Keyboard+College+Switches+Money=OVERWHELMED D:

[a Horde of Penguins]

So I'm thinking of buying the POK3R through the amazing service called Massdrop, and I'm having some issues deciding on whether I should buy it or not in the first place.
I haven't been able to find much material on the POK3R around here so here goes it. 

Now I want to be able to use this keyboard at college paired with my Macbook Pro 13" (during class, is this unrealistic?).

-This is just for reference.
           My current board is my entry board (broke 18yr old here, don't judge  ) a Das S Ultimate 3, modded with the Leopold
           side print caps which honestly was a bad experience paired with my Corsair stabilizers in the case (the pbt is too   
           thick  ).

Having no experience with a 60% board, and seeing that it would come maybe 10 days before my classes start.

-How long do you think that it would take for me to get used to typing on it?
-Do you think that I would like the board?
-Which switches would I want to get for use in a college class (red???)?

[Flyersfan1]

Of course there might be a bit of an adjustment going from a full size to 60%, but as long as you don't rely on using the function row or arrow cluster constantly, the transition should be very seamless with regular use.  I can't speak as to whether or not you'll like it, because like most things in this hobby, preference is greatly subjective, just try and do some research about them and decide for yourself if it's worth the investment. Clears would most likely work very well in a classroom setting, they are not loud at all unless you are smashing your keys, which are hard to do with them given their unique force curve.

[jdcarpe]

1. Massdrop is a service, that's true, but I wouldn't exactly call it amazing. They fill a need, but there also exist other channels to get what you want, and you don't have to wait. Fro example, the POK3R keyboard is available in-stock at https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1236

2. You can definitely use a 60% with a MacBook at a desk. Many people do just that.

3. Don't disparage yourself. The Das is a respectable keyboard, especially for your first.

4. You can adjust to a 60% keyboard very quickly, if you dedicate yourself to the task. Your MacBook keyboard really isn't that much different, aside from having function keys and dedicated cursor arrow keys. You can quickly train yourself to use the Fn-layer arrow keys on the Poker.

5. Will you like the 60% form factor? No way of knowing that without trying it for yourself, I'm afraid.

6. For a quiet environment, I would recommend either Clear, Brown, or Red switches. When I first tried Reds, I wasn't a fan, but now I like them. I also enjoy stock Clears. And I use Browns, as well. It's personal preference. You can probably train yourself to type quietly (without bottoming out) on any of those switches. There isn't a whole lot you can do to reduce "top up" noise, other than try different keycaps and possibly add dampening material inside your keyboard or under it.

[digi]

1. Massdrop is a service, that's true, but I wouldn't exactly call it amazing. They fill a need, but there also exist other channels to get what you want, and you don't have to wait. Fro example, the POK3R keyboard is available in-stock at https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1236

2. You can definitely use a 60% with a MacBook at a desk. Many people do just that.

3. Don't disparage yourself. The Das is a respectable keyboard, especially for your first.

4. You can adjust to a 60% keyboard very quickly, if you dedicate yourself to the task. Your MacBook keyboard really isn't that much different, aside from having function keys and dedicated cursor arrow keys. You can quickly train yourself to use the Fn-layer arrow keys on the Poker.

5. Will you like the 60% form factor? No way of knowing that without trying it for yourself, I'm afraid.

6. For a quiet environment, I would recommend either Clear, Brown, or Red switches. When I first tried Reds, I wasn't a fan, but now I like them. I also enjoy stock Clears. And I use Browns, as well. It's personal preference. You can probably train yourself to type quietly (without bottoming out) on any of those switches. There isn't a whole lot you can do to reduce "top up" noise, other than try different keycaps and possibly add dampening material inside your keyboard or under it.

+1

[asdfjkl36]

Also keep in mind, if you choose to buy from Massdrop, you can always sell your pok3r if you don't like it.

Or just pay the different and buy it from MK or elsewhere like JD suggested.
Might be worth it to have it ahead of time and give yourself time to get use to the smaller form factor.

Either way, you won't know until you try

[a Horde of Penguins]

1. Massdrop is a service, that's true, but I wouldn't exactly call it amazing. They fill a need, but there also exist other channels to get what you want, and you don't have to wait. Fro example, the POK3R keyboard is available in-stock at https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1236

2. You can definitely use a 60% with a MacBook at a desk. Many people do just that.

3. Don't disparage yourself. The Das is a respectable keyboard, especially for your first.

4. You can adjust to a 60% keyboard very quickly, if you dedicate yourself to the task. Your MacBook keyboard really isn't that much different, aside from having function keys and dedicated cursor arrow keys. You can quickly train yourself to use the Fn-layer arrow keys on the Poker.

5. Will you like the 60% form factor? No way of knowing that without trying it for yourself, I'm afraid.

6. For a quiet environment, I would recommend either Clear, Brown, or Red switches. When I first tried Reds, I wasn't a fan, but now I like them. I also enjoy stock Clears. And I use Browns, as well. It's personal preference. You can probably train yourself to type quietly (without bottoming out) on any of those switches. There isn't a whole lot you can do to reduce "top up" noise, other than try different keycaps and possibly add dampening material inside your keyboard or under it.

Firstly you are an awesome human being, and secondly damn mechanical keyboards is actually cheaper than massdrop for reds D: (free 3-5 day shipping really makes it an impossible comparison)
And I did some more looking around and honestly to get clears even amazon is similarly priced to massdrop with free 2 day shipping with prime.

Sadness the deals are not what they seem.

[inanis]

Yeah, Massdrop is good for getting things that are hard to find, or for some specific keycap group buys. The stuff that can be found other places though, like the Poker3, or really most of the keyboards they carry, it is often better to look around and see who else has it available.

FWIW, I use a 60%, and I don't miss full size at all. I think almost anyone could happily use a 60% if they are open minded to making the adjustment. If you already use your laptop keyboard and don't have any issues it isn't likely to be a difficult adjustment.

[a Horde of Penguins]

Yeah, Massdrop is good for getting things that are hard to find, or for some specific keycap group buys. The stuff that can be found other places though, like the Poker3, or really most of the keyboards they carry, it is often better to look around and see who else has it available.

FWIW, I use a 60%, and I don't miss full size at all. I think almost anyone could happily use a 60% if they are open minded to making the adjustment. If you already use your laptop keyboard and don't have any issues it isn't likely to be a difficult adjustment.

I don't have my laptop yet  lel, it's actually in the mail, however I use my full sized Das like a laptop kb anyways as I had an older Macbook Pro before I built my comp.

EDIT: Any o ring tips? // recommendations.
EDIT: Ok forget o-rings, I bottom ought on my browns most of the time, so the ideal switch for me would probably be clears or blacks so that I prevent bottoming out....?

[Joey Quinn]

For being in dorms unless you have a really picky roommate whatever switch you like should be fine. Tons of people at my school have blues and I don't know of any noise complaints.

[merlin64]

I highly recommend the Pok3r. I use one at work. Took me less than a day to get used to the smaller keyboard layout. I believe at first people think its gonna cause their hands to get more squished together...but its actually 60% of a FULL size keyboard. So the keys are no less squished together and no less smaller than a regular one. Also once you find a comfortable fn + arrow key combination you will be set. I use the ones similar to the KBP V60s. I do use a TKL at home though, so if I've been typing a lot at home, I end up coming to work the next day and hunting for the arrows. If I used the Pok3r exclusively I doubt I'd have the problem.

In terms of switches, I would be mindful of my neighbors. If you're bringing it to class or using it in a small dorm room, I'd go for the quieter switches. Though once people get used to a noisy switch, it won't matter. So you could try it that way too haha.

[FrostyToast]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

[a Horde of Penguins]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

Are you talking about the one sold by Kbp?

[FrostyToast]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

Are you talking about the one sold by Kbp?

Yes.

[esoomenona]

.

[a Horde of Penguins]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

Are you talking about the one sold by Kbp?

Yes.

So, I'm very interested in getting this no aluminum case is fine, it'll be lighter anyways, however no pbt caps is a pain but saving 20 bucks isn't half bad. The one problem I am now facing is I can't seem to find anywhere to buy it with the tactile vs of the quiet switches.

EDIT: I think I may be confused and that the linear quiet switches are somewhat tactile? looking at Massdrop ATM

[jdcarpe]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

Are you talking about the one sold by Kbp?

Yes.

So, I'm very interested in getting this no aluminum case is fine, it'll be lighter anyways, however no pbt caps is a pain but saving 20 bucks isn't half bad. The one problem I am now facing is I can't seem to find anywhere to buy it with the tactile vs of the quiet switches.

Just a word of advice -- I don't think you should start your 60% journey with Alps. I'd go with the Poker 3 first, just to see how you like it. They are available in many MX switch types, and MX switches are able to be modded, if you want to try something unique. Plus you have a variety of keycaps you can switch out.

Alps have a place in the keyboard world, and I am a big supporter of them, but not for someone's first experience with the 60% form factor.

[a Horde of Penguins]

If you want something quiet then you really should go with the v60 Matias keyboard. It uses Matias switches which are some of the quietest switches and are leagues better than Cherry in that regard while still being a joy to use.
The only downside is that it will use alps stems, not Cherry, so you won't have much in the way of custom keycaps.

Are you talking about the one sold by Kbp?

Yes.

So, I'm very interested in getting this no aluminum case is fine, it'll be lighter anyways, however no pbt caps is a pain but saving 20 bucks isn't half bad. The one problem I am now facing is I can't seem to find anywhere to buy it with the tactile vs of the quiet switches.

Just a word of advice -- I don't think you should start your 60% journey with Alps. I'd go with the Poker 3 first, just to see how you like it. They are available in many MX switch types, and MX switches are able to be modded, if you want to try something unique. Plus you have a variety of keycaps you can switch out.

Alps have a place in the keyboard world, and I am a big supporter of them, but not for someone's first experience with the 60% form factor.

I think you're right really want RGB or YMC mods.
P.S. looked at your [ctl]alt, was gonna show my dad then I decided it was too true and didn't show him, didn't want to add more fuel to the fire (he really loves his wireless mini mac kb).