Which keyboard to go with?

[jblack801]

So I figured I'd take Nachmanowicz's lead and create a thread of my own.

I'm new to the quality keyboard world. I've been typing on crappy $5 keyboards long enough and I'm fed up. Geekhack caught my attention a little while back and I have been following the site for a couple weeks now, trying to read up as much as I can on the wiki's in an attempt to become as educated as I can (to prevent from making an ass of myself when I finally start posting).

I'll be in the market for a new keyboard in the upcoming weeks. And I have some that I've been attracted to the styling of, but I wouldn't mind hearing everyone's input on my criteria.


What I want:
Tenkeyless
USB
Cherry MX Brown Switches
Preferably < $150 shipped


I will be using this keyboard completey for typing at work. I eventually plan to replace my keyboard at home, and I'll likely go with Cherry Blues then. I spend a lot more time on my work computer and I don't game on my PC.

The Keyboards that have caught my eye are the KBC Poker, Noppoo Choc Mini, Leopolds, and Filcos. As I look more and more into them, I keep switching which one I've decided on.

Any of your input would be helpful. Thanks in advance to those of you who will help and/or humor me.

:peace:

[rustybarnacle]

I have various das keyboards, a deck, a leopold brown and a noppoo brown, and despite how unbearably ugly it is in just about every possible way, I like the noppoo most for typing.

[squarebox]

I recommend in the order :
1. Filco
2. Leopold
3. Noppoo
4. KBC Poker

[.XL]

The four above-listed options are all viable. You could even grab a PLU if you want the keyboard cheap and don't game.

If you want:

To save money: PLU
The best experience: Noppoo
The best quality: Filco
The smallest footprint: Poker

Personally I'd go with the Filco and the Noppoo - Filco blues for home and Noppoo brown for work!

[noodles256]

If you see a new thread asking for help on mech keyboard.

YOU should not follow the leader, INSTEAD go look at the wiki

[slueth]

The wiki is a good source of information but it doesn't hurt to ask.
I would say the Noppoo feels better to type on then the Leopold.  The build quality of the Leopold is more solid and the ABS lettering is more clear and consistent then the Noppoo.  The Noppoo on the other hand has media functions(you could use autohotkey though), and a more compact form.  Noppoo does use a weird keyboard layout and that takes some getting used to, but once you get used to it, you will prefer it.

[n12]

Curious as to why you want browns where you type the most, but blues at home. I find typing on blues to be much more entertaining and they provide a lot more feedback.

[AllNight]

I picked up a €20 used model M because I wanted to try mechanical keyboards too. It got me really enthusiastic and typing on it feels great. I'm still researching on what keyboard to get next, because I want to try less stiff switches. If you have the chance to get one for free or cheap I'd say go for one of those. The price is low so low risk too. Good luck with your choice!

[noodles256]

Dude, if you READ the Mechanical Keyboard Guide Wiki you would know it encourages people new to Mechanical Keyboards to post questions.

 
The SEARCH feature doesn't hurt, I might post my mech keyboard help post soon then. 6 months isn't to late

[jblack801]

The four above-listed options are all viable. You could even grab a PLU if you want the keyboard cheap and don't game.

If you want:

To save money: PLU
The best experience: Noppoo
The best quality: Filco
The smallest footprint: Poker

Personally I'd go with the Filco and the Noppoo - Filco blues for home and Noppoo brown for work!

Thanks for the rundown. I kind of figured a Filco blue for home would be in order.

If you see a new thread asking for help on mech keyboard.

YOU should not follow the leader, INSTEAD go look at the wiki

Sorry to have upset you. But like I said, I had been reading the wikis to help make myself not look like an ass. I did narrow it down, but figured I'd ask for input.


Thanks Ripster.

[jblack801]

Curious as to why you want browns where you type the most, but blues at home. I find typing on blues to be much more entertaining and they provide a lot more feedback.

I'd personally LOVE to type on blues, but our office is somewhat quiet and filled with passive aggressive people that leave notes. I know if I brought a blue into work then the next day I'd have 10 post-its on my monitor telling me to knock it off. It's more of a preemptive measure.

[n12]

I'd personally LOVE to type on blues, but our office is somewhat quiet and filled with passive aggressive people that leave notes. I know if I brought a blue into work then the next day I'd have 10 post-its on my monitor telling me to knock it off. It's more of a preemptive measure.

 
Fair enough:tea:

[jblack801]

In case anyone was interested I decided to go with the Noppoo Choc Mini with Cherry MX Brown switches. I'm extremely excited and can't wait to receive it. Now I just need to keep my eyes peeled for upcoming geek hack key group buys to go with it.

[HaveANiceDay]

I'd personally LOVE to type on blues, but our office is somewhat quiet and filled with passive aggressive people that leave notes. I know if I brought a blue into work then the next day I'd have 10 post-its on my monitor telling me to knock it off. It's more of a preemptive measure.

Wow, that sounds like a terrible place to work. I have no problem if someone comes to me and complains about it, but post-it notes? Wow.

[MrPhil]

I have a Filco tenkeyless cherry red for home and a full size filco cherry brown for work. I'm not the softest typer and tend to bottom out on most keystrokes and if that's the case for you the cherry browns can still be quite noisy. I've just installed the softening pads that you can buy from elitekeyboards.com but i'm not sure how much i like them yet. Going to leave them on for another week and see how i feel about it then

I've only got filco keyboards so i can't really comment but i am really happy with them both!