- MX is a switch type, there are many manufacturers that make MX switches. (cherry, gateron, zeal, kailh, outemu, etc)
- MX compatible keycaps
- careful with hotswap boards, some (believe... outemu) hotswap boards can only be used with outemu switches (something with the switch housing/switch plate. other brands should be fine.
1. get something programmable, that way you can make the keymap whatever you like. you could also program any alternative layout to try. a board/PCB that runs QMK, TMK, or VIA
- KBD75 REV 2.0 PCB - fully programmable, iso or ansi
- i'm sure there are many more, but this was the 1st that came to mind...
- there are a bunch of kits & parts you could easily build your own the way you want it
KDB75 kit (add switches & caps) -
https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit/products/kbd75v2-custom-keyboard-diy-kitsandwich style TKL kit -
https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/keyboard-kits/diy-87up-keyboard-kits/tkl-skeleton-cf-kit-silver/kprepublic's 80% offerings -
https://kprepublic.com/collections/80-keyboard2. the off the shelf ones are not programmable or flexible layout wise. if you do go with GMMK, just get a prebuilt one with switches and caps, you can choose at checkout.
- look at reviews of the ones you mentioned, look at build videos of some of the ones i've mentioned
- as far as alternate layouts... you'll have to try them and make up your own mind.
- try for free - lookup the layouts, print it out on a piece of paper and see what you think...
- if you're looking at alternate keymaps (workman, coleman, etc), i'd look at alternate/ergonomic layouts 1st. like split keyboards, ortholinear keyboards, columnar staggered keyboards
one example: keeb.io's viterbi (split ortho 70%)
https://keeb.io/collections/frontpage/products/viterbi-keyboard-pcbs-5x7-70-split-ortholinearthis is just a starting point, do lots of research and feel free to ask any questions.