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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: crimsonTofu on Sun, 15 November 2015, 22:30:55

Title: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: crimsonTofu on Sun, 15 November 2015, 22:30:55: So in my experience of using mechanical keyboards for the past couple of years, I've realized that I can't say I have a favourite (forgive my Canadian spelling). I've tried every kind of cherry mx switch as well as a few topre boards, and although I've had a pleasant experience with each one, I can't seem to find one that I want to keep around and use as my daily driver. I'm curious as to how you guys made the decision (whether it was through doing a typing test a million times with each keyboard, comparing them side to side, etc.) because I'm currently having some serious keyboard-commitment issues :confused:
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: inanis on Sun, 15 November 2015, 22:35:09: My favorite is picked easily - it is the one with the most sentimental value.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: raymogi on Sun, 15 November 2015, 22:37:33: For me, it's the looks and the enjoyment that it gives from typing on it.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Sun, 15 November 2015, 23:10:24: I haven't consciously picked a favorite. As I rotate through my boards, I find myself using certain boards more than others, and those become my "favorites".

At this point, I have about four "favorites". :))
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Melvang on Sun, 15 November 2015, 23:12:43: One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: mrboovn on Sun, 15 November 2015, 23:44:59: For me,it's the looks(especially WITH SOME LEDs) and typing feeling :D
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: mikes41720 on Mon, 16 November 2015, 00:27:05: At first, I thought it was all about looks, but then now it's really just about which one feels the best. I haven't had the most extensive experience with a lot of keyboards, only Cherry MX Blues, Browns, Reds, Blacks and 55g Topre. Suffice to say, 55g Topre is my favorite switch to type on, followed by the blues. It's really more about the switch type than the keyboard itself. Which is why I still have to give MX Clears, Zealio Clears, BS and Alps a try someday. ^-^
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Ludovician on Mon, 16 November 2015, 01:10:30: I try out keyboards, and rarely use the ones I don't particularly like. By process of elimination, my favourites are my v80 with SKCM blues and my 55g Novatouch.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 16 November 2015, 02:11:51: I go for a combination of typing feel, sound, looks and backstory, in that order, all of which rate high on my Acer, so that's my favourite :) .
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Jokrik on Mon, 16 November 2015, 02:37:01: I can't :( I just can't
they're all beautiful in their own way

RIP WALLET
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 16 November 2015, 03:57:55: No reason why you need to have a favourite (also spelled correctly).

I use my CODE with clears at work first because it is relatively quiet, and second because it is a pain to carry a keyboard to the station and then on the train.

At home I swap keyboards around on a weekly basis. Usually something with buckling springs on the weekends, and something much quieter, like HHKB, on the weekdays.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: chyros on Mon, 16 November 2015, 05:37:46: Quote from: crimsonTofu on Sun, 15 November 2015, 22:30:55
(forgive my Canadian spelling).
So is Canadian somewhere between American and English then?
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Jokrik on Mon, 16 November 2015, 05:42:25: Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 16 November 2015, 03:57:55
No reason why you need to have a favourite (also spelled correctly).

I use my CODE with clears at work first because it is relatively quiet, and second because it is a pain to carry a keyboard to the station and then on the train.

At home I swap keyboards around on a weekly basis. Usually something with buckling springs on the weekends, and something much quieter, like HHKB, on the weekdays.

You know I might cross to the dark side very soon (HHKB)
It somehow grew on me.... maybe due to the length of time I've been in this hobby
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: baldgye on Mon, 16 November 2015, 05:47:33: I have two boards, one is a white tkl filco and the other is a black full size Filco. I like the tkl white board more as it's small and the white helps my Miami set 'pop'.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 16 November 2015, 07:20:09: Quote from: Melvang on Sun, 15 November 2015, 23:12:43
One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.

When you own multiple keyboards in rotation, there are those that you are reluctant to rotate away from, and glad to rotate back to.

Just doing a series of A-B comparisons will eventually provide your answer.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: MagicSauce on Mon, 16 November 2015, 07:40:37: Topre decided for me
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: mobbo on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:04:11: Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round :P

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:08:42: Quote from: mobbo on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:04:11
Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round :P

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...

Funny. Back in the day that's how I decide which board stays for the week and which one goes back into the drawer.

I used to get better WPM with my FC660M with clears but the allure of the Topre thock is too much to resist.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Lurch on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:24:47: Quote from: Melvang on Sun, 15 November 2015, 23:12:43
One does not choose Model F, Model F chooses you.

Brother!
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: absyrd on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:44:55: Trial.

Much error.

HHKB is love.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Neo.X on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:50:54: The ones I seldom type on are my favorite ones.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:53:19: Quote from: absyrd on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:44:55
Trial.

Much error.

I've gone to a ton of meetups to be able to try many boards and switches. When I found something I really liked, I'd grab it to test out at home. A bunch of trial and error later, I'm stuck on SKCM Blue Alps and IBM Model F. I'd have Beamspring on that list too but I can't find one for the price I'd like to pay yet :(. And of course I haven't figured out how to get Hall Effect working over USB or how to find a board with Marquardt Butterfly switches.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: davkol on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:53:27: EHMAGERD ERGODOX
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: treefinger on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:57:23: Sometimes I like to imagine a world where I never bought a Topre, in that world I had many favorites...but we all know the truth of the matter...
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:59:33: Quote from: CPTBadAss on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:53:19
A bunch of trial and error later, I'm stuck on SKCM Blue Alps and IBM Model F.

I have come to approximately the same conclusion.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Mon, 16 November 2015, 09:21:42: I change boards depending on where I am/ what I feel like using. But my GON w lubed 78g gateron clears has been the favorite recently.

I just tried every switch I could until I realized what the winners were. Blue & Brown Alps, Model F BS, topre, and a smooth linear switch.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: mobbo on Mon, 16 November 2015, 09:24:07: Quote from: raymogi on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:08:42
Quote from: mobbo on Mon, 16 November 2015, 08:04:11
Ever since getting my MX boards I'll pull them out every once in a while and do a typing test. The one with the best WPM stays on my desk until the next round :P

Unfortunately...I have a Topre board coming in, and if it's as good as everyone says then I worry for my other boards...

Funny. Back in the day that's how I decide which board stays for the week and which one goes back into the drawer.

I used to get better WPM with my FC660M with clears but the allure of the Topre thock is too much to resist.

I find I'm really accurate with clears but my speed is a bit lower than with blues or browns (brown is the worst for accuracy...)

Looking forward to that thock :3
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: ideus on Mon, 16 November 2015, 10:10:17: Features of a favorite keyboard, in order:

1. Usability, a board that helps me make less typos.
2. Feeling, its caps and switches has the right force, spring back and texture.
3. Look, high contrast legends, clean design, contrasting modifiers.
4. Layout, the easiest for the task I do frequently.
5. Programmable, that allows me to try layout changes and options.
6. Feedback, its sound is nice, not too loud, deep not high pitch, solid.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: MeltingTeeth on Mon, 16 November 2015, 11:05:24: Just do a Demik and buy a HHKB.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: aggiejy on Mon, 16 November 2015, 11:05:37: I'd just like to say that finding your favorite can really suck.

I love mechanical keyboards. I have maybe 20-30 of every shape/size/finish. I've spent many thousands of dollars on keyboards, keycaps, and accessories over the years. I was a moderator here, I've run group buys. This was a my favorite hobby. I didn't think you *could* find a perfect/favorite keyboard. I loved rotating between them.

But then, unceremoniously, I found a Leopold FC660C. The layout is exactly what I want, but sadly it's unique enough that I don't like switching back to a TKL layout. (The arrow keys shifting messes me up.) So all in a poof, my keyboard collection is just sitting there. I have dozens of unopened keycap sets and several unassembled keyboard kits. But I don't have any motivation to do anything with them... it's sad. I did buy the FC660M in every switch type, and the aluminum case from Massdrop, but that leaves nothing else to look forward to.

So for those trying to find your favorite/perfect keyboard, I'd advise you to embrace the variety and uncertainty. The journey is MUCH more fun than the destination.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Infrared on Mon, 16 November 2015, 11:10:18: I just chose my favorite by the feel. ATM my favorite is the 660c. Although that will probably change when I get my new KUL ES-87 and then swap the original switches out for zealios.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: HoffmanMyster on Mon, 16 November 2015, 12:10:45: Quote from: aggiejy on Mon, 16 November 2015, 11:05:37
I'd just like to say that finding your favorite can really suck.

I love mechanical keyboards. I have maybe 20-30 of every shape/size/finish. I've spent many thousands of dollars on keyboards, keycaps, and accessories over the years. I was a moderator here, I've run group buys. This was a my favorite hobby. I didn't think you *could* find a perfect/favorite keyboard. I loved rotating between them.

But then, unceremoniously, I found a Leopold FC660C. The layout is exactly what I want, but sadly it's unique enough that I don't like switching back to a TKL layout. (The arrow keys shifting messes me up.) So all in a poof, my keyboard collection is just sitting there. I have dozens of unopened keycap sets and several unassembled keyboard kits. But I don't have any motivation to do anything with them... it's sad. I did buy the FC660M in every switch type, and the aluminum case from Massdrop, but that leaves nothing else to look forward to.

So for those trying to find your favorite/perfect keyboard, I'd advise you to embrace the variety and uncertainty. The journey is MUCH more fun than the destination.

Hey aggie! :D I never knew why you stopped hanging around here so much, but that makes sense. Interesting to see the FC660C being "end game" for quite a few people. Totally agree though, it's all about the journey. :thumb:
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: bcredbottle on Mon, 16 November 2015, 12:34:13: I tried the Ergodox. Then I realized that split, staggered column is the only sensible way to make a keyboard.¹. Diverge II is only full-hand so by process of elimination, the Ergodox is my favorite and objectively the best keyboard available and/or ever made.

¹ As long as it's not a travelling keyboard. If so, then staggered column non-split (like the Atreus) is best.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:40:13: Trial and error and copious amounts of $ dropped along the way. I'm going to have a pretty sweet garage sale, though, when I get a little more time on my hands.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: cryptokey on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:43:54: The one that makes me believe I'm not going to buy another keyboard for the longest.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: atlas3686 on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:45:51: All about the feels. I used to slightly begrudge the effort of having to type, now I look forward to getting to type.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Snowdog993 on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:49:25: That is truly hard for me to answer. I really like most every keyboard I have.

(http://i.imgur.com/4XgnQTh.jpg?1)

And that's just part of what I have too. This picture is older. There are more there now.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 18 November 2015, 03:49:44: Quote from: Snowdog993 on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:49:25
That is truly hard for me to answer. I really like most every keyboard I have.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/4XgnQTh.jpg?1)

And that's just part of what I have too. This picture is older. There are more there now.

But yours are mostly the same, albeit with a different number of keys, or a different colour :p
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 20 November 2015, 00:55:50: I didn't actively look for one. This was well before I even knew my choice had a following--IBM Model M. It was the first keyboard I used on a PC. And next to the Keytronic we bought for our 486, it's been the only one I've used and still use.

I'm trying different switches when I can, but my hands still prefer the M.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: jonathanyu on Fri, 20 November 2015, 01:10:03: I would say I have two favorite keyboards.
One is the keyboard I use which is 456gt, the other one is the board that I only put on shelf which is my greek olivetti
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: switchnollie on Fri, 20 November 2015, 01:12:14: That's a hard one! Don't think I could pick since I use most of my boards evenly or for a diff purpose.

As long as I can map backspace & enter to tab & caps lock + 60% I am happy :)
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: henz on Fri, 20 November 2015, 03:05:14: i have so many keyboards which i want to fix up. but i have a hard time finding time atm. My current favourite is my LZ-FE, just because its the only board i have finnished modding.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Oobly on Fri, 20 November 2015, 03:08:38: It's the one that puts the biggest smile on my face when I use it right now.

May be a different board tomorrow.

Or it may be the same board with different keycaps on.

Or a new switch mod.

Or different switches.

The adventure never ends :)
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: SamirD on Fri, 27 November 2015, 13:42:56: Now that I have two sitting at my desk that are different--logitech g710 and IBM model M, I'll have to re-answer this question once I figure out a strategy.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: vegs on Sat, 28 November 2015, 07:10:29: HHKB chose me
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Signature on Sat, 28 November 2015, 07:43:10: The most expensive one (need a reason to blow money on kbs)
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 28 November 2015, 18:41:46: Ergodox

Because, Tp4

Tp4

Because, Ergodox

Infallible logic +++++
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 18:52:56: Quote from: Signature on Sat, 28 November 2015, 07:43:10
The most expensive one (need a reason to blow money on kbs)

One of the main reason for sure :D
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:39:29: I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:48:06: Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:39:29
I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:53:11: Quote from: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:48:06
Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:39:29
I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.
Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:54:59: Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:53:11
Quote from: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:48:06
Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:39:29
I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.
Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?

I don't like the way it sounds more than anything. I prefer the plastic case of the HHKB. More thock to my ears imo.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 21:00:02: Quote from: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:54:59
Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:53:11
Quote from: raymogi on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:48:06
Quote from: Jeftha on Sat, 28 November 2015, 20:39:29
I've only tried two different boards. DAS Pro 4 with Cherry blues and HHKB. HHKB is now my daily driver and it's become my favorite. It's currently dental band modded and I think the sound and feel beat Cherry MX Blues. So between the two, HHKB is much more enjoyable to type on. I'm expecting a RF 87U 55G in January and I have a feeling that it might just become my new favorite board. I heard that 55G Topre is the "King Switch".

When you're itching to try something different, move those 55g domes to the HHKB. God mode HHKB right there.

I stopped using (kinda hated) my 55g RFs because of that.
Yeah I've been thinking about doing that eventually, but I'm going to try the 55G on RF first. Maybe in the future I'll try 55G on my HHKB. Why didn't you like your 87U though?

I don't like the way it sounds more than anything. I prefer the plastic case of the HHKB. More thock to my ears imo.
That's true. The thock on HHKB is hard to beat. When deciding which Topre I wanted, I listened to a lot of sound comparisons and dental band modded HHKB sounded the best. But I'm willing to give 87U a try. I feel a little guilty about buying it, just to harvest the domes and put them on my HHKB, so I'm not going to do that as soon as I get it. I plan on putting my 87U at home and keeping my HHKB for when I'm on the go.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: bocahgundul on Sat, 28 November 2015, 21:02:48: realforce 55g is my daily driver im waiting for hasu bluetooth controller and some lube to make my hhkb my daily and gonna swap the dome for teh hhkb. nothing beats the hhkb for me because of the layout man
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Thu, 25 May 2017, 15:07:00: To answer the original question of how I decided which keyboard is my favorite (so far): trial and error.

Starting out, I knew I wanted something sturdy, keys that feel like there's good tactile and some auditory feedback. I wanted a "classic" aesthetic, like something you could see on a computer from 15, 20, 30 years ago or more. Beyond that, I was pretty uninformed except for what I was reading on forums like this.

I bought a cherry brown-based board (KUL) and futzed around with buying keycaps to get it looking cool. I liked it! I could probably have just stopped there and used that board forever.

But I was also reading a lot on this forum and others about Topre boards, and the HHKB in particular. At the very beginning, before I'd bought the KUL, I'd been attracted to the aesthetic and form-factor of the HHKB, but couldn't (yet) justify blowing that much money on a keyboard. Now I decided I'd take the plunge and order one. I liked the feel of the HHKB even better -- particularly the way the switch resistance collapses and falls gently down to the bottom. And of course the pleasing sound, and the compact layout of the board itself. After using the HHKB for a bit, I don't enjoy the feel and sound of the KUL nearly as much as I did before. Cherry switches that felt solidly mechanical now felt and sounded loose and rattly and scratchy, and just nowhere near as smooth as the Topre switches.

I'm sure there's some board that would open me up to some other experience, but I've already blown hundreds of dollars on keyboards. I'll be happy to just bang on this HHKB for however many years it lasts.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 25 May 2017, 15:12:23: I still have not decided.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: DuckNorris on Thu, 25 May 2017, 15:57:17: Whichever one hurt my bank account the least.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: ndumdr on Thu, 25 May 2017, 18:15:06: It's honestly hard for me to determine a favourite keyboard, but I know when a keyboard isn't my favourite. I also have keyboard commitment issues and I just won't stop spending money on my next 'end game,' as I always believe them to be. But so far, my favourite is the RF 87u 45 that I currently own. I decide it by thinking if it's comfortable to type on or not/switch type and also how efficient in typing I can be with said keyboard.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: SBJ on Thu, 25 May 2017, 22:45:48: As someone else wrote trial, error and a lot of typing.
Also, my favorite tends to switch on almost a weekly/monthly basis.
First I'll find my favorite, I'll use it as much as possible, but then I start getting a craving to use one of my older boards, so I do that.
Then I might get a craving for something a bit heavier. So I switch again.

Although I am extremely happy with the one I'm typing on now I know that in a month I might have my eye on something else. :D
I'm a keyboard ****. I just want more keyboards!
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Joey Quinn on Fri, 26 May 2017, 00:39:23: Quote from: SpAmRaY on Thu, 25 May 2017, 15:12:23
I still have not decided.

I'm pretty much here. I rotate through all my boards but I do have 1 I use more than any of the others (78g lubed gat clear GON HHKB).

Most important for me is how the board feels but what I'm looking for feeling wise changes depending on what I'm doing. I'd say smooth linears and crisp but still smooth for clicky or tactile, on top of that a board looking amazing is just a bonus.

Quote from: StickyBlueJuice on Thu, 25 May 2017, 22:45:48
As someone else wrote trial, error and a lot of typing.
Also, my favorite tends to switch on almost a weekly/monthly basis.
First I'll find my favorite, I'll use it as much as possible, but then I start getting a craving to use one of my older boards, so I do that.
Then I might get a craving for something a bit heavier. So I switch again.

I think this is the best answer
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Targa-TV on Fri, 26 May 2017, 02:52:10: Unfortunately I decided which keyboard was my favorite by making my wallet wail for months in purchases and trades. It's good that mkb are so hype now that there are placed like forum sections and subreddit hosting an active market for used boards.

I don't know how other have chosen theirs, I'll read the messages in a moment, but I chose mine by making purchases and regretting them until I made a purchase that I'm not yet regretting. So believe it or not my favorite board is now an old, extremely second-hand G80-3000.

In terms of criteria I now rank reliability, switch feel, switch sound, moddability, caps feel, caps sound, layout, build and aesthetics in this order.
Title: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Doluded on Fri, 26 May 2017, 19:19:20: I still haven't decided what my favorite is because I haven't touched all of the keyboards yet. A lot of them have different feel depending on a lot of factors but so far my favorite seems to by my Type-S. I'm definitely wanting to buy a custom MX board like the Moon that has a group buy running right now so we'll see
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: dante on Fri, 26 May 2017, 20:20:48: I woke up one day and saw what I was doing: trying to get my mechanical switches to emulate the rubber dome I kept returning to.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 26 May 2017, 20:28:37: I bought about 15 boards and hated them all. Then I decided to take the bits of each board I actually liked and build my own, and that's the same board I've been using for 4 years or so. If I could change anything about it I'd get a better case and backplate, but that's it. And really in the end the difference would be so minor it's not worth my time or money to do so.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Bucake on Fri, 26 May 2017, 20:37:16: of all the keyboards i've typed on, i just respect the model f xt the most. it's not even the keyboard i use the most, but it's my favorite one nonetheless.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Hyde on Sat, 27 May 2017, 15:45:57: My favourite is the one I always go back to.

I keep buying new keyboards to try things out, so I'll constantly switch keyboards. But eventually once I get bored of the new toy syndrome then go back to my "daily driver".

So the ones that sticks around and I keep going back to are my favourite.

Currently my top 3 are:

Filco Majestouch-2 (MX Red)
Das Keyboard 3 (MX Brown)
Topre Realforce 104 UW.

:)
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Lazylewis on Sat, 27 May 2017, 16:58:07: My favourite is the one in the mail.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Snowdog993 on Sat, 27 May 2017, 22:35:39: Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 18 November 2015, 03:49:44
Quote from: Snowdog993 on Tue, 17 November 2015, 14:49:25
That is truly hard for me to answer. I really like most every keyboard I have.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/4XgnQTh.jpg?1)

And that's just part of what I have too. This picture is older. There are more there now.

But yours are mostly the same, albeit with a different number of keys, or a different colour :p

I guess I should say I like Model M keyboards. My bad.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 28 May 2017, 08:25:19: Quote from: Hyde on Sat, 27 May 2017, 15:45:57

So the ones that sticks around and I keep going back to are my favourite.

This is about it.

To expand on this, an ANSI-modded 122-key Model F has sat on my desk 90% of the time for the past 4 years.

Unfortunately I recently started a new job where my desktop space is limited, my keyboard is in danger of damage, and there are people around with telephones who can be bothered and distracted. To that end, I brought in a black IBM KB-8923 with half a dozen beige caps swapped in on commonly-used keys, and it is acceptable.

An all-new variety of keyboard needs a week or so of evaluation to be understood properly, unless it is truly horrible and gets ditched after seconds/minutes/hours. Also, since I am an old man with muscle memory stretching back decades, odd layouts bother me even when populated with excellent switches.

I have about a dozen keyboards (my "collection") boxed up and stored away, and keep a couple of Dell AT101Ws and Northgate 101s (with transplanted blue or orange Alps) out to rotate in for a few hours or days at a time when the mood strikes me.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Pretendo on Sun, 28 May 2017, 10:55:40: For me, it breaks down roughly as follows:

Key feel: 40%
Utility: 40%
Sound: 20%

If a perfectly well laid out keyboard feels like garbage, then it's garbage. If a wonderful feeling keyboard is laid out in a way that's unusable to me for coding, it's useless to me (most very old boards are disqualified for this reason.) A non-annoying sound is nice, but not a deal breaker. I don't care about much else.

Right now, that brings my remapped (closer to ANSI) 122-key Model F to the top of the pack. Even before refoaming and real layout modding (that damn left shift key) the feel is excellent. It's like a crisper, lighter version of a Model M. There's nothing to knock about that. I also don't find the chatter any more annoying than that of the M (some people do) so it doesn't lose any points there. The extra keys have been put to good use with the remapping capability of Soarer's converter, and I even sort of like the tall enter key.

I don't have the largest mechanical keyboard repertoire out there, but I don't see this monster leaving my work desk any time soon.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: GroovyGI on Mon, 29 May 2017, 05:56:37: Tried KUL ES-87 didn't feel very sturdy and made some strange noise when typing, Das Keyboard 4 (my secondary due to being a Christmas gift) don't need a numpad as it makes the board too long, then Filco very nice but not as sturdy feeling as Leopold.

The one easiest to live with has mechanical switches, must be heavy enough to stay put on the desk, no numpad needed, TKL is perfect length for mouse use when gaming, no lights, no programmable keys, must be able to take some abuse. Winner is the Leopold C750RTN whatever switches you want but this is a solid keyboard for $114.00. The side printing on keycaps is just a plus.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 22 June 2017, 22:11:53: I am still using my CODE with MX clears at work, sometimes alternating with an SSK.

Same collection at home, although the HHKB seems to get rotated in a bit more often, mainly as it is one of the quieter keyboards.
Title: Re: How did you decide which keyboard is your favourite?
Post by: Lazylewis on Fri, 23 June 2017, 16:36:08: Can't really pick favourites as i like to rotate. But some boards do fall out of rotation and I sell those.