Mechanical Keyboards in Taiwan

[merlin64]

Hey guys! I took a trip to Taiwan to visit family and had a few hours to look around for mechanical keyboards. Basically if you're visiting Taipei (the main city). There's really only one main area to go to and thankfully its easily reachable via MRT, Taiwan's public train system. I would say that with the train going from the airport, it would be 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minute round trip. If you're ever in Taipei, check it out!

[chyros]

And not a single Alps or BS one!

[merlin64]

Actually when I went to exchange USD to TWD, the bank exclusively used clicky Alps keyboard with a speaker that also went "beep beep". What was even cooler was that the keycaps had Mandarin and English which didn't look worn at all...so maybe PBT dyesub? I'm guessing they were Zenith or a Wang. The bank didn't let me take video inside.

[Tangtawan]

this will help me out a lot, Im visiting Taipei for Computex in few months. Thanks.

but sadly, judging from what i have seen in the video.. none of those are classy, only bunch of gaming and rgb stuff.

[merlin64]

Sorry to disappoint. Do you think you could expand on your definition of classy? If you're looking for custom keyboards like a WhiteFox or Duck, those are definitely unattainable in shops like these.

[1swt2gs]

Weird, I had a totally difference experience. Didn't purchase any keyboards but got a XL flipper and a few sets of keycaps for easily 60% off. If you know the language you can haggle further as well.

[merlin64]

Well I may have fibbed a bit about finding stuff hehe.....wait till the next video =)

But yah keycaps were pretty much limited to Ducky and Tai-Hao though none of them looked too unique from what you can find here. Wow I'm surprised you got 60% off!! The best I could do was 30% off listed price.

[tp4tissue]

Will merlin64 Take us on a tour of the famous night market.. where the h0t taiwan females roam.. ?? 

[merlin64]

LOL. Maybe next time.


Disclaimer: I like white girls more. haha

[tp4tissue]

LOL. Maybe next time.


Disclaimer: I like white girls more. haha

u no what's weird ..

All the white girls i've seen chillin in asia are, mmm..,  welllll,,  let's just say  Odd looking..

[falkentyne]

Gaming is big in Taiwan.  You people have to understand that you are a minority, and that esports is EXTREMELY popular.   And with Ducky partnering with Akko for teams like Edward gaming (China), you would expect the Taiwanese companies to be marketing to them, rather than the small but vocal group of geekhack.

Most gamers are NOT going to be buying HHKB's, Topres and Alps...

[chyros]

Actually when I went to exchange USD to TWD, the bank exclusively used clicky Alps keyboard with a speaker that also went "beep beep". What was even cooler was that the keycaps had Mandarin and English which didn't look worn at all...so maybe PBT dyesub? I'm guessing they were Zenith or a Wang. The bank didn't let me take video inside.

They were probably keeping the nice stuff to themselves, then .

[merlin64]

Gaming is big in Taiwan.  You people have to understand that you are a minority, and that esports is EXTREMELY popular.   And with Ducky partnering with Akko for teams like Edward gaming (China), you would expect the Taiwanese companies to be marketing to them, rather than the small but vocal group of geekhack.

Most gamers are NOT going to be buying HHKB's, Topres and Alps...

I figured that was the case. In my youth, I spent many a weekend and school nights in Taipei's cybercafes playing the original counterstrike both for fun and local contests. I can only imagine how much more competitive it is now.

[Tye]

I go to Taiwan every summer and there's a neat place in the same area that specialized in keycaps. I think the English name is "Keyboard King" or something similar. I'll have to research to find the exact location and Chinese name. He's pretty cool and will do any kind of laser engraving that you want. It's a TINY shop stacked floor to ceiling with bins of keycaps. If I remember correctly he shares the address with a beef noodle shop so you have to look, you won't just stumble across it.
We had a good conversation about the Taiwanese keyboard scene. Like mentioned above, they're fairly good on gamer boards but have almost no maker scene.

[merlin64]

I've been there! But it's been so long that I can't remember where it is exactly. I vaguely remember going into an alleyway. I tried searching for it this time around but just didn't have as much time.

[tp4tissue]

What is the name of this shrimp game..

[Tye]

Found him! I'm total white guy United Statesian but I speak enough Chinese to get around and negotiate. He's really cool but doesn't speak English. But he'll try to make sure you're happy. If you're looking for keycaps especially, this place is worth your effort to find.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/No.+18,+Alley+9,+Lane+82,+Section+1,+Bade+Rd,+Zhongzheng+District,+Taipei+City,+Taiwan+100/@25.0435991,121.5316074,3a,60y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2Mm3XnlFjyz75z7fDYLxOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x3442a97ca22bce2f:0x42fe1b4808eca57!8m2!3d25.0434788!4d121.5316193!6m1!1e1

https://www.facebook.com/KBK.TW

Thanks for the video with the other places. I'll have to spend a day there locating them!

[tp4tissue]

Found him! I'm total white guy United Statesian but I speak enough Chinese to get around and negotiate. He's really cool but doesn't speak English. But he'll try to make sure you're happy. If you're looking for keycaps especially, this place is worth your effort to find.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/No.+18,+Alley+9,+Lane+82,+Section+1,+Bade+Rd,+Zhongzheng+District,+Taipei+City,+Taiwan+100/@25.0435991,121.5316074,3a,60y,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1s2Mm3XnlFjyz75z7fDYLxOQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!4m5!3m4!1s0x3442a97ca22bce2f:0x42fe1b4808eca57!8m2!3d25.0434788!4d121.5316193!6m1!1e1

https://www.facebook.com/KBK.TW

Thanks for the video with the other places. I'll have to spend a day there locating them!

Or, you know, if you get bored,  there's an JAV store across the street, and another down the lane..

hahahahahaa