geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: fuzzybaffy on Sat, 04 December 2010, 22:41:17
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So, I'm in the market for a Realforce, but I'm unfortunately interested in a Korean-lettered version. Unfortunate, because the Korean-lettered version goes for an extra $100, since it's only purchasable from Korea: http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_search/search_total.asp?selecturl=total&SearchClassFormWord=goodsSearch&keyword=topre (http://english.gmarket.co.kr/challenge/neo_search/search_total.asp?selecturl=total&SearchClassFormWord=goodsSearch&keyword=topre) A Korean Realforce 104 (they have a 104 now!) for $313.67 plus international shipping vs. a Realforce 103 from Elitekeyboards for $230 plus domestic shipping and tax.
The other alternative is to just purchase an English Realforce 103, and attach those Korean-lettered stickers: http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=korean%20keyboard%20stickers&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Akorean%20keyboard%20stickers&page=1 (http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&keywords=korean%20keyboard%20stickers&rh=n%3A172282%2Ck%3Akorean%20keyboard%20stickers&page=1)
The problem with that is, I lose the supposedly legendary Topre key feel.
So, it's Korean-lettered Topre for ~$370 vs. an English Topre with cheap Korean stickers for ~$270.
So I figured, another way to look at it is, I'd potentially be paying an extra $100 just for the Topre key feel alone.
Is it worth it? I'm inclined to say no, but if there's some overwhelming majority who say yes, I might consider.
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I don't understand. You would get the same Topre feel from both keyboards. The extra $100 just gets you Korean legends. At that point, you have to decide how often you are going to be typing in Korean. IMO, being the aesthetic that I am, I would spend the extra $100 and just get the one with Korean legends; they look pretty cool, and your keys won't be gummed up with adhesive from using stickers. If anything, it'll help with resale value down the road.
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I don't understand. You would get the same Topre feel from both keyboards. The extra $100 just gets you Korean legends. At that point, you have to decide how often you are going to be typing in Korean. IMO, being the aesthetic that I am, I would spend the extra $100 and just get the one with Korean legends; they look pretty cool, and your keys won't be gummed up with adhesive from using stickers. If anything, it'll help with resale value down the road.
I completely agree. I'd pay 100 bucks more if the other option is plastering some ****ty stickers. Think of the keyboard, man. They have feelings too.
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can you place the stickers on the "under side" of the keys, sorta like how old school keyboards had "copY and "paste" under "c" and "v". then you'd see the keys without the gummy.
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I don't understand. You would get the same Topre feel from both keyboards. The extra $100 just gets you Korean legends. At that point, you have to decide how often you are going to be typing in Korean. IMO, being the aesthetic that I am, I would spend the extra $100 and just get the one with Korean legends; they look pretty cool, and your keys won't be gummed up with adhesive from using stickers. If anything, it'll help with resale value down the road.
I meant key cap feel. Since the stickers go on top of the key caps, I'd lose the feeling of the key cap texture; I wanted to know how substantially different/better the texture was, compared to other keyboards.
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DUDE!!! If you going to spend that kind of money on a nice keyboard, dont comprimize by putting stickers over the keys. Spend the xtra money and do it right. You will regret going the mickey mouse route if you do.
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I still would spend the extra $100. I don't like the idea of putting stickers on my 'boards. That said, Topre has the best keycaps in the business. To me, it's part of the experience.
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I got an idea. Buy the one with black lettering on charcoal.
Then it won't matter because you won't be able to read the english labels either.
Honestly, more manufacturers need to offer that style, because they look pretty badass and it's just as easy to annoy your friends with as an Otaku board is.
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But they are hella hard to read under only a monitor light :( :( My black 104 55g is black and black keys...almost impossible to read at night when gaming with only 1 monitor providing the light....oh well I will have to learn to deal