Matias Mini Quiet Pro or RealForce 45g silent: help me choose

[KuhnTang]

I've been stalking elitekeyboards.com for like two years now and have yet to buy a RealForce, I like HHKB better but can't live with the layout.  Curently I'm between RealForce and Matias.  I'm going to buy one of them for work, as everyone complains about my blues in the office.  Has anyone tried both of these?

I've tried several switches and can let you know what I like and don't like
blues - OK, but they get annoying after a while
browns - LIke, however I need more of a bump
Reds - Dislike, not hate, but just prefer not to type on them
Blacks - meh, dislike as well
Green - too strong
Clears - if prof's GB ever gets going I'll let you know, I have about 200 on order.
Grey's - same as clears

Realforce:  I've never tried the Topre switches, and I'm not worried about customizing the heck out of this board since it's going to be for work.  I'm also not worried about $, within reason. and the non silent version went on sale for $250.
side note: does this mean they're making room for another model or something?

I actually don't like the design of the RealForce, I prefer the HHKB, however, I need arrows and tilde and don't want to be pressing a bunch of other selection keys to do it as it will affect my speed.
Link:  not like any of you need this one: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=special&filter=spacesaver

Matias:  I'm interested to try their new, not really new anymore, silent switch.  the design of this board is hideous.  Really, the guy who designed this, AND, the guy who approved this should be taken in the back and shot.  However, the price is appealing at $130.  It's on backorder, so obviously people are pleased with them.
link: http://www.matias.ca/miniquietpro/pc/

Someone talk me in or out of a decision.  As of right now, I'm leaning toward the RealForce, price be damned, even though they are on sale.  sorry for the epic post!

[Michael]

That's a chasm of difference in typing feel. If you have the cash, I would pick up a topre board, try it out and if you don't happen to like it, you wont lose much on the resale.


Haven't tried a matias quiet pro, so can't speak on that. But I can tell you HHKB Type-S is a pretty great typing experience. I don't think you will be disappointed.

[daerid]

Realforce 55g 87u

Do it

[TranscendingLogic]

Seconded. Realforce 87u. I would prefer the uniform 45g myself, but 55g will work as well. Avoid the variable version.

[Michael]

Also, I don't believe RF makes a silent 45g. So if it's 45g silent you want, the only option would be the HHKB or to mod the realforce yourself. A silent realforce usually means variable weight, which I don't think you want.

[KuhnTang]

Does the silent Realforce feel any different than the normal one, or is it just sound that separates them?

thanks for the input guys!

[polpo]

I just got a Mini Quiet Pro. They have way more of a tactile bump than browns, which now to me just feel mushy. So far I really like the switches, which have a nice "thunk" to them. Can't compare to Topre, though, but I've been tempted many times...

The black shiny case on the Matias is pretty ugly. I think I'm going to paint it with matte paint or plastidip. Otherwise I like the design, which is meant to recall the look of Apple Keyboards going way back (the one on the original iMac, many ADB keyboards, etc.).

[pat]

Realforce silent & regular feel the same to me, it's just the sound that's different.  I have 2 silents and a regular variable weighted keyboards, I love the silent. 

Also, of the Cherry switches, I like Red the best and couldn't stand Brown or blue.  I like quiet and linear, so if you like a bump and clicky, I don't think you'll like a Realforce unless you're open to the difference.