Topre Realforce 87U for Mac discussion

[varslot]

I'm in the research phase of getting a new keyboard for my workspace. I work as a graphic designer, so I obviously use a a lot of shortcuts. Ergo, my current standard Apple keybord is not very satisfying.

Lately I've been considering the Topre Realforce 87U, and i have a couple of questions I would like you guys to give your opinion towards.

First I want to point out the reasons why I'm considering it:

• It's topre.
• The size of the left ctrl and windows button are more or less the same size as a standard Apple keyboard.
• It comes in white, so it will fit the overall Apple theme.
• Topre.

And this is what I'm curious to know:
First of all I want to know if there's any catch to this keyboard using it on a Mac. I know the TKL numpad doesn't work, and the standard keycaps are for Windows. Anything else?
This leads me to my next question: Are Topre keycaps hard to find? I haven't found a single custom manufacturer yet, but that could be me being a bad at searching.
I would like to have the Apple keycaps (like the cmd), but I guess I can live without it. If you know of somewhere I can get them, please notify me.
Also I'm Norwegian, so the nordic layout would be nice, but not a must as I know very well where all the Norwegian letters are placed on the keyboard. But if you know of any manufacturer who sell nordic keycaps for Topre, please enlighten me.
The 3 different versions (55g, "Silent" and standard): I'm thinking of buying the "Silent" version, as I work in a bureau, and I don't want to annoy my co-workers too much. Is there any downsides with the "Silent" version?
Lastly I really want the TKL, but as I actually use the numpad for shortcuts, I'm thinking of buying an external numpad. Where can I get the white version of the Topre numpad? Or should I consider something else for the numpad?

I think that's about it. But please, if you have something to say that I haven't thought about, tell me

[neunelfer]

There are very limited custom keycaps available and most are sold out. You won't find a CMD key.

E: I completely forgot about the printed HHKB caps as MJ45 pointed out, mine is blank - sorry.

[MJ45]

It is possible to find command & option keys for a Realforce, I used some from a HHKB set. Also the imbedded num pad feature can be functional with KeyRemap4Macbook. 

[sth]

you should probably look elsewhere for the numpad, i think. they're getting harder to find and i don't know if anybody in europe even sells them anymore. if you find a source, let me know; I could use a numpad at work.

neunelfer- not quite. if you can find a printed set of HHKB keys, or someone who wants to sell a set or part it out, you can use HHKB cmd and alt keys on your topre realforce. the meta/cmd actually has the symbol apple uses for command, and the alt key is printed with alt and option -- should make you feel a bit more at home

not sure about nordic keys but i have a feeling they're uncommon at best. you might want to ask over at DT - deskthority.net - where there is more focus on euro users and layouts. the keyboard co sells a swedish layout but i'm not sure a norweigian/nordic layout has been produced. don't shoot me for suggesting swedish pls.

mj45- nards, you beat me to it.

[varslot]

It is possible to find command & option keys for a Realforce, I used some from a HHKB set. Also the imbedded num pad feature can be functional with KeyRemap4Macbook. 

Sweet, but are the keys in the same shade as the Realforce though?

you should probably look elsewhere for the numpad, i think. they're getting harder to find and i don't know if anybody in europe even sells them anymore. if you find a source, let me know; I could use a numpad at work.

neunelfer- not quite. if you can find a printed set of HHKB keys, or someone who wants to sell a set or part it out, you can use HHKB cmd and alt keys on your topre realforce. the meta/cmd actually has the symbol apple uses for command, and the alt key is printed with alt and option -- should make you feel a bit more at home

not sure about nordic keys but i have a feeling they're uncommon at best. you might want to ask over at DT - deskthority.net - where there is more focus on euro users and layouts. the keyboard co sells a swedish layout but i'm not sure a norweigian/nordic layout has been produced. don't shoot me for suggesting swedish pls.

mj45- nards, you beat me to it.

I'll probably find another numpad then, but I'll let you know if I find one 

Still seeking an answer to the "Silent" version's cons though.

[MJ45]

It is possible to find command & option keys for a Realforce, I used some from a HHKB set. Also the imbedded num pad feature can be functional with KeyRemap4Macbook. 

Sweet, but are the keys in the same shade as the Realforce though?

you should probably look elsewhere for the numpad, i think. they're getting harder to find and i don't know if anybody in europe even sells them anymore. if you find a source, let me know; I could use a numpad at work.

neunelfer- not quite. if you can find a printed set of HHKB keys, or someone who wants to sell a set or part it out, you can use HHKB cmd and alt keys on your topre realforce. the meta/cmd actually has the symbol apple uses for command, and the alt key is printed with alt and option -- should make you feel a bit more at home

not sure about nordic keys but i have a feeling they're uncommon at best. you might want to ask over at DT - deskthority.net - where there is more focus on euro users and layouts. the keyboard co sells a swedish layout but i'm not sure a norweigian/nordic layout has been produced. don't shoot me for suggesting swedish pls.

mj45- nards, you beat me to it.

I'll probably find another numpad then, but I'll let you know if I find one 

Still seeking an answer to the "Silent" version's cons though.

The black HHKB keys are a exact match to the Realforce black ones. Besides even if I was a windoze user I hate the Realforce bubble keys. I don't if the white & gray HHKB match the RF though.

[varslot]

It is possible to find command & option keys for a Realforce, I used some from a HHKB set. Also the imbedded num pad feature can be functional with KeyRemap4Macbook. 

Sweet, but are the keys in the same shade as the Realforce though?

you should probably look elsewhere for the numpad, i think. they're getting harder to find and i don't know if anybody in europe even sells them anymore. if you find a source, let me know; I could use a numpad at work.

neunelfer- not quite. if you can find a printed set of HHKB keys, or someone who wants to sell a set or part it out, you can use HHKB cmd and alt keys on your topre realforce. the meta/cmd actually has the symbol apple uses for command, and the alt key is printed with alt and option -- should make you feel a bit more at home

not sure about nordic keys but i have a feeling they're uncommon at best. you might want to ask over at DT - deskthority.net - where there is more focus on euro users and layouts. the keyboard co sells a swedish layout but i'm not sure a norweigian/nordic layout has been produced. don't shoot me for suggesting swedish pls.

mj45- nards, you beat me to it.

I'll probably find another numpad then, but I'll let you know if I find one 

Still seeking an answer to the "Silent" version's cons though.

The black HHKB keys are a exact match to the Realforce black ones. Besides even if I was a windoze user I hate the Realforce bubble keys. I don't if the white & gray HHKB match the RF though.

Aight. I'm going for the white version though.

[xrayos]

any else source topre keycaps for the mac?

i.e., f-keys with media legends and command legends


thanks

[Koriolis]

Has anyone found a source for mac keycaps for topre? I know WASD sells mxcherry mac keycaps and I know shapeways sells mx cherry to topre converters, but ideally there would be a better way...

[rowdy]

Has anyone found a source for mac keycaps for topre? I know WASD sells mxcherry mac keycaps and I know shapeways sells mx cherry to topre converters, but ideally there would be a better way...

Welcome to Geekhack1

There are very, very, very, few Topre keycap set manufacturers, and they all stick with conventional legends.

Matt3o did design a custom set (for Topre) with interesting legends, but it did not sell very well at all.

There are a few artisans making Topre keycaps, but they are not printed.

[axtran]

It is possible to find command & option keys for a Realforce, I used some from a HHKB set. Also the imbedded num pad feature can be functional with KeyRemap4Macbook. 

Sweet, but are the keys in the same shade as the Realforce though?

you should probably look elsewhere for the numpad, i think. they're getting harder to find and i don't know if anybody in europe even sells them anymore. if you find a source, let me know; I could use a numpad at work.

neunelfer- not quite. if you can find a printed set of HHKB keys, or someone who wants to sell a set or part it out, you can use HHKB cmd and alt keys on your topre realforce. the meta/cmd actually has the symbol apple uses for command, and the alt key is printed with alt and option -- should make you feel a bit more at home

not sure about nordic keys but i have a feeling they're uncommon at best. you might want to ask over at DT - deskthority.net - where there is more focus on euro users and layouts. the keyboard co sells a swedish layout but i'm not sure a norweigian/nordic layout has been produced. don't shoot me for suggesting swedish pls.

mj45- nards, you beat me to it.

I'll probably find another numpad then, but I'll let you know if I find one 

Still seeking an answer to the "Silent" version's cons though.

The black HHKB keys are a exact match to the Realforce black ones. Besides even if I was a windoze user I hate the Realforce bubble keys. I don't if the white & gray HHKB match the RF though.

Aight. I'm going for the white version though.

Good luck! I didn't like the legends on most of Topre boards (they all use some god awful font, just go look at Page Up and Page Down). I settled on buying a RF87U 55g and a 45g "EK-Edition" and swapped the keycaps over.