Keyboard for Mac typist (Cherry Brown vs Clear?)

[applky]

Hi everyone,

Like many on here, I'm new to these forums and am interested in some advice on a new keyboard.

I'm mainly a typist (a writer -- will type thousands of words in a sitting), and am looking for a keyboard to go with my Macbook Pro: something minimalist with lasered keycaps and Mac keys ideally. I've tried Das Keyboard's Mac edition but returned it because I don't like the feel of MX Blues -- too clicky, somewhat difficult to press, and don't feel very fluid.

I enjoyed MX Browns when I tried them, but I seem to be slightly more error prone -- perhaps just something I need to get used to? Regardless the Browns seemed incredibly fast, if lacking in tactile feedback and a bit easy to press.

I have not had the opportunity to try MX Clears. They've been described as a medium between MX Browns and MX Blues. Is this accurate? Do you think they'd be good for my uses? (I've read that they require more force than blues to depress, which slightly concerns me.)

My sense is that, unless Das makes an MX Brown Mac edition, I'll have to get a custom WASD with Mac keycaps and the switches I like, and remap in OSX. But I'm relatively new to this world and am very open to any suggestions. Thanks!

[Obakemono]

Well, blues should be not that hard to press, as they are the second "softer" ones with 50g, you have reds with only 45g.

But if you find switches hard to press, maybe you can try something with topres, you can have boards with 45g on all keys

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se19e0

Or boards with distributed weight, 45g in the central keys and only 30g on the rest

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se0700

[daerid]

Clears are like a more prominent brown: the bump is more pronounced, and the spring is quite a bit stiffer. As long as you don't need to bottom out when typing, then they are supremely comfortable. Because their force curve ramps up so much at the end of the stroke, clears can be really tiring if you type too hard on them. But IMO they're the best MX switch (that I've tried at least).

However, you could try the Matias Laptop Pro bluetooth board. It uses Matias' dampened ALPS clone switch, and apparently are really really nice to type on. I personally haven't tried one so I can't comment.

[Matias]

Cherry switches aren't that great for typing.  They're not tactile, so unless you bottom out, you can't feel when they actuate.  That's fine for gaming, but falls short for typing.

You should try a keyboard with an ALPS style switch.  They are designed specifically for typing and are now available in quiet versions...

http://matias.ca/quietpro

The Mac versions are proper Mac keyboards, with function keys that work exactly like an Apple keyboard.  Most other Mac mechanicals are just slightly modified PC designs.

DISCLOSURE:  We're the manufacturer of the above.

[Hypersphere]

The Tex Beetle goes well with a Mac.

[tricheboars]

you should try Matias. and i am not just saying that because the man himself just posted on here. but from what you said about blues, you will want the quiet matias not the tactile one.

you may have to wait some time for your board though. last i heard there was a fairly significant backorder going.

[Hypersphere]

Yes, Matias is definitely worth a look. I think the boards are in stock now. If you don't mind something with a definite click, the Mini Tactile Pro is perhaps the best Mac-centric board available. The PC version, which has the quiet Matias switch, definitely works with a Mac as well. I like the layout, and the force-travel curve of the Matias switch is close to ideal for typing. I am still considering one myself, but I am reasonably content with my IBM SSK.

[Burz]

Matias switches give you the best all-around options for typing feedback these days. Both types have a tactile feel to them, but you can choose the audio level: Clicky or Quiet.

[spiceBar]

It looks like the Topre switches would work very well for you.

So one of the best options you should consider is an HHKB pro 2 in my opinion.

[N8N]

I always bottom out on Alps, more so than on Cherries.  But that said I'd still check out the Quiet Pro - supposedly the feel is similar to an old AEK2 which uses the same switches as a SGI Granite which is one of my favorite boards.  Yes, you're still bottoming out but the dampeners in the switches cushion the fall nicely, and they're tactile like no other save for buckling springs.  The fact that you're using a Mac leads me to think that were I in your shoes I'd be seriously considering the Quiet Pro Mac version.

[applky]

Thanks all for such informative and prompt replies!

I didn't realize that the Quiet Pro offered tactile feedback -- I had made some kind of association between that keyboard's quietness and the quietness of the Cherry MX Reds, which to my knowledge don't have tactile feedback. Anyway, an ill-advised association; I'll be sure to take a look!

I should revise something I said earlier: I don't find the Blues difficult/hard to type on. I just feel the Browns are very easy to type on; I can really fly on them, but I miss some of the feedback of the Blues, hence the interest in the Clears. It's interesting, re what daerid says, that the force curve ramps up as the Clears bottom out. I really feel like I have to test all this out for myself -- especially the Quiet Pro. (Still remain interested in Clears, though.)

[sth]

quiet pros are UGLY. just saying.

check out a topre keyboard

[Matias]

quiet pros are UGLY. just saying.

check out a topre keyboard

Getting criticized for styling by a Topre fan...?!?

That car Homer Simpson designed is better looking than a Topre 

[N8N]

I like clears too.  My two most used boards are a Filco with clears (and PBT caps... so nice) and my SGI Granite...  Please don't ask me to choose between them.

[sth]

quiet pros are UGLY. just saying.

check out a topre keyboard

Getting criticized for styling by a Topre fan...?!?

That car Homer Simpson designed is better looking than a Topre 

[tjcaustin]

regardless, I have a mini tactile pro in the classifieds for sale if you're interested in it without spending full price

[Hyde]

Based on your explanation, Blue being too tactile and Brown are a bit prone to typo (maybe too light or not tactile enough).

It does sound like Matias Quiet Pro might be a good choice.  Don't get the Tactile Pro because it will be more tactile than MX Blue and you don't want that.

Quiet Pro will sit in between MX Blue and MX Brown.  And if you find the sound dampening rubber too mushy, it's really easy to take it out.  Send me a PM in the future when that happens and I'll explain to you lol.

quiet pros are UGLY. just saying.

check out a topre keyboard

Getting criticized for styling by a Topre fan...?!?

That car Homer Simpson designed is better looking than a Topre 

While I have to admit Topre is pretty awesome, but I have to say the case design is pretty mehhhh.  Luckily I'm getting Type Heaven instead and they addressed that issue. 

[applky]

I like clears too.  My two most used boards are a Filco with clears (and PBT caps... so nice) and my SGI Granite...  Please don't ask me to choose between them.

Thanks for this. How do you find the higher resistance of the Clears? Are you the kind of typer that regularly bottoms out on Blues and/or Browns?

It's too bad you can't buy Ergo Clears as a stock item (right?). Those sound very appealing.

[tricheboars]

reading Matias rip in topre made my day. realforce bezel is a little much. so i agree.

Matias does carry the mac look on their white boards. it's what Apple should be doing. apple seriously dropped the ball with their keyboards and scissor switches. boggles my mind,  since it seems their corporate philosophy would equate to mech boards.

you should still investigate the back order situation. if you need it quick you may have to do something different.

[Hypersphere]

From what I have read and based on a single brief test of a Matias Mini Tactile Pro 4, I think a Matias-switch keyboard is rather good for typing and better than a Cherry-switch board (I have tried Cherry blue, black, white, brown, and green). However, I have not yet tried Cherry mx clear switches, but from what I have read, I am persuaded that these might be an excellent Cherry switch for typing.

Yesterday, I was finally able to test my new Leopold FC660C with Topre switches. Because I have been happy with IBM buckling springs, I didn't expect to like Topre switches, but I did. In fact, with its excellent mini layout and switches, the Leopold FC660C could displace my IBM SSK as my daily driver if it weren't for the lack of high-quality dye-sub keycaps for the Leopold.

So, for me, the equation has changed, and I would rank typing switches as follows: IBM buckling springs ~ Topre > Matias > Cherry clear, brown, blue, or green.

[fatmav]

I am a very happy user of the Matias Laptop Pro, but I would not recommend it for writing. In my day job, my time splits roughly equally between coding and writing. For my taste, the Matias switch is too stiff for long durations of continuous typing. It gets tiring after a whole day even after I have mastered how not to bottom-out on the Matias switch. On the days when I have to focus on writing, I usually take out a Cherry Brown or a Topre 55g uniform.

P.S. I tried a Topre variable-weight before, but the 35g keys are too soft for me and I kept double hitting them.

[Hypersphere]

The Topre switches in the Leopold FC660C are all 45-gram weight, which feels ideal for me. After my recent introduction to Topre switches, I would now recommend them in preference to any Cherry switch and perhaps also over a Matias switch for general typing. Between IBM buckling springs and Topres, it is a difficult choice. Here again, I think I would be using the Leopold FC660C most of the time if I could find an attractive high-quality set of two-tone dye-sublimated PBT keycaps for it.

[sth]

Matias does carry the mac look on their white boards.

circa 2001...