Mechanical Keyboards

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Are you addicted to the clicking sounds of your beautiful and impressive mechanical keyboard?
If so, this community is for you!

Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).

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founded 5 years ago
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I've long had a SteelSeries 6gv2 and it has served me well but I want to replace it.

I like the keyboard a lot because it has quite a basic design with no fancy colors and no RGB. However I find it really difficult to find a replacement - all the keyboards I find are full of "gamer" RGB lights and red WASD keys and all kinds of other (to me) annoying/distracting design elements.

Where would I find something similar today?

  • Basic design, ideally just all black color with white text.
  • 100% or ideally TKL.
  • No RGB or "gamer" stuff.
  • Cherry MX Black switches or similar.
  • Need to support Nordic (Danish) layout.
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Hail Mary question here, in case someone somewhere knows something:

In the late 90s, I lived in the UK in Hampshire. One weekend, I went to a local computer show in Portsmouth or Southampton. You know, a few tables in a community center with people selling all kinds of computer bits.

A small UK company had a booth there and sold a really interesting keyboard. It might have been the manufacturer, or a local importer. I don't remember. But the keyboard had a UK layout. I bought one.

The keyboard was a folding full-size beige 102-key mechanical keyboard with a chunky coiled cable and an AT interface. It was built like a tank and had really good clicky switches. Basically imagine a slightly lighter model-M sawed in two with a mechanical hinge in the middle, allowing the keyboard to fold in two, with the keys on the inside facing each other.

It was a great keyboard, and while it didn't fold into a particularly compact package and wasn't light by any stretch of the imagination, it fit great in a small suitcase and protected itself naturally by sandwiching the keys in the middle. And it folded with a loud, satisfying clunk 🙂

I loved that keyboard, but I lost it in a move 20 years ago. I've been trying to find out who made it and what it was for years, but I was never able to find anything at all. The only hits that come up when I search for folding mechanical keyboards are those awful miniature battery-powered bluetooth keyboards for cellphones.

Does anybody know what that keyboard might have been?

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I'm not a true mechanical keyboard enthusiast. I mean I like a good keyboard for typing code, so I rolled with model-Ms in the 80s and 90s, then some expensive Cherry keyboard I only recently retired because it was utterly spent (and it was PS/2), and now I happily use a Wooting Two HE.

I'm so glad the mechanical gaming keyboard scene has developed so much: it means there's a plethora of really excellent keyboards for the rest of us who don't play games.

But something utterly baffles me: why are high-quality keyboards getting smaller?

There's a lot more keyboards without the numpad and the block of middle keys - whatever they're called - or with the middle keys reduced or squashed up awkwardly on the side, than full-size plain old 102- or 104-key layout keyboards. What's wrong with the numpad? Isn't more keys generally better?

Back in the days, I bought the original Happy Hacking keyboard because it kind of made sense to maneuver around in our server room with a small keyboard that took up less space. Typing on it drove me up the wall but it was convenient to carry. And I guess it was also good option for going to LAN parties with a smaller backpack. But other than that, for a keyboard that never leaves your desk, I don't get it.

Are there other advantages to smaller keyboards? Genuine question! I'm not dumping on smaller keyboards: to each his own and if you're happy with yours, more power to you. I'd just like to know why you prefer smaller.

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Interesting insights into their history

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submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by lightrush@lemmy.ca to c/mechanicalkeyboards@lemmy.ml
 
 

It's a very interesting feel, unlike any other mechanical keyboard I've had. I've been typing on DSA for over half a decade now so I'm used to the flat row profile but the increased surface size still messes with my brain bit. I like it. There's some similarity to the feel of a laptop keyboard.

More info on SP G20.

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My friend says that there is, but I told him to show me the it's chart, and he said that it's not about that (?).

So here I go asking: Is there any other type of chart (g/mm) outside of the two?

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I previously posted my custom layout keyboard which I use at home. I got fed up of the different layout at work so I made the same thing to have consistency. Really happy with the result. I'm trying to set up macros now to make annoying tasks at work faster.

https://i.imgur.com/RxlIKOY.jpeg

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Both use Gateron Black Ink V2 switches, lubed and filmed, with their springs swapped for Durock gold springs. They're very satisfying to use

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I landed myself a solid salary job as a head of a department and as a reward my wife gave me permission to go wild with a new Keeb.

Enter the blue beauty.

Mode Sonnet - Navy body, brass bass, brass internal weight. Internal silicone mat, foam kit, POM plate, Durock V2 Gold Stabilizers.

Gateron Oil King linear switches.

GMK Blue Samurai doubleshot ABS Keycaps.

I am in love with looks and feel of this thing and can wait to put in some hours in front of the computer with it.

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My local buynothing page has a lot of keyboards. There was a mechanical one the other day, but I didn't win the draw

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Anyone have any ideas? It feels really bad to get something other than the QK75 that I have and love, but I have wrist problems with my left wrist and I'd really like something more ergonomic for gaming and that I don't have to reposition every time I switch between gaming and general computer use. I'm sure the Tartarus is fine, but I really loathe having to have Synapse running and would like something I can program with QMK. A similar layout (maybe a few more buttons, but I want the tented ergo thing) and price would be ideal, but I could be convinced to spend a little more if I have to. If I could get just the left side of a Dactyl, that would almost be a solution aside from the price (I don't really want to build from scratch). Ergodox has the Halfmoon, but it is decidedly bad for gaming given the low polling rate. Thoughts?

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Hi All,

I'm looking for a new mechanical keyboard. Hoping for some advice. I used to have a Corsair K70 Pro, but unfortunately that no longer functions. I've been using a crappy dell keyboard from work and have finally been annoyed enough by it to buy a new keyboard.

I've considered going with another K70, but corsair doesn't give a shit about linux and I'm kicking windows outta my house. While I could emulate or build a vm, I'd rather just get a keyboard that doesn't make linux an afterthought if thought of at all. What I like about the K70 is that the keys aren't shrouded making it super easy to

Wants are:

  • 100% full keyboard
  • Ideally no shrouding around the switches, minor shrouding would be okay.
  • A passthrough USB port on the keyboard for a mouse, to minimize wires and simpliy cable management.
  • Hotswap switches
  • Full Linux support
  • Backlit (ideally RGB, but I"m not doing any fancy profiles, just a solid color)
  • Media keys nice, but I can live without them.
  • Ideally not much more than $200

I'd prefer prebuilt, but at most minimal soldering would be acceptable, as long as it's nothing too small, my soldering skills are an embarrassment.

I've looked at the following already.

Ducky All models I saw shrouded the switches. seem shrouded.

System76 Cost seems excessive and I don't really want a 96% keyboard.

DasKeyboard & Keychron The models pretty much all shroud the switches too much, or they're low form factor.

The DasKeyboard 5QS comes close, and I might just go with it if I don't have a better option, but it's got more shrouding around the switches than I like. It also doesn't seem to have a secondary USB port.

I just saw this as well. I really like the bigger one on the left, would just need to be a full keyboard, maybe an additional USB port on the back as well. https://lemmy.ml/post/10016605

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Im looking to try out some xda keycaps, as i love how they look and also want to mess around with different keyboard layouts. what sets would yall reccomend? They must be 1. cheap (under $50, but lower is always better) and 2. Translucent symbols, as i want my backlight to shine through.

Also i think id prefer pbt to abs

thank you all :)

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Group buy open now: https://www.jellykey.com/artisan-keycaps/dragon-sigil

  • Keycap sizes: 1u, 2.25u (enter/left-shift), x77 Art toy
  • 7 Designs
  • Payment : Paypal / CC

This group-buy will close on 1/5/2024. Remember, this is a one-time opportunity for our limited-edition product, so pick your favourite design quickly. Orders of 6 keycaps or more will include free shipping. Explore the x77 art toy and Sigil display stand, and download our exclusive calendar.

  • You shall receive this Sigil Keycap Stand with every order of 2 keycaps or more.
  • Each x77 art toy has an x77 Sigil Keycap Stand and a wooden x77 box.
  • All product photos are genuine, not 3D renders, and our keycaps are handmade with resin casting and multilayer colouring, not 3D printed.

All pictures of colourways in this collection are viewed here.

Thank you for joining us

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Hello! I'm new in the mechanical keyboard universe. I've bought some switches for my (very first) mechanical keyboard, and I have some keycap pullers. I also plan to buy a pencil to easily clean my keyboard.

For storing such tools and items, I plan to buy some ziploc bags and segregate the switches, pencil and keycap pullers, and store them all inside a plastic container.

I'm wondering... How do you guys keep all these mechanical keyboard-related items? I'll be happy to read new ideas.

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[Jelly Key][In-stock sale] Pillow Craft Artisan Keycaps

https://www.jellykey.com/artisan-keycaps/pillow-craft

The keycaps have already been produced and are ready to be shipped within 7 business days. This represents Jelly Key’s new In-stock sales approach, which differs from a Groupbuy.

Purchasing 6 or more keycaps qualifies for free shipping. Options will be exhausted and restocked without prior notice.

“Every night, as I rest my head on the comforting softness of my pillow, a thought recurs: what if this comfort level could be part of my everyday life, not just at night? This question sparked the inspiration for my latest design. It’s an attempt to capture the essence of that soothing experience. The pillow’s surface, smooth and pleasing texture, was my primary inspiration. Amazingly, something so simple can bring such a profound sense of relaxation.

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cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/9581183

My first ever bulid and I'm so excited! It's not trivial to build a perfect keyboard just from parts you can order in Europe. This is one doesn't look exactly how I imagined it but I love it anyway. If anyone is interested - it's a Sofle Choc V3 kit from 42. Keebs.

The first few days were a bit hard but after just a week of using it I was able to beat my monkeytype high score. I'm still not really fluid in using it for programming and vim in general though.

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GMMK 2 Barebones Steelseries Doubleshot keycaps Kailh Box White v1 switches

Really happy with it after about 11 years with a Cherry blue MX Das Keyboard, which is starting to break down. I'm exclusively WFH, so I get all the clicks.

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I use a Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate with cherry blues and love it. Have a good friend who likes using her grandson's gaming keyboard that I think is a nice membrane keyboard. She was interested in my keyboard as it is mechanical like the old keyboards she used back in the day.

We are both office users, not gamers.

I don't want to spend the $179 for a keyboard that might not be what she wants and there are better options now, from what I understand.

Can you please recommend a cherry blue mechanical with a number pad and a steel back plane?

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