Suggestions for a Mac keyboard with reds?

[Skittery Badger]

Hello everyone,

I recently made my first mechanical keyboard purchase: the Code keyboard with MX clears.  I read up on switches beforehand, but having not typed on any of the Cherry switches I didn't really know what I was getting myself into.  The clears are great for typing, but I dislike them for gaming - I would prefer a light, linear switch of some kind.  I really like everything about the Code keyboard except the switches,  and  I was hoping some of you might be able to make some suggestions.

-I've been using an apple keyboard for the past 5 years or so, and I suppose I've gotten used to that light touch.  I hate the short travel distance though.

-I dislike the tactility and stiffness of the clears, so I'm guessing that means the reds are for me.  I am open to suggestions however.

-The keyboard should work natively (or with DIP switch/keypuller etc) with Windows, OS X and Linux

-My primary use is gaming.

-I prefer backlighting - preferably just simple, classy, white backlighting.

-I will consider full size or ten keyless.

-I would like to keep my price in the $75-$150 range, but would consider other options if they really made sense.

Some boards that have caught my attention are the Ducky Shine 3 and Zero, and the Noppoo Choc Mini.  The Noppoo looks great but I understand that it does not have native Mac support.  Before I make another purchase, I thought it would be smart to check with you fine folks first!

Thank You!

[Hypersphere]

The Kul ES-87 and WASD V2 87 are compatible with Mac, Linux, and Windows, and they are available with mx reds.

My primary computer is a Mac, but I also use Linux and Windows with the same keyboard. My current favorites are IBM Model F XT, Realforce 87ub 55g, and HHKB Pro 2. All of these work fine with Mac, Linux, and Windows.

[saturnotaku]

I have compiled a list of mechanical keyboards that are Mac friendly either through dedicated layouts or the use of DIP switches.

If backlighting is an important feature, you're pretty much limited to the Ducky Shine 3, which isn't a bad thing because it's a great keyboard.

If you can get away without backlighting, the aforementioned WASD and KUL ES-87 would be my top two picks. Unfortunately, I think WASD is sold out of Red switches at the moment. The KUL with Reds is in stock at both Amazon and Elitekeyboards. I would suggest ordering from the former because shipping and returns are no-hassle.

[Hypersphere]

@saturnotaku: Thanks for your excellent compilation of Mac-friendly keyboards! This is quite useful; it probably ought to be on a wiki page somewhere.

[jykim0806]

Hello, Mac user here.
You can basically use any keyboards, but you just need to remap the keys and the easiest and most common method (I use it too) is using an app called Karabiner. I remapped so the layout is really similar to the mac keyboard (for ex alt to command key, window to option/alt key, and ctrl to ctrl ) I also mapped the function keys so that they function for the sound control, media control, brightness control etc. Give it a try and let me know if you have any questions!

[Hypersphere]

Another Mac user here. I can also heartily recommend Karabiner. You can use it alone or in combination with the keyboard preferences in OS X to remap most keyboards to your liking.

Some keyboards (such as Kul and WASD) also have DIP switch settings for Mac friendliness, such as swapping Alt (Opt) and Win (Command). I often use my HHKB Pro 2, which is especially Mac friendly.

[rowdy]

Ducky Shine is great, I'm using one right now on my Mac.  I used System Preferences to swap Command and Option, and the rest just works.

[Hypersphere]

@rowdy: Which Ducky Shine do you have? Once upon a time, I had a Ducky Shine II, but I was not impressed with its quality and I gave it away. However, I have heard that the quality of Ducky keyboards has improved markedly.

I do not really like backlighting. Are there Ducky models that do not have backlighting? If so, are they as good as the backlit models in other respects?

One thing I look for in a TKL is a Fn key that can be remapped or the absence of a Fn key (such as a "Menu" key) that can be remapped as Fn. What is the situation in this regard with Ducky keyboards?

[rowdy]

@rowdy: Which Ducky Shine do you have? Once upon a time, I had a Ducky Shine II, but I was not impressed with its quality and I gave it away. However, I have heard that the quality of Ducky keyboards has improved markedly.

I do not really like backlighting. Are there Ducky models that do not have backlighting? If so, are they as good as the backlit models in other respects?

One thing I look for in a TKL is a Fn key that can be remapped or the absence of a Fn key (such as a "Menu" key) that can be remapped as Fn. What is the situation in this regard with Ducky keyboards?

I have two Ducky Shine 1 (both MX blue, one with red LED one with green LED), and a Ducky Shine 3 Yellow Edition.

[Skittery Badger]

Thanks so much for the replies everyone.  I think the perfect keyboard for me is the Ducky Shine 3 TKL w/ white backlighting.  Unfortunately,  it's not available anywhere. . I may go with a different color, or make do without the backlighting and get a KUL ES-87, which seems perfect otherwise.

[Hypersphere]

Kul makes a solid keyboard, but I recently bought one that had some cosmetic imperfections in the finish on the case. I have also confirmed that I do not like Cherry stabilizers -- they make the stabilized keys feel mushy.

I am typing this on a WASD V2 87 mx Brown Barebones. This is the only keyboard I know about that is available without keycaps. I almost always replace stock keycaps with another set, so the "barebones" model was perfect for me. WASD keyboards also use Costar-type stabilizers, which provide an even and crisp response on stabilized keys. If you would like more details, I have posted a review:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65968.0

The keyboard has DIP switches that include a Mac setting. Overall, I like this keyboard as much or better than any other Cherry mx keyboard I have tried, although my all-time favorites are still the HHKB Pro 2, RF 87ub 55g, and IBM Model F XT.

[neiru37]

Definitely take a look at the KBT Pure pro.

As mac users, we utilize the CMD key very well. This is the very reason why on apple keyboards, you'll likely to see 4 keys to the left of the spacebar, as it makes the CMD key closer to your thumb's resting position.

Looking at this pic, you'll see that the right edge of the CMD key is almost parallel to the X key:


The DAS Keyboard for mac unfortunately follows the standard key size of 3 x 1.25 on the left side of the space bar. Because of this, the CMD key is further away from your thumb's resting position (right edge is parallel to the center of the x key):


This is where the KBT Pure pro shines. Notice that the Pure pro follows the apple keyboards 4 mods on the left design, making the cmd key closer to your thumb's resting position (CMD right edge is beyond X's right edge).


This makes the Pure pro a more ergonomic choice for mac users in particular.

Apart from this, the Pure pro also has hardware programming functionality. Using programming mode, you can create a "Mac" programming layer that switches the windows key and the alt key.