Unpopular Keyboard Opinions

[asgeirtj]

With 65%, 75%, and 1800-esque custom boards it looks really stupid to do a bottom row of |1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1.5|1.5|.

Just do a winkeyless row of four 1.5u mods and a 7u spacebar, much better aesthetics.

Gross.

|1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1|1|1|  <== infinitely superior to everything you just said.

The 7u spacebar is an obnoxious waste of keyboard real estate.  I'm pretty sure it was invented as a cruel joke.

Best aesthetics and functionality: 1,5x1x(blocker)1,5x7x1,5x1x(blocker)1,5x.  I use the right ctrl for winkey so I don't need the winkey but it's not a dealbreaker if I have to have a 1x winkey, it can be used for caps lock for example, just pros and cons, else the caps lock is prtscr or something.  But with the blocker it is the best aesthetics since 1x function keys are ugly and if you have an alu case it showcases the case more (mind that the blocker must be a part of the case not, a standalone blocker which you insert and remove, that's digusting).  Also, very important, is that 1,5x1x1,5x makes for the best ALT reachability since it's closest to your thumb, you can also you og sets with it which have A profile which makes it even easier to reach.  This is an AWESOME privilege since who doesn't alt tab a million times a day?

[Data]

With 65%, 75%, and 1800-esque custom boards it looks really stupid to do a bottom row of |1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1.5|1.5|.

Just do a winkeyless row of four 1.5u mods and a 7u spacebar, much better aesthetics.

Gross.

|1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1|1|1|  <== infinitely superior to everything you just said.

The 7u spacebar is an obnoxious waste of keyboard real estate.  I'm pretty sure it was invented as a cruel joke.

Best aesthetics and functionality: 1,5x1x(blocker)1,5x7x1,5x1x(blocker)1,5x.  I use the right ctrl for winkey so I don't need the winkey but it's not a dealbreaker if I have to have a 1x winkey, it can be used for caps lock for example, just pros and cons, else the caps lock is prtscr or something.  But with the blocker it is the best aesthetics since 1x function keys are ugly and if you have an alu case it showcases the case more (mind that the blocker must be a part of the case not, a standalone blocker which you insert and remove, that's digusting).  Also, very important, is that 1,5x1x1,5x makes for the best ALT reachability since it's closest to your thumb, you can also you og sets with it which have A profile which makes it even easier to reach.  This is an AWESOME privilege since who doesn't alt tab a million times a day?

Ugh, blockers.  Don't even get me started. 

[YoshiCaps]

I have multiple.

1: Topres are terrible switches, they feel like a mushy mx browns, that I like.

2: Levovo scissor switches on their thinkpad laptops feel like total mush- they start to get stiff after one month of use.

3. Blue and green switches are too clicky for my tastes.

4. Linear reds aren't that bad, they just feel non tactile and are good for typing.

5. Razer greens (greetech browns painted green) are actually quite pleseant, while their blue clones and mecha-membranes suck.

6. I prefer tkl.

7. Cooler Master's Micro USB Cables for their boards, specficcly the rapid i, are awful.

Hope u agree! 

[menuhin]

With 65%, 75%, and 1800-esque custom boards it looks really stupid to do a bottom row of |1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1.5|1.5|.

Just do a winkeyless row of four 1.5u mods and a 7u spacebar, much better aesthetics.

Gross.

|1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1|1|1|  <== infinitely superior to everything you just said.

The 7u spacebar is an obnoxious waste of keyboard real estate.  I'm pretty sure it was invented as a cruel joke.

What keys do you assign to your bottom row? (in Windows or Linux)

[Data]

With 65%, 75%, and 1800-esque custom boards it looks really stupid to do a bottom row of |1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1.5|1.5|.

Just do a winkeyless row of four 1.5u mods and a 7u spacebar, much better aesthetics.

Gross.

|1.25|1.25|1.25|   6.25   |1|1|1|  <== infinitely superior to everything you just said.

The 7u spacebar is an obnoxious waste of keyboard real estate.  I'm pretty sure it was invented as a cruel joke.

What keys do you assign to your bottom row? (in Windows or Linux)

It varies.  Usually:

[CTRL] [WIN] [ALT] [   SPACE   ] [ALT] [MENU/APP] [FN]

Especially if the rest of the row is the bottom arrow keys (as in 75%).

If it's a standard 104 or TKL ANSI 125 then I use the default.

[drevyek]

2: Levovo scissor switches on their thinkpad laptops feel like total mush- they start to get stiff after one month of use.

The keycaps are actually one of the best parts- they have a subtle cylindrical shape to them, makiing them a lot nicer to type on. the switches themselves are, I would say, par. A bit heavy for my tastes, and a bit spongy at the bottom (typing this on a thinkpad board right now). However, the tactility is really quite good- very sharp. Better than most laptop keyboards. Plus, the layout is really nice- having the pgup/pgdn keys right by the cursor keys is very helpful. If only they allowed the board to be remapped properly (aka, using the fn key for more then media keys).
 

3. Blue and green switches are too clicky for my tastes.

Too high pitched. They sound grating after using them for extended periods, and the click doesn't really add anything. I'm all about that BS click though- exactly at the point of actuation, too.

6. I prefer tkl.

Sure. I've moved away from Full sized recently, mostly for the added desk space and mouse access. Not too unpopular an opinion.

[MandrewDavis]

@Data don't you have a GH122? Why are you worried about space haha

[zslane]

Here are some really unpopular opinions, especially around here:

1. Anything IBM made after their (sphericals) beamspring era is prosaic trash only fit for incineration. Even burial in a landfill is too good for it.

2. Same thing applies to anything that copies the aesthetics of #1.

3. Same thing applies to cylindrical keycaps of any era, from any manufacturer.

4. TKLs are a waste of decent mechanical keyboard components.

5. Full-board RGB backlighting is a crime against humanity.

6. Unsilenced switches are an inexcusable compromise of quality for cost savings.

7. "Ergonomics", as applied to keyboards, is nothing but a marketing gimmick.

[YoshiCaps]

Here are some really unpopular opinions, especially around here:

1. Anything IBM made after their (sphericals) beamspring era is prosaic trash only fit for incineration. Even burial in a landfill is too good for it.

2. Same thing applies to anything that copies the aesthetics of #1.

3. Same thing applies to cylindrical keycaps of any era, from any manufacturer.

4. TKLs are a waste of decent mechanical keyboard components.

5. Full-board RGB backlighting is a crime against humanity.

6. Unsilenced switches are an inexcusable compromise of quality for cost savings.

7. "Ergonomics", as applied to keyboards, is nothing but a marketing gimmick.

bruh

[zslane]

Hey, I figure if you're gonna have controversial opinions, have them with passion and conviction! 

[cribbit]

7. "Ergonomics", as applied to keyboards, is nothing but a marketing gimmick.

Where do you draw the line? The word 'ergonomic' being used in advertising material for the board? Because otherwise any change to a keyboard could be considered ergonomics, even just mechanical switches over rubber domes.

My view is that ergonomics is a widely abused marketing term and that people need to be better in touch with what works for them. Not everyone's hands/arms/wrists/posture has the same 'correct' spot.

[YoshiCaps]

7. "Ergonomics", as applied to keyboards, is nothing but a marketing gimmick.

Where do you draw the line? The word 'ergonomic' being used in advertising material for the board? Because otherwise any change to a keyboard could be considered ergonomics, even just mechanical switches over rubber domes.

My view is that ergonomics is a widely abused marketing term and that people need to be better in touch with what works for them. Not everyone's hands/arms/wrists/posture has the same 'correct' spot.

What it should be is ergonomic like this, or anotgher way, ergonomic for one person. like i love tkl but hate any other layout.

[Data]

@Data don't you have a GH122? Why are you worried about space haha

Well yeah.  And I've thrown as many keys as I can on it.  It's a celebration of excessive macro keys and even has a function layer!

That was kind of my point: blockers and obnoxious space bars waste real estate that could otherwise be used for functional keys.  Desk space is secondary to keyboard efficiency.   )

[YoshiCaps]

Here are some more opinions that will drive yall nuts:

1. any board below 65% is a waste.

2. more than 3 artisians are absurd.

4. Ergonomic kbs are stupid.

5. Alps and torpes are mush.

6. MX white has an id problem.

7. All switches must be greased

8. greens, clears, and blacks are dumb.

9. One must never combined mech and membrane.

10. I don't know what dorkmuffin came up with mx blue, but I hate it.

[mike52787]

Here are some more opinions that will drive yall nuts:

1. any board below 65% is a waste.

2. more than 3 artisians are absurd.

4. Ergonomic kbs are stupid.

5. Alps and torpes are mush.

6. MX white has an id problem.

7. All switches must be greased

8. greens, clears, and blacks are dumb.

9. One must never combined mech and membrane.

10. I don't know what dorkmuffin came up with mx blue, but I hate it.

Agreed with everything but 1, (I believe that any board below 60% is useless) 5 (have you even tried a real alps board? dont say matias is real alps ) and 7 (what?)

[YoshiCaps]

Here are some more opinions that will drive yall nuts:

1. any board below 65% is a waste.

2. more than 3 artisians are absurd.

4. Ergonomic kbs are stupid.

5. Alps and torpes are mush.

6. MX white has an id problem.

7. All switches must be greased

8. greens, clears, and blacks are dumb.

9. One must never combined mech and membrane.

10. I don't know what dorkmuffin came up with mx blue, but I hate it.

Agreed with everything but 1, (I believe that any board below 60% is useless) 5 (have you even tried a real alps board? dont say matias is real alps ) and 7 (what?)

Yes, and it sucked and I grease my browns.

[MandrewDavis]

I have an unreasonable dislike for GMK Icon Mods.

[mike52787]

I have an unreasonable dislike for GMK Icon Mods.

icon mods are ugly for the most part so I can understand why

[zslane]

I think the only switch I've tried that felt like "mush" was the weak Chinese clone of the Topre switch that you find in keyboards like the Noppoo EC108Pro and its Royal Kludge siblings. If we're talking tactile switches, my personal preference is for Topre. The Matias Quiet Click isn't bad, but it doesn't feel as refined to me as a silenced Topre. And the less said about MX brown the better; it just feel like a broken MX red to me.

[loud_asian]

I have an unreasonable dislike for GMK Icon Mods.

**** yeah dude

also DSA is dumb, uniform SA is dumb too. Sculpted SA is ok

[Data]

I have an unreasonable dislike for GMK Icon Mods.

**** yeah dude

also DSA is dumb, uniform SA is dumb too. Sculpted SA is ok

Yeah, some people just aren't man enough for flat profiles. Accept your limitations. It's OK.

[pabile]

Best tactile i tried is blue alps with tactile leaf from bamboo black alps. It has the tactility of a clicky alps without the click and 2x bump.

40% keyboards should be more common, cheaper and should marketed as switch testers... with hot swap-able switches please. Those currently available switch testers with 4 to 6 switches are no good.

[ThoughtArtist]

MX Brown is the best all-around switch. Anyone who thinks differently is a retard.

I had a Zenith ZKB-2 and sold that **** since my MX Browns felt superior. Some dumbass in California (probably a Hillary supporter) who I sold it to can play with it. I certainly felt like an idiot for buying it when I already had superior MX Browns boards. Thank gOD for ebay and Green Alps hype that allowed me to get my money back on that.

By the way, that thing pings like a MF. You thought MX Clear boards were bad? You ain't heard nothing like this. My KUL ES-87 is a stealth board compared to the ZKB-2.

[digi]

MX Brown is the best all-around switch. Anyone who thinks differently is a retard.

I'm just glad someone finally had the balls to say it...brown switches matter. #BSM

[ThoughtArtist]

MX Brown is the best all-around switch. Anyone who thinks differently is a retard.

I'm just glad someone finally had the balls to say it...brown switches matter. #BSM

Yep:

[mike52787]

glad someone appreciates **** browns

[ThoughtArtist]

glad someone appreciates **** browns

Yeah, you know I acknowledge that Model F is the superior "TYPING" experience, but you know what? MODEL F SOUNDS ANNOYING AS **** AND SUCKS FOR ANYTHING NOT STRICTLY TYPING RELATED.

[1391406]

ClickClack's are ugly. I wouldn't want one if someone gave them to me(except to resell).

[mike52787]

glad someone appreciates **** browns

Yeah, you know I acknowledge that Model F is the superior "TYPING" experience, but you know what? MODEL F SOUNDS ANNOYING AS **** AND SUCKS FOR ANYTHING NOT STRICTLY TYPING RELATED.

I resent that. youre missing the fact that model Fs are great home defense weapons as well as typing tools

[ThoughtArtist]

glad someone appreciates **** browns

Yeah, you know I acknowledge that Model F is the superior "TYPING" experience, but you know what? MODEL F SOUNDS ANNOYING AS **** AND SUCKS FOR ANYTHING NOT STRICTLY TYPING RELATED.

I resent that. youre missing the fact that model Fs are great home defense weapons as well as typing tools

Well of course. I have one in my bedroom ready to go for that

[consolation]

Mitsumi KPQ (eg.Unisys PCK101) hybrid switch keyboards, that you can pick up for a couple bucks in op-shops, feel like 45g silenced Topres that cost $300+.

Look familiar...

These Mitsumi KPQ-E99YC https://is.gd/5x8KxR are sold under a few different brands, Commodore, Unisys, etc... keys are dyesub, with legends being of varying quality. Seems like the older you find them, the sharper the legend.


P.S. While looking for pictures (too lazy to snap my own), I found this http://www.elecshopper.com/mitsumi-kpq-e99yc-keyboard.html maybe it's time to empty the keyboard bins at my local thrift shops; there must be some hipsters, too cool for Topre, that still want "that feeling of oneness with cup rubber."

[zslane]

glad someone appreciates **** browns

Yeah, you know I acknowledge that Model F is the superior "TYPING" experience, but you know what? MODEL F SOUNDS ANNOYING AS **** AND SUCKS FOR ANYTHING NOT STRICTLY TYPING RELATED.

I resent that. youre missing the fact that model Fs are great home defense weapons as well as typing tools

They are particularly well suited to being used as sledgehammers for smashing Model Ms into tiny little pieces. If you do it right, you can get about a 5-to-1 kill ratio before the Model F becomes just a pile of tiny little pieces itself.

[dario]

After my maniacal phase of keyboardist life, spending money and buying all kinds of custom keycaps and cables, I just ended up selling them off, all of them, and just using my plain old boring Realforce with blank black keycaps. This is what I should have been doing from the start. Most of the custom keys with monsters and robots and **** like that are incredibly ugly anyway, I can't believe males older than 12 are buying these things.

I feel like I'm 40 in my keyboard life. You know what I mean, don't do orgies anymore or wild sex positions, just have a wife and a marriage that works. We do missionary sometimes, but that's it, nothing wild about it. I can do other things in life now. Like sleeping.

[swimmingbird]

Ortholinear is retarded

[vegs]

MX browns

[Corsa1r]

After my maniacal phase of keyboardist life, spending money and buying all kinds of custom keycaps and cables, I just ended up selling them off, all of them, and just using my plain old boring Realforce with blank black keycaps. This is what I should have been doing from the start. Most of the custom keys with monsters and robots and **** like that are incredibly ugly anyway, I can't believe males older than 12 are buying these things.

I feel like I'm 40 in my keyboard life. You know what I mean, don't do orgies anymore or wild sex positions, just have a wife and a marriage that works. We do missionary sometimes, but that's it, nothing wild about it. I can do other things in life now. Like sleeping.

[Potatomonkey]

1. I think the ISO layout is the most retarded thing ever made. It less ergonomic than ANSI, less pretty than ANSI, and it makes finding caps a nightmare

2. TKLs are baffling to me. Why the **** would anyone use one? 75% keyboard have the same amount of keys in a significantly smaller footprint. And if you want a keyboard that is larger than a 75 and smaller than full-size, why not just get a 96 or TK? Not to mention they're ****ing ugly.

3. MX browns feel like ass.

4.Topre boards are $300 rubber domes

5. IMO Model Ms aren't as well built as other boards, albeit are still enjoyable

6. I enjoy RBG backlighting and/or underglow

7. Cherry boards are built like ****.

8. Not sure if unpopular but: DSA > SA > Cherry/SP DCS > OEM. 96 > Full-size > 60 > 75 > ~65 >>>>>> TKL

[mike52787]

1. I think the ISO layout is the most retarded thing ever made. It less ergonomic than ANSI, less pretty than ANSI, and it makes finding caps a nightmare

2. TKLs are baffling to me. Why the **** would anyone use one? 75% keyboard have the same amount of keys in a significantly smaller footprint. And if you want a keyboard that is larger than a 75 and smaller than full-size, why not just get a 96 or TK? Not to mention they're ****ing ugly.

3. MX browns feel like ass.

4.Topre boards are $300 rubber domes

5. IMO Model Ms aren't as well built as other boards, albeit are still enjoyable

6. I enjoy RBG backlighting and/or underglow

7. Cherry boards are built like ****.

8. Not sure if unpopular but: DSA > SA > Cherry/SP DCS > OEM. 96 > Full-size > 60 > 75 > ~65 >>>>>> TKL

agree with everything but 2,6 and 8

[Potatomonkey]

agree with everything but 2,6 and 8

Out of curiosity what's your take on 8

[mike52787]

agree with everything but 2,6 and 8

Out of curiosity what's your take on 8

Cherry>OEM>DCS>SA>DSA

TKL>122>96>Fullsize>75>65>60>45>40

[clappingcactus]

If my post pisses off ten people then I will have succeeded!

1] From exclusively a typing experience viewpoint, every switch ever made is inferior to a lubed 55g Topre.

2] Every Topre board ever made has a fatal flaw that ruins the whole experience otherwise. Maybe not the μTRON. On second thought, even the μTRON.

3] Hands down, the worst switches to type on are Cherry MX Blues.

4] Any colour light shine-through lighting is unacceptable and gaudy. RGB underlighting is acceptable and can pull together a whole system theme.

5] Owning multiple keyboards in the same layout is a moronic decision. No properly functioning human being will ever think to themselves 'I currently need the minimalism of a 60% keyboard BUT I specifically want a particular switch right now'.

6] Boards under 75% in size are useless to do work on. Assuming reprogrammability, if you even use just two different software packages you run out of reasonable space to put macro keys way too quickly.

7] The only exception to #5: The only acceptable time to use a 60% layout is when writing a book.

8] With the only exception being SA Dasher, enough with the god-damn blue in custom keysets.

9] Cylindrical keycaps are dumb and pointless. All of them. There is not a single legitimate argument anyone can make to necessitate their existence.

10] Visible screws/nuts/bolts on a keyboard when seen from typing position are a design flaw.

[jorgenslee]

1] From exclusively a typing experience viewpoint, every switch ever made is inferior to a lubed 55g Topre.

I'm curious to know what switches you have tried and use for more than a week or month.

[clappingcactus]

1] From exclusively a typing experience viewpoint, every switch ever made is inferior to a lubed 55g Topre.

I'm curious to know what switches you have tried and use for more than a week or month.

Topre 45g, 55g. MX Clears, Blues, Browns, Greens, Reds. Gateron Browns. Buckling springs.

I get your secret point that really basically a month into using any keyboard the human brain is all 'well, this is great, I'm comfortable and used to it', but Topre switches (and to a much, much lesser extent MX Clears) are the only switches that a month into using them I had continued to be surprised by how much I liked them. It's not even how comfortable they are bottom out, but how comfortable they are when bouncing back.

[YoshiCaps]

If my post pisses off ten people then I will have succeeded!


2] Every Topre board ever made has a fatal flaw that ruins the whole experience otherwise. Maybe not the μTRON. On second thought, even the μTRON.

6] Boards under 75% in size are useless to do work on. Assuming reprogrammability, if you even use just two different software packages you run out of reasonable space to put macro keys way too quickly.

9] Cylindrical keycaps are dumb and pointless. All of them. There is not a single legitimate argument anyone can make to necessitate their existence.

10] Visible screws/nuts/bolts on a keyboard when seen from typing position are a design flaw.

I wanted to share my opinions so I kept the opinions I agreed with.

[digi]

Not sure why you would ruin the perfect 55g topper switch with LUBE, but at least you've come to your senses and realized that 55g topper > ALL.

[zcmy]

Remember when I said I thought using a 30% as a daily driver was feasible?


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65341.msg2190557#msg2190557



That was what I was talking about.

Told ya so.

[ideus]

Remember when I said I thought using a 30% as a daily driver was feasible?


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65341.msg2190557#msg2190557

Show Image

That was what I was talking about.

Told ya so.

Nice board! and that big enter key makes it to look even nicer. You should post the alternate layers that you are using.

[zcmy]

Remember when I said I thought using a 30% as a daily driver was feasible?


https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65341.msg2190557#msg2190557

Show Image

That was what I was talking about.

Told ya so.

Nice board! and that big enter key makes it to look even nicer. You should post the alternate layers that you are using.

This actually isn't my build. Credit goes to someone over at the reddit mechanical keyboards chat group.

Here's the full build log by the guy who did it.https://imgur.com/a/lV7LR

[Kominyetska]

5] Owning multiple keyboards in the same layout is a moronic decision. No properly functioning human being will ever think to themselves 'I currently need the minimalism of a 60% keyboard BUT I specifically want a particular switch right now'.

Unless they're in different locations (like having 1 at work and 1 at home).

10] Visible screws/nuts/bolts on a keyboard when seen from typing position are a design flaw.

ABSO-****ING-LUTELY

[clankgy1]

A programmed Pok3r w/MX clears and a DSA keyset > non Hasu'ed HHKB Pro 2 even know:

1. HHKB is 1000% better in terms of feels
2. The Pok3r stabs rattle worse than a 3rd world commuter train with people hanging out the windows, on the roof and the undercarriage.

Being able to do basic things like two finger CTRL-ALT-DELs and other sultry **** I've programmed in make laziness win over luxuious feels.  Now if I could just figure out how to have somebody completely stabilize both the keys and the stabs, it would be even better.