Penny For Your Thoughts

[JelinaNU]

Geekhack's mission of conversion was a success again: I've migrated to a mechanical board and don't see myself going back -- or even being able to go back. The present issue, however, is that I now need a mechanical board to travel with my laptop and, after a long time lurking from the bushes and many hours of brain-melting thread sifting and research, I think I need help to find what I'm looking for. That's if what I'm looking for is even possible.

To wit: I want a white, Cherry-switched, tenkeyless (or similar form-factor), USB keyboard. The only such animal that I could find is the white Majestouch Tenkeyless from Keyboard Company, but, to be frank, I would rather not spend $140. That may well be the cost of getting the features that I want in the size that I need, granted. For now, I was wondering if I had missed a gem buried somewhere on teh intarwebz [sic].

A penny for your thoughts.

[bugfix]

Noppoo Choc Mini?

[JelinaNU]

Noppoo Choc Mini?

Would be perfect if it came in white. I spent about three hours attempting to navigate Taobao and learn if white Choc Minis existed. No joy.

[theferenc]

I'm pretty sure it only comes in black, yes.

The Archiss/Leopolds come in white, but they generally cost about the same as the Filcos. The Ducky keyboards come in white, but you'd have to order from armygroup or pchome in Taiwan, and some have commented unfavorably on their quality, though they are less expensive. And exist in the Classifieds section here, last I checked, for less than ordering directly.

That's all I can think of, hopefully it helps.

[JelinaNU]

Thanks, Theferenc. I took another spin around and it seems that I'm going to have to wait until I have more surplus income to burn or I get lucky with the classifieds. Perhaps it's a boon, though; Didjamatic and EK both have new tenkeyless/1087 options announced (tentatively) for the end of this month, and I've seen reference to a new Ducky 80%, too. Fingers are crossed.

[Pylon]

You could buy a G80 and slice the numpad off and do some rewiring.

Someone did something similar with a Dell AT101.
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:9542

[JelinaNU]

That is indeed an option. If I run out of patience -- which tends to happen at record rates -- I might have to call in a marker with a programmer/tinker friend of mine and build Frankenboard.

Aside: I lived in your city for five years. (Back Bay specifically.) Since then I've spent considerable time in New Haven and Seattle, and I now go to school part-time in New York. Boston is still my favorite by a staggering margin. Your location tag reminded me of that.

[Pylon]

I think we got two other Bostonians out here - jpc (whom I met once) and mattlach.

[clickclack]

... To wit: I want a white, Cherry-switched, tenkeyless (or similar form-factor), USB keyboard...

This probably is not what you are interested in but I mention it anyway-
You can try a Compaq MX-11800. It's a Cherry board that also comes in white and has brown Cherry switches. It's honestly one of my favorite boards, even with the slightly funny layout. It is a bit more narrow than a normal 104 so that could be a bonus (it is for me).

Have fun on your keyboard expedition, and welcome to geekhack!

=)

[keyboardlover]

Jeez...you guys are offering advice for only a penny!

If you want MY advice, it'll cost you $5.  

[JelinaNU]

If you want MY advice, it'll cost you $5.

Perhaps you'll accept baked goods in lieu of greenbacks? I'm making Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies today. I'm planning on reverse-engineering Cipriani's Meringue alla Crema soon, as well... On the one hand, *picture cookies.* On the other hand, *picture giving me keyboard advice.* Cookies... Keyboards... Both of those things get me into trouble. Life is full of masochistic choices.

@ClickClack: Roger that, sir. Adding it to the investigation -- although I am pretty firm about getting a tenkeyless.

[JelinaNU]

Oh! In the interim, check out this score. It has always pissed me off that my iPhone, beautiful though it may be, forced me to use a(n infuriatingly small) touchscreen keyboard. I spend more time pressing than typing actual text content or Elements/Dropbox notes. If I didn't have a seething hatred for Verizon I would likely have bought a Droid just for the physical keyboard. Not anymore. 'Take that, Guernica!'"

[keyboardlover]

You had me at "baked goods".

[JelinaNU]

You had me at "baked goods".

And so begins my master plan.

[woody]

The Cookie Monster awaits you.

[DanGWanG]

What about this:  PLU ML-87

Price is in between a Choc Mini and Filco.  I believe this user paid $110-120 USD.

Image taken from the original thread:

[JelinaNU]

What about this: PLU ML-87?

I hadn't managed to find that in my supposedly exhaustive search. Thank you, sir! The engraved version was sold out, but Bon at Obook found me an otaku version. Even better!

I'd managed to get a line on a cheap TG3-BL82 and almost bought it. I hovered over the payment button for quite a while, there. In the end, the fact that it wasn't white -- and therefore wouldn't match my beloved laptop -- was too much. While the PLU board is likely not of the same build quality as the TG3, the PLU proved to be the sweet medium for a color-matched mechanical to travel with. I'm very excited! Thanks again.

Now, if only I could buy patience to help me get through the Chinese lunar holiday...

[theferenc]

Yeah, don't expect ANYTHING to move prior to Friday, if not Monday. The whole country kinda grinds to a halt. It's practically impossible to even call China right now.

[DanGWanG]

Glad you found what you wanted.  I've been hovering over buying this one for a while too, but I ended up buying a Realforce instead...on a splurge.

[JelinaNU]

I have the sneaking suspicion that I ordered a board with Cherry browns by accident. That is, my link for "blue axis" was sold out. When Obook sent the replacement/alternative link I was at work and checking my e-mail via iPhone. In my haste to get everything in before the holiday, I looked, went "Sweet," and gave the greenlight. On further inspection, I don't see the Han characters for blue anywhere. Very clearly my newbie mistake. I flipped out for about five minutes, pounded some coffee, and then realized that, hey, trying out Cherry browns couldn't be all that bad. Then again, maybe I'm justifying.

[mashingkeys]

What was the total for your otaku plum board if you don't mind my asking?  Cherry browns actually seem to be a favorite amongst 10 key-less users.

[JelinaNU]

A little over $100. Less than I could have bought a Filco Tenkeyless for, but not by much. Keyboard Company doesn't stock a white Tenkeyless with blues, which is how I was able to justify the purchase in the end, ceteris paribus. We'll see what the verdict is after Chinese New Year.

If you're shopping for a board with similar specs, and you can manage waiting a week or two, you actually have great timing: the Leopold's are due at EK in the coming weeks, KBC's Poker demos are arriving to reviewers, and anything you did want to order from China is blocked. I'll certainly let you know what I think of the PLU when it arrives, too. That all means that you're going to get a huge amount of fresh information to help you choose.

[mashingkeys]

I'm pretty sure leopalds are out of my price range ($110 shipped is the limit) but perhaps the new boards will have the classifieds area moving more

[JelinaNU]

Turns out that Bon is still amazing and did in fact ship me a blank-keyed board with Cherry blues. Rad! The feel of my two "work" boards match. OCD: satisfied. Just wanted to give y'all the quick update. Pics will be incoming in the appropriate thread once I get my various key caps in.