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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: loki993 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:21:56

Title: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: loki993 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:21:56
I have a white keycool 84 and I like it but it gets really dirty fast, it looks really nice when its clean though. I also ordered a Poker II from the massdrop but I ordered a grey one. Well they sent me the wrong one. The gave me an option keep the white and get 30 dollars refunded or swap it out for the grey. 

So Im just curious what colors do people prefer? Im on the fence so far.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: pbtforever on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:31:59
Black
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: SpecTP on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:33:56
one of each
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: saturnotaku on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:38:51
one of each

^ This.

I have a white Realforce at work and black one at home, though I will be putting the former's alphanumeric keycaps on the latter.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: E TwentyNine on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:41:04
Industrial.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Gaahl on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:54:02
Both of mine are black but that is mainly because all of my other peripherals are black and I like everything to fit together. I might get a white one next. I am thinking of getting a set of white keycaps for my Poker though.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 05 September 2014, 10:57:20
I much prefer black keyboards, I'm thinking of painting my white keycool since I never found a black one.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: jameslr on Fri, 05 September 2014, 11:34:09
I think I prefer white. I like the contrast with a dark set of keys. Like my custom painted Filco :)

(http://i.imgur.com/zRZHiDK.jpg)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: user 18 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 11:49:02
No love for beige boards?

I think the body of the board should be an appropriate colour to complement the caps. Precisely what colour that is, can vary from setup to setup.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: HipsterPunks on Fri, 05 September 2014, 11:56:45
(http://i.imgur.com/W0YFc4G.jpg)
Old photo

My hhkb almost always stays with blank black mods, black on black alphas. I just love the look 😈 however it is a PITA to keep the dust away
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cruzin on Fri, 05 September 2014, 11:58:37
Black, although I've been thinking about getting a white one.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Altis on Fri, 05 September 2014, 12:01:02
I tend to prefer newer models to be in black, as my older ones are all beige/white(ish). The thing about black though is that, where white gets dirty, black gets dusty. A gloss black finish makes this far more noticeable, but I can see it on matte black as well.

Backlit keyboards are also much easier to read with black keycaps, as white with backlight can be difficult when ambient light is high enough.

Bottom line: Mix it up however you like!
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: divito on Fri, 05 September 2014, 12:13:17
One of each.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Sent on Fri, 05 September 2014, 12:13:28
Black and darker colors in general with the exception of pink and purple.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 05 September 2014, 12:15:25
Industrial grey/olive greenish. Then black, but I do like having a white as well.

There's something to be said for how well other colors mesh with black. It accepts everything very nicely.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: D01 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 12:31:56
Black only.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: davkol on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:05:02
Light keycaps on a dark case or the other way around. Like Unicomp EnduraPro (gray keycaps, black case) or now my ErgoDox (black Cherry POM keycaps, czarek's white PVC case).
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: inanis on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:29:03
I have a white Poker II. I think it is fantastic. Now, I could also see the appeal with the black, or grey, BUT...if someone told me they would give me $30 to keep a pristine white Poker, I'd be all over that like flies on honey.

Also, I'm very frugal.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: NAMESPACE on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:30:09
I would go with black, if your keyboard is white or Beige like an old windows box everyone in the office will tease you. :p
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: 0100010 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:31:10
Blank black, that way other people in the office leave it alone because they don't think they can type on it.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: NAMESPACE on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:33:49
Badass DAS users, right? Then switch it to colemak or dvork so the ones who dare to bother you get what's coming.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: esoomenona on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:34:32
Blank black, that way other people in the office leave it alone because they don't think they can type on it.

A 60% can do that as well. A lot of people look at it and wonder how you can type on it. A blank 60%? Oh ****, son.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:55:00
White for me. I clean it daily, but it undoubtedly looks prettier to me. I like my black ones, too, but something about my white ones are just more special to me. Perhaps it's because most other keyboards I see are black.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: FrostyToast on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:55:57
Depends on what style I want the keyboard to be.
Some keysets work well with black, and some better with white.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 05 September 2014, 13:59:36
black with white keycaps.

Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: barkinos98 on Fri, 05 September 2014, 14:22:47
Black/darker colors because white hurts my eyes, i love my room being illuminated very well and the light shining off the white board disturbs my eye because peripheral vision...
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Touch_It on Fri, 05 September 2014, 16:15:23
White I suppose.  Feel sleeper to me.  Take a look at a old white or beige keyboard and think why are you typing on that pos.  Then they type on it and are like oh wow!
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Hypersphere on Fri, 05 September 2014, 16:20:34
I like contrasts. Some of my boards are white, some beige, some black. My most recent acquisitions include the HHKB Pro 2, RF 87u, and CM Novatouch. All were purchased in black with black keycaps, but I replaced the alphanumeric keycaps on the HHKB and RF with white keycaps (black legends) from a HHKB Pro 2. The Novatouch currently has blue alphanumerics (black legends) and gray/beige mods (black legends).

Edit: I like the black RF 87u with blue alphas and black mods so much, I am considering the same color scheme for all my black keyboards. Previously, my RF was all black, but I prefer legible legends on the alpha keys. However, the contrast was too stark with white keys and black legends on a black keyboard. The sky blue keys dials down the contrast to a level that is soothing and functional.

I've also tried expanding the blue keys to the F-key row and the Navigation Island, but this looked too busy. However, the RF 87u looks good with blue arrow keys in addition to blue alphas, with everything else in black.

My vintage IBM boards are a different story. They look fine in their original beige and off-white, although some look great with the case repainted in certain dark colors (but not necessarily black).

Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: paicrai on Fri, 05 September 2014, 16:40:39
hhkb
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: keyton on Fri, 05 September 2014, 17:34:42
Red.  But I don't have one.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: paicrai on Fri, 05 September 2014, 17:37:34

Red.  But I don't have one.
who are you ****er
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Novus on Fri, 05 September 2014, 17:38:28
Red.  But I don't have one.

who are you ****er
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Grim Fandango on Fri, 05 September 2014, 17:52:49
Depends on the desk, room, and the rest of your peripherals. In my game room (or, what my girlfriend keeps calling our "study") black is the best choice as it blends in well with the rest. In the living room, where the computer has to blend in as well (only the keyboard and monitor are visible, nothing else) white is the far better option.

When it comes to dirt they both have their pros and cons. On black keys, you can see dust , lint, cathair, and general wear on the keys much more clearly than on white. On white keys you do not notice those things nearly as much, but the dirt and grime that the keycaps pick up from your hands is much more visible.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 05 September 2014, 18:01:31
black with white keycaps.
White with black keycaps!!
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: thestage on Fri, 05 September 2014, 18:33:16
white, generally
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: clacktalk on Fri, 05 September 2014, 19:06:07
I like both depending on how they're done. HHKBs do it best. White unprinted and black printed are godlike in their own special ways and have no equal. I actually lean more towards the white unprinted, but just by a hair
hhkb
you need one in your life
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: StylinGreymon on Fri, 05 September 2014, 19:12:15
Between the two, I definitely prefer African-American keyboards.

Though I prefer silver to both.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Hyde on Fri, 05 September 2014, 19:30:51
They each have their pros and cons, but generally I think I'd pick white over black if the option is available.

However dark grey is catching up to be my new favorite color lol. (Example: Poker 2 Keycaps, Topre Type Heaven)

As for the Pros and Cons:

White - More unique in my opinion, also contrary to popular believe white is actually easier to maintain, also color matches well with most custom keycap sets.  However companies tend to never use the same shade of white/light grey/beige so sometimes it's pain in the butt.

Black - Easier to color match other gear such as mouse / computer tower.  Goes well with certain keycap sets such as Dolch.  Drawback being dust and shiny shows up too well on black.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Fri, 05 September 2014, 20:49:49
Between the two, I definitely prefer African-American keyboards.

Though I prefer silver to both.

WHERE DID YOU FIND AN AFRICAN KEYBOARD?!
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: demik on Fri, 05 September 2014, 21:23:52
black is beautiful but white is right






sorry.


i just really like the white classy look of keyboards. plus you see shine less on the spacebar.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 05 September 2014, 21:27:23
White is sexy, but it gets dirty so damn easily.  I'd probably do white if I didn't know for certain that I would get it dirty.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: dustinhxc on Sat, 06 September 2014, 03:29:57
Black!  :cool: Always!


Except for HHKB Pro 1, IBM, Alps, etc
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 06 September 2014, 04:38:23
did anyone post the racist gif yet?
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 06 September 2014, 05:44:16
white powa
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 06 September 2014, 12:52:23
Silver. Plain anodised aluminium works for me.

Actually I like black, white and silver. All 3 colours go well with almost any keycap colours, so you can pick and choose.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: epzy on Sat, 06 September 2014, 12:55:20
I like them both, it all depends on which keycaps I'm gonna use.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: osi on Sat, 06 September 2014, 13:17:51
Black hhkb with white/gray caps-blanks
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Binge on Sat, 06 September 2014, 13:26:36
Neither! Anodized alu or matte metallic colors.

Black/white are bad for different reasons.

Black - hides dirt and therefore becomes hard to clean.  Never looks quite as clean or sleek as a new white keyboard.

White - might discolor :(, dirties easily, and doesn't look great with most keycap sets.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: loki993 on Sat, 06 September 2014, 14:34:00
I have a white Poker II. I think it is fantastic. Now, I could also see the appeal with the black, or grey, BUT...if someone told me they would give me $30 to keep a pristine white Poker, I'd be all over that like flies on honey.

Also, I'm very frugal.

This is probably the real question.....even if I did want black is it worst 30 extra bucks to me...Im not sure.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 07 September 2014, 05:13:26
Anything with good contrast on the legends in poor light.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Fragil1ty on Sun, 07 September 2014, 14:04:16
I have a white keycool 84 and I like it but it gets really dirty fast, it looks really nice when its clean though. I also ordered a Poker II from the massdrop but I ordered a grey one. Well they sent me the wrong one. The gave me an option keep the white and get 30 dollars refunded or swap it out for the grey. 

So Im just curious what colors do people prefer? Im on the fence so far.


Don't really mind myself to be honest, I guess it all depends on the keyboard at hand. I think black for the most part, like I got my HHKB in white and I've got my Noppoo in black, but I've had a white KC84, I've had a grey Keycool 84, etc. So I don't really know, I don't really mind either way to be honest.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: limitz on Sun, 07 September 2014, 14:23:48
Anything but white, because I feel it is too eye catching, and too easy to get dirty. I'm all about subtlety.

I don't like white cars either, nor white shoes.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 07 September 2014, 16:47:34
keep the white and get 30 dollars refunded

I like mix and match key schemes. I have a couple of "2nd-tier" types of keyboards that came in both beige and black and I swapped keys on them. Both sets look very sharp but I prefer the light keys in the dark case if I had to choose.

Most of my boards are ancient IBM iron or similar so my "white-esque" is actually pearl/pebble, if anything that might look better sprouting up out of black than bright white.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: flaming_june on Sun, 07 September 2014, 17:40:43
I think I prefer white. I like the contrast with a dark set of keys. Like my custom painted Filco :)

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/zRZHiDK.jpg)


Can't say I agree. I absolutely hate the mismatched colours.  That's one of my biggest problems at the moment, to find a keyboard fitting for my white keycaps.

Grey, but white a close second.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Doyniish on Sun, 07 September 2014, 22:49:56
Depends on the keyboard. For instance I love how my das is murdered out, but also prefer a white poker in comparison to the black.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Solo on Sun, 07 September 2014, 23:18:34
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/W0YFc4G.jpg)

Old photo

My hhkb almost always stays with blank black mods, black on black alphas. I just love the look 😈 however it is a PITA to keep the dust away

This is my favorite keyboard on GH.

Also, I don't really prefer any particular color over another. If it looks good, then whatever.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: blackbox on Mon, 08 September 2014, 14:28:14
I prefer black but usually I just use the color it came in (old keyboards)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: keyton on Mon, 08 September 2014, 20:34:13

Red.  But I don't have one.
who are you ****er

You 12?
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: ZestMyu on Mon, 08 September 2014, 21:01:27
White or black depending on surrounding electronics.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: yuukou on Mon, 08 September 2014, 21:04:04
White, I might get black keycaps though. This is my FC750R

 (http://i.imgur.com/tzxUcxm.jpg)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: keyton on Tue, 09 September 2014, 20:02:12
Red.  But I don't have one.

who are you ****er

Who are you ****?
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Novus on Tue, 09 September 2014, 20:12:33
Red.  But I don't have one.

who are you ****er

Who are you ****?

I'm your father, *****.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: usno_oj on Wed, 10 September 2014, 21:01:00
How about a mix of both? :))
(http://cdn.overclock.net/c/c0/c0e40b6b_znItgeu1.jpeg)
(kb courtesy of Exfiltrate on OC)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Novus on Wed, 10 September 2014, 21:02:41
Mixing.
Pink color.

^stinks of liberalism.
Go back to SF
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Thu, 11 September 2014, 00:37:22
How about a mix of both? :))
Show Image
(http://cdn.overclock.net/c/c0/c0e40b6b_znItgeu1.jpeg)

(kb courtesy of Exfiltrate on OC)

I I I I IIIIIII

I love this

why
do I
love this
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: demik on Thu, 11 September 2014, 00:46:40
terrible taste would be my first guess
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: gcb on Thu, 11 September 2014, 01:33:33
i liked black. then i grew up :)

white is the way to go. if it gets dirty, it just means you need new keycaps!

in the end, anything is fine as long as it DOES NOT HAVE LEDs. leds killed my family, or something.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 11 September 2014, 05:44:29
Or something like the top picture in this post (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=39916.msg787981#msg787981).
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Thu, 11 September 2014, 07:48:17
i liked black. then i grew up :)

white is the way to go. if it gets dirty, it just means you need new keycaps!

in the end, anything is fine as long as it DOES NOT HAVE LEDs. leds killed my family, or something.

But how do you compute at night.....???
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: vimx on Thu, 11 September 2014, 08:09:37
i liked black. then i grew up :)

white is the way to go. if it gets dirty, it just means you need new keycaps!

in the end, anything is fine as long as it DOES NOT HAVE LEDs. leds killed my family, or something.

But how do you compute at night.....???

Touch typing! All day long.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: Tio2 on Thu, 11 September 2014, 10:05:38
I love black keys on white boards. I have an RK-9000I with black Cherry double shots and I love the look of it (unfortunately, no pics til I get back).
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Thu, 11 September 2014, 11:31:46
i liked black. then i grew up :)

white is the way to go. if it gets dirty, it just means you need new keycaps!

in the end, anything is fine as long as it DOES NOT HAVE LEDs. leds killed my family, or something.

But how do you compute at night.....???

Touch typing! All day long.

I touch-type, too, LEDs != labels. It's too dark in my room without all my LEDs. :3
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: mikekey on Fri, 12 September 2014, 18:59:22
Aren't white keys hard to clean?
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: katushkin on Fri, 12 September 2014, 19:06:31
Many of both and more :)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: vimx on Fri, 12 September 2014, 19:35:47
i liked black. then i grew up :)

white is the way to go. if it gets dirty, it just means you need new keycaps!

in the end, anything is fine as long as it DOES NOT HAVE LEDs. leds killed my family, or something.

But how do you compute at night.....???

Touch typing! All day long.

I touch-type, too, LEDs != labels. It's too dark in my room without all my LEDs. :3

I chose not to go the LED route to encourage touch typing.  I hadn't considered them for ambient lighting.  Not a bad idea.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: ryhanson on Fri, 12 September 2014, 23:26:18
One of each :) I've bought a black Poker II and a white one. Ended up putting one in a Hammer case with the Raindrop v2 set, and the other one now has whites as the base keys and blacks as the modifiers and a white case. You can see it in some pics here: http://imgur.com/a/2aYMX
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 13 September 2014, 04:08:30
Aren't white keys hard to clean?

Keycaps of both colours pick up dust, dirt and oil from your fingers.  They can all be easily cleaned by immersion in denture tablet-saturated warm water.
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: cherpalla on Sat, 13 September 2014, 05:50:16
One of each :) I've bought a black Poker II and a white one. Ended up putting one in a Hammer case with the Raindrop v2 set, and the other one now has whites as the base keys and blacks as the modifiers and a white case. You can see it in some pics here: http://imgur.com/a/2aYMX

Pretty  :cool:
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: oscillik on Sat, 13 September 2014, 07:27:28
I prefer both

(http://i.imgur.com/0o0dKWE.jpg)
Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: yuktsi on Sat, 13 September 2014, 08:31:31
I prefer both

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/0o0dKWE.jpg)

How about black on white?

(http://i.imgur.com/UxO5Ppo.jpg)

Title: Re: Do you prefer a black or a white keyboard?
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Sat, 13 September 2014, 09:18:11
Whatever the manly unicorn falls into