geekhack
geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: ElfShotTheFood on Fri, 27 September 2013, 12:51:05
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Greetings, folks! This is a great day for me. Not only do I get to make my first post on GH, I get to pick up my first 'real' keyboard! I just got notification that it's waiting for me down the street at the local FedEx facility.
So how did I get to GH? About a month ago I started a new job and found an HP desktop waiting for me. After I got it set up and started working, I was pleasantly surprised by the keyboard that came with it. It's just a generic Chicony, but it's not as awful as most stock keyboards. And then I realized: why settle for "not as awful as most"? This is my profession, dammit, so why not make an investment in something good? So I did some research and quickly found GH. Awesome!
After convincing my wife that I needed a new keyboard for work ("What? Why another keyboard?"), I quickly got stuck in the 'analysis' phase. Days went by, watching video after video on YouTube, and reading thread after thread on GH. I finally snapped out of it and pulled the trigger on a Realforce 87U. If I don't like it (as if!), I'll sell it. If I like it (oh yes!), then I'll keep it and save up to buy a Filco. And after that I'll save up and buy something else... I'm already hooked!
And that's it; I can't stand it anymore. It's time to go to FedEx. I nearly missed delivery because I live in Lyons, CO which was slammed pretty hard by the flood two weeks ago. It's permit access only where I live, so I doubt FedEx would have been able to make it to my house. But this is better: by holding at the FedEx facility, I get to pick it up at lunchtime. Which is right now.
I'll be back!
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You're going to like the Realforce
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Or you're going to not like the Realforce
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Good decission :)
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Oddly enough I swore I'd never use a TKL board but the 55g 87U is awesome!
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Welcome to GH! Enjoy that Topre goodness!
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I am happy with my HHKB Pro 2, but if this keyboard did not exist, I think I might go for a RF 87u with 55-gram Topre switches. At present, my two all-time favorite keyboards are the HHKB Pro 2 and the IBM SSK. Enjoy your RF; happy "thocking"!
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Which model did you go for?
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Warning If you end up not liking the Realforce please give it a couple of weeks before you decide to sell it. You may find that it grows on you.
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Thanks, everyone!
I picked up the board from FedEx after a bit of a scare. At first they couldn't find it, and for a horrible moment I thought it was "lost in transit". But the FedEx guy kept searching and found it. Because of the flood they've got all sorts of packages on hold at the facility.
OK: so now that I've had a few minutes with the 87U I can give my first impressions: so far so good! I'm really loving the precise action of the keys and the satisfying 'thock' for each press. It looks great, feels great, and sounds great. The thing just radiates quality. Now before I start to sound like a fanboy here I should say that this is my first 'real' keyboard since college, so I've spent a couple of decades using cheap-o boards. I'm thinking just about any decent keyboard would impress me at this stage, so take my delighted comments with a grain of salt.
But still... that 'thocky' sound is addictive. And the 'feel' is awesome. Just makes me want to type and type and type. It's quiet enough for use in this nearly silent office, so that's a plus. We'll see how I like it after a month or two of steady use, but right now I'm a believer.
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I got the SE0900. It's white, with white and gray keycaps. And now it rocks the red escape key. :)
I decided against the ergo weighting and just stuck with 45g. I'd love to try a 55g to see which one I like better, so maybe that will be a Christmas present this year.
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Topres are the bomb, Hope you enjoy it and your stay here