geekhack Community > Keyboards

What layout and switch do you use and why?

<< < (4/4)

jd:
At this point in my keyboard journey, I've accepted that I'm pretty much entirely sold on 60% boards. I started with full size keyboards back in the early 2010s and have slowly gone down to 60% in the the early 2020s. However, I've gotten picky even among 60%. I rotate pretty much exclusively between WKL boards and HHKB-layout boards. Lately, I use my Squid60 (WKL) and Frog Mini (HHKB) a lot. Oldies but goodies.

As for switches, I'm partial to lighter tactiles, so anything like the Gateron Mini I or Gateron Baby Kangaroo will be my kind of switch. I'm not difficult however, I also enjoy a lot of linear switches or heavier tactiles.

TheSoulhunter:

--- Quote from: jd on Fri, 03 April 2026, 17:45:27 ---At this point in my keyboard journey, I've accepted that I'm pretty much entirely sold on 60% boards. I started with full size keyboards back in the early 2010s and have slowly gone down to 60% in the the early 2020s. However, I've gotten picky even among 60%. I rotate pretty much exclusively between WKL boards and HHKB-layout boards. Lately, I use my Squid60 (WKL) and Frog Mini (HHKB) a lot. Oldies but goodies.

As for switches, I'm partial to lighter tactiles, so anything like the Gateron Mini I or Gateron Baby Kangaroo will be my kind of switch. I'm not difficult however, I also enjoy a lot of linear switches or heavier tactiles.

--- End quote ---

Similar story here...

I ended up with 60%, mostly HHKB layout, and tactiles (for typing and general purpose, occasionally smooth light linears for gaming).
The 60% form factor offers superior ergonomics compared to Fullsize or even TKL in my opinion (Alphas more center, and mouse less off-set to the right).



Versus

Afterburne:
I am new to the hobby, but I have used commercial "ergonomic" keyboards for the last 25 years or so. Namely the Microsoft Natural keyboard. At any rate, since discovering the mechanical keyboard world I have tried 2 Alice style boards. A Keychron Q10 Max and a NEO Ergo. I bounce between the two trying to figure out what I like the best. I also have on order a QK Duo (I ordered it just a day or so before the discontinued stock ran out).

The MS keyboard was obviously membrane and it was tactile and required quite a bit of force - more than the 63.5 gram linear switches I am using at the moment. I am trying both tactile and linear switches that are heavier since that is what I am used to. I am using Gateron Jupiter brown tactile and KeyGeek Briny linear.

We will see what I eventually end up with.

TheSoulhunter:

--- Quote from: Afterburne on Tue, 28 April 2026, 18:32:25 ---I am using Gateron Jupiter brown tactile

--- End quote ---

Maybe also give the Jupiter Banana a try...
The early starting long bump is a lot closer to rubber-dome characteristics I'd say.

alea:

--- Quote from: bigmaxnonions on Mon, 08 July 2024, 15:07:32 ---I swap out my boards once or twice a month, as I have a bunch of different layouts and switches, and I enjoy changing things up every now and then. I am currently using my Neo Ergo (tented alice) with MX Blacks (lubed 205g0, F+SS TX XL 70g w/ 105). I quite like the split layout and heavy switches as I type hard. Before that I was using my Sneakbox AVA (standard alice) with a tactile frankenswitch (Panda Stem and spring, cherry housing, lubed 3203, filmed). Before that was my Liberi (65XT) with Nixies (Lubed 205g0, Filmed). I came into the hobby wanting to try a bit of everything, and have pretty much achieved that with my builds, as I pretty much have a board in most common (and a few uncommon) layouts, with a mix of different linears and tactiles. No clickies tho. And I havent delved into Topre because I can't get used to the hhkb layout.

--- End quote ---

Your information is very impressive. Thanks a lot.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[*] Previous page