Keyboard for my office

[brybell]

I have a mech with blues which i love. Looking for a new board for work. I have my own office with a door so I am not too worried about sound, however when I took my CM switch tester to work today blues seemed super loud compared to my house. Out of the test I like clears, greens and blacks...so a little more force I guess I prefer. However these are a little harder to find and I feel like I would get used to browns. Or if I hate them I could always sell since that is a popular switch right?

Anyways, what recommendation would you make? I am in marketing and do more writing than numbers, so I really don't think a tk is necessary.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. There's so many options I don't know what to do. I just want to be able to make a decision haha. Like to spend around $150, but less is always good too.

I'm a designer and style is somewhat important to me and I would like to be able to switch out the keycaps later for pbt or a nice set of some SA dolch or something

[Kayla]

Get a Poker. 

Or a ducky or a filco or a Quickfire Rapid.

Browns are good. You can o-ring them if you want them quieter.

[BlueBär]

Elitekeyboards has a new brand that offers a TKL with Clears: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cc_bbb_al
First impressions from Geekhackers seemed to be rather positive.
If you want Blacks you should go for a Filco, they're really good boards and often recommended (they're not available with Clears though).

[brybell]

Elitekeyboards has a new brand that offers a TKL with Clears: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cc_bbb_al
First impressions from Geekhackers seemed to be rather positive.
If you want Blacks you should go for a Filco, they're really good boards and often recommended (they're not available with Clears though).

Wow thanks! That board looks pretty good and has a very decent price. Might be worth it to try out the clears

I think blacks would be good for me for gaming but I'm not sure how typing on it full time would be. i could see me loving it or hating it.

Edit: Also how would it be as far as compatibility with after market key caps?

[Kayla]

It looks like it just uses a standard key unit size. Standard space bar etc.. The windowed keys dont really matter.

[Melvang]

As far as switches go I would have to recommend ghost blacks.  I loved clears and ergo clears but wanted to try something else.  So input some clear springs with some black stems with a little lube, the results are phenomenal.

[BlueBär]

I think blacks would be good for me for gaming but I'm not sure how typing on it full time would be. i could see me loving it or hating it.

Edit: Also how would it be as far as compatibility with after market key caps?

I use vintage Blacks (they're a bit smoother) with lighter springs for typing and I love them because you can let your fingers bounce on the keyboard which feels really nice. I like other switches too but they're still my favourites.

Both the Filco and the KUL should be fully compatible with a standard keyset.

[xuanwumen]

keycool 84 white PBT with cherry mx clear switches.

[Showhand]

Get a Poker. 

Or a ducky or a filco or a Quickfire Rapid.

Browns are good. You can o-ring them if you want them quieter.

Also the feeling may change or only the loudness?

[BlueBär]

keycool 84 white PBT with cherry mx clear switches.

Sadly 75%s are a bit bad if you want different caps later as they often use non-standard keycap sizes.

Also the feeling may change or only the loudness?

The feeling will change too as the key travel gets reduced and bottoming out will feel different.

[mouse.the.lucky.dog]

OK. If the only problem is that a new keyboard might be too loud for your office.
Then just get a new keyboard with blues and if it is too loud, take your  old keyboard to the office and keep you new keyboard home.

[brybell]

OK. If the only problem is that a new keyboard might be too loud for your office.
Then just get a new keyboard with blues and if it is too loud, take your  old keyboard to the office and keep you new keyboard home.

I apologize for not being more clear, it's not my main concern really. I have a door. Plus this is an office people should be expecting keyboard noises haha. Plus im not a journalist so its not like im pounding out one page after another of high wpm typing.

[brybell]

As far as switches go I would have to recommend ghost blacks.  I loved clears and ergo clears but wanted to try something else.  So input some clear springs with some black stems with a little lube, the results are phenomenal.

This sounds amazing but maybe a little too difficult or expensive for right now. 

[eth0s]

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

[user 18]

I have a mech with blues which i love. Looking for a new board for work. I have my own office with a door so I am not too worried about sound, however when I took my CM switch tester to work today blues seemed super loud compared to my house. Out of the test I like clears, greens and blacks...so a little more force I guess I prefer. However these are a little harder to find and I feel like I would get used to browns. Or if I hate them I could always sell since that is a popular switch right?

Anyways, what recommendation would you make? I am in marketing and do more writing than numbers, so I really don't think a tk is necessary.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. There's so many options I don't know what to do. I just want to be able to make a decision haha. Like to spend around $150, but less is always good too.

I'm a designer and style is somewhat important to me and I would like to be able to switch out the keycaps later for pbt or a nice set of some SA dolch or something

QFR: ~80
100 MX Clears from MK.com: ~50
Either get someone to swap the switches for you, or if you can solder, do it yourself.

[brybell]

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

Thanks!! Yeah I feel like I can't justify that much for a keyboard atm. I work at a non-profit so $235  for a keyboard would blow peoples minds haha so I doubt they would pay for it. Plus I don't currently itemize my taxes so I can't deduct it either. Except I am getting married this year so that may change.

[Justintoxicated]

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

Just changed from browns to topre (although not silenced) Topre is definitely better in an open office envoronment for me. Topre does not look like anything to crazy expensive so unless you tell someone no one will really know.

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

Thanks!! Yeah I feel like I can't justify that much for a keyboard atm. I work at a non-profit so $235  for a keyboard would blow peoples minds haha so I doubt they would pay for it. Plus I don't currently itemize my taxes so I can't deduct it either. Except I am getting married this year so that may change.

You mean I can deduct this FC660C from my taxes?

[brybell]

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

Plus if I am venturing into $200+ boards I'd want an hhkb 2

[eth0s]

IMHO, the best office keyboard for volume typing is the RealForce 87U Silent with variable-weighted keys:  https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se070s.  At $235 it's a bargain, but it's a bit over your budget, I know, but it's worth the few extra $'s.  Plus, it's tax-deductible, or maybe your company will pay for it.  If you want an office keyboard, get the best.  Don't mess around with your work.  Better keyboard = better job performance.

Plus if I am venturing into $200+ boards I'd want an hhkb 2

HHKB Pro 2 is a completely different kind of keyboard experience.  Also to get the silent model, you need to spend ~ $350, which is more than double your original budget.  Is it worth it?  Maybe.  For some people yes, for others no.  The RealForce will give you everything you need.  The HHKB for work, might be overkill.  Although it is a very nice keyboard.  I use the HHKB Pro 2 Type-S for work every day, but I also switch back to my RealForce 87U variable silent for big typing jobs.

You mean I can deduct this FC660C from my taxes?

I am not a tax-attorney or CPA, but my understanding is that you can deduct the cost of anything that you buy to earn an income.  So, if you need an expensive keyboard to do your job, then you can deduct that cost from your income.  And, IMO an ergonomically weighted keyboard seems to an obvious "yes", at least to me, as something that you need to earn an income, if you work on a computer.

[brybell]

I am not a tax-attorney or CPA, but my understanding is that you can deduct the cost of anything that you buy to earn an income.  So, if you need an expensive keyboard to do your job, then you can deduct that cost from your income.  And, IMO an ergonomically weighted keyboard seems to an obvious "yes", at least to me, as something that you need to earn an income, if you work on a computer.

Yes this is true however if you file a normal tax form like 1090ez, you cant itemize. I am young so file normally since I dont make enough money to itemize etc.

[brybell]

HHKB Pro 2 is a completely different kind of keyboard experience.  Also to get the silent model, you need to spend ~ $350, which is more than double your original budget.  Is it worth it?  Maybe.  For some people yes, for others no.  The RealForce will give you everything you need.  The HHKB for work, might be overkill.  Although it is a very nice keyboard.  I use the HHKB Pro 2 Type-S for work every day, but I also switch back to my RealForce 87U variable silent for big typing jobs.

Yes I know, I really love the look of it. But no $350 is definitely out of the question. Far out. )

[brybell]

Elitekeyboards has a new brand that offers a TKL with Clears: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=keyed_up_labs,tenkeyless&pid=es87u_cc_bbb_al
First impressions from Geekhackers seemed to be rather positive.
If you want Blacks you should go for a Filco, they're really good boards and often recommended (they're not available with Clears though).

So i think I am going to go with this one unless anyone can talk me out of it

[Defect]

Clears are office approved in terms of sound.

Modded clears will also give you more tactility than blues.

[brybell]

Clears are office approved in terms of sound.

Modded clears will also give you more tactility than blues.

Thanks! Modded how?

[CPTBadAss]

Swap in different springs and/or lubing the switch.

[brybell]

Swap in different springs and/or lubing the switch.

Ah I didnt know if it was similar to the ghost blacks mentioned above. I will probably eventually build a custom so I can get into modding then.

[Defect]

Swap in different springs and/or lubing the switch.

Ah I didnt know if it was similar to the ghost blacks mentioned above. I will probably eventually build a custom so I can get into modding then.

Stock clears are my favorite stock MX switch.

But if you get blacks and clears you can make Panda Clears and Ghost Blacks, two of my 5 favorite modded switches.

[brybell]

thanks everyone!! I bought the KUL!

[blackbox]

thanks everyone!! I bought the KUL!

Congrats! I am going to make my secondary keyboard at work an mx clear tomorrow(It is mx brown now)! Post some pics when you get it!

[brybell]

thanks everyone!! I bought the KUL!

Congrats! I am going to make my secondary keyboard at work an mx clear tomorrow(It is mx brown now)! Post some pics when you get it!

awesome! will do