want a really small kb, cant decide.

[herfalerf]

well ever since i got my razer BW ive been thinking about my next kb purchase and ive decided that i want something small, very small.  as i see it that pretty much leaves me with 3 options, choc mini, kbc poker, or HHKB.  since i dont feel like spending $350 on the HHKB i will go for the more reasonably priced choc mini or poker, both of which it looks like are available easily on ebay for around $100.  the thing is i dont really know which one to pick.  both come in a variety of switch types and both are small.  the fact that the switches on the poker are PCB mounted is a little worrisome to me.  due to that fact i was leaning towards the choc mini, which is also slightly cheaper.  then i came across the poker GB thread and saw the white engraved keycaps.  do want.  lettering on both boards like like it would easily wear off and since the layout on these boards is so specific i dont want to run the risk one day of wearing off the letters.  as you can see im not really getting anywhere with this whole decision thing, so i was hoping you guys could help out and tell me what you think about each board, especially in regards to the lettering on the keycaps and the metal plate (or lack thereof.)

[LEGITBALLIN]

id say they are almoast dead even

[bloodygood]

The PCB mount isn't really a problem just is a different feel than plate mount. Some prefer plate some prefer PCB. On that note, PCB mount allows for swapping out the stems/springs at any point without de-soldering which means you could potentially change to a different set of switches later on, or even doing a combination of red/black/blue/clear/brown/ergo/etc.

[demik]

siig minitouch!

[443330]

Hey mate, your in the exact same position I am in heh. I too am stuck between the Noppoo Choc mini or the KBC Poker (with mx reds and pbt caps). The choc mini is cheaper but I don't like the caps as much and also the lay out on the Poker is much nicer imo. But the Poker costs more.
The only reason I would personally choose the Poker over the Choc mini is the layout and caps (I don't like the front of the caps with different colors, yes im picky). I have heard many good things about the Choc mini and I think it is much more popular, whether or not that is a reason to buy is up to you. If there is anyone else reading and could list other types of kb with similar layouts and similar prices please do as herfalerf and I would really appreciate having other options.

[Orphagn]

Just get the Poker. You'll be happy.

[443330]

Keyboards:
KBC Poker

BIAS BIAS BIAS

[herfalerf]

well i saw something else i dont like about the poker.  it looks like the esc key is set as the function tilde.  i use escape often and i do not want to have to push the function key to do so.  i know i could just download a program and remap the key to esc, but i wish i didnt have to do that.  the lettering on the choc mini is pretty goofy.  nadger's review had some pretty nice close up pics of the lettering and it didnt look like a very deep etching.  still worried about wearing off those letters. if i could find an alternate keycap set with good legends that included all the media key legends etc i would buy the choc mini now.

[443330]

Yea I hear you about the choc mini. With the poker I believe you can change the way the esc/tilde key functions. A more experienced member will be able to verify this.

[fossala]

Yea I hear you about the choc mini. With the poker I believe you can change the way the esc/tilde key functions. A more experienced member will be able to verify this.

You can change "~" to "Esc" but then you loose "~" because "fn+Esc" no longer does anything. I think it was a bug in the firmware.

[Zifle]

I would say the layout is probably the biggest factor for choosing between them. I ended up getting a choc mini because I liked the layout and the media keys.
The keys are laser etched, so you shouldn't worry about them wearing out. You CAN feel the engraving, so that might turn you off.

I don't regret my purchase, as I use it to take to and from school (which is why I got the board in the first place).
But again, I can't imagine a bigger regret of your purchase, than if you don't like the layout.

[fossala]

The choc mini has problems on anything but windows. So it was a no-no for me as I am an *BSD/Linux user. I am finding my poker nice, even better since I swapped out the switches for clears.

[443330]

If the choc mini and Poker are equal in terms of quality. Then I would definitely want to go with the Poker, problem is choc mini is cheaper and I am on a budget at the moment. Sorry to hijack the thread but we have similar questions. If someone could try and answer these I think it would help herfalerf and I a lot.
1. Are there any other boards with a similar layout to the Choc mini and Poker? (not including happy hacking kb)
2. Is the quality of the Poker and Choc mini almost the same?
3. I have a friend in Japan who could buy a keyboard there and ship to me, would this work out cheaper? Or are websites like pchome and taobao my best option?
4. Does either PChome or Taobao sell pokers?
5. Are their any other websites similar to PChome which have a proven track record?
6. Is it worth me paying extra for red switches and pbt keys or should I just go with black switches and abs keys and save the money?

Sorry for the bombardment of questions

[fossala]

1. Siig minitouch
2. The only problem with the poker is that the caps key isn't stabalised. I don't have a choc but I have heard good things.
3. I got mine off qtan, he will "help" with customs ended up quite cheap.
4. Taobao do I think.
5. Don't know, but again just order from qtan. He has a good track record.
6. Pick whatever switch you want more, money should change what one is better for you. As for the pbt key caps, I went for them and regret it. The caps lock window keeps falling off and the lettering is starting to fade. If I was to get another I would get abs the buy some pbt ones afterwards.

[443330]

Hey Fossala thanks for the answers. How would I go about searching on Taobao for the pokers? I have seen the thread for buying on PChome but not for Taobao.
I wouldn't mind the caps lock key, but you think the PBT keys supplied with poker are not worth the price? Why do you regret it?
I have been in contact with Qtan so I might purchase off him.
OH and if anyone else is reading this I would like to hear your answers too

[Zifle]

The choc mini has problems on anything but windows. So it was a no-no for me as I am an *BSD/Linux user. I am finding my poker nice, even better since I swapped out the switches for clears.

I'm having no issues with my choc on my ubuntu. Only thing there is, is the caps lock not switching the light, however it does switch the lettering.
I've heard there is a software fix for the mac, and I can't be certain about BSD systems, but from what I know, only mac has a serious problem.

Edit:
I ordered mine through qtan, and can recommend him. There is a "guide" for purchasing off of taobao in the World Wide Shopping Links

[fossala]

As I said the lettering wears off easily, and the caps key window falls of (qtan offered to send me a replacement caps key but I declined as I am buying a blank pbt set from a groupbuy on Deskthority).

Here is the results for poker on taobao
http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=poker&pid=mm_14507416_2297358_8935934&unid=0&mode=63

[fossala]

I'm having no issues with my choc on my ubuntu. Only thing there is, is the caps lock not switching the light, however it does switch the lettering.
I've heard there is a software fix for the mac, and I can't be certain about BSD systems, but from what I know, only mac has a serious problem.

I must of misunderstood. I thought that there was problems due to the usb NKRO hackery.

[443330]

Thanks for the links guys, checking them out now. Cheers

[wmtx]

I've been using a Cherry G84-4100 and have been quite happy with it. In fact I would still be using it if I didn't upgrade to a Cherry G80-11900 because of the need for the integrated touchpad.

EDIT: The keycaps are laser-inscribed by the way so they should last a while.

[Wihl]

I love my Noppoo Choc Mini. Got it from qtan a while back and I've been using it at work ever since. I work as a copywriter which means that I type on it all day, every day. Got it with red switches and I'm loving it. Haven't seen any fading so far and the key caps feel great, much better than the stock ABS-caps on my Filco at home. The Filco keys feel so... rubbery due to the coating.

[Magna224]

I chose the Noppoo choc mini for the dedicated arrow keys. It also has a nice long cord. The only real problem I had with it was the print fading. Supposedly all of the new ones don't have this problem.  When I bought mine the Noppoo was cheaper than the Poker. Altogether I made the better decision for me. It seems the poker has a bigger following though and therefore has group buys and things for cases and caps.

[TheProfosist]

The layout on the Choc Mini is better but replacing any keys on it is near impossible.

[Tony]

I have ordered Choc mini and I think it's good choice.

[bloodygood]

Well I would say the best choice would probably be waiting and ordering a Dox keyboard i.e finding someone in that mod forum with a layout you like and ordering one from them. (You would most likely have to pay for someone to put it together for you, if you don't know how or don't want to do it yourself) But you could then choose any layout for the keys you want as they are doing Teensy contollers and there are plenty of us on the forums who understand how to write the code for the keypresses to help. Also if you hold out a little longer you could get the Aikon or Chameleon controller instead of a Teensy since they are a little more user friendly for setting up the keylayout. That is what I am doing at least, but I plan on putting it together myself.

[TheProfosist]

Well I would say the best choice would probably be waiting and ordering a Dox keyboard i.e finding someone in that mod forum with a layout you like and ordering one from them. (You would most likely have to pay for someone to put it together for you, if you don't know how or don't want to do it yourself) But you could then choose any layout for the keys you want as they are doing Teensy contollers and there are plenty of us on the forums who understand how to write the code for the keypresses to help. Also if you hold out a little longer you could get the Aikon or Chameleon controller instead of a Teensy since they are a little more user friendly for setting up the keylayout. That is what I am doing at least, but I plan on putting it together myself.

Looking at building a DOX myself once everything comes together.