Lowest profile mechanical?

[arplod]

Of any sort. Interested for ergonomic reasons. Recommendations (inc height at back) please.

[peda]

I don't think you will find such a low profile mechanical keyboard to fulfil your wishes.

I think your best bet would be to use a wrist rest to "fake" a lower profile?!


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[duncan]

You are asking a question that is asking for too much information.

How about you provide the parameters that would satisfy whatever your needs are and ask what keyboards fall within those parameters.
What is the minimum/maximum front height profile that would meet whatever your criteria are?
What is the minimum/maximum height at the back that would meet whatever your criteria are?
What other criteria need to be applied?

Provide us those parameters and we can tell you if we know one or more boards that fit within them.

[himynameisbunny]

Cherry G84 with MLs

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[Ekaros]

MLs Cherry G84-series, about total height of board about 2-3cm

[duncan]

Does a scissor switch meet your personal definition of 'mechanical'?

[alaricljs]

As far as I have been able to tell the 'geekhack' definition of mechanical is any keyboard that doesn't use a rubber dome membrane solely as the force resistance and return mechanism.  So scissor switch membrane boards aren't mechanical, but Topres are.

[squarebox]

Lowest Cherry MX keyboard would be Cherry G80-3494 and they are red switches.

[duncan]

So scissor switch membrane boards aren't mechanical, ...

I agree but it occurred to me that if the OP was in search of a board where low profile was paramount and was not as concerned with the niceties of switch types then...

I still wonder if any of us are telling the OP what they are seeking (or if what they are seeking is achievable). The OP seems to have some reason to believe that, for them, a flat keyboard would address some ergo need they have. If ultimate flatness is the big issue then letting issues about mechanical or not into the question seems to be missing the key issue. (See what I did there?)

Anyway, the mystery may be solved or it may not, regardless the sun will rise tomorrow.

[Findecanor]

Lowest Cherry MX keyboard would be Cherry G80-3494 and they are red switches.

Lowest force, yes, but not lowest height of the case and the rest of the keyboard.
My Dolch keyboard, is a G80-1800 keyboard in most respects, but it has a different case. It is lower than a Cherry G80-1800.

[hcry4]

If it's for ergonomic reasons why not just lower the keyboard tray an inch?

Dude, an inch makes a huge difference...

[dorkvader]

I gotta say: pretty much all the laptop keyboards I've seen are pretty thin, and somewhat flexible (depending on type, some mfg's use  the keyboard as a "top case" of sorts, and those are thicker, but you can get one pretty cheap, and build a controller for it. Of course my favourite thin keyboard are those laser+infared ones that track your fingers, though  they are apparently hard to type on.

As far as I've read, the cherry g84 is pretty thin.

[Lanx]

g84 both keyboard and switch are low profile.

[arplod]

Thanks. Any others I should be looking at apart from the G84?

[duncan]

Thanks. Any others I should be looking at apart from the G84?

You still aren't telling us *why* you are asking the question.

Why is a keyboard tray not a better option?
How about a well that the board sits in to drop the height of keys from desktop?
These would give you a far wider range of choice than how you seem to be framing the problem.
Both would also seem to be better ergo solutions than a flat board but we have no idea why you think you want a flat mech board.

If you wanted to go crazy you could build a custom MX equipped layout straight into the desktop (cutting board style) if you have unlimited time, money and skills. If you wanted the key tops could could be flush with the desktop and you pushed the keys down from there. Sounds awful to me but maybe it is what you need/want.

If flat is the vital issue then you shouldn't be a switch snob and you should try the Apple, Logitech and Lenovo boards (not mechanical but ergo issues beat mechanical posing any day and ML is different enough from MX that the fact they are mech may not be as important as disliking how they feel). The key feel is not great on any of the suggested options but if flat is more important than key feel then...

Help us help you by telling us what your *real* requirements are.

This is like being at work trying to extract requirements from a client to work out what software they actually want.

[CurtisLeon]

You could try an external ThinkPad keyboard if you want a low profile keyboard with reasonably good tactile feel. The track stick might help by lessening your reliance on an external mouse, too. I'm not sure how the build quality goes on them and whether or not they use the same type of metal backplate as the laptops do. They're available for about 50-60 dollars if you shop around online.

[dotancohen]

My Ducky keyboard is so think that I actually cut a hole in the desk to lower it in there. The Ducky is rather of rather typical thickness. I'm rather happy with the desk-mod, and it puts the keyboard on a reverse tilt too!

[arplod]

My Ducky keyboard is so think that I actually cut a hole in the desk to lower it in there. The Ducky is rather of rather typical thickness. I'm rather happy with the desk-mod, and it puts the keyboard on a reverse tilt too!

Rather drastic. Plus, in terms of work and home it's never been practical to put peripherals in one fixed spot.

[duncan]

in terms of work and home it's never been practical to put peripherals in one fixed spot.

Does your statement apply to you?
Or do you mean that is true for everyone?

Perhaps putting a little more time into your posts would help you solve whatever problem it is you are trying to solve.

Doling out one little crumb of ambiguous information at a time is not the best way for you to get help from strangers.

Anyway, I hope you find what you are looking for, whatever it is. I am bored playing 20 questions with you.

[HaiiYaa]

Is it because the keys are lifted from the keyboard? Noppoo choc mini keys are more embedded into the keyboard however the keys are still as tall and most others

Otherwise theres always topre, even though they are not technically mechanical keyboards

[N8N]

Are they different from the choc pro?  because my choc pro's keys are much closer to Cherry profile than the taller profile used by Filco, WASD, etc. (which is one of the reasons i like the noppoo - I think the shorter keycaps make the keys feel less wobbly.)

[HaiiYaa]

Are they different from the choc pro?  because my choc pro's keys are much closer to Cherry profile than the taller profile used by Filco, WASD, etc. (which is one of the reasons i like the noppoo - I think the shorter keycaps make the keys feel less wobbly.)

They don't stick out from the keyboard as much if thats the thing that annoys you

[N8N]

no, that's just cosmetic.  It's the difference in height between the attachment point to the keyswitch and the surface that my fingers hit that is really important to me.  I really love my WASD keyboard but the taller height of the keycaps compared to the other Cherry-based keyboards in my stash (one Filco w/ Cherry caps, a Noppoo, and a couple Cherry branded boards) makes the keys feel more wobbly than all the others, due to the inherent slop between the slider and case of each keyswitch being magnified more by the taller keycaps.  A minor quibble about an otherwise great board, but obviously I noticed it enough to change the keycaps on my Filco.)

I've been tempted several times to change the caps on the WASD to Cherry caps, but then again, it just looks so freaking cool with the engraved lettering that I can't bring myself to change it out for something more "normal" even if it would feel better.  I'm actually using it right now.  And I did grab my calipers out of my storage locker Friday evening (most of my tools are in storage for reasons too tedious to explain) so I'll finally get you a thickness measurement on the keycaps - I see Weyman already posted the pics that you wanted.

[qtan5370]

Lowest?

Test your luck with Rapoo V7.

PLU? petty ok.

PLUM? It works, I mean, it just works.

[arplod]

Lowest?

Test your luck with Rapoo V7.

PLU? petty ok.

PLUM? It works, I mean, it just works.

Hmmm. I see what you mean. Thanks

[peda]

Except with OSX.

What is that OSX? Some many abbreviations on this forum these days...  O.o

[Lanx]

mac

[alaricljs]

Seriously?  The OS for Macs, by Apple... OS X or OS-X  or OSX.

[peda]

Seriously?  The OS for Macs, by Apple... OS X or OS-X  or OSX.

You didn't get my little joke on ripster's hate on abbreviations ;-)

[alaricljs]

It's not an abbreviation tho... it's the name of the OS.

[Lanx]

It's not an abbreviation tho... it's the name of the OS.

doesn't osx stand for operating system 10? looks like an abbreviation to me, unless apple just calls stuff, like they call it, just to be cool.

[peda]

OS is operating system.

X is for NeXT.

Oh my...  That's a big fail I didn't expect from you.

Even with our personal differences we had, i always admired your knowledge...

EDIT: lanx is correct.

EDIT 2: you modifying skills are awesome

[hcry4]

Pfft...that's nothing...Windows 7 was my idea...

[arplod]

Except with OSX.

... and I care why? :flypig:

Since I only use them when I have to, I'm actually OK with the Wired/Wireless Crapboard on the Apples.

And the post above, I was interested in low-profile mechanicals. Scissors I know about.

[duncan]

... and I care why?

And we know what you do and don't care about how?
You refuse to tell us.

If you insist in playing this game of "guess what arplod is thinking" then expect to get told a lot you don't want to hear.

[Clickey]

Topres are not mechanical! Just because they are well made it does not mean you ignore the fact that they are rubber domes. And no the 5g spring does not make them mechanical. A better definition of a mechanical board is that the switches use moving metal contacts.

[Findecanor]

By that definition, IBM Model F capacitative buckling spring keyboards wouldn't be "mechanical".

Even if it may seem like a contrived definition, I would say that a "mechanical keyboard" => a keyboard where a metal spring provides the primary resistance. The feel of the spring is the most important thing that separates the mech's from rubber domes.

[Lanx]

Topres are not mechanical! Just because they are well made it does not mean you ignore the fact that they are rubber domes. And no the 5g spring does not make them mechanical. A better definition of a mechanical board is that the switches use moving metal contacts.

lol we've debated this to death, the final straw is that, those that actually bought a topre will never admit that they have a really expensive rubberdome, of course i agree a rubberdome is a rubberdome just cuz you slap on a price tag of 2 or 3 bills doesn't make it a mech board.

[shrap]

Seems like "mechanical" is an oversimplification, as there are keyswitches that some people will turn their nose up at and there are rubber domes which people will prefer. Should we really care what makes our keyboard work, as long as we prefer how it works?

[Lanx]

Seems like "mechanical" is an oversimplification, as there are keyswitches that some people will turn their nose up at and there are rubber domes which people will prefer. Should we really care what makes our keyboard work, as long as we prefer how it works?

oh you know how it is in a niche forum, ppl want their "pony" to win over the other ones in a race and they can get so... emotional about it. Like being in a bodybuilding forum and seeing the pages of arguments target training, just won't die.

[arplod]

Topres are not mechanical! Just because they are well made it does not mean you ignore the fact that they are rubber domes. And no the 5g spring does not make them mechanical. A better definition of a mechanical board is that the switches use moving metal contacts.

It's a good point. Not necessarily all that relevant and mentioning it gets you correctly labelled as a true basement-dweller, but good all the same.

I think, generally speaking, since e.g. the scissors come out as well occasionally, for the sake of argument in forums like this's sake you can call an unassisted rubber-dome 'non-mechanical'. Everything else probably classifies as mechanical. Scissors have the x-frame, Topres have the spring, etc.

I mean, if you were truly to put your nerd hat on, *all* this stuff is mechanical, isn't it?

[hcry4]

Apparently, anything with rubber is not mechanical.

[Mazora]

well this keyboard is quite flat: [ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 27433[/ATTACH]

It is indeed mechanical as there is nothing else than the fingers mechanic. Its very tactile too

[arplod]

well this keyboard is quite flat: (Attachment Link) 27433[/ATTACH]

It is indeed mechanical as there is nothing else than the fingers mechanic. Its very tactile too

If that did work well, and you could e.g. project it on a cloud of boobs, it would be such a great keyboard. Alas. It sucks harder than a desperate McGruber.

[Mazora]

Here's another one ! http://www.minebea.co.jp/english/coolleaf/index.html
for sale here for canadian clowns: http://www.ergocanada.com/detailed_specification_pages/minebea_cool_leaf_keyboard.html

"An adjustable beep sounds upon a successful key press, and touch sensitivity can be adjusted." WHOOOooooooooooOOOooO!!!!!!

[Mazora]

The datalux is also quite flat : http://www.ergocanada.com/detailed_specification_pages/datalux_flat_spacesaver_keyboard.html
After all, its a flat spacesaver !

[shrap]

oh you know how it is in a niche forum, ppl want their "pony" to win over the other ones in a race and they can get so... emotional about it. Like being in a bodybuilding forum and seeing the pages of arguments target training, just won't die.

It's common and annoying in a lot of forums that I also go to, and tends to drive away the mainstream. Only people left are the loud argumentative people and the newbies. Groupthink results.

[Clickey]

Topres use rubber dome for 85-95% of their force according to ripometer data, so how is the 5% force of the spring making up most of the force?

I would say that buckling springs have moving metal parts that create physical contacts, so they fit into my definition (as would buckling plates). If you can find one example where this definition does not fit, I will recant it (I changed my mind about Hall Effect, based on my definition and how they are actuated with optical sensors they are not mechanical even though they are really cool).

There are MANY rubber domes with springs and/or plastic sliders on top, how are these different from topre except for the location of the spring and the pricetag?

I am not saying mechanicals are better (even though I prefer them), I am just stating a fact. You don't call a bat a bird just because it has wings; even if you like them both.

[Clickey]

well this keyboard is quite flat: (Attachment Link) 27433[/ATTACH]

It is indeed mechanical as there is nothing else than the fingers mechanic. Its very tactile too

It is tactile in that you feel your joints buckling upon hitting a solid surface. It is a buckling joint mechanism.

[graywolf]

The World's Most Advanced OS.  At least that's what they say.

Free BSD with a pretty face is what I say.