So you bought a new keyboard, tell the next person why they shouldn't buy it

[aref]

Don't buy a HHKB. There's a non-trivial risk that 55g keys will hurt your fingers (be it Topre in Pro, or Chicony rubber dome in Lite), the USB hub in HHKB 2 is a gimmick, the embedded navigation layer is stupid (goes more or less in the opposite direction than staggering) and it's barely any smaller than a 75% keyboard... overall, an overpriced luxury item that only gives you street cred.

I can speak to 55g Topre switches. I have a RF 87UB/55-gram KB, and 'me digits' love the 55-gram rubber-cup resistance.

[Moralless]

Another reason to not buy a HHKB is if you can't be bothered/too scared to do a silencing mod. The sound of the clack on the upstroke is the worst.

[davkol]

Well, that might explain, why the other HHKB I got to use was weird.

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate. I had the same problem with MS SideWinder X4 and a couple of other keyboards. HHKB Lite 2 is another offender, even though it's almost the same hardware as Chicony KB-7903, which has an extra metal plate, but somehow doesn't hurt me.

[nubbinator]

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

[munch]

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

I have owned hhkb, and both 45 and 55g rf, and I agree that fingers hurt from it after a while. I might be a heavy typist or something? but then again MX Reds don't hurt my fingers at all... the dome just doesn't feel good for my fingers.

[radio_killah]

Custom korean keyboards. Don't get them unless you want to wait to have to ship them off to pay someone else to assemble for yo because you don't have the hardware too. 

[Chromako]

Don't buy a WASD Code, Costar stabilizers are Satan.

Agreed. Don't buy a DAS Ultimate. Costar stabilizers are complete ****e. And the hysteresis on the Cherry Blue's will drive you crazy.


Also, don't buy a Topre Realforce variable. You'll just end up buying a 55g one once you figure out that 55g is the True Oneness with Cup Rubber. Or something like that.

[aref]

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

I have owned hhkb, and both 45 and 55g rf, and I agree that fingers hurt from it after a while. I might be a heavy typist or something? but then again MX Reds don't hurt my fingers at all... the dome just doesn't feel good for my fingers.

I had a 45g 87U, and the key switches did bother my fingers; but my 55g 87UB is fine. I, too, have a couple MX Red keyboards, and the switches are fine, no 'digit discomfort'. But I do wish they had a bit more required down-force. However, Reds have good feel and I like their linear travel. While I disliked the feel of 45g Topres on a Realforce, I've been looking at HHKBs lately and am really interested in one. I tried one for about an hour, and liked it; but it really wasn't enough time to see if the switch would bring about any discomfort.

[pepijndevos]

Don't buy a Truly Ergonomic. Double keys, missed keys, stuck keys, it has them all.

[Oobly]

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

I have owned hhkb, and both 45 and 55g rf, and I agree that fingers hurt from it after a while. I might be a heavy typist or something? but then again MX Reds don't hurt my fingers at all... the dome just doesn't feel good for my fingers.

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

Well, that might explain, why the other HHKB I got to use was weird.

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate. I had the same problem with MS SideWinder X4 and a couple of other keyboards. HHKB Lite 2 is another offender, even though it's almost the same hardware as Chicony KB-7903, which has an extra metal plate, but somehow doesn't hurt me.

Although, the finger pain comes from tactility in my case, never a plate.

I would disagree from my experience.  I tried a 45g FC660C and the 45g CM Novatouch.  Both of them caused pains in my finger since the plate made them overly rigid and the way Topre domes work.  The HHKB, on the other hand, has never caused my fingers to hurt.

I have owned hhkb, and both 45 and 55g rf, and I agree that fingers hurt from it after a while. I might be a heavy typist or something? but then again MX Reds don't hurt my fingers at all... the dome just doesn't feel good for my fingers.

I had a 45g 87U, and the key switches did bother my fingers; but my 55g 87UB is fine. I, too, have a couple MX Red keyboards, and the switches are fine, no 'digit discomfort'. But I do wish they had a bit more required down-force. However, Reds have good feel and I like their linear travel. While I disliked the feel of 45g Topres on a Realforce, I've been looking at HHKBs lately and am really interested in one. I tried one for about an hour, and liked it; but it really wasn't enough time to see if the switch would bring about any discomfort.

Some very good reasons not to get a Topre right there... Is this some hidden conspiracy the Topre elite haven't been confessing about in the "I love Topre" threads?

Not trying to troll, just find it disturbing I haven't seen this mentioned before when people have been recommending boards for others.

[KHAANNN]

Don't buy a keyboard with Cherry MX/Clear/Green's unless you are going to inspect/mod each single switch

[sethk_]

Don't buy a keyboard with Cherry MX/Clear/Green's unless you are going to inspect/mod each single switch

Why not clears or greens? Almost all new cherry switches are scratchy, but whites are the only inconsistent ones brand new.

[KHAANNN]

Don't buy a keyboard with Cherry MX/Clear/Green's unless you are going to inspect/mod each single switch

Why not clears or greens? Almost all new cherry switches are scratchy, but whites are the only inconsistent ones brand new.

they both have strong springs that ping if they are not gripping their poles, greens additionally have a very audible click, 1.5-2x of blues, however they don't all click that strong, so differences are more easily noticeable

stronger click is good, imo, if you have many switches to choose from beforehand, however if a weak one is soldered to your keyboard, it's not an ideal situation to be in

[falkentyne]

Do you mean whites (aka milk whites) or MX clears?
Clears are called "whites" in china, thus our whites called "milk whites over there" there to differentiate between them.
I think that's because they (clears) originally were called whites, by standard long ago, but original whites (MX clears) are a tactile, non clicky switch (65-70g) while MX whites (milk whites) are tactile/clicky and 80-85g.

I love my ducky shine 69; the MX greens are a pleasure to type and FPS game on (but harder than browns if you're playing Action per minute based games), but I may try a full milk white keyboard just because I can (even though I can't tell any difference from the greens, besides the click sound.

[awhitedev]

Don't buy a keyboard with Cherry MX/Clear/Green's unless you are going to inspect/mod each single switch

Why not clears or greens? Almost all new cherry switches are scratchy, but whites are the only inconsistent ones brand new.

they both have strong springs that ping if they are not gripping their poles, greens additionally have a very audible click, 1.5-2x of blues, however they don't all click that strong, so differences are more easily noticeable

stronger click is good, imo, if you have many switches to choose from beforehand, however if a weak one is soldered to your keyboard, it's not an ideal situation to be in

I find that most cherry mx switches are inconsistent. Some lots have squeaky springs, some blues / greens will be less clicky than others, and some are more scratchy than others. Some people are more picky than others... so I think some people don't really notice.

[KHAANNN]

Do you mean whites (aka milk whites) or MX clears?
Clears are called "whites" in china, thus our whites called "milk whites over there" there to differentiate between them.
I think that's because they (clears) originally were called whites, by standard long ago, but original whites (MX clears) are a tactile, non clicky switch (65-70g) while MX whites (milk whites) are tactile/clicky and 80-85g.

I love my ducky shine 69; the MX greens are a pleasure to type and FPS game on (but harder than browns if you're playing Action per minute based games), but I may try a full milk white keyboard just because I can (even though I can't tell any difference from the greens, besides the click sound.

Yes I was talking about clears, I haven't tested milky whites as they are not available generally, greens would be the limit for me, I would certainly test them if I can, I would also like to hear your opinion if you get to test them, espcially if you are checking for the depress/spring pings
I'm currently opening up all the switches in my keyboard and preventing the springs from pinging by modding them (greens), desoldering is certainly very challenging, so I don't suggest doing it unless you have to

awhitedev: yes, that's certainly the case, yet red's for example, don't have any characteristics that might differentiate one from another, so I enjoy reds as they are

[exitfire401]

HHKB Type-S

The dampening on the type-s makes the board feel mushy compared to a normal HHKB and detracts from the tactility of 55g. You can easily silence/dampen a normal HHKB with silicone and leather punches for 1/5th the extra cost that's associated with the type-S (unless of course, you proxied from Japan, then the price difference is a little less)

[Jokrik]

Don't buy white milk switch with only a few extras for what you need. Bought 140 switches for my lightsaver and yet I still ended up with two switches in the board that has inconsistent click

Buy a lot more if you want the perfect consistent white switch board

[motherbrain]

thanks for the advice...haven't seen any negative rubber dome reviews.  guess i'll get one of those.

[davkol]

thanks for the advice...haven't seen any negative rubber dome reviews.  guess i'll get one of those.

Except the bunch of posts about Topre (rubber dome!) and the membrane HHKB.

[psm]

Don't buy a Truly Ergonomic. Double keys, missed keys, stuck keys, it has them all.

I would add to this, don't be taken in by their 60-day "money back guarantee".  They will never get back to you, and there is no way to contact them other than the form on their confusing website.  Their customer service is a joke.  Unless you are certain you will not want to return this, don't buy it.

[julayyy]

Don't buy a CM Storm TK if you're planning on customizing your Keycaps. The bottom row is 1.5, 1, 1.25, 6.5, 1.25, 1, 1, 1.5.  You can probably find some keys that fit but Goodluck finding a 6.5 spacebar. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of Signature Plastic group buy for Think Different that made a PBT 6.5 spacebar but in light grey. At this point, getting any PBT spacebar is good enough so I shouldn't be complaining that the color doesn't fit my color scheme. Also, if you have a macbook you have to download a program to make the numpad work. Like it's a great keyboard but you have to be open to making compromise for your keyboard.

[davkol]

Don't buy a CM Storm TK if you're planning on customizing your Keycaps. The bottom row is 1.5, 1, 1.25, 6.5, 1.25, 1, 1, 1.5.  You can probably find some keys that fit but Goodluck finding a 6.5 spacebar. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of Signature Plastic group buy for Think Different that made a PBT 6.5 spacebar but in light grey.

Funny you mention it. Vortex has just announced their PBT&POM doubleshots for that bottom row.

[julayyy]

Don't buy a CM Storm TK if you're planning on customizing your Keycaps. The bottom row is 1.5, 1, 1.25, 6.5, 1.25, 1, 1, 1.5.  You can probably find some keys that fit but Goodluck finding a 6.5 spacebar. I was lucky enough to stumble upon one of Signature Plastic group buy for Think Different that made a PBT 6.5 spacebar but in light grey.

Funny you mention it. Vortex has just announced their PBT&POM doubleshots for that bottom row.

[asgeirtj]

Don't buy a B87. it... uh... took a while to get here...

How long?

[hwood34]

Don't buy a B87. it... uh... took a while to get here...

How long?

something like 2 weeks. malaysia post wasn't exactly fast

[micr0n]

Don't buy the v60 mini, unless you enjoy typing on terrible stock keycaps or limiting yourself on any kind of programmability.

[appleonama]

Don't buy a keyboard! Leave this website right away and don't ever come back. Save your money and enjoy it on something more worthwhile.

wish I had the will power to do this myself.. If I wasn't SE I would've left by now

[Nai_Calus]

Don't get any of the 4704 IBM Model Fs. After using them every other keyboard will seem like a cheap trashy toy in comparison.

Don't buy a Kinesis Freestyle 2, you will find yourself very confused at the rubber domes feeling like what MX Browns should and wondering why all keyboards aren't split. (Also, y'know, rubber domes) (OK, I didn't actually buy one, but I've been using one for the moment, so.)

[Snowdog993]

Because they can't?  After all it's yours.  What a silly question!

I still like my answer better.

[njbair]

Don't buy a new Cherry G80-1800. MX Blacks are yuck for typing. The case is pretty flimsy. And even key sets that offer 1800 support don't support the winkey version.

So now I've got to desolder 100+ switches and heavily modify the PCB for a winkeyless layout. I like projects and all, but paying $100+ for a board and having it be basically useless without heavy modification and replacement switches, that's just not cool.

[sethk_]

Don't buy a new Cherry G80-1800. MX Blacks are yuck for typing. The case is pretty flimsy. And even key sets that offer 1800 support don't support the winkey version.

So now I've got to desolder 100+ switches and heavily modify the PCB for a winkeyless layout. I like projects and all, but paying $100+ for a board and having it be basically useless without heavy modification and replacement switches, that's just not cool.

and those 1u keys...

[GL1TCH3D]

Duck Viper

Same layout as the HHKB (almost anyway) for about twice the price.

[ADFX_Pixy]

Don't buy the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid/Stealth. The "braided" detachable cord isn't really braided, the braid is just some rough, patterned coating that makes the cord stupidly stiff and hard to deal with. With the cheap price of this keyboard, plan to buy a custom USB cable from Pexon, Mimic, Zeal, etc. to replace this stiff piece of trash cable.

[Sencha]

Don't buy the pok3r. Case is very cheap and scratches easily

[againer]

Dont buy a ISO pok3r
Corus-kb swaped all ISO pok3r with ANSI pokers. Even after the realise their fault, they let you waint Instead of sending you the desired product, they let you wait and wait until they figure out, where you could send the keyboard back. They do not answer how, and when they will return the shipping costs ( to ship the keyboard back). And surely they refuse to send you the ISO pok3r. Probably they gonna send it when you sent the ANSI keyboard.

[pr0ximity]

Don't buy a 4704 Model F, there's nowhere else to go but down.

[hwood34]

Don't buy a 4704 Model F, there's nowhere else to go but down.

but





what



the




 

[pr0ximity]

Don't buy a 4704 Model F, there's nowhere else to go but down.

but





what



the




 

Actually, who am I kidding, you can always go sideways