Another keyboard fan :)

[invernomuto]

Hi all,
I'm happy to have found this forum since I'm starting to think I have a passion for keyboards
The first sparkle started came when I tried an old IBM thinkpad T40, I really felt the difference between that keyboard and the one on the macbook I was using at the time.
This convinced me later to buy a thinkpad T410 as new laptop (among other advantages), but that curiosity over keyboards was always there.
I recently thought "what about choosing a new keyboard for my desktop pc?"
I was googling around mechanical keyboards and I found this forum, and now I discovered a whole new world!

After reading the forum here and there I decided I would like to buy a tenkeyless keyboard with arrow keys.
I code for a living so I would use my keyboard to type documents and code without any gaming.
I am very used to use them to switch between vim tabs while I use alt-arrow to switch between virtual desktops so I think I can't live without arrow keys for now
I know this takes out the HHKB pro from the possible choices but I think it's too minimalist for me for the moment.
I never tried cherry MX keyboards nor Topre ones so I am very confused about what to try first.

I would like to spend around 100 euros for this first experience so I welcome any suggestion you can provide me to make a better decision.
Thanks in advance!!

[7bit]

I suggest you to get a G80-1600 HAP!




ps: Welcome to Deskthority!

[Muirium]

Topre does its own line of Realforce keyboards with the same switches as the HHKB. These include a TKL model. So the size is right, but not the price!

So Cherry it is. There's plenty of TKLs to choose from, including the Filco Majestouch 2 (here's the review which got me interested in the first place) and various manufacturers from China.

Of course, you're going to have to choose your switch next. Clicky? Linear? Any preference?

[Findecanor]

The CM Storm Quickfire Rapid is widely available (ast last in other European countries) and quite affordable. It is tenkeyless.
It is not available in every switch variation in every country, though. I would suggest that you look for MX Blue, Brown, Red, Black in that order. In the Nordic countries we get only Red and Black. Early variations had a rubberized case and many ugly logos everywhere, but newer boards should be better -- look out for that when you shop.
The clicky MX Blue could be a bit loud in an office environment, though, yet I have seen keyboards with them in more than one.

There is a page for it our Wiki but it is a bit incomplete.

[Muirium]

True. I don't know why CoolerMaster insist on being a pain with availability, but a beginner's guide to common MX switches is:

Blue = light CLICKY
Brown = light tactile (you feel a bump on the way down, without a sound)
Red = light and smooth (linear)
Black = heavy and smooth

Browns are generally advised to first timers, but I'm not alone in really disliking them. They feel like reds with dirt in them, to me. Too light and not enough tactile bump.

Also of note: blues are also tactile. The click happens when you trigger them, along with a bump. Clicky tends to mean "tactile with a click".

[invernomuto]

I found a CM quick fire with Cherry Mx black (unfortunately) for 78euros shipping included.
I think I should try it to be sure but I can't.
If I spend 98 euros I can buy a Poker II with blue mx switches, but without arrow keys
Maybe I will save some money and buy a filco majestouch ninja on ebay for around 150euros as Christmas present, what do you think?

[Broadmonkey]

Well, it depends on what switches you would like. But I wouldn't buy a Filco, it's just too overpriced compared to the growing competition it's facing.