Would you rather?

[Fragil1ty]

Have a board that works perfectly but it's your least favourite keyswitch, e.g. Blacks?

or

Have a board that has your favourite keyswitch (browns, reds?) but! it has issues, maybe a faulty wire or slight chattering/key bouncing issues!

The rules are, you cannot change your cable and you cannot fix the chattering issue.
Chattering occurs on a 45% chance and the faulty wire makes it so that your keyboard randomly disconnects!

Your keyboard only has one of these issues so it's either going to be the faulty keyboard wire or the chattering issue! choose wisely.

Which do you choose and why?

Disclaimer: This is purely a study that I want to enquire about. My friend and I were curious as he did a study in University asking 'Even if your keyboard would break in x way and x way but was still usable would you buy a new one or carry on using it til it finally gives out, etc, etc.'

[metalliqaz]

The keyboard that works

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I'd rather have a board with MX Blues and a faulty cable. Why? Because that's what I deal with on a daily basis with my QFR. The cable has a connection issue, so if I accidentally move the keyboard it disconnects and I have to re-seat the cable in the mini-USB port.

But it's still better than typing on Blacks...

[CPTBadAss]

Working keyboard for sure. I'd rather get used to a switch I don't like than be frustrated with something that half works, i.e. chatters.

[CommunistWitchDr]

Have a board that works perfectly but it's your least favourite keyswitch, e.g. Blacks?

or

Have a board that has your favourite keyswitch (browns, reds?) but! it has issues, maybe a faulty wire or slight chattering/key bouncing issues!

The rules are, you cannot change your cable and you cannot fix the chattering issue.
Chattering occurs on a 45% chance and the faulty wire makes it so that your keyboard randomly disconnects!

Your keyboard only has one of these issues so it's either going to be the faulty keyboard wire or the chattering issue! choose wisely.

Which do you choose and why?

We talkin least favorite switch, or least favorite mechanical switch (maybe even least favorite mx?)? Cause it makes quite a bit of difference if I'm getting a board with browns or one with microwave button style switches.

[Puddsy]

Pls green ALPS with chattering. Would be the same as I've got right now.

[saturnotaku]

I'd take option C: Contact the manufacturer of the keyboard with the faulty cable (or the reseller if I can't get a hold of the company) and see if I can get a replacement. Failing that, I save my money and purchase a replacement board that has the switches I like.

If it's only between the options presented, I would probably suck it up and use the functional board with the switch I hate. I could eventually grow accustomed to the new switch whereas something I know is defective would drive me up a wall.

[ch_123]

The working one. Life is too short...

[Lu_e]

Working one.

Kinda just wen through this when RMA my QFR. faulty left alt key had me back on a razer black widow blues... ew clicky switches

[dorkvader]

y'all have no sense of adventure.

I'd pick the broken one, because it's much more fun to fix it. I have "typed" using a software keyboard whilst debugging the only keyboard I had at the time. I eventually got it working, and everything was (is) awesome because of it.

[CPTBadAss]

OP says no fixing. Or else I'd happily fix mine up.

[tp4tissue]

these studies are useless.. because any rational person would say ffff-you and ur experiment, then proceed to buy an Ergodox.

[rowdy]

What kind of question is that - the working one, of course!

[C5Allroad]

I would type on blacks they are too heavy to me. I love browns and reds. I would rather get used to switches.

[Pacifist]

Have a board that works perfectly but it's your least favourite keyswitch, e.g. Blacks?

or

Have a board that has your favourite keyswitch (browns, reds?) but! it has issues, maybe a faulty wire or slight chattering/key bouncing issues!

The rules are, you cannot change your cable and you cannot fix the chattering issue.
Chattering occurs on a 45% chance and the faulty wire makes it so that your keyboard randomly disconnects!

Your keyboard only has one of these issues so it's either going to be the faulty keyboard wire or the chattering issue! choose wisely.

Which do you choose and why?

We talkin least favorite switch, or least favorite mechanical switch (maybe even least favorite mx?)? Cause it makes quite a bit of difference if I'm getting a board with browns or one with microwave button style switches.

I'd think microwave buttons would fit both categories, as they are unresponsive as hell

[Ch0nG]

If the OPs options are the only ones, I'd say the working keyboard even if it's the "worst" Cherry MX switches. I can get used to any switch, but it's almost impossible to get used to a faulty cable (which is what my DasKeyboard currently has).

[Dubsgalore]

The Working one..no question
Even if it had the worst switches known to man...reds *hngg*

[C5Allroad]

Have a board that works perfectly but it's your least favourite keyswitch, e.g. Blacks?

or

Have a board that has your favourite keyswitch (browns, reds?) but! it has issues, maybe a faulty wire or slight chattering/key bouncing issues!

The rules are, you cannot change your cable and you cannot fix the chattering issue.
Chattering occurs on a 45% chance and the faulty wire makes it so that your keyboard randomly disconnects!

Your keyboard only has one of these issues so it's either going to be the faulty keyboard wire or the chattering issue! choose wisely.

Which do you choose and why?

We talkin least favorite switch, or least favorite mechanical switch (maybe even least favorite mx?)? Cause it makes quite a bit of difference if I'm getting a board with browns or one with microwave button style switches.

I'd think microwave buttons would fit both categories, as they are unresponsive as hell

Some are actually nice buttons.... Mine are pretty good lol.

[FoxWolf1]

If I follow the implied guidelines suggested by your examples, than I would say that I'd go for the working keyboard. The non-working one would drive me crazy. If I can't fix the problem, I'll sooner destroy the keyboard attempting to do so than I would accept living with the problem.

I should note, though, that this answer depends on certain boundary assumptions...that is, when you say "least favorite keyswitch" that you are only considering switches that, at the current time, are common in mechanical keyboards. If "least favorite keyswitch" includes every switch ever made by any modder or company at any time in history based on any kind of technology, I might be persuaded to reconsider. 

[divito]

When thought hypothetically, it would seem obvious to have a fully working keyboard with my least favorite key switch. However, when trying to really put myself in that situation, the severity of the intermittent issues and such could be liveable with the the desired key switch.

[zoolzoo]

these studies are useless.. because any rational person would say ffff-you and ur experiment, then proceed to buy an Ergodox.

Show Image

Ergotrash!!!

[Linkbane]

I'd take the non-working one and then take the switches out and swap them with my new board. MX Blues/possibly Topre VW, here I come!

[BliTzKiN]

I'd probably take the working one and try to get used to it. I cant see myself having to constantly fiddle with a cable, it'll drive me nuts!

[Reomero]

I'll take the working one. The one with issues will be too irritating for me on the long run.

[rowdy]

And why is this in keyboards, and not off topic?

[genkidama]

I'd take the working keyboard and get used to the black switches, althought I already tried and hate them. It's much less of a worry and frustration than having a keyboard that's faulty, disconnects randomly and stuff like that. This would drive you crazy and with the black switches you just need to suck it up and get used to it and get Arnold Schwarzenegger (in his better and younger days) hands and you got no problems anymore.

[Fragil1ty]

And why is this in keyboards, and not off topic?

I thought this applies to keyboards? If not, I have no problems with a Moderator moving it to that section, .

[dorkvader]

OP says no fixing. Or else I'd happily fix mine up.

My answer remains: I'm putting up with useless firmware on one keyboard: kmac, and I have an odd debounce issue with my phantom. These are the keyboards I use the most. If I wanted a working keyboard, I'd use my QFR or model M more.

[Hyde]

I guess it is a keyboard related question, sorta lol.

And I'd take the working keyboard, if I were to use a keyboard with problems (chatter, non-register keys) I'd rather just use a working generic rubber dome.

In general even the worst mechanical *might* still be better than rubber dome therefore I'd take the working one. 

[rowdy]

And why is this in keyboards, and not off topic?

I thought this applies to keyboards? If not, I have no problems with a Moderator moving it to that section, .

It is more a hypothetical question about personal preference rather than discussion about an actual keyboard.

But anyway.

[noisyturtle]

Would you rather lose an arm or a leg?

edit: woops, this isn't an off-topic post 

[SpAmRaY]

dat necro

[noisyturtle]

dat necro

I was thinking about the question and couldn't decide, so I wanted to see what other people would choose. Thank you based GH search

[hwood34]

A keyboard that works is useless if I'd have to type on blacks or browns. I'd take a faulty one anyday
edit: oh wow yeah sweet necro

[Premonition]

Obviously the working one, you sell it to someone and buy a keyboard you actually like. My 'least favorite switch' just so happens to be on the Kishsaver Model F.. 

[heedpantsnow]

I would rather have the working board and both arms but one leg over the board with issues and two legs but only one arm.

[epzy]

I would rather have the working keyboard with my least favorite switches because I don't find any MX switches unbearable.

[johndavis33]

I'd probably take the one with my least favorite switches.

I could use it occasionally to remind myself of why I hate it. Even if I never use it, it's nice to have variety in your collection.

[user 18]

What kind of 'worst mechanical switch' are we talking here?

If it's Fujitsu peerless, I'm going with the board with the bad cable, because I know how to work with bad cables.

If it's MX Black, that would be a really hard choice. I love stiff switches (MX Clear, Green, etc.) but hate blacks for whatever reason. Probably still the board with the bad cable.

As said above, neither situation is really realistic. You use what you have until it becomes unusable, then you get something else that works for you. Worst case, you get a same-layout board with the terrible switches and swap the switches across. I assume you didn't immediately dumpster your broken board

[Kisuaca]

I would by topre 55g

[FrostyToast]

I could flip a working board in a trade 

[eth0s]

I would get a Topre keyboard.  No mechanical chattering.  EVAR.  Due to superior electro-capacitive switching technology.  Be a part of the future, not a slave to the past.

[heedpantsnow]

I would get a Topre keyboard.  No mechanical chattering.  EVAR.  Due to superior electro-capacitive switching technology.  Be a part of the future, not a slave to the past.

Yep I've never had a rubber dome chatter either!

[Drewchompski]

Working.

Cant stand dealing with half broken stuff.

[Rebral]

Working keyboard with least favorite switch.
I'd have to go with light switches (reds/blues). NOT that I hate them, but I'm a heavy typist and I prefer a heavier switch.

[Tony]

Depends on the price. Usually I choose the working one, but if I could get the broken one for free, then I might reconsider.

[Oobly]

Neither. I'd buy a working board with my favourite switch rather than settling for something either broken or horrible to use. Actually I'd use the one with the broken cable and replace the cable... You can't tell me I'm not allowed to fix stuff, fixing stuff is what I do.

If I used it for only a short time, though, I could settle for the working one. I'd get too frustrated using the one with chattering or cable issues, particularly knowing that it can be fixed... would just irritate me beyond belief.

[genkidama]

But you need to chose one of the two without fixing. You are not allowed to fix stuff

[exitfire401]

Board that works with least favorite switch (in my case reds). My reasoning is that I make enough errors on my own while typing, and chatter would just further the issue while writing a paper for school. I also need the reliability for gaming.

[ksm123]

You mean at work?
If there was no possible way to get to the keyboard with solder iron, cleaning agent and lubricant then I would choose working one, even if it was rubber dome.
I do not have enough patience to code on chattering board.