Black vs White keyboard

[epsilon]

I'm trying to decide between a white Poker II keyboard and a black one.
Are there any relevant differences aside aesthetics?

Thanks for your response.

[Pacifist]

apart from aesthetics, no

[epsilon]

apart from aesthetics, no

Should I worry about the caps getting darker or something like that?

[Lastpilot]

Unless specially coated, white plastic boards tend to yellow over time when exposed to UV light. I think HHKB is an example.

But then black is so boring.

The answer is obviously getting a custom metal case!

[Pacifist]

Unless specially coated, white plastic boards tend to yellow over time when exposed to UV light. I think HHKB is an example.

But then black is so boring.

The answer is obviously getting a custom metal case!

But  really, how long will that take? You'll probally have 10 more boards by then

[Lastpilot]

A valid point Pacifist!

I suppose it would depend on how much sunlight you let in your room. But yeah, either way I think it would take a while!

But, then again, one of the beauties of typing on a mechanical is its durability. You need a case that can last as long as the switches inside, right?

[Pacifist]

A valid point Pacifist!

I suppose it would depend on how much sunlight you let in your room. But yeah, either way I think it would take a while!

But, then again, one of the beauties of typing on a mechanical is its durability. You need a case that can last as long as the switches inside, right?

Of course. Im sure that by the time the case yellows, you'd get a snazzy alum case to go with the board

[epsilon]

A valid point Pacifist!

I suppose it would depend on how much sunlight you let in your room. But yeah, either way I think it would take a while!

But, then again, one of the beauties of typing on a mechanical is its durability. You need a case that can last as long as the switches inside, right?

I have decided to purchase the "black" one. In fact, the keycaps are kinda charcoal to me, they are not really black.  That will set it aside from my other black keyboards!
Besides, I live in Brazil, and there is too much sunlight in here! 

[Tony]

All white keyboards will become darker after 20 years of sunlight exposure. See the Compaq MX 11800s for evidence.

[hoggy]

One extreme solution would be to move to the UK...😀

[False_Dmitry_II]

Wait, what? I was pretty sure old stuff yellowed because of their chemical makeup. The Compaq MX 11800 is something from that era.

So why are we assuming that the HHKB and other modern things have that same failing?

[dorkvader]

Wait, what? I was pretty sure old stuff yellowed because of their chemical makeup. The Compaq MX 11800 is something from that era.

So why are we assuming that the HHKB and other modern things have that same failing?

Plastic usually yellows due to the chemical makeup. I think the bromine for fire retardancy is the usual culprit. The only HHKB I've seen yellowed is part of the case on a HHKB pro 1, see this image:

[ajx]

apart from aesthetics, no

Usually i pick black keyboard but for Poker II, i decided to pick white version.
Its a matter of aestheticism, not everyone likes white version
Black Poker II comes with PBT keycaps and its rather dark grey than full black
With black case, its contrasted and i quit dislike it.
White vs Black keyboard, in my opinion:
+ easy to clean up when keys get dirty, you ll see it immediately
+ more beautiful (still a matter of taste)
+ pretty rare for high technology stuff that usually comes often in black version (TV, phones, consoles...)
+ sightly brighter into darkness
- its more complicated if you want all your stuff matching color with your keyboard, meaning desktop, screen, mice...
- get dirty quicker if you are lazy to clean up
- can yellow over time but at least it will becomes less white than new white stuff for sure (i had white iPhone and within fews month of use, it clearly less white than other newer white phones)

[terrpn]

right............the polymers in the plastic degrade due to the attack from UV and turn yellow-brown. i was under the impression that newer, modern, expensive plastics they put in keyboards retard that from occurring? they have UV stabilizers in them to avoid this happening?

either way avoid from placing in direct UV.

i personally like white boards, but not to many people sell them in white anymore. like one previous post there are a lot of options out there for custom cases or even customizing your own case. the paint they make out there today for plastic in particular, vinyl dyes, etc. are pretty bullet proof if you do it right. mine adhered to the plastic like factory and you would think it would have came that way.

[maatmouse]

White always shows up the dirt and fluff more than black. White keyboards in my house always end up looking like they've been exposed to cigarette smoke (they turn a bit yellow).

[Danule]

White usually looks more special these days as most computer hardware has been black since the late 90s.

[Hyde]

^ This

Also contrary to popular believe, white keyboard actually look more clean.  Because dust show up more on black keyboards.

But I'd mainly buy white keyboards because it's more unique.

[zig_ziglar]

^ This

Also contrary to popular believe, white keyboard actually look more clean.  Because dust show up more on black keyboards.

But I'd mainly buy white keyboards because it's more unique.

I'm a fan of the brilliant white look too. Keyboards have been off white or grey for so long. Or black in higher end gear.

However, the trend for white is picking up momentum, so it won't be so unique for long. Not to say it will become less cool.

[uzoc]

For me the keyboard can be black, but the keys have to have better contrast (white or another lighter color).
It's easier to see in low light, etc.

[demik]

type faster on black keyboards

[pbtforever]

Don't buy white.  Makes you look like an Apple user.   

[minho]

If you plan on keeping the stock keycaps, I think the white looks better. The pad printing on the charcoal version (which I have) tends to get dirty, but the legends are darker on the white keycaps so this won't be nearly as much of an issue.

However, I am planning on replacing my keycaps with thick blank black keycaps and get a black aluminum case, so the black backplate looks better with my future plans for the keyboard.

[Beca]

white4ever. I owned a white/beige keyboard for a while and it never appeared dirty. just gotta wash your hands properly.

[rowdy]

Here's another take: I have white (KeyCool), off-white (HHKB), gray (QFR) and black (Ducky) (and yellow (ducky) if you insist).

Of the shades of gray, more keycap sets seem to suit white board than the black one for example Miami and CCnB.