geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ascrolli on Fri, 16 February 2024, 22:42:16
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Hi -- I know it's not a popular variety among keyboard enthusiasts, so forgive me if this is an annoying question:
I love the feel of the Apple A1243 keyboard (MB110LL) (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_keyboards#Apple_Keyboard_(109_and_78_keys))
Pic here (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_keyboards#/media/File:Apple_iMac_Keyboard_A1243.png)
I use linux, and unfortunately the bootloader (grub) fails to recognize this keyboard (most of the time), which is a deal-breaker because I can't select the OS I wish to boot on bootup. (And even once booted there are occasional issues with it.) I have done a ton of troubleshooting and tweaking of configurations, trying different ports, etc, and can't make it reliable. I also got a second one off eBay but it has the same issues.)
So I'm seeking keyboards that have a similar feel, but I'm coming up empty, and wondering if anyone can recommend anything.
I tried the newer Apple A1843 "magic keyboard" (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_keyboards#Magic_Keyboard_(1st_generation)) which worked fine in the bootloader, but I couldn't stand the feel of it.
Other keyboards I checked out at a store that I did not love (this is just what they happened to have):
Logitech MX Mechanical
Logitech MX Keys S (was OK, I guess, but not great)
Logitech MX Keys Mini (also OK, but didn't love the spacing)
HyperX Allow Origins Core
HyperX Alloy Core RGB
Anything else I should be looking at that has a similar feel to the A1243?
Thanks!
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So, most membrane keyboards, even low profile with laptop style mounting, will fall into the "tactile" category. Then, these apple things have flat keycaps with minimal travel. I don't enjoy them, but the closest equivalent that might still be kinda fun is something like a Keychron K5 max (https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k5-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40778479730777) or a Nuphy Air 96 (https://nuphy.com/products/air96-wireless-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40498686034029). Either can be had with low profile "Brown" switches, which will fall in that tactile category. If you're really determined to get white keycaps, the low profile XVX (https://www.amazon.com/XVX-Low-Profile-Keycaps-Mechanical/dp/B0CBMNCQJ2/) should fit and work well, and they're cheap, but I haven't tried them on anything except regular switches.
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Really appreciate the suggestions, thanks! In case anyone has any other suggestions, I realized I should have been more clear about my desired qualities:
TLDR: ~105-key layout, low-profile/compact is nice but not required, tactile keys with sharp force curve drop-off, quiet
I like a sharp-as-possible bump in the force curve (a "steep cliff" they might call it?); sounds like the MX Brown is the go-to, but I've read that the Wisteria might have a sharper rollover in the bump (and maybe Banana as well?). Any other recommendations along those lines? The NuPhy + Wisteria sounds like a strong candidate, but I'm not psyched on the compact layout.
- I don't much care what it looks like
- low-profile is nice, but I'm not attached to that if there is a good option in a regular size switches
- I do want it to be quiet; I love the feel of clicky mechanical keys but I can't stand the sound, so I think tactile is the way I'll have to go, unless there exist clicky keys that are actually as quiet as tactile keys?
Thanks again!