Vantex V1 Puts a Touchpad in the Center of a Split Mechanical Keyboard
Vantex is taking preorders for the V1, a split mechanical keyboard with a central touchpad, 60 keys and an aluminum body, in wired and wireless versions.
According to TechRadar, Vantex has introduced the V1, a mechanical keyboard with a touchpad built into the center of its split layout. The design lets users move the pointer without reaching for a separate mouse. The product is now open for preorder, and the outlet's headline gives a price of $160 for the wireless version.
TechRadar reports that Vantex offers the keyboard in wired and wireless packages starting at $129 and $159, respectively. The V1 is described as having 60 keys and four programmable layers, housed in a CNC-machined aluminum body with a durable powder-coated finish. The company is positioning it for office keyboard users.
The outlet lists the device's dimensions as 30.74 by 13.74 by 3.48 centimeters, with a weight of about 1.57 kilograms and a rearward incline of 7 degrees. The headline also points out that the keyboard does not include a Copilot key, a detail that TechRadar highlights alongside its wireless design.
Shipping dates and hands-on performance are not established facts at this stage. The report focuses on the product's design and launch pricing rather than on how it performs in daily use.
Background
Split keyboards separate the typing area into two halves, often angled and spaced apart so that the wrists and shoulders can sit in a more natural position. The format has a long following among typists who want to reduce strain, and it has become familiar in both hobbyist communities and small-batch product lines. Most split designs leave the space between the halves open, which is one reason some makers have looked for ways to place other input devices in that gap.
Mechanical keyboards use an individual switch beneath each key rather than the rubber domes or membranes found in many standard boards. Enthusiasts value the distinct feel and the option to swap switches and keycaps. Many of these boards rely on firmware that lets users remap keys and create layers, so a single key can produce different outputs depending on a held modifier. Layered programming is a common way to reduce how far a typist must reach, which is one reason a board with several layers may appeal to people who want to keep their hands near the home row.
Integrating a touchpad into a keyboard is not new. Laptops have long placed pointing devices between the keys and the palm rests, and some compact keyboards have included small trackpads. Moving that function to the center of a full-size split layout changes how a user's hands travel between typing and pointing, since the pointer surface sits where a mouse would otherwise be.
Wireless keyboards typically connect over Bluetooth or a small USB receiver, and wireless versions of premium boards usually cost more than wired ones. Machined aluminum adds weight and cost but provides a sturdy base that resists flex. Powder coating is a common finish for metal enclosures because it is durable and comes in many colors. Together, these choices place the product in the enthusiast and productivity segment rather than the budget market.
Why it matters
The appeal of a device like this is less about a single feature than about desk layout. Many office workers switch between typing and pointing many times an hour, and each trip to a separate mouse adds small movements that can accumulate over a day. A keyboard that handles both tasks in one place may reduce clutter and simplify setup for people who work at a single desk. The argument is most persuasive for users who already prefer keyboard-driven workflows and want fewer peripherals.
The price range also shapes who the product is for. Starting at the levels reported, the V1 costs more than many standard office keyboards, so its likely buyer is someone who values build quality, customization or ergonomics enough to pay a premium. Preorders add uncertainty, since buyers commit money before they can test the touchpad, the switches or the wireless connection.
For the wider market, the product is a reminder that keyboard makers continue to experiment with form factors even as laptops and standard peripherals dominate. Integrated pointing raises questions about how users will adjust after years of separate mice, and whether a central touchpad can match the precision many people expect from a dedicated mouse. Whether this design finds an audience will depend on how well those trade-offs work in practice.
What to watch
Watch for the full preorder terms, including when units are expected to ship and what happens if delivery slips. The price gap between the wired and wireless packages will matter to buyers deciding whether the extra cost is worth it. Compatibility with major operating systems, and the availability of software for remapping keys and configuring layers, will shape how useful the programmable features are for everyday work.
Hands-on testing will be the real test of the touchpad. Users will want to know how it responds to gestures, how accurate the pointer feels and whether it stays comfortable through long sessions. Battery life and connection stability for the wireless model are also open questions. Independent reviews, along with any changes to pricing or availability, will help clarify where the V1 fits.
Viewpoints
Commentary from our columns: three angles on this story.
The Skeptic open questions and weak points
A central touchpad sounds like a tidy fix for a real annoyance, but it is worth asking what it gives up. A dedicated mouse offers a large, consistent surface, and many people have built muscle memory around it. A touchpad in the middle of a split board may feel awkward if the pointer must be controlled with fingers that are also resting on the typing area. Questions about precision, cursor drift and palm rejection are not answered by a product listing.
There is also the matter of preorders. Buyers are being asked to commit money to a device whose everyday behavior has not yet been tested by outside users. The reported price range suggests a premium product, and premium products are not automatically better. Before deciding, shoppers should look for independent reviews, clear return terms and honest accounts from people who have lived with the keyboard for weeks, not just the first day.
The idea is interesting. The proof will come after the box is opened.
The User what changes for people who use it
For someone who spends most of the day at a computer, the biggest change could be fewer objects on the desk. Instead of moving a hand between keyboard and mouse, a person could stay in one position for typing and pointing. That may sound minor, but small motions repeated many times can add up, and a layout that keeps the hands in a stable place might feel more relaxed over long shifts.
The learning curve is real, however. Switching from a mouse to a touchpad requires adjusting to a new kind of control, and a split layout changes how the hands rest. People who already use a laptop trackpad may adapt quickly, while those who rely on a fast external mouse for detailed work may find the transition frustrating. Programmable layers add power, but only for a user willing to spend time setting them up.
Weight and price matter too. A keyboard of around three pounds is not something to toss into a bag, so this is likely a fixed desk device. Anyone considering it should ask whether the time saved on pointing outweighs the cost and the adjustment period. For many people, testing the layout in a store or through a generous return policy would be the most sensible first step.
The Builder the engineer's view
From an engineering standpoint, the interesting part of the V1 is the packaging problem. Placing a touchpad at the center of a split board means the sensor, firmware and key matrix must coexist without interference. Good designs keep the touchpad's signal processing isolated from switch scanning, so a pointer movement does not cause missed or doubled keystrokes. Whether the device handles this well is something to look for in early tests.
The machined aluminum body and powder-coated finish point to a rigid chassis, which helps keep the split halves stable under typing forces. The stated four programmable layers suggest firmware support for layered remapping, and it will be worth checking whether configuration happens through an open tool, a vendor app or both. Documented, open configuration makes a keyboard easier to maintain and adapt over years.
Wireless versions raise their own design questions: battery capacity, radio choice, pairing with multiple devices and latency. These details rarely appear on a product page, and they are where premium keyboards often differ. An engineer would want measured results before trusting the claims.