Mechanical keyboards

[Mace]

Is anyone here into mechanical keyboards?

I have two low-profile boards (Nuphy Air75 and Keychron K3 Max), both with tactile switches, and an regular board which is the MCHOSE GX87 with linear switches (which sounds super marbly).

I’ve ordered a Bridge75 since I feel like the GX87 is just a tad too big for me and I think I’ll like its sound profile too.

It’s a shame I can barely find any good/nice Mac keycaps.

 

[PGen98]

Ah, a TKL fan, eh? I can respect that, but I'm stuck in my old school ways, I need that full sized goodness, lol. I'm currently using my all time favourite keyboard, my Ducky One 2 Horizon. It's a super simple keyboard with super simple Cherry MX (brown) switches, no RGB, nothing fancy about it, but it's extremely well made, has served me better than any other keyboard I've ever owned, and made me a big Ducky fan, lol. It's getting harder to find a nice mechanical keyboard that isn't laden down with over the top RBG backlighting, so I appreciate when I can find a truly great one like the One 2.

 

[Mace]

Ah, a TKL fan, eh? I can respect that, but I'm stuck in my old school ways, I need that full sized goodness, lol. I'm currently using my all time favourite keyboard, my Ducky One 2 Horizon. It's a super simple keyboard with super simple Cherry MX (brown) switches, no RGB, nothing fancy about it, but it's extremely well made, has served me better than any other keyboard I've ever owned, and made me a big Ducky fan, lol. It's getting harder to find a nice mechanical keyboard that isn't laden down with over the top RBG backlighting, so I appreciate when I can find a truly great one like the One 2.

While technically TKL too, I prefer 75% keyboards, yes. With a separate numpad, so I can move it out of the way if I don't need it, haha. I personally don't really care for RGB, but it's just there on most boards - I do prefer some kind of backlight, though.

Is the Ducky One 2 Horizon hotswappable? If you like tactile switches, I think you might enjoy the MMD Princess tactile switches (either 48g or, if you like heavy tactiles, 60g). They are pretty cheap at around $20 for 110 pieces. They are perfectly fine factory lubed if you're not into doing that yourself, too.

I must say that, while usually more of a tactile switch kind of person, I really enjoy the KTT Vintage White switches (45g), too, and I don't necessarily miss the tactile bump since they don't feel very light.

 

[PGen98]

While technically TKL too, I prefer 75% keyboards, yes. With a separate numpad, so I can move it out of the way if I don't need it, haha.

Ah, that makes a lot of sense honestly, lol. My sister works in finance and does something similar, a dedicated numpad for work functionality. Useful for her!

I personally don't really care for RGB, but it's just there on most boards - I do prefer some kind of backlight, though.

Understandable, a little backlight for the lettering is fine.

Is the Ducky One 2 Horizon hotswappable? If you like tactile switches, I think you might enjoy the MMD Princess tactile switches (either 48g or, if you like heavy tactiles, 60g). They are pretty cheap at around $20 for 110 pieces. They are perfectly fine factory lubed if you're not into doing that yourself, too.

It is hot swappable, and that might be worth considering, definitely, a cheap swap out to make it effectively a new keyboard.

I must say that, while usually more of a tactile switch kind of person, I really enjoy the KTT Vintage White switches (45g), too, and I don't necessarily miss the tactile bump since they don't feel very light.

I'm a bit of a fan of the tactile bump, would need to really experience them to understand them, but never hurts to try out new things!

 

[Laifot]

I own a MX by Logitech that i use at work. My only concern is the sound of the switches, it feels kinda funny to press the keys when we are in asbolute silence at the office lol.

What's the best thing? you can bind tons of shortcuts and to me (i write in spanish), the stressing of vocals is very common.. and not having to use alt + 162 for example, makes my life easier. Also, when buying a top notch keyboard like these, it always comes with a mat, or a mouse + mat as well.

 

[Mace]

I own a MX by Logitech that i use at work. My only concern is the sound of the switches, it feels kinda funny to press the keys when we are in asbolute silence at the office lol.

What's the best thing? you can bind tons of shortcuts and to me (i write in spanish), the stressing of vocals is very common.. and not having to use alt + 162 for example, makes my life easier. Also, when buying a top notch keyboard like these, it always comes with a mat, or a mouse + mat as well.

Understandable!

If you enjoy the feeling of mechanical keyboards and being able to remap keys, but you wish the keyboard to be more silent for office use for example, you should look for a hot-swappable keyboard (even though the 'better' mechanical keyboards generally don't come with a mouse and mat). There are plenty of silent switches available! The keyboard build also influences the sound, obviously.

I don't know what keyboard size or the profile you prefer, but I think you could try some of the following;

• Normal-profile boards 75%: Rainy75 / Bridge75/ND75 (you could use these with a separate numpad if you'd like)
• Normal-profile TKL: MCHOSE GX87 (like I said, I own this one - and I think it could be very silent with the right type of switches)
• Normal-profile boards (near-)100%: Keychron V6 Max, Zoom98 (pre-order)
• Normal-profile switches: Everglade Aqua King (linear), Akko Fairy (linear), Outemu Silent Jade Yellow (tactile), Akko Cream Blue (tactile), ... maybe some others that I don't know of - I'm more into thocky/creamy/marbly sound profiles
• Low-profile board: Lofree Flow (Lite) 100
• Low-profile switches: Hades (linear)

Keep in mind that there is way more choice in keycaps and switches for normal-profile keyboards. Most switches aren't very expensive. Better boards will set you back at least $100 - $200 (I did not include any more expensive boards in the list above since it’s not really worth it if you’re not an enthusiast per se).

For low-profile boards, I personally really enjoy my Keychron K3 Max and Nuphy Air75, but they don't have actual silent switches available (those are MX style, and the Lofree uses Kailh switches). If you'd rather use one of those, I think you could try Aloe or Cowberry switches (both are linear) by Nuphy x Gateron, but they really aren't particularly silent (just the most silent MX style low-profile options, I guess).