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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: clickclack123 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:37:17

Title: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: clickclack123 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:37:17
Not sure what this type of layout is usually called but I'll start this thread to keep a list of boards with this layout as I think I'll like it. It's a mini layout that retains the tenkey.

I've ordered a CM Storm Quickfire TK.

CM Storm Quickfire TK:
[attachimg=2]

Tt eSports Meka:
[attachimg=1]

A terrible layout in my opinion. ISO sucks, Tiny backspace key, "|\" key in the wrong place, no Winkey! Also I type on the dvorak layout, so the "/?" key is the "z" key for me, so this layout is totally unusable for me, unless I don't want to use "z", which I do.

Roccat Arvo:
[attachimg=3]

Who knows what type of switches this has, and like I said, ISO sucks. Small function keys which also sucks. Also I don't know about the location of the "|\" key. Other than that, seems like an ok layout I guess.

Plum 96:
[attachimg=4]

Apparently does wireless, has Cherry Brown switches. I don't know much about this board but saw it on a cheap Chinese online store. Just checked out a review of it and it sounds pretty good.

Apple Keyboard II (1990):
[attach=5]

Not the most modern, not PC compatible, I don't like the arrow layout, TK can't be used as arrows. Brings back memories though.

Found another one, LightSaver by Duck (from this thread (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50036.0)). Looks beautiful but $275!

[attach=6]

Anybody know any others? I'll add them to this post.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: kmiller8 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:38:52
(http://i.imgur.com/NB4SHwS.jpg)
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: digi on Fri, 17 January 2014, 21:34:52
Are there two versions of the Plum 96? Do they have plate & pcb mount stabs?
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Fri, 17 January 2014, 21:46:09
Yes there is also Plum 96 with plate and costar stabilizer, it is called morphling edition. Plum 96 also support full backlight, but have to install led yourself. The biggest thing that stopped me from getting one is the rearrangement on the numpad bothers me. I would much prefer if it was all the same as regular numpad.
Instead I wait for Gh60 + GHpad and put them together inside a custom case.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: Ghetto Caps on Fri, 17 January 2014, 21:56:59
Wow Plum 96 is only 65$ in china and the wireless one is 80$

much value
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 18 January 2014, 02:56:30
Quote from: clickclack123 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:37:17

Roccat Arvo:
(Attachment Link)

Who knows what type of switches this has, and like I said, ISO sucks. Small function keys which also sucks. Also I don't know about the location of the "|\" key. Other than that, seems like an ok layout I guess.



It has really horrible rubber domes... They are somehow stiff and not very tactile. Worse than my Microsoft X6 and Natural. Funny thing is I have seen some pro gamers using one.

The layout looks convenient, but I found the edit keys very hard to use since fingers expect them to be a row higher up.

Not recommended.

Their Ryos series use MX switches, but AFAIK they don't have a TK version of it yet.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 18 January 2014, 07:07:29
Quote from: Ghetto Caps on Fri, 17 January 2014, 21:56:59
Wow Plum 96 is only 65$ in china and the wireless one is 80$

much value


Yes but to get it proxied usually adds at least $40  :(

I still would like to try the original wireless model that was PCB mounted.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: spiceBar on Sat, 18 January 2014, 15:55:18
Quote from: Oobly on Sat, 18 January 2014, 02:56:30
Quote from: clickclack123 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:37:17

Roccat Arvo:
(Attachment Link)

Who knows what type of switches this has, and like I said, ISO sucks. Small function keys which also sucks. Also I don't know about the location of the "|\" key. Other than that, seems like an ok layout I guess.



It has really horrible rubber domes... They are somehow stiff and not very tactile. Worse than my Microsoft X6 and Natural. Funny thing is I have seen some pro gamers using one.

The layout looks convenient, but I found the edit keys very hard to use since fingers expect them to be a row higher up.

Not recommended.

Their Ryos series use MX switches, but AFAIK they don't have a TK version of it yet.

I second your opinion of the Roccat Arvo. I have one. Horrible.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: eddie on Sat, 18 January 2014, 19:01:47
Quote from: kmiller8 on Mon, 06 January 2014, 21:38:52
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/NB4SHwS.jpg)

Wow... that layout is horrible. What is the ?/ key even doing jesus
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Sat, 18 January 2014, 22:16:38
You've got the PLUM 96, now how about the 86:
(http://99hk.biz/Plum/86_Key/2.jpg)

And the 89:
(http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc58/RRXX88/2011/2011-July/2011-06-30%20PLUM/DSCN0843.jpg)

Jaki JD002:
(http://img001.photo.21cn.com/photos/album/20100117/o/9F4F84AB21D23A0F8538943DC320ACC9.jpg)

I haven't seen anything in this category yet that looks really good, even though I like the general idea...

I don't like the CMTK style with the arrows integrated into the number pad, because I want to be able to use the number pad with my right hand and the arrows, simultaneously, with the left. Having to toggle numlock off and then on again every time you move cells is very annoying.

I actually like a big enter, but must have a full-size backspace, which rules out many other options.

The smaller PLUMs are both crazy. No, crazier than you think. Look closely.

Given that TT decided that they were going to move the /? key, it seems a shame that they put the arrows to the right of shift rather than to the left of it (so, up arrow would be where /? normally goes). If they'd done the arrow keys to the left of shift, not only would the shift key be back in its normal place, but you'd also get the kind of neat effect of having the arrow keys where you could reach them from normal typing position, or at least, with minimal shifting, which seems like it might be potentially useful for text work (though probably less so than having ? somewhere where you can actually press it would be).
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: digi on Sat, 18 January 2014, 22:30:10
I was liking the layout on that Plum 86 until I saw BAE and the forward/back slashes on the Fn heys??! CRAZY!!! :D
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: Linkbane on Sat, 18 January 2014, 23:08:51
Quote from: digi on Sat, 18 January 2014, 22:30:10
I was liking the layout on that Plum 86 until I saw BAE and the forward/back slashes on the Fn heys??! CRAZY!!! :D

Also no right shift.. what the hell were these guys thinking?
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: clickclack123 on Sun, 19 January 2014, 02:51:51
Good suggestions FoxWolf1.
Title: Re: Roundup of Mini Boards with TK
Post by: clickclack123 on Sun, 23 February 2014, 17:41:26
Bump, found another one, LightSaver by Duck - added to OP.