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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mashingkeys on Sun, 30 January 2011, 22:02:10

Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: mashingkeys on Sun, 30 January 2011, 22:02:10
About to make my first ten keyless purchase here, and before I did I wanted to get some opinions.

The noppoo choc mini seems to be pretty highly regarded with it's fit / finish, overall value for price, etc. and is roughly $10 usd more than the plum board.  It's also more compact.

The plum is slightly bigger / more spaced out with a full insert, home, etc. section but what I've been able to dig up in the means of a complete review have been very very very scarce.

I like how they both look, but if there's a difference in keycap quality or anything else that I might be missing (I'm aware that the noppoo currently doesn't function properly on Macs), please let me know :D

Any personal experiences, etc. are greatly appreciated!  Thank you!
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: manfaux on Sun, 30 January 2011, 23:44:46
I think if you can live with the Choc Mini's layout, go for the Choc. I think the choc mini has got better keycaps and build quality overall.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: Orphagn on Sun, 30 January 2011, 23:45:36
Choc Mini all the way!
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: mashingkeys on Mon, 31 January 2011, 00:03:56
Quote from: manfaux;287609
I think if you can live with the Choc Mini's layout, go for the Choc. I think the choc mini has got better keycaps and build quality overall.


I didn't notice anything particularly bad about the layout?  a little compacted with the page up / down, etc. keys, but nothing too huge for me off the bat.

For the most part, I'm used to typing on a macbook keyboard

The only dislike with the choc mini are the colored media functions, but that's pretty minor
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: manfaux on Mon, 31 January 2011, 00:25:30
Quote from: mashingkeys;287617
I didn't notice anything particularly bad about the layout?  a little compacted with the page up / down, etc. keys, but nothing too huge for me off the bat.

For the most part, I'm used to typing on a macbook keyboard

The only dislike with the choc mini are the colored media functions, but that's pretty minor


well then the only thing you should be aware of is that the choc mini wont work under mac os.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 31 January 2011, 01:11:27
Quote from: Orphagn;287610
Choc Mini all the way!


Which one do you like better your new Choc mini with browns or the Cherry g80-3494 with reds?
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: Orphagn on Mon, 31 January 2011, 01:29:53
Quote from: RiGS;287631
Which one do you like better your new Choc mini with browns or the Cherry g80-3494 with reds?


I like the linear feel of the Reds, but the Choc's Browns are very light and when i'm typing I don't feel the tactile bump except for the spacebar.
I've been using the Choc Mini since it came in because its nice and compact and the 3494 is a bit big for my small desk.
If they made a Choc Mini with Reds i'd probably buy 2 up immediately.
As much as I like the 3494, the Choc's Browns are light enough for me to not mind the small tactile bump.
I like both keyboards equally, but right now i'm liking the Choc Mini more due to it's small size.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 31 January 2011, 01:42:24
Quote from: Orphagn;287636
I like the linear feel of the Reds, but the Choc's Browns are very light and when i'm typing I don't feel the tactile bump except for the spacebar.
I've been using the Choc Mini since it came in because its nice and compact and the 3494 is a bit big for my small desk.
If they made a Choc Mini with Reds i'd probably buy 2 up immediately.
As much as I like the 3494, the Choc's Browns are light enough for me to not mind the small tactile bump.
I like both keyboards equally, but right now i'm liking the Choc Mini more due to it's small size.


Maybe modding an mx black choc mini with looser springs (either brown spring or sixty's smooth spring) would be a better option for you.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: speakeasy on Mon, 31 January 2011, 01:48:54
I had the same conundrum last month, but I'm pleased that I went with the choc mini. I may purchase the PLU ML-G3000 in the future if they come out with a white version (though, there is the fullsize Noppoo Choc in white as well), but right now I can't imagine the PLU ML-87 being better unless you have a tough time adapting to the new layout, or you like the cosmetics of the PLU better.

The black ML-87 has POM keycaps which is the same as the Choc Mini, but the white version (which is the one that most people here seem to be getting) are ABS if I remember correctly. The ML-87 also has issues past 2KRO which is what ultimately led me to choosing the choc mini, but that may not matter for you. I think the ML-87 looks nicer cosmetically, though the choc mini looks better in person than it does in pictures IMO.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: Orphagn on Mon, 31 January 2011, 02:44:34
Quote from: RiGS;287637
Maybe modding an mx black choc mini with looser springs (either brown spring or sixty's smooth spring) would be a better option for you.


I would've already put my Red plungers and springs in if the Choc Mini wasn't plate mounted :P
I don't want to desolder 2 boards and resolder again.  Plus, I don't even know how to solder.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: RiGS on Mon, 31 January 2011, 03:30:06
Maybe it is a good time to learn how to solder or to find someone that is comfortable with soldering.
I would recommend you buying this http://cgi.ebay.com/WELLER-SOLDER-STATION-WESD51-50-WATT-DIGITAL-ADJUST-NEW-/380233685592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5887b19a58 (http://cgi.ebay.com/WELLER-SOLDER-STATION-WESD51-50-WATT-DIGITAL-ADJUST-NEW-/380233685592?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5887b19a58) solder station.
It is not that difficult.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: kidchunks on Mon, 31 January 2011, 07:28:27
Plu M-87!

If you don't care about the kro issues (which isn't as bad as many state).
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: iMav on Mon, 31 January 2011, 07:54:45
I've owned both (the choc mini only briefly).  The choc was great, except for the fact that I wanted to use it on a Mac.  I currently have the PLU 87 and really like it.  The white is really nice looking, and I haven't had any issues with the fit/finish of the 'board...it's quite solid.

As long as you aren't a Mac user, you can't go wrong with either...If I was to suggest one over the other, I would say the PLU-87...but that is mainly because of the OS compatibility issue.
Title: Choc Mini vs Plu M-87
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 31 January 2011, 09:10:37
Personally, I would go for the Choc Mini over other tenkeyless 'boards.  They have, essentially, the same keys in a more compact layout and the keycaps are beastly.