be quiet! Enters Gaming Peripherals Market with Silent Dark Mount and Light Mount Keyboards

TL;DR:

• be quiet!, known for premium PC components, expands into gaming peripherals with the Dark Mount and Light Mount mechanical keyboards.
• Both keyboards feature be quiet!’s in-house Silent Switches (linear and tactile), ensuring a quiet typing experience.
• Dark Mount offers a hot-swappable Numpad, Media Dock, Display Keys, and advanced ARGB lighting.
• Light Mount features a programmable 3D Media Wheel, macro keys, and unique underglow ARGB effects.
• be quiet! also introduces the IO Center software for Windows and a web-based version for comprehensive control.

be quiet!, the esteemed German manufacturer renowned for its high-quality PC components, is venturing into the gaming peripherals market with the launch of two brand-new mechanical keyboards: the Dark Mount and the Light Mount. These keyboards are meticulously engineered for enthusiasts who prioritize precision, comfort, and durability. Available with both linear and tactile Silent Switches developed by be quiet!, these keyboards combine premium materials with a minimalist aesthetic, promising a seamless typing experience characterized by an exceptionally smooth sound profile for gamers, creators, and professionals alike. Alongside these hardware innovations, be quiet! is also introducing its inaugural software tool: IO Center for Windows, providing users with complete control over their peripherals, as well as a web-based counterpart, IO Center Web, compatible with various operating systems.

Dark Mount: Power and Precision Defined

The Dark Mount keyboard is designed for individuals who appreciate a bold and sophisticated aesthetic. Its sleek black finish and robust chassis exude a commanding presence on any desk setup. This keyboard is engineered for professionals and gamers who demand unwavering reliability and pinpoint precision.

An innovative hot-swappable Numpad and Media Dock allow users to customize their keyboard layout to their specific requirements. The detachable Numpad can be positioned on either side of the keyboard, offering enhanced flexibility. The Media Dock, featuring dedicated media keys and a display, provides intuitive controls for volume and playback. The ergonomic split Palm Rest and stackable, magnetic riser feet, offering three angled wrist positions, enhance comfort during prolonged use, making the Dark Mount ideal for extended work sessions and intense gaming marathons.

Furthermore, the Dark Mount features eight customizable Display Keys, providing dynamic, programmable shortcuts for improved productivity and efficiency. Each Display Key supports 140×140 pixel images, offering unparalleled convenience for quick access to applications, macros, or system controls.

All keys on the Dark Mount are equipped with high-quality PBT double-shot keycaps, ensuring durability and a premium feel. An arched ARGB diffuser beneath the switches provides bright and even per-key illumination. The brushed aluminum top plate further enhances this lighting with ARGB integration around its edges, creating a unique and atmospheric effect.

Light Mount: Advanced Media Control and Unique Lighting

For users who favor a clean and modern aesthetic, the Light Mount presents a striking minimalist design complemented by high-quality materials that ensure both durability and comfort. A programmable, aluminum 3D Media Wheel empowers users with precise control over their music and videos, including volume and mute functionality. Additionally, five dedicated mechanical macro keys can be programmed to control media or execute game-specific actions.

The Light Mount features high-quality PBT double-shot keycaps with translucent legends, along with the same arched ARGB diffuser beneath each switch for bright and even per-key illumination. To extend the ARGB effects, the brushed aluminum top plate includes a bright LED bar along its top edge, while two LED bars on the sides of the keyboard create a unique and visually appealing underglow effect. Folding feet with three angled positions and a modular magnetic Palm Rest complete the Light Mount’s ergonomic design.

Precision-Engineered Silent Switches and Advanced Sound Dampening

To ensure a premium typing experience, both the Dark Mount and Light Mount keyboards are equipped with high-quality mechanical Silent Switches, developed in-house by be quiet! through a meticulous production process. These switches undergo rigorous testing to guarantee consistent actuation, durability, and smooth operation. They also support Full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, ensuring that every keystroke is registered flawlessly.

The orange (linear) Silent Switch variant delivers ultra-smooth keystrokes with minimal resistance, making it ideal for fast-paced gaming and rapid typing. Conversely, the black (tactile) Silent Switch version provides a satisfying tactile bump with each press, ensuring accuracy and responsiveness. All switches and stabilizers are pre-lubricated for an enjoyable gaming and typing experience – a feature typically found only in DIY custom keyboards – and are hot-swappable with support for 5-pin MX-style switches.

A sophisticated three-layer dampening system (silicone on the Dark Mount, foam on the Light Mount) effectively minimizes keystroke noise while preserving a satisfying tactile response. The internal sound-dampening materials are carefully engineered to reduce vibrations and echo, creating a whisper-quiet typing experience without compromising feedback. This makes the Dark Mount and Light Mount ideal for quiet environments while retaining the premium feel expected from a high-end mechanical keyboard.

Introducing be quiet! IO Center and IO Center Web

The Dark Mount and Light Mount keyboards are fully compatible with be quiet!’s new IO Center for Windows software, offering users comprehensive control over their keyboard settings, lighting, and macro customization. With an intuitive interface, IO Center enables users to create personalized key assignments and precisely adjust ARGB lighting effects. Furthermore, the IO Center Web app is compatible with Chromium-based browsers on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a powerful and versatile software ecosystem for a truly personalized typing experience tailored to each user’s needs.

Availability and Pricing

The Dark Mount and Light Mount keyboards, featuring orange or black be quiet! Silent Switches, will be available for purchase in selected regions starting April 29th, at a suggested retail price of $254.90 / €259.90 / £239.90 (Dark Mount) and $169.90 / €169.90 / £169.90 (Light Mount). At launch, these keyboards will be available in North America (US-ANSI), the United Kingdom (UK-ISO), Germany (DE-ISO), and France (FR-ISO).