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Intrepid YouTuber fits an entire 61-key mechanical keyboard into a 2008 MacBook Pro

Here's what a MacBook Pro looks like with a mechanical keyboard
Here's what a MacBook Pro looks like with a mechanical keyboard (image via Squashy Boy on YouTube)
A YouTube content creator successfully managed to install an entire Royal Kludge RK61 mechanical keyboard into a 2008 MacBook Pro. While the keyboard and MacBook Pro work without any issues, it is impossible to close the lid given the keyboard's size.

Laptops with mechanical switches are few and far between. Only a handful of OEMs offer them, and Apple isn't one of them. One YouTube content creator called Squashy Boy decided to take matters into his own hands and decided to build the world's first-ever MacBook Pro with a mechanical keyboard.

The MacBook Pro in question was an ancient 2008 model, complete with an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 4GB of RAM, a GeForce 9600M GT and a selection of ports we haven't seen on a MacBook for years. A Royal Kludge RK61 served as the keyboard. However, its stock Kalih/Outemu switches were replaced with some Gateron Yellow ones. Squashy Boy chose the RK61 because it has a wireless receiver, which would allow it to interface with the MacBook Pro via Bluetooth.

The process was relatively straightforward but involved some circular saw work to make room for the keyboard inside the chassis, along with some hot glue to hold it in place. Surprisingly, the MacBook Pro survived the operation and seemed to work without any issues. Lugging it around will be a bit challenging, though, seeing that it is impossible to close the notebook's lid. Squashy Boy calls this project the Mech Pro, although Clack Pro has a nice ring to it, too.

Buy the Royal Kludge RK61 mechanical keyboard on Amazon

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2021 05 > Intrepid YouTuber fits an entire 61-key mechanical keyboard into a 2008 MacBook Pro
Anil Ganti, 2021-05- 4 (Update: 2024-08-15)