Looking for a 65-75% keyboard

[Craq]

Hello to all you good people

I am new to mechanical keyboards and just recently got into researching about them.
I've found that my ideal keyboard size is around 65-75%, as I need the arrow keys and 60% doesn't get me there.

Could you please help me pick out a great keyboard, including the price cap at around 150usd. My main workflow is programming and swappable keys to change between mac and windows would be great, if possible.
The preferred layout is something resembling TADA68.

[TeacherGeek]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keytron/keychron-k2-a-sleek-compact-wireless-mechanical-ke?ref=1jjmpk&utm_source=jellop&ja=jcf&utm_term=017.jcf&utm_content=Keychron-CB1&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1V_SIPvQCgClNsQzL5Wt7HXgpKpGnIBf6s6sCGj9q7TLjhFIuRdrayqTM

This this. It is their second keyboard so they will have lots of improvements from their first.

[Craq]

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keytron/keychron-k2-a-sleek-compact-wireless-mechanical-ke?ref=1jjmpk&utm_source=jellop&ja=jcf&utm_term=017.jcf&utm_content=Keychron-CB1&utm_medium=facebook&fbclid=IwAR1V_SIPvQCgClNsQzL5Wt7HXgpKpGnIBf6s6sCGj9q7TLjhFIuRdrayqTM

This this. It is their second keyboard so they will have lots of improvements from their first.

This is actually a pretty good choice. The only downside is that it's shipping at around June, but otherwise, it looks like a solid choice to think about. Thanks!

[lolafineday]

Check out the fc660m, should be on mechanical keyboard.com, or if you are EU on mykeyboard.eu.

[Leslieann]

You may also want to look for the Varmilo VA68 line, it's one of the few in this size range that uses standard keycaps. Current offerings are all kind of artsy, but you can still find the aluminum and magnesium case variants for sale.

[Craq]

You may also want to look for the Varmilo VA68 line, it's one of the few in this size range that uses standard keycaps. Current offerings are all kind of artsy, but you can still find the aluminum and magnesium case variants for sale.

Thank you for the recommendation! Sorry, forgot to mention and will update my post. I am looking for a keyboard closer to the layout of TADA68. I'm new and assumed 65-75% all had that layout but I was wrong.

[Leslieann]

Thank you for the recommendation! Sorry, forgot to mention and will update my post. I am looking for a keyboard closer to the layout of TADA68. I'm new and assumed 65-75% all had that layout but I was wrong.

The major difference between 65% and 75% is the addition of the F-key row.

I'll mention this because you mentioned swappable keys/caps, 65% and 75%  do not follow a common standardized layout like tkl and full size. This is an issue when looking for key caps as you will need to pay attention to page up/dn, home/end, FN key and the right side mod keys (alt/ctrl/win), on 75% it gets worse with the FN key jumping rows. Getting these few keys can double or triple the cost of a keycap set, by which point the caps often exceed the cost of the keyboard. And that's if you can get them at all.

Being new, if you haven't done so, I would also consider spending less on cheaper boards to figure out your preferred switch before dumping too much money into a keyboard. It's easier spending $40 and finding out you dislike a switch than it is to spend $150, then $100 on caps only to realize you really want a different switch, costing you another $80, plus a soldering iron and a few days of your time desoldering, then cross your fingers and you don't  damage the pcb in the process. Start cheap, find your preferred switch style and keyboard shape, then invest in a nice keyboard. This goes double if the rest of your system is not yet up to speed either, no point in spending $150+ on a keyboard when you are still rocking an older system.

[tex_live_utility]

The Tada68 with a plastic case is probably the best starter option. You can upgrade the case later.

Maybe you can send it to someone for Mill-Max socket installation, which will make it hotswappable -- that will allow you to try different switches.

The Drop.com (formerly Massdrop) ALT keyboard might also be a good option, it's hotswap but at the upper end of your price range.

[Craq]

The major difference between 65% and 75% is the addition of the F-key row.

I'll mention this because you mentioned swappable keys/caps, 65% and 75%  do not follow a common standardized layout like tkl and full size. This is an issue when looking for key caps as you will need to pay attention to page up/dn, home/end, FN key and the right side mod keys (alt/ctrl/win), on 75% it gets worse with the FN key jumping rows. Getting these few keys can double or triple the cost of a keycap set, by which point the caps often exceed the cost of the keyboard. And that's if you can get them at all.

Being new, if you haven't done so, I would also consider spending less on cheaper boards to figure out your preferred switch before dumping too much money into a keyboard. It's easier spending $40 and finding out you dislike a switch than it is to spend $150, then $100 on caps only to realize you really want a different switch, costing you another $80, plus a soldering iron and a few days of your time desoldering, then cross your fingers and you don't  damage the pcb in the process. Start cheap, find your preferred switch style and keyboard shape, then invest in a nice keyboard. This goes double if the rest of your system is not yet up to speed either, no point in spending $150+ on a keyboard when you are still rocking an older system.

Thanks a lot for this information, it actually very helpful. Tell me if I understand correctly. Getting a 60% keyboard or tkl will be much cheaper in the long run if I ever want to change switches or caps. Given that I'm a beginner in mech keyboards, there is a great chance that I will find some downsides in the first keyboard I buy, so it is better to start out on the cheap spectrum to better understand my needs. I do own a Razer blackwidow, but it is by far not the greatest experience as over time I started hating the amount of noise the blue switches make and it is just way too large, so this is why I wanted to get to know more about the market of mechanical keyboards and find a keyboard that will much better suit my needs. So far I'm aiming at a relatively small keyboard with brown switches and your comment has made my search easier and might save me some $.

[Craq]

The Tada68 with a plastic case is probably the best starter option. You can upgrade the case later.

Maybe you can send it to someone for Mill-Max socket installation, which will make it hotswappable -- that will allow you to try different switches.

The Drop.com (formerly Massdrop) ALT keyboard might also be a good option, it's hotswap but at the upper end of your price range.

Ah, thanks. You've just reassured my option. I've just had a glance over the TADA68 and knowing nothing just liked the layout. But now I also know that it's not a bad keyboard and is a viable option. I'm currently considering switching to 60% search following Lesliann's reply or I'll pick between Tada68 and the kickstarter campaign, although I'm leaning more towards 68.

[TeacherGeek]

Remember 60% doesn't have dedicated arrow keys.

[Leslieann]

Thanks a lot for this information, it actually very helpful. Tell me if I understand correctly. Getting a 60% keyboard or tkl will be much cheaper in the long run if I ever want to change switches or caps.

Correct

[networkdrift]

Tofu65 might be something you're interested in.

[Craq]

Thank you all for your help and contributions. I'm currently deciding between Tada68 and Anne pro 2. They both seem like nice entry models and the only thing is to decide what size I need.