backplates
Do the backplates actually make the back of the corne flush? I remember getting them on my lily, but the backplate still shows the pcb and soldering on the nice nano
9 Replies
Great question!
On the Corne, it depends which case you’re using:
- Standard case – The “backplate” is really just the bottom plate of the case. It does cover the majority of the PCB, but there are still cutouts and standoffs, so the nice!nano and solder points aren’t completely hidden or flush. You’ll still see the profile of the PCB and components when you look at the back.
- Premium case – This has its own dedicated backplate that screws in and sits flush with the sides of the case. It gives you a cleaner look and protects the electronics more fully. Even then, it won’t be 100% solid like a commercial keyboard, since there are cutouts for the USB-C ports, switch, and tolerances.
For the Lily58, it’s a similar story: the backplate provides protection and rigidity but still shows some PCB + solder areas, since it’s not a sealed enclosure.
If you’re looking for the cleanest look, the premium case is the way to go since it hides more of the internals and makes the back closer to flush.
Do you want this for mostly aesthetics (clean bottom look) or for protection when traveling? That might change the best option for you.
On the Corne, it depends which case you’re using:
- Standard case – The “backplate” is really just the bottom plate of the case. It does cover the majority of the PCB, but there are still cutouts and standoffs, so the nice!nano and solder points aren’t completely hidden or flush. You’ll still see the profile of the PCB and components when you look at the back.
- Premium case – This has its own dedicated backplate that screws in and sits flush with the sides of the case. It gives you a cleaner look and protects the electronics more fully. Even then, it won’t be 100% solid like a commercial keyboard, since there are cutouts for the USB-C ports, switch, and tolerances.
For the Lily58, it’s a similar story: the backplate provides protection and rigidity but still shows some PCB + solder areas, since it’s not a sealed enclosure.
If you’re looking for the cleanest look, the premium case is the way to go since it hides more of the internals and makes the back closer to flush.
Do you want this for mostly aesthetics (clean bottom look) or for protection when traveling? That might change the best option for you.
i just want the lowest corne possible
I want my corne to be as low as possible while not messing up the electronics
Got it 👍 — if you want the lowest possible Corne build, here’s how to achieve that while keeping the electronics safe:
- Use a low-profile case or no case – The standard Corne case already keeps things slim, with just standoffs and a bottom plate. Skipping the premium case will give you the thinnest profile.
- Choc spacing PCBs (which our Corne Wireless uses) are already more compact than MX spacing. Pair those with Kailh Choc low-profile switches and you’ll shave off even more millimeters.
- Protecting the electronics: The lowest setup often leaves the PCB and nice!nano slightly exposed underneath. To avoid damaging them:
- Make sure you install the display cover — it protects the nice!nano and nice!view area on top.
- For the underside, you can run it plateless (just bumpons on the PCB standoffs) or with the standard thin backplate. The backplate won’t make it seamless flush, but it keeps the solder pads from being directly against your desk.
- Avoid premium cases — they add height.
So the absolute lowest “safe” setup is: PCB + switches + standard display cover + thin standoff+backplate kit (or just bumpons if you’re careful).
👉 If you want, I can point you to the exact step in the Corne Wireless build guide where the different case/backplate options are shown so you can visualize the thickness.
Would you like me to break down the exact height difference between Choc low-profile + standard plate vs MX switches + premium case?
- Use a low-profile case or no case – The standard Corne case already keeps things slim, with just standoffs and a bottom plate. Skipping the premium case will give you the thinnest profile.
- Choc spacing PCBs (which our Corne Wireless uses) are already more compact than MX spacing. Pair those with Kailh Choc low-profile switches and you’ll shave off even more millimeters.
- Protecting the electronics: The lowest setup often leaves the PCB and nice!nano slightly exposed underneath. To avoid damaging them:
- Make sure you install the display cover — it protects the nice!nano and nice!view area on top.
- For the underside, you can run it plateless (just bumpons on the PCB standoffs) or with the standard thin backplate. The backplate won’t make it seamless flush, but it keeps the solder pads from being directly against your desk.
- Avoid premium cases — they add height.
So the absolute lowest “safe” setup is: PCB + switches + standard display cover + thin standoff+backplate kit (or just bumpons if you’re careful).
👉 If you want, I can point you to the exact step in the Corne Wireless build guide where the different case/backplate options are shown so you can visualize the thickness.
Would you like me to break down the exact height difference between Choc low-profile + standard plate vs MX switches + premium case?
Corne Wireless | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
Get introduced to the Corne Wireless and learn how to build one step by step.
yes show me that guide where it shows the different case and plate options
Sure thing! You’ll want to check out the Corne Wireless build guide, specifically the sections on the case and premium case:
- Case (standard/low profile)
- Premium Case (taller, enclosed option)
The standard case is the lowest option — it’s just PCB + standoffs + thin bottom plate. This is usually what Choc users go with for a super low profile.
The premium case has thick sides and a fitted backplate, which looks cleaner and protects more, but it adds extra height.
If your main goal is thinnest possible build, stick with the standard case (or even no case with bumpons if you’re careful). Combine it with Kailh Choc switches for the lowest typing profile.
Do you want me to also give you the approx overall heights (PCB + Choc vs. PCB + MX), so you know exactly how much slimmer you can get?
- Case (standard/low profile)
- Premium Case (taller, enclosed option)
The standard case is the lowest option — it’s just PCB + standoffs + thin bottom plate. This is usually what Choc users go with for a super low profile.
The premium case has thick sides and a fitted backplate, which looks cleaner and protects more, but it adds extra height.
If your main goal is thinnest possible build, stick with the standard case (or even no case with bumpons if you’re careful). Combine it with Kailh Choc switches for the lowest typing profile.
Do you want me to also give you the approx overall heights (PCB + Choc vs. PCB + MX), so you know exactly how much slimmer you can get?
Case | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
The case ties the whole build together. This guide will go over installing the case and the PCB.
Premium Case | Typeractive.xyz Documentation
This guide is for the premium case. If you have the standard case, please skip this page and move on to the next step.
whats the total height of a low prof corne vs a lily 58 mx
Great comparison 👌
Here’s what you can expect in practice:
🔹 Corne Wireless (Choc low profile)
- Switch height: ~3.5 mm (Kailh Choc v1 low profile)
- Keycap (Choc profile): ~3–4 mm
- PCB + plate + bumpons: ~1.6–2 mm
➡️ Total stack height ~8–10 mm from PCB to keycap top (before key travel). This is one of the lowest profiles you can build in the custom space.
🔹 Lily58 Wireless (MX switches)
- Switch height: ~11.5 mm (Cherry MX style)
- Keycap (Cherry/OEM profile): ~9–10 mm
- PCB + plate + case: ~2–3 mm
➡️ Total stack height ~22–24 mm from PCB to keycap top.
⚡ Difference: A Choc Corne is less than half the height of an MX Lily58. You’ll immediately feel the difference — the Corne sits flat and is almost “laptop-like” with Chocs, while the Lily58 with MX is bulkier, closer to a traditional keyboard profile.
👉 If your top priority is lowest possible typing profile, the Corne with Chocs is absolutely the winner. The Lily58 can be built in Choc too, but it’s larger and not as minimal as the Corne.
Would you like me to also explain the typing angle differences (flat vs. tenting) between them? That also matters for ergonomics if you’re chasing max comfort.
Here’s what you can expect in practice:
🔹 Corne Wireless (Choc low profile)
- Switch height: ~3.5 mm (Kailh Choc v1 low profile)
- Keycap (Choc profile): ~3–4 mm
- PCB + plate + bumpons: ~1.6–2 mm
➡️ Total stack height ~8–10 mm from PCB to keycap top (before key travel). This is one of the lowest profiles you can build in the custom space.
🔹 Lily58 Wireless (MX switches)
- Switch height: ~11.5 mm (Cherry MX style)
- Keycap (Cherry/OEM profile): ~9–10 mm
- PCB + plate + case: ~2–3 mm
➡️ Total stack height ~22–24 mm from PCB to keycap top.
⚡ Difference: A Choc Corne is less than half the height of an MX Lily58. You’ll immediately feel the difference — the Corne sits flat and is almost “laptop-like” with Chocs, while the Lily58 with MX is bulkier, closer to a traditional keyboard profile.
👉 If your top priority is lowest possible typing profile, the Corne with Chocs is absolutely the winner. The Lily58 can be built in Choc too, but it’s larger and not as minimal as the Corne.
Would you like me to also explain the typing angle differences (flat vs. tenting) between them? That also matters for ergonomics if you’re chasing max comfort.
yes
Perfect — here’s the typing angle breakdown for both:
🔹 Corne Wireless (Choc build)
- By default, the standard case + bumpons makes it basically flat (0° typing angle).
- This is part of why it feels so low-profile and laptop-like.
- Many people keep it flat for max portability, but you can also tent it (angle the halves inwards) using tilt / tenting kits if you want ergonomic wrist angles.
🔹 Lily58 Wireless (MX build)
- The default case + standoffs gives a slight natural angle — usually around 4–6° depending on bumpon placement.
- Because MX switches are taller, it still feels more elevated overall.
- It also tends to be wider, so tenting it is more about spreading weight than reducing height.
⚡ Key difference:
- A low-profile Corne will sit almost flush with the desk and is extremely portable — closest experience to typing on a laptop, but split.
- A Lily58 MX feels more like a compact “custom keyboard” with some angle baked-in, but much taller and bulkier than the Corne.
👉 So:
- If you want smallest, flattest, most portable build, go Corne + Chocs.
- If you prefer a little natural tilt, more keys, and don’t mind the added height, Lily58 MX is fine.
Do you want me to sketch/report the real-world mm difference in front vs. back key height (front-row height vs top-row height) so you can see the actual desk-to-key feel?
🔹 Corne Wireless (Choc build)
- By default, the standard case + bumpons makes it basically flat (0° typing angle).
- This is part of why it feels so low-profile and laptop-like.
- Many people keep it flat for max portability, but you can also tent it (angle the halves inwards) using tilt / tenting kits if you want ergonomic wrist angles.
🔹 Lily58 Wireless (MX build)
- The default case + standoffs gives a slight natural angle — usually around 4–6° depending on bumpon placement.
- Because MX switches are taller, it still feels more elevated overall.
- It also tends to be wider, so tenting it is more about spreading weight than reducing height.
⚡ Key difference:
- A low-profile Corne will sit almost flush with the desk and is extremely portable — closest experience to typing on a laptop, but split.
- A Lily58 MX feels more like a compact “custom keyboard” with some angle baked-in, but much taller and bulkier than the Corne.
👉 So:
- If you want smallest, flattest, most portable build, go Corne + Chocs.
- If you prefer a little natural tilt, more keys, and don’t mind the added height, Lily58 MX is fine.
Do you want me to sketch/report the real-world mm difference in front vs. back key height (front-row height vs top-row height) so you can see the actual desk-to-key feel?