office atmosphere is claustrophobic and authoritarian, with the office workers we get to know not allowed to leave the building with their workaday memories intact.

Apple TV+’s Severance, which is now on season 2, is more fun than we might have made it sound. It brims with key dramatic ingredients like character building, multiple layers of tension, and a general unease at the situation these ‘severed’ minds find themselves in.

Soon, you will be able to own the (unofficial) keyboard hardware. But this niche product probably won't make the ranks of the best keyboards here on Tom's Hardware.

Interestingly, there have also existed signs of the full Terminal on Apple's site. If you search the web for 'Apple Lumon Terminal Pro,' you'll see links for now-deleted product pages on Apple.com.

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Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

6 Comments Comment from the forums
  • Findecanor
    The keyboard in the show used keycaps from Signature Plastics, a Dasher replica set: "SA Dasher" but with custom legends painted on some keys.

    Signature Plastics has since then come out with keycap sets for regular mechanical keyboards that have the legends from the start: "SA Macrodata Refinement".
    It contains keys enough to support multiple different layouts, and does include Escape, multiple Control keys (including a stepped one to the left of A) and numbered function keys.

    I don't see the special legends on this keyboard, and the legends overall look slightly smaller so I suppose its keycaps must come from a different manufacturer.
    Reply
  • Jabberwocky79
    Okay, cool and all. But how am I supposed to actually use a keyboard with no Escape or Control keys? Those two keys alone are literally essential to my productivity, and are commonly used even in basic commands/web browsing.
    Reply
  • Notton
    Jabberwocky79 said:
    Okay, cool and all. But how am I supposed to actually use a keyboard with no Escape or Control keys? Those two keys alone are literally essential to my productivity, and are commonly used even in basic commands/web browsing.
    There is this novel concept called a niche market that cater to a specific type of customer.

    You aren't the target audience, I'm guessing it's a collector's item.
    Just move on, not everything is about you.
    Reply
  • Jabberwocky79
    Notton said:
    There is this novel concept called a niche market that cater to a specific type of customer.

    You aren't the target audience, I'm guessing it's a collector's item.
    Just move on, not everything is about you.
    That seemed to be a very triggered reply for some reason. As someone who actually works in marketing, and yet is entitled to voice an innocuous opinion on the internet, perhaps I'm not as obtuse as you seem to think.
    Reply
  • Findecanor
    Notton said:
    You aren't the target audience, I'm guessing it's a collector's item.
    There is a thriving replica prop collecting community, who collect and/or build replicas of iconic props from various movies, TV shows and sometimes anime and video games. Sci-fi shows are of course well represented.
    There is a large overlap with the cosplaying community as well.

    I consider myself one of them, although I'm also a collector of vintage keyboard and as such I would prefer an original over a reproduction... even if that means that it has yellowed, the foam has deteriorated and I would need to reverse-engineer, build and program my own active adaptor to make it to work with a modern computer.
    Reply
  • husker
    Jabberwocky79 said:
    That seemed to be a very triggered reply for some reason. As someone who actually works in marketing, and yet is entitled to voice an innocuous opinion on the internet, perhaps I'm not as obtuse as you seem to think.
    Um... Your comment was,

    "But how am I supposed to actually use a keyboard with no Escape or Control keys? Those two keys alone are literally essential to my productivity..."

    The tone of @Notton's reply seemed perfectly in line, given your expectation that this product should be justified based on your needs and wants.
    Reply