Coming from an "Apple Aluminium Keyboard"... where to go?

[valenceelectron]

Hi,
throughout my life I used the default keyboard shipped with whichever computer I worked with. Currently I'm using an older Apple aluminium keyboard with a scissor switch (~60 cN actuation force, according to reddit) and I like the amount of force required to actuate a key. Now I want to make my transition to a mechanical keyboard but I'm not sure about the switch to get. I visited some local retailers and tried some of their keyboards, so I know how Cherry MX black, red, blue and browns "feel" like (but of course it was not possible to test them for long).

Results: I think I do like a tactile feedback, but the brown's is only barely noticeable imo. I don't like it clicky and reds as well as browns are way too soft. I liked the blacks regarding pressure, but with their linearity... I "missed" something, probably a bit of feedback?
For me, this sounds like MX Clears are the way to go, but I read their stiffness increases after the actuation point so they are actually stiffer than blacks. I have no doubt I'd be able to type without tiring on something as stiff as blacks, but clears? It's hard to predict. And then, there's this little voice in my head, whispering "maybe blacks are fine too, you'll get used to the missing feedback".

What does your experience say about my case?
I'm not a gamer, maybe sometimes, rarely. I'm mostly typing, no novels, but chatting and programming.

[STR8_AN94BALLER]

Hi,
throughout my life I used the default keyboard shipped with whichever computer I worked with. Currently I'm using an older Apple aluminium keyboard with a scissor switch (~60 cN actuation force, according to reddit) and I like the amount of force required to actuate a key. Now I want to make my transition to a mechanical keyboard but I'm not sure about the switch to get. I visited some local retailers and tried some of their keyboards, so I know how Cherry MX black, red, blue and browns "feel" like (but of course it was not possible to test them for long).

Results: I think I do like a tactile feedback, but the brown's is only barely noticeable imo. I don't like it clicky and reds as well as browns are way too soft. I liked the blacks regarding pressure, but with their linearity... I "missed" something, probably a bit of feedback?
For me, this sounds like MX Clears are the way to go, but I read their stiffness increases after the actuation point so they are actually stiffer than blacks. I have no doubt I'd be able to type without tiring on something as stiff as blacks, but clears? It's hard to predict. And then, there's this little voice in my head, whispering "maybe blacks are fine too, you'll get used to the missing feedback".

What does your experience say about my case?
I'm not a gamer, maybe sometimes, rarely. I'm mostly typing, no novels, but chatting and programming.

Consider the deathstalker keyboard an option too.

[Novus]

HHKB Type -S

[FrostyToast]

Something with ergo clears perhaps? Although you would have to get a custom board for that. 30g topres are also an option

[valenceelectron]

HHKB Type -S

I definitely want a full 105 key ISO keyboard, so that's not an option. Additionally, this would be an even bigger "experiment" than e.g. clears because I have no idea how topres feel. :S

Is there anyone who made a similar transition?

[mashby]

Since you've locked down what size board that you want, that will help narrow things down, but there is a LOT left to play with.

In my experience, the only way to truly know someone is to fight them. err.. know a switch is to try it for awhile. Based on your tests, I would get a board with MX Clear switches and try them for awhile to really get to know them. Once you have a baseline, you can then begin to play with other things. Such as different key caps (height, thickness, texture, materials) and maybe even different springs (lighter, heavier, lubed).

I'd suggest staying with Cherry for now because it's easier to customize and modify. That being said, Topre do have a unique feel and are definitely worth trying when you can at a meet up or at a local store.

Personally, I started with MX-Blues and was quite surprised when I ended up with lubed MX-Blacks & SA keycaps as my daily driver. I like to mix it up though, so it's fun to switch to Reds, or Browns from time-to-time.

There is a lot to explore and play with when it comes to mechanical keyboards. You're in for a lot of fun. 

 

[CPTBadAss]

Go backwards in the Apple time machine and try out an Apple AEK with Orange Alps!

[Findecanor]

Now I want to make my transition to a mechanical keyboard but I'm not sure about the switch to get.

Why? Unless the rare case where if you are gaming in a way where you frequently run into rollover problems, there is nothing objectively better about mechanical keyboards. It is all about personal preference.

For me, this sounds like MX Clears are the way to go, but I read their stiffness increases after the actuation point so they are actually stiffer than blacks. I have no doubt I'd be able to type without tiring on something as stiff as blacks, but clears?

The sharp stiffness the actuation point will cushion your key stroke there. It is almost as if each key was a scissor-switch key sitting on top of a spring.
I find Clears to be less tiring than Blacks because on Blacks I always overshoot a bit to be sure to have pressed past the activation point, where as on Clears the tactile feedback tells me when I have actuated and the steep incline in force after the "dip" prevents me from pressing too far.

[jameslr]

My vote is for the Topre Realforce 55g. I think, given what you described, you would like them a lot. They're not as heavy as MX clears, but they're nice and firm and tactile with a very smooth actuation.

[valenceelectron]

Since you've locked down what size board that you want, that will help narrow things down, but there is a LOT left to play with.
[...]
I'd suggest staying with Cherry for now because it's easier to customize and modify. That being said, Topre do have a unique feel and are definitely worth trying when you can at a meet up or at a local store.

Yes I'll try to do that. During the past weeks, I read a huge amount about switches, not only Cherry. But not only are Cherry switches the one with the most amount of information on the net (at least it felt like that), I had the possibility to test at least a few of them (opposed to topres etc.).
I think it's basically a question of black vs clear (vs dampened blue?) for me because I'm a bit afraid the clear switch might be a little too stiff after all.

Go backwards in the Apple time machine and try out an Apple AEK with Orange Alps!

Can you recommend a reliable time machine vendor?

Now I want to make my transition to a mechanical keyboard but I'm not sure about the switch to get.

Why? Unless the rare case where if you are gaming in a way where you frequently run into rollover problems, there is nothing objectively better about mechanical keyboards. It is all about personal preference.

I think my current keyboard reached EOL. Some scissor switches are broken and it doesn't look exactly new anymore either, so I thought about getting a replacement, but something solid (basically, it's the first time I'm actually purchasing a keyboard).

For me, this sounds like MX Clears are the way to go, but I read their stiffness increases after the actuation point so they are actually stiffer than blacks. I have no doubt I'd be able to type without tiring on something as stiff as blacks, but clears?

The sharp stiffness the actuation point will cushion your key stroke there. It is almost as if each key was a scissor-switch key sitting on top of a spring.
I find Clears to be less tiring than Blacks because on Blacks I always overshoot a bit to be sure to have pressed past the activation point, where as on Clears the tactile feedback tells me when I have actuated and the steep incline in force after the "dip" prevents me from pressing too far.

"It is almost as if each key was a scissor-switch key sitting on top of a spring" sounds pretty good.

Are clears + O-ring dampeners something I should consider to "end" the increasing stiffness earlier (by decreasing the amount of travel)?

[saturnotaku]

My vote is for the Topre Realforce 55g. I think, given what you described, you would like them a lot. They're not as heavy as MX clears, but they're nice and firm and tactile with a very smooth actuation.

Do they make a full-size 55g uniform? I know a 45g one exists.

[jameslr]

Not that I know of. I believe the only 55g uniform boards are the 87's. I may be wrong though. I know EK doesn't sell them.

[saturnotaku]

Not that I know of. I believe the only 55g uniform boards are the 87's. I may be wrong though. I know EK doesn't sell them.

OK, so that's eliminated then since the OP is looking for a full-size board.

[dorkvader]

Not that I know of. I believe the only 55g uniform boards are the 87's. I may be wrong though. I know EK doesn't sell them.

topre has made uniform 55g fullsize keyboards in the past Leopold / widebasket might still have some of leopold's old stock on these.

Just like the 30g uniform ansi: they only made one model of it, but they did make it.

[Smasher816]

I'm a bit afraid the clear switch might be a little too stiff after all.

I think you would be fine. Who knows they might just be fine for you. You don't have to press the switch all the way down and it's not really heavier at actuation then the blacks you liked. The progressive weight helps make it harder to bottom out, which might actually help with strain since your fingers aren't banging into the bottom of the case. As you said, you could always try adding o-rings which will reduce the travel distance and maximum weight (however, it will affect the feel a little).

[Altis]

May I ask what it is you're looking to get in a mechanical board?

Reason I ask is that the Apple keyboard can be quite good (depending on the copy you have), as it is very tactile, quiet, and has a shallow keystroke depth. Despite having 6 mechanical boards, all with different switches, I still use my Apple aluminum board often enough.

I have MX browns and agree that they aren't tactile enough, almost as if they are just broken reds. Reds can be hard to maintain accuracy on, but I like them quite a bit. The blues feel quite good to me, but the sound can be a little irritating at times... I enjoy them more when I'm wearing headphones. Same goes for the buckling springs (model M).

[rowdy]

I went from Apple aluminium keyboard to MX blues.  Then I tried blacks, and found that I preferred them.  Then I tried reds, but they were too light.  Then I tried greens, and liked them.  Somewhere along the line I tried buckling spring (Model M), and liked it.

I have come to the conclusion that I like stiffer switches.  Even my HHKB seems too light, but you won't be able to prise that one from me

[Oobly]

I recommend this board: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-104-key-mechanical-keyboard.html

Good quality board with plate mounted MX Clears in a full sized layout. I'm fairly certain you'll like stock Clears. The "increase in force" thing is actually really nice as it helps to cushion your fingers before bottom out, so it's not quite as much shock on your fingers when you do.

If you don't like the feel, you could do a spring swap, Black springs feel nice in Clears (Panda Clears mod), but I like lighter switches so I use 62g springs in mine (ErgoClears).

[valenceelectron]

I went from Apple aluminium keyboard to MX blues.  Then I tried blacks, and found that I preferred them.  Then I tried reds, but they were too light.  Then I tried greens, and liked them.  Somewhere along the line I tried buckling spring (Model M), and liked it.

I have come to the conclusion that I like stiffer switches.  Even my HHKB seems too light, but you won't be able to prise that one from me

So you used every major switch... except clears?

May I ask what it is you're looking to get in a mechanical board?

Reason I ask is that the Apple keyboard can be quite good (depending on the copy you have), as it is very tactile, quiet, and has a shallow keystroke depth. Despite having 6 mechanical boards, all with different switches, I still use my Apple aluminum board often enough.

I have MX browns and agree that they aren't tactile enough, almost as if they are just broken reds. Reds can be hard to maintain accuracy on, but I like them quite a bit. The blues feel quite good to me, but the sound can be a little irritating at times... I enjoy them more when I'm wearing headphones. Same goes for the buckling springs (model M).

Well, I need a new one and I thought I'd strive for an 'upgrade', something I enjoy (more?) in the long term.
Or: I'd like to give a mechanical keyboard a try.

I recommend this board: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/products/code-keyboard/code-104-key-mechanical-keyboard.html

Good quality board with plate mounted MX Clears in a full sized layout. I'm fairly certain you'll like stock Clears. The "increase in force" thing is actually really nice as it helps to cushion your fingers before bottom out, so it's not quite as much shock on your fingers when you do.

If you don't like the feel, you could do a spring swap, Black springs feel nice in Clears (Panda Clears mod), but I like lighter switches so I use 62g springs in mine (ErgoClears).

Is it even possible to order just springs?

[rowdy]

I went from Apple aluminium keyboard to MX blues.  Then I tried blacks, and found that I preferred them.  Then I tried reds, but they were too light.  Then I tried greens, and liked them.  Somewhere along the line I tried buckling spring (Model M), and liked it.

I have come to the conclusion that I like stiffer switches.  Even my HHKB seems too light, but you won't be able to prise that one from me

So you used every major switch... except clears?

Pretty much, yes )