Help for an "semi-informed" noob

[cupraikso]

Hi,

I was hoping that someone could help me first my first mechanical keyboard (ok, second, my first keyboard was a Model M when I was 9 years old in which I learned programming).

I'm a programmer and I use a Mac. I have used Kinesis Keyboards at work, and I have a friend with a keyboard with Cherry Browns, and I much prefer the Cherry Blues.

I use the Dvorak layout.

This is what I want:

• Cherry Blue keys.
• Tenkeyless.
• A design that does not clash horribly with a bunch of Mac hardware (white perhaps?)
• Dvorak or blank keys, or Querty if I can change them myself.
• If the keys are blank, I do want numbers and symbols labeled.
• No windows key labeled as such.
• Possible to damp the keys with O-rings.
• Ergonomic if possible (but not Kinesis Advantage). Not a deal breaker, though.

Do you know any keyboards that could fit my expectations? or maybe a combination of keyboard + parts?

I have the Apple Wireless keyboard; while it is a nice board, I long for a mechanical one.

[metafour]

WASD offers keycap sets that can be etched or engraved in Dvorak. And you can replace the windows keys but unless you get a completely blank set you most likely won't get a keyboard without labeled windows keys, except for the CMStorm. But then a blank keycap set isn't going to meet your other criteria of having numbers and symbols labeled. Since you are looking for a Cherry MX switch keyboard the keys can have o-rings installed.

Edit: I have a CMStorm with blues that's been used for only a few hours if you're interested. I'm not a fan of blues and neither is my friend who tried it out.

[cupraikso]

Thanks! WASDs look like they fit the bill, but are they all full-size keyboards?

The CMStorm looks interesting. What do you hate about Blues?

[metafour]

WASD only has full-size keyboards at the moment but anticipates getting ten keyless boards as well as white colored boards in the future. Q2 for the white base keyboards and Q4 for ten keyless according to this thread:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?23023-Estimated-Timeline-for-New-Products

I like the feeling of linear switches, reds and blacks. I've not tried browns yet. Keyboard switch types are highly subjective and personal to the user though.

[pitashen]

nothing to hate about the blues. The only problem would be the people around you not being able to stand the noise.

[rknize]

I feel your pain and theirs.  I went with browns from a Model M.  Easy transition.  Very light feel.  Still getting used to it, but feels good for typing.  Not loving them for gaming.

[Forin]

White Leopold/Filco or similar, MX Blue TKL and dvorak set from Round4 GB.

Hi,

I was hoping that someone could help me first my first mechanical keyboard (ok, second, my first keyboard was a Model M when I was 9 years old in which I learned programming).

I'm a programmer and I use a Mac. I have used Kinesis Keyboards at work, and I have a friend with a keyboard with Cherry Browns, and I much prefer the Cherry Blues.

I use the Dvorak layout.

This is what I want:

• Cherry Blue keys.
• Tenkeyless.
• A design that does not clash horribly with a bunch of Mac hardware (white perhaps?)
• Dvorak or blank keys, or Querty if I can change them myself.
• If the keys are blank, I do want numbers and symbols labeled.
• No windows key labeled as such.
• Possible to damp the keys with O-rings.
• Ergonomic if possible (but not Kinesis Advantage). Not a deal breaker, though.

Do you know any keyboards that could fit my expectations? or maybe a combination of keyboard + parts?

I have the Apple Wireless keyboard; while it is a nice board, I long for a mechanical one.

[metafour]

White Leopold/Filco or similar, MX Blue TKL and dvorak set from Round4 GB.

I'm curious as to why you would recommend the keys from the round 4 group buy over a set from WASD. I realize they're double shots but at this point there is no guarantee if or when round 4 is going to happen.

I'm also curious what the Nobel Price is which you refer to in your signature.

[Forin]

I was just typing random stuff, when I recalled there are dvorak sets in G4 GB and bang. WASD are probably better, I take your word for that, and available all the time.

I'm curious as to why you would recommend the keys from the round 4 group buy over a set from WASD. I realize they're double shots but at this point there is no guarantee if or when round 4 is going to happen.

I'm also curious what the Nobel Price is which you refer to in your signature.

I pm you some brochures.

[metafour]

WASD are probably better, I take your word for that, and available all the time.

I was saying the Round 4 are doubleshots which for longevity seem to be a better choice. However, considering the level of QA that SP seems to have done in the past with regards to these group buys you might be better off going with the WASD keys if aesthetics matters to you.

[cupraikso]

White Leopold/Filco or similar, MX Blue TKL and dvorak set from Round4 GB.

Thank you! but could you please elucidate what's Round4 GB? Google is not helping me.

Also MX Blue TKL? Google points me to an out of production keyboard?

[DaemonRaccoon]

Thank you! but could you please elucidate what's Round4 GB? Google is not helping me.

Also MX Blue TKL? Google points me to an out of production keyboard?

MX Blue refers to the switch's stem colour.

TKL is an abbreviation for Tenkeyless. They are keyboards without the number pad.

Round 4 GB is the fourth (technically the third) Group buy for double shot keycaps. The thread of which is here.

[metafour]

MX Blue is the switch type.

TKL means ten keyless

Round 4 GB is the round 4 group buy that you can find a thread for in the group buy section of the marketplace subforum here on geek hack.

Seriously though round 4 is going through some changes as to what's available right now and it has been taking orders for a long time. While hopefully it will end soon and the orders will actually be placed I'm not sure if you would want that to be your first experience of buying a set of keycaps as it might take a LOOOONG time to get them.

[hashbaz]

TKL is tenkeyless.  MX blue means blue switches ("Cherry blue keys").  Round 4 is a large group buy underway currently here.  There is some doubt as to whether Round 4 will ever finish...

edit: ninja'd!

[metafour]

edit: ninja'd!

Twice none the less!

[DaemonRaccoon]

TROLOLO :heh:

[cupraikso]

Thanks!

I'm imagining that the keycaps are essentially the same and the only reason one has to order Dvorak keycaps is because of the small bumps over the home keys, right?

[DaemonRaccoon]

That and for Cherry MX keys, each row has a different profile.

[hashbaz]

Twice none the less!

You too.

At any rate, OP, I second the WASD recommendation.  That's probably your best bet for getting matching blank and/or Dvorak keys with no Windows logo and symbols on the number row.  You can order just the key caps and put them (with dampeners) on any standard-layout tenkeyless keyboard.  I have a white Leopold which I love.  Filcos and Choc Minis can also be had in white (though they're harder to find than white Leopolds, and the Choc isn't standard layout).  As far as ergonomics, there aren't a lot of options for mechanicals other than Kinesis.

[cupraikso]

You too.

At any rate, OP, I second the WASD recommendation.  That's probably your best bet for getting matching blank and/or Dvorak keys with no Windows logo and symbols on the number row.  You can order just the key caps and put them (with dampeners) on any standard-layout tenkeyless keyboard.  I have a white Leopold which I love.  Filcos and Choc Minis can also be had in white (though they're harder to find than white Leopolds, and the Choc isn't standard layout).  As far as ergonomics, there aren't a lot of options for mechanicals other than Kinesis.

Excellent.

Just a couple of questions. How white is the white Leopold?

And where could I buy a Filco o Choc Mini? I can't find any source online.

[DaemonRaccoon]

The 'White' is more of a Creme colour, at least from what I've seen.

Choc Minis can be gotten from Qtan's webshop, he has a subforum in the vendor's area.

Filcos can be purchased from Amazon or from The Keyboard Company, which too has a subforum in the vendor's area.

[hashbaz]

Excellent.

Just a couple of questions. How white is the white Leopold?

And where could I buy a Filco o Choc Mini? I can't find any source online.

Yeah I should have mentioned that the white WASD keys probably won't match exactly the Filco/Leopold white.  You can order individual blanks from WASD if you want to get a sense of the color.  I wouldn't call the Leopold "cream", but it's not as bright as Apple's white products.  I've never seen a white Filco in person.  My understanding is that the Choc Mini white is brighter than both the Filco and the Leo, but I could be mistaken.

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rraw#

Here are some pictures of mine in bad lighting, fwiw (white balanced in Gimp after the fact).

[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 39690[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 39691[/ATTACH] [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 39692[/ATTACH]

[PixelVandalism]

A black board with white key caps would look good in front of a mac, because of their black border around the screen.

[boli]

Ergonomic if possible (but not Kinesis Advantage). Not a deal breaker, though.

In that case I suggest considering the TrulyErgonomic, it fits most criteria and is available with blue Cherries. You'll find more info in the ergonomic designs subforums.
I'll mod my TE with o-rings as soon as I get them, hopefully today or tomorrow.