I’m looking to buy a good mechanical keyboard and was wondering if any of you had any solid recommendations. I’ve seen a couple that have some really cool key colors. Any suggestions are welcome!
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Thanks for the summons @jess ;)
There's so many good ones out there, it really depends on your budget and what you want out of it!
How much do you want to spend?
Do you want it to be loud, quiet, smooth, or tactile?
What size do you want (like do you want a numpad? Arrow keys? Function keys?)?
Do you want to build it yourself?
Do you want it to be programmable?
I can give you some recommendations based on your answers!
Hey Cassidy, thanks for the reply!
I think my ideal keyboard would be tactile and include function and arrow keys, (don't need the numpad) and having it be programmable would be amazing. I saw the one you designed and I think it looks awesome. In regards to my budget, I'm trying to keep it under $175 if possible. I'd much appreciate any recommendations you have based on that. Thanks!
Summoning @jess here :-)
I am extremely new to this world but I just bought an Ergodox EZ (pictured above). My keyboard goals are all related to helping relieve carpal tunnel pain. So far, I haven't taken full advantage of all the features but have found some relief.
I suggest buying @cassidoo 's keyboard if it's still available!
dev.to/cassidoo/comment/2j2h
I 💓my ergodox. I didn't generally have problems with CTS but general finger fatigue/straining. try out auto shift if you haven't already, RIP shift key
auto shift?!
holding down the key for x milliseconds will send the shifted key instead of .. unshifted!
My first mechanical keyboard was a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S (non numpad 'tenkeyless' form factor, but did have f keys) and was only about £75, $90USD. I don't think you can find these without backlight anymore but RGB is available. Since they're mass produced they'll be easier to find and generally cheaper. They all come with macro programming - if that's what you're after, but not fully programmable (as far as I know). CM also do a low profile mechanical keyboard too if you like the 'flatness'/short key travel of laptop keyboards.
Also check massdrop periodically, they do rotate around full, TKL, 60% keyboards for pretty good prices.
You can get switch testers to see what you like the feel of most.
I've picked up a couple 60%-er's with one with brown switches and one with blue. Using the browns at work since they are a tad quieter. But for the price, you can't beat it... amazon.com/gp/product/B01ABUJ2KM/
I'm going to be lurking on this thread like I do on /r/mechanicalheadpens, but I'm really looking to see if someone helps me justify a Das Keyboard for my Mac.
I love Das Keyboard. I went though a couple generations, models and layouts and I'm on DK 4 Pro. I really like the keys and the volume dial. It's not backlit though, which makes it difficult to type passwords or press single shortcuts in the dark (normal typing is not a problem). I tried a Mac layout and found it lacking the insert key and some other layout weirdnesses. I ended up sticking with Win layout since I sometimes work with Windows and Linux VM on my mac. Win layout is more versatile, I have no problem using it on a Mac as well. One thing I hate about DK is their fat stiff cable. I'm thinking or modding it myself and replacing with some thin and soft cable.
My Das will be here Sunday :) As a hunt-and-peck typer, I need that backlit, so I opted to get the 5Q. It's on sale right now for $199 and can integrate with IFTTT to do ALL THE THINGS
As a hunt and peck typist you should have gotten the one with the blank keys. I had one for a while. Makes you stop looking at the keyboard, since it's useless. Difficult to type in weird things like passwords, though.
daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ulti...
Enjoy your new keyboard. It's difficult to use any cheap keyboard after that ;)
I don't think I'm ready to be thrown into that fire yet :P
Still have bad memories of these things
Though I use 1Password, so as long as I know where that shortcut is, passwords wouldn't be an issue.
My first and only mechanical keyboard is a WASD 104 key with a black / grey / red colour scheme.
I can't really comment on how it stacks up against other brands (especially at that fairly hefty price point), but the build quality is good and I am still happy with it after many years.
I've had this Cooler Master keyboard with cherry keys for over a year and really like it! amazon.com/gp/product/B071LPMSMS/r...
Vortex (aka Vortexgear) Race 3
So far... Leopold is my favorite, with those torpe switches
amazon.com/dp/B07NW45VRK/ref=cm_sw...
Corsair K68 => corsair.com/us/en/k68-spill-resist...