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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: benis on Tue, 19 April 2011, 08:35:17

Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: benis on Tue, 19 April 2011, 08:35:17
First up:
Choc Mini VS. KBC Poker

Price: ~110 vs ~90

My personal opinion the Poker has a nicer look (similar to HHKB) but from what I read it has significantly lower build quality than the Choc

any thoughts?
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 09:52:34
^^^^^^^^^^

/thread
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: benis on Tue, 19 April 2011, 10:42:04
Do I look like a rich man?? I can't even afford a userpic.

ok ok. is there any mini kb with the quality of HHKB with the price of Choc?

(ugg, at work on a **** membrane KB)
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: JBert on Tue, 19 April 2011, 16:53:15
Quote from: benis;333338
My personal opinion the Poker has a nicer look (similar to HHKB) but from what I read it has significantly lower build quality than the Choc
You get what you pay for...
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:04:39
What about a Deck 82 - Ice at $119?
 Deck 82- Ice (http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=30)
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: .XL on Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:19:17
Quote from: BucklingSpring;333913
What about a Deck 82 - Ice at $119?
 Deck 82- Ice (http://www.deckkeyboards.com/product_info.php?products_id=30)

 
They don't make keyboards much uglier than that hahah
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: godofdeath on Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:24:30
pokerrrrrr
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: turtleslikejohn on Tue, 19 April 2011, 23:19:21
Problem is, Poker is the only company right now that has a compact layout and cherry red switch.. So tempting, but holding back because of what I'm hearing about build quality.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: noodles256 on Wed, 20 April 2011, 01:21:30
I find the rattling useful as maracas for the annual Bull Run
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Wed, 20 April 2011, 01:32:30
Quote from: benis;333433
ok ok. is there any mini kb with the quality of HHKB with the price of Choc?
A used HHKB maybe? As long as it's been taken care of, you get the best of both worlds.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: benis on Wed, 20 April 2011, 09:07:23
A used HHKB would be at least $200 which is about double the choc or poker. I heard the Choc has a strage layout of keys (sideways switches etc..). Spacebar aside, are the keys on the choc scaled down at all? I read the Poker is good for modding and the choc isn't, however I've seen the choc with the red ecsape key from elite keboards, and now I don't know what to think.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: .XL on Wed, 20 April 2011, 09:10:13
Quote from: benis;334123
A used HHKB would be at least $200 which is about double the choc or poker. I heard the Choc has a strage layout of keys (sideways switches etc..). Spacebar aside, are the keys on the choc scaled down at all? I read the Poker is good for modding and the choc isn't, however I've seen the choc with the red ecsape key from elite keboards, and now I don't know what to think.

The Poker is good for modding because it doesn't have a top bezel and the switches are pcb mounted. The Choc Mini is plate mounted and has a top part to the case.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: guilleguillaume on Wed, 20 April 2011, 10:19:07
Quote from: .XL;334125
The Poker is good for modding because it doesn't have a top bezel and the switches are plate mounted. The Choc Mini is plate mounted and has a top part to the case.

Actually it's suposed to have PCB mounted switches.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 20 April 2011, 10:22:08
Quote from: guilleguillaume;334163
Actually it's suposed to have PCB mounted switches.


That's correct!
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: .XL on Wed, 20 April 2011, 10:32:34
Quote from: guilleguillaume;334163
Actually it's suposed to have PCB mounted switches.

 
That's what I meant to say...if you notice the original comment you quoted I mentioned both are plate mounted >.< I changed my post.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: heedpantsnow on Wed, 20 April 2011, 14:29:22
My PLU tenkeyless had excellent build quality and it is a Chinese brand made in mainland (hey, I'm a poet and didn't even know it!).  Hoping the Poker is good quality!
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: .XL on Wed, 20 April 2011, 14:40:38
Quote from: heedpantsnow;334331
My PLU tenkeyless had excellent build quality and it is a Chinese brand made in mainland (hey, I'm a poet and didn't even know it!).  Hoping the Poker is good quality!

People like to crap on the Ducky, PLU, and other Chinese boards. I haven't seen any issue with them. I've gotten to play around with a Ducky and it was the same as both of my Filcos, I didn't really see much difference.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: J888www on Wed, 20 April 2011, 14:59:01
Quote from: benis;333433
Do I look like a rich man?? I can't even afford a userpic.

ok ok. is there any mini kb with the quality of HHKB with the price of Choc?

(ugg, at work on a **** membrane KB)

There are some New SIIG MiniTouches for sale on eBay, I prefer to modify them with White/Blue ALPS switches and a bonus if you do enjoy mods. The seller seems very familiar, not sure where I've seen that name (I have memory span of Goldfish).
I had a look at all those new SFF keyboards that coming out at present and at this moment I'm typing on one of those SIIG Minis with White ALPS (still don't have the heart to "Spoil" my One).
 SIIG Minitouch Clicky Keyboard Compact Mechanical NEW (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIIG-Minitouch-Clicky-Keyboard-Compact-Mechanical-NEW-/250807087969?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item3a65447361)

NB: If anyone does purchase one and decide to mod, be sure not to replace the Function/Top row.
      1) You are unlikely to use this Top row with frequency.
      2) According to a certain Member, they are a little Special.

Wonder if the seller will offer me some freebies for promotion :-p
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: benis on Wed, 20 April 2011, 18:32:43
I like the minitouch, its compact, vintage, and solid, in fact you can get the kb in our vendor forums turbo cheap (http://5k177.com/more/) my issue though is with the white alps. I have a razer Blackwidow with MX Blues and I don't care for the click, So I'd like to buy a kb with MX browns (or black alps I supppose). I also understand the alps wear faster than the cherrys. I'm new to the keyboard game so please let me know if i'm missing something. (Also I've been thinking about getting a minitouch just for the retro look, but I'm out of surplus funds)
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: BucklingSpring on Wed, 20 April 2011, 18:44:32
Quote from: benis;334511
I also understand the alps wear faster than the cherrys.


Don't worry too much about the wear. Once your on GeekHack, you're bound to change keyboard so often, wear becomes a non-issue. :-)
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: digitalleftovers on Wed, 20 April 2011, 18:52:46
I will wait to see how the first round of poker orders go.  I would prefer a plate mounted option.  I would feel better about it as a portable board if I knew it could take being bumped around.  Otherwise, it just needs a good option for a cover.  Its difficult to know how they will turn out, since I have only seen the hands on reviews of the prototypes.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: .XL on Wed, 20 April 2011, 18:54:52
Quote from: digitalleftovers;334528
I will wait to see how the first round of poker orders go.  I would prefer a plate mounted option.  I would feel better about it as a portable board if I knew it could take being bumped around.  Otherwise, it just needs a good option for a cover.  Its difficult to know how they will turn out, since I have only seen the hands on reviews of the prototypes.

Supposedly there will be an aluminum casing option later on (as an add-on, not part of a complete poker). That's always an option if you're worried about durability.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: killy on Wed, 20 April 2011, 19:15:46
Quote from: ripster;333932
Stand by my original assessment.  So far I've seen Noppoo keys lettered and molded by kindergartners and Pokers with parts rattling around inside and the biggest ass front key fonts I've EVER seen.

I'd recommend waiting until a bunch of Geekhackers get the Pokers and do comparisons of the two.  I can only go by internet pictures so you should ignore me.

 
Wow, anecdotal evidence GO!

For all the volatility Noppoo's have been enjoying in the marketplace at GH (big sample, by the way) I have had zero problems with mine.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: digitalleftovers on Wed, 20 April 2011, 19:27:26
I have had zero ducky problems.  So, yeah.
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: MKB on Thu, 21 April 2011, 09:37:14
I like my Filco Tenkeyless...
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: noodles256 on Thu, 21 April 2011, 09:46:01
I am waiting for the HHKB 3
Title: Mini Keyboard MEGATOPIC
Post by: noodles256 on Thu, 21 April 2011, 10:09:00
Yea, there is something about the HHKB 2 I just don't feel is right for me. Possibly the free beard and the automatic installation of UNIX on your cpu