Total Noob says Hi.

[magically]

Hi everyone XD Stumbled across here looking for a present for my gamer boyfriend. He's a pro DotA 2 player and I thought a custom keyboard he can bring around tournaments can be quite meaningful as present. But I don't know anything about it and frankly so much information and so much to choose from... so I'm just going to lurk around here until I can assemble something. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

[Evo_Spec]

Welcome to GH!

If you're really looking for something unique for him then you definitely should be looking into custom made boards.
There's a lot of options but there's a guy selling keyboards that he custom made. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=66645.0
There's also a few other guys selling their Korean custom's that they got through group buys and such if you just go through the classifieds as well.

*edit* It would also help if you found out what kind of switches and keyboard layouts he currently uses/likes so you don't end up getting one which he potentially already hates.

[magically]

thanks so much for your advise ... i'm already getting really confused after looking through the threads and after talking to this seller on taobao, he told me it might take 1 year to get a customised 104 key keyboard... - -！

[esoomenona]

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[esoomenona]

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[Evo_Spec]

thanks so much for your advise ... i'm already getting really confused after looking through the threads and after talking to this seller on taobao, he told me it might take 1 year to get a customised 104 key keyboard... - -！

If you're looking for a complete custom i'd suggest these guys over Taobao.
Kailet/Apollo's @ awshim@gmail.com, his website is http://22kbd.com/
GON has been around a little longer and is well known here, his website is www.gonskeyboardworks.com/

[drewba]

Hi everyone XD Stumbled across here looking for a present for my gamer boyfriend. He's a pro DotA 2 player and I thought a custom keyboard he can bring around tournaments can be quite meaningful as present. But I don't know anything about it and frankly so much information and so much to choose from... so I'm just going to lurk around here until I can assemble something. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Welcome, I'm a total noob myself! I don't play DOTA2, but watch streams from time to time. Does he stream?

[Sturmfrau]

Hi and welcome. I'd suggest you prepare your wallet for the rape it will experience. As for my suggestion, I'd suggest you get a Novatouch and get custom keycaps for it. A fully customized keyboard will make your wallet go limp.

[magically]

Hi everyone XD Stumbled across here looking for a present for my gamer boyfriend. He's a pro DotA 2 player and I thought a custom keyboard he can bring around tournaments can be quite meaningful as present. But I don't know anything about it and frankly so much information and so much to choose from... so I'm just going to lurk around here until I can assemble something. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Welcome, I'm a total noob myself! I don't play DOTA2, but watch streams from time to time. Does he stream?

He doesn't stream a lot and he's a chinese player so he doesn't go on Twitch either... but if you watch from time to time he's currently in IG XD

[n0rvig]

For a gift, you probably want to buy something is quick, easy, and already in-stock. Avoid the temptation of "group buys" since they can take an eternity.

[Bucake]

welcome! a (mechanical) keyboard is a great gift for a (pro) gamer. (can be a very expensive gift, though!)

[magically]

For a gift, you probably want to buy something is quick, easy, and already in-stock. Avoid the temptation of "group buys" since they can take an eternity.

well i want it to be a special gift so something that's quick easy and already in-stock doesn't really fit what i'm looking for :\

[n0rvig]

For a gift, you probably want to buy something is quick, easy, and already in-stock. Avoid the temptation of "group buys" since they can take an eternity.

well i want it to be a special gift so something that's quick easy and already in-stock doesn't really fit what i'm looking for :\

Then you've come to the right place!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Beware that something that is not quick and easy it often very expensive.  Sometimes $500+ depending on what you go for and how much assembly is required.

The results can be fantastic though, and a well-made mechanical keyboard can last for many years, so spending a little time to get it right the first time can be time well spent.

Given the huge amount of knowledge around here, please ask questions, and have a look at the simple questions thread, which is a wealth of obscure information.