An 75% arrangement might be closer to what you are used to. Mechanicalkeyboards came out with one last month with their own label on it, the MK84. A Matias Quiet Pro could also be worth your consideration. However, the non-standard, "laptop"-like arrangements can be tricky to get replacement key caps for, should you ever want to play that game.
Work appropriate? The very idea that any computer keyboard wouldn't be work appropriate is absurd. The things were designed for work... in an office... with people.
Anyway... before committing to a key type, get hold of keyboard tester or try-out a mechanical keyboard of the type that you are curious about. Me, I like Cherry blues just because of the auditory feedback. For quieter, blacks or browns with appropriately sized o-rings might work but only you would know that by trying them.
It doesn't meet all your criteria but you might have a look at the Cherry ML4100 keyboards. The Cherry ML switch is low travel, quite similar to a scissor switch. The ML4100 is available both with & without Windows keys, in black or white. The embedded numeric keypad is a nice extra, also.
My brother has one of these Microsoft Sculpt ergonomic scissor-switch keyboards. The separate numberpad is very good, and the switches are pretty nice. The ergonomic split is not for everyone, but it can be good.
Lenovo is really good, I'd say even the best, with their scissor switches. Full 2mm of key travel, tactile, and a tad heavier than most. You can get one for pretty low cost and it's a pretty similar layout. Note, this again is in CAD, so higher than USD.
I have an Inspiron 1525 that I actually still kind of like, if it were not for the ridiculous fan speed controls. The screen is 16:10 and the keyboard is nice, but the keys are glossy (I much prefer textured keycaps).
Edit: I'm sad I missed the Octagon group buy. Now that is something I would be personally willing to pay $200+ for! This variant of the Octagon looks perfect:The Octagon is programmable, it even have a dedicated program for that: http://duck0113.tistory.com/115Show Image(http://www.kbd4u.com/web/ftpImages/Octagon/type-4-2.jpg)
...at least as long as I could mod it so that the Scroll Lock and Pause are replaced with Delete and something else. I haven't looked into firmware programming yet, so I'm not aware of the possibilities.
Sounds like there's an Octagon V2 (http://duck0113.tistory.com/127) on the horizon, too. I think I'll buy something else to get used to MKs in the meantime, but I'll be keeping an eye out for it.
That's partly why I'm interested in the Cherry MX-Board 3.0. It's affordable at around $80, there is a clip-on palm rest available for it, and it uses the ubiquitous Cherry MX switches. I'm not sure whether the Cherry MX Red or the Browns would be better, transitioning from scissor switches. I've stopped by BestBuy today, hoping they might have some MKs on display for me to try, but all they had was the Razer BlackWidow Chroma, so... no. :P
QuoteThat's partly why I'm interested in the Cherry MX-Board 3.0. It's affordable at around $80, there is a clip-on palm rest available for it, and it uses the ubiquitous Cherry MX switches. I'm not sure whether the Cherry MX Red or the Browns would be better, transitioning from scissor switches. I've stopped by BestBuy today, hoping they might have some MKs on display for me to try, but all they had was the Razer BlackWidow Chroma, so... no. :P
You should look at the newest one, the Cherry MX 6.0.
An 75% arrangement might be closer to what you are used to. Mechanicalkeyboards came out with one last month with their own label on it, the MK84. A Matias Quiet Pro could also be worth your consideration. However, the non-standard, "laptop"-like arrangements can be tricky to get replacement key caps for, should you ever want to play that game.
Thanks for the tip re: 75% keyboards! It's exactly the sort of thing I should be looking for to replace the laptop keyboard. I've been looking around.. unfortunately, most of the 75% MKs I've seen so far have off-putting layouts, personally speaking. The MK84 comes very close, though I know I'll miss the dedicated Menu key when using it with Windows. The compact Matias Quiet Pro (http://matias.ca/miniquietpro/pc/) has the same issue, plus it's missing dedicated Home and End keys. But thank you for the tip! I'll keep looking with it in mind.
PgUp::Home
PgDn::End
Home::PgUp
End::PgDn#!/bin/bash
xmodmap -e 'keycode 112 = Home'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 117 = End'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 110 = Page_Up'
xmodmap -e 'keycode 115 = Page_Down'The Vortex Race has the same key layout as you are used to, however, no Cherry switch will feel close to a scissor switch, at least unmodified. They all have MUCH longer travel and a different feel at the bottom.Wow, what a woman. If I wasn't married already, I would have asked you to marry me. :-*
I can't speak for the Matias, I haven't used it, but there are ways to play with Cherrys and make them feel different.
The first thing you will want is o-rings, that will give you the softer landing and quiet the switch on bottoming out. Some keycaps lack the necessary ribbing, and Vortex, at least the older keys had some of the worst legends I have ever seen, lasting only a week. So if you go with a Vortex, beware you may need or want new caps. Specialty Plastics also lack support for o-rings, however stacking o-rings can work, but can get expensive. You need two sets for normal switches, 3 for Jailhouse Blues. Also, the keycaps are not standard profile on the Vortex (or any 75%), so you can't just grab any keyset and have it fit like it should. I customized a set of keys from WASD that had the right profiles, you just need to be creative.
For the actual switch, the simplest is go with browns or clears (Ergo clears will offer a softer feel). Reds have no tactility. Ergo Clears require opening and possibly desoldering each switch (if you have a plate) and swapping springs or the stem. Since clears aren't as common, start with blues, browns or reds. If you start with blues, you're equipped for the next option.
Jailhouse Blues (JBs)will give you the shortest stroke, however they require a lot more effort. There are a few ways to construct them, each having pros and cons, all are fickle, and all require opening the switch (which requires desoldering if you have a plate). JBs can hang, but the stiffer spring that results helps fight this. Cutting the springs (I have a chart in one of the threads) will allow you to tune the spring pressure back to stock, but go too light and any friction from the spacers will cause the key to hang. So you need to be extra vigilant. Done right JBs are awesome, but they are a ton of work to get right. If you plan on keeping this a long time, it may be the best way to go.
A few more things about the Vortex Race, the backspace and FN key are annoying. Considering what keyboard you are leaving it may not be an issue, but for me, coming from a full size and having longer fingernails than guys, I found it easy to clip the FN key when hitting the backspace. This launches the calculator, stealing focus. I solved it by using a lower profile key on the FN switch. I don't know if the newer one still does it.
I would also consider an aluminum case or a plate, the stock plastic case and PCB is flimsy. Granted it was fine when I was using laptops and full size, but after my current setup, it feels like a wet noodle. Your results may vary. Keep in mind, my desktop keyboard uses one of the stiffest cases, a oversize stainless steel plate and is only a TKL, it weighs about 5 pounds (no joke) and would kill someone if it hit them.
If it doesn't have a plate, the original Race doesn't, you can make two small cuts at the back of the switch cover where the LED is, and simply bend it out of the way (gently). No need to desolder the LEDs to get into the switch. It doesn't harm the switch, though many have cringed at the idea, frankly, I think it's safer than desoldering that many LEDs and risk damaging the PCB or LED.
All of this may seem like a lot of work, but a well built keyboard, that you like can last years, decades even. Look at the old Model M, people are still using them 40 years later. My Filco is 3 years old, and it's the second longest I have used a keyboard, while I spent a lot on it, I spent more in the years leading up to it trying to get the feel and sound I was after or replacing broken keyboards, stuck keys, or just being unhappy with what I had. You may need to go through a keyboard or set of switches or two to figure out what you want, but keep working towards it, then guard it with your life because as you have found, once you find what you want, it's not always easy to replace.