And for people which like a clean setup the building hub is grate.
Just kinda pointless in case you have a laptop and a usb dock.
EDIT: Also just guessing but no LED and no HUB would probably reduce the price by at most 50$. Most cost don't come from parts but producing in small amounts, development etc.
Like I said, LEDs seem pointless in this design.
Also, I don't know of many US-based keyboard manufacturers, but I know of these guys:
Their 10-keyless version inspired by Model M is $120 dollars. Yes, it's pretty barebone, but that's exactly my point.
Edit: https://www.wasdkeyboards.com
Assembled in US, $170.
Also doesn’t have some fucked up weird keyboard layout that makes it impossible to use another keyboard for 3 months if you have to change.
no LEDs, no hub, true. don't want LEDs in a keyboard (I am not this desperate to see colored lighting while staring at a color monitor) and I use a wireless mouse; no hub needed.
$285 is insane.