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The big picture: If you’ve ever wanted to bring a bit of Severance’s office dystopia into your real life – minus the mind-splitting surgery – custom keyboard brand Atomic has you covered. The company just announced the MDR Dasher, a real-world replica of the retro-futuristic keyboard featured on the Apple TV+ series.
In Severance, the keyboards used by Macrodata Refinement – the department where the protagonists work – appear to draw inspiration from Data General’s vintage Dasher terminals, popular in the late ’70s and early ’80s. Hence, the name MDR Dasher. The original machines were known for their sturdy build, chunky layout, and utilitarian elegance – qualities the show embraced in its retro-futuristic aesthetic.
The Dasher fully commits to the show’s design. It preserves the layout and aesthetics while deliberately omitting keys like escape, control, and option. That absence serves as a cheeky tribute to Lumon Industries and its founder, Kier Egan, and reinforces the show’s authoritarian undertones. The keyboard includes 73 keys and follows the same 70-percent compact layout used in the series.
The keyboard features a raised profile, thick borders, and a palette of muted blues with a dirty white frame, giving it an industrial vibe. Lighter blue keycaps dominate the center, while darker hues fill in the rest. That “rest” is substantial, thanks to the oversized deck, which leaves ample space for the arrow keys, arranged in a cross formation and set apart from the primary cluster. Off to the far right sits a trackball – just like in the show – replacing a traditional mouse and adding to its vintage charm.
Unlike its on-screen counterpart, this version connects via USB-C and is compatible with modern operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. The case is crafted from durable aluminum, offering a premium feel and added sturdiness for long-term use. Its sturdy construction adds to its industrial aesthetic and retro charm that made the original design iconic.
Atomic Keyboard has yet to reveal a final price. The company floated a $399 figure, but it’s still unconfirmed, likely due to ongoing tariff issues. For now, sign-ups are open for the limited-run pre-launch list. Once you secure your keyboard, complete the transformation into an MDR worker bee by visiting the Lumon Industries website and refining microdata to your heart’s content. Praise Kier.
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