Hi from Europe

[Nisei]

Hey hi, I'm from Europe (the Netherlands)
I've always wanted to get a mechanical but somehow never bought a new keyboard in the last 4 years.
Hope to find some useful information here.

[switchnollie]

Welcome

I speak some Dutch, a good board to try out will be one with Topre switches

[Nisei]

Thanks switchnollie.
I've ordered a cheap Gamdias Hermes Ultimate with MX Blue to start with (tried some different switches at the store and really like the clicky ones) but if I like it I'll make sure to try out some other switches as well.
Are Topre switches 1:1 exchangeable with MX switches?

[ghostjuggernaut]

Topre switches are actually different than Cherry MX.  Cherry MX use a contact leaf system, with a sliding stem that actuates the switch.  Topre uses capacitive springs which actuate the switch.  Personally, I am a big fan of Topre, and the HHKB to be specific.  I recommend trying it out when you can.

Be sure to read over the site TOS when you get a chance.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Any reasonable mechanical keyboard will be a big step up from the rubber dome keyboard you are probably using now.  I started with MX blues too, although I was trying to replicate the feel of some old NEC blue oval switches, and MX blues were the closest match.

Since then I've settled on 45g Topre (as in HHKB) and buckling spring as my two favourite switches, closely followed by MX clears, although I'm typing this on MX greens.

You may be in for a long and interesting ride trying different keyboards