Looking for: TKL Mac compatible mechanical large CMD

[tinmarks]

Hi!
I've spot that there are almost no TKL's intended to be used with macs. I have grasped that but i would like a keyboard that has the 'cmd' ('alt' on windows => the key closest to spacebar from left and right) key's trailing edge at least aligned with 'x' key as it is on the apple's keyboards since I like to press them with my thumbs and pretty often.
I've found KBT's pure pro has the keys positioned pretty well, but the design doesn't suit me - short 'right shift' and modifiers on the right side are sacrificed in favour of the 'fn' and 'pn' keys. I'd love to have a conventional TKL with the common mac layout, but it wouldn't hurt to have there one or two extra modifier as it is on the win or programmable keyboards.
And it must be mechanical (mx blue).
Thanks!

[tp4tissue]

Um... hmm... welllll.... The ergodox is fully programmable.. so you can put those fancy command keys wherevers.

[hey raena]

Remember, you can remap your keys in the system preferences panel - if you don't really mind the actual legends on the keys being wrong anyway.

If you like the arrangement on the WASD Keyboards tenkeyless option, they have dip switches you can use to turn them Mac-flavoured (saving you a trip to the system preferences) as well plus you can order up whatever layout makes sense for you.

[tinmarks]

I was thinking more about the size and position of the modifiers - the 'cmd' (alt) key tends to be positioned between the 'z' & 'x' on win keyboards whereas on mac keyboards, the trailing edge is aligned with the 'x' key, which is a more natural position when you press it with thumb. I don't really get all the space occupied by the spacebar. I also don't want to get used to some funky ergonomic layout since I want to keep flexible with keyboards b/c there are times I can't use my own keyboard.

[Tivor]

How about Matias Mini Tactile Pro?

Its left Command key doesn't quite line up with the right edge of 'x', but it's bigger than most keyboard's Alt keys.  And as its name implies, it's Mac friendly.

But it's not MX Blue though.  I've read that it uses a knock-off design of Alps switches.  Even the page I linked describes its switches as "Tactile & Clicky ALPS-inspired design."  I'm sure the more knowledgeable folks here can tell you what that exactly means, if that means it's crap or whatnot.  (and I'd love to know the answer to that as well since I'm a Mac user too, and Matias keyboards' Mac-friendly keycaps are quite appealing to me.  I mean, they even have the option symbol printed, as well as option+keycombo characters.)

[mashby]

If the modifier caps are all the same size, it's easy to swap out the alt and the winkey key caps. Then you simply make the change in your system preferences \ keyboards to adjust the modifiers. It's what I've done on all the keyboards I've used on my Macs.

You still have the issue of having a Winkey and not a Command key, but I'm trying to resolve thatwith popular key cap sets in the near future. Otherwise, using just about any keyboard with you Mac is pretty easy.

[snoopy]

I found remapping command to capslock really effective in the past

[jameslr]

I think pretty much all Ducky boards have dip switch settings to allow changing positions with alt and windows keys for mac layout. The only TKL Ducky board available right now is the DK9087G2. See here: http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=370

[tinmarks]

@Tivor
I'd really rather go with the mx blues. I haven't tried any Matias keyboard but Shawn Blanc in his review of keyboards didn't like it as much as blue Das (link here: http://shawnblanc.net/2012/04/clicky-keyboards/).
But from what I have seen I like the design pretty much - it's like an improved Leopold mini but i don't really know if I could live with those switches.
@others
I know about possibilities of remapping keys but this question was more about the hardware design of keyboards.

[Findecanor]

There is the Das Keyboard for Mac with MX Blues and Macintosh legends, but it does not have the large Command key that you are looking for.

I also prefer MX Blue over White Alps / Matias Clicky.

[Hypersphere]

Take another look at the Matias boards. I think that the review you read might not have been the latest version (version 4), which has greatly improved the switches. The Matias switch is one of the best for typing. If I were going to use a Cherry switch board, I would want Cherry clear switches. I have tried blues and found them too light, whereas greens were too heavy. Clears are in between, as are Matias switches. I have tried the Matias Mini Tactile Pro, and I really liked the typing feel and the layout, although I am not fond of the styling.

WASDkeyboards has introduced a new keyboard line called the CODE, which includes a TKL model and some Mac-centric options. It also features Cherry clear switches. They are currently out of stock, however.

I am primarily a Mac user, and I have been happily using an IBM Model M SSK. If I were not so delighted with the IBM, I would be taking a serious look at the Matias and the CODE TKL. I have also tried and liked the Filco TKL with blue switches and the CM QF Stealth TKL with green switches, but as I mentioned, I find blues too light and greens too heavy. Cherry clears or Matias switches should be about right.

[MJ45]

DSI makes a Mac keyboard that has an optional number pad module but it has red mx only.

[Hypersphere]

If you are willing to consider a 60% form factor, the Tex Beetle is a possibility. The left Fn can be swapped with the left Win key, which puts the Win key next to the small spacebar, with the Alt (Option) key to its left. Then, using System Prefs on the Mac, you can map the Win key as Command.

I've also heard that the designer of this keyboard is considering a firmware update that would include some Mac-centric items.

The styling is also quite good; it goes well with a Mac or Macbook.

The only problem I have with the Tex Beetle is the small 1x right-shift key. I use right-shift very often, and I seem to need a larger right-shift than 1x. I have used some keyboards that have 1.75x right-shift keys, and these are fine.

[MJ45]

When it comes to 60% nothings better than a HHKB Pro2 which has great Mac features.

[polpo]

I've read that it uses a knock-off design of Alps switches.  Even the page I linked describes its switches as "Tactile & Clicky ALPS-inspired design."  I'm sure the more knowledgeable folks here can tell you what that exactly means, if that means it's crap or whatnot.  (and I'd love to know the answer to that as well since I'm a Mac user too, and Matias keyboards' Mac-friendly keycaps are quite appealing to me.  I mean, they even have the option symbol printed, as well as option+keycombo characters.)

I wouldn't call them a knock-off of Alps, but rather a re-implementation. Their switches are very high quality. The switch housings are super hard polycarbonate. Poke around the Matias vendor forum here for more info. And rjrich above is right. That review you linked was for the v3 board, which had switches not designed by Matias.

[Tivor]

I've read that it uses a knock-off design of Alps switches.  Even the page I linked describes its switches as "Tactile & Clicky ALPS-inspired design."  I'm sure the more knowledgeable folks here can tell you what that exactly means, if that means it's crap or whatnot.  (and I'd love to know the answer to that as well since I'm a Mac user too, and Matias keyboards' Mac-friendly keycaps are quite appealing to me.  I mean, they even have the option symbol printed, as well as option+keycombo characters.)

I wouldn't call them a knock-off of Alps, but rather a re-implementation. Their switches are very high quality. The switch housings are super hard polycarbonate. Poke around the Matias vendor forum here for more info. And rjrich above is right. That review you linked was for the v3 board, which had switches not designed by Matias.

Is there any way to tell the difference between V4 and of V3?  Online stores I looked at don't seem to make any "v3" or "v4" distinctions.  I suppose ordering directly from Matias site would negate that question.

[polpo]

Is there any way to tell the difference between V4 and of V3?  Online stores I looked at don't seem to make any "v3" or "v4" distinctions.  I suppose ordering directly from Matias site would negate that question.

For the Tactile Pro, unfortunately Matias reused the part number (FK302) from the v3 for the v4 (see this post from Matias for the explanation). For the Mini Tactile Pro, you know you're getting the Matias switches since that keyboard came out after the v4.