Does my dream keyboard exist?

[lemonade]

Hello all,

Was wondering if you guys know of any mechanical keyboard that has these features:
- Tenkeyless
- Red Switches
- White/Aluminium frame
- Backlit lights (optional, but good to have)

So far my favourite is the E-Element Z-77 with it's aluminum plated back that bounces off the RGB backlit beautifully. Unfortunately, it is too long for my tiny desk and doesn't come with red switches.

Another consideration was the Varmilo VA87m, this is the closest I can find that meets 3 out of 4 of the features. Most probably going for this if there's no other alternatives.

Suggestions anyone?

[klennkellon]

Corsair K65 RGB meets all the requirements

[SBJ]

I'm pretty sure you can get a Varmilo VA87M that would fit those requirements.

[Data]

I'm pretty sure you can get a Varmilo VA87M that would fit those requirements.

White case is an option.  There's also an aftermarket silver aluminum case for it.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-87-key-aluminum-case?mode=guest_open

It doesn't have RGB, however.

[zeltner]

A quick search of mechanicalkeyboards.com I found this: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1517

It meets all 4 of your requirements. I don't know anything about greetech switches though.

[Aricil]

Hello all,

Was wondering if you guys know of any mechanical keyboard that has these features:
- Tenkeyless
- Red Switches
- White/Aluminium frame
- Backlit lights (optional, but good to have)

So far my favourite is the E-Element Z-77 with it's aluminum plated back that bounces off the RGB backlit beautifully. Unfortunately, it is too long for my tiny desk and doesn't come with red switches.

Another consideration was the Varmilo VA87m, this is the closest I can find that meets 3 out of 4 of the features. Most probably going for this if there's no other alternatives.

Suggestions anyone?

I can personally vouch for the Varmillo. I just got one like 2 weeks ago that I custom ordered from Miya here on the Varmillo vendor subforum. She made the whole process very easy and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. While it isn't RGB, the Violet/Ice blue lights I chose along with my side-printed dark grey and mint green keycaps make for a lovely keyboard. I got it with a white case. I'd highly recommend it. Just think of what colors you'd like. Even when I had a RGB keyboard I ended up using green or violet or blue all the time anyway. Just think of some colors you'd like and get it! And also, I'd suggest going with red gateron switches. Gateron makes the BEST linear switches. I think you'd be VERY pleased if you went this route. I know I am 

[mike52787]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

[GiveCandyy]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

[mike52787]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

Why not just buy v60 or a v80 and a donor board with the switches you want. all you have to do is swap over the switches. All alps switches are good in their own way. Maybe buy a switch tester or something. if you like some of them, and im sure you will, a donor usually isnt too hard to find unless youre going for some rare switches like skcm lime or skcl brown.

[chyros]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

If there's one thing Alps aren't it's outdated. So many people are SCREAMING for a modern-day copy of the oldest designs!

[mike52787]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

If there's one thing Alps aren't it's outdated. So many people are SCREAMING for a modern-day copy of the oldest designs!

I am definitely one of those people.

[emdude]

But recreating the best vintage switches requires a large investment of time and money, and also actual QC, all of which seem to be rather lacking among modern mechanical keyboard manufacturers.  Oh well.

[SBJ]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

If there's one thing Alps aren't it's outdated. So many people are SCREAMING for a modern-day copy of the oldest designs!

I am definitely one of those people.

I definitely wouldn't mind this either.
Although no linear alps for me thanks. 

[lemonade]

Thanks for all the replies! Nice find on  the aluminium frames for the Varmilo.

I can personally vouch for the Varmillo. I just got one like 2 weeks ago that I custom ordered from Miya here on the Varmillo vendor subforum. She made the whole process very easy and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. While it isn't RGB, the Violet/Ice blue lights I chose along with my side-printed dark grey and mint green keycaps make for a lovely keyboard. I got it with a white case. I'd highly recommend it. Just think of what colors you'd like. Even when I had a RGB keyboard I ended up using green or violet or blue all the time anyway. Just think of some colors you'd like and get it! And also, I'd suggest going with red gateron switches. Gateron makes the BEST linear switches. I think you'd be VERY pleased if you went this route. I know I am 

Oh where can I find her? I live in Singapore, not sure if the products will be able to get shipped here, and if so I hope the shipping fees will not be too costly.

[SBJ]

Thanks for all the replies! Nice find on  the aluminium frames for the Varmilo.

I can personally vouch for the Varmillo. I just got one like 2 weeks ago that I custom ordered from Miya here on the Varmillo vendor subforum. She made the whole process very easy and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. While it isn't RGB, the Violet/Ice blue lights I chose along with my side-printed dark grey and mint green keycaps make for a lovely keyboard. I got it with a white case. I'd highly recommend it. Just think of what colors you'd like. Even when I had a RGB keyboard I ended up using green or violet or blue all the time anyway. Just think of some colors you'd like and get it! And also, I'd suggest going with red gateron switches. Gateron makes the BEST linear switches. I think you'd be VERY pleased if you went this route. I know I am 

Oh where can I find her? I live in Singapore, not sure if the products will be able to get shipped here, and if so I hope the shipping fees will not be too costly.

All info is in this thread she made: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=83271.0

[lemonade]

Found what I want the keyboard and keycaps to look like (only with non-blank keycaps).

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/mkc-87-full-metal-keyboard

Anything that is similar?

[SBJ]

Found what I want the keyboard and keycaps to look like (only with non-blank keycaps).

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/mkc-87-full-metal-keyboard

Anything that is similar?

I would send that picture to Miya and ask her if Vamilo can do anything similar. I don't think it'll be too big of a problem though but I am unsure about the aluminum housing color options.

[Aricil]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

Well, the best I've tried so far. I tried matias linears and hated them. Aren't those alps? Plus, I really like switching out keycap sets and if I got an alps keyboard I'd have to settle for subpar caps which sucks! I have been interested in maybe trying out a matias click/quiet click board but I'm happy with the 2 I have now so I can't justify getting any more any time soon. I don't wanna have more boards than I actually use. Right now I have my varmillo and my novatouch plugged in and I swap back and forth between them.

[bocahgundul]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

lulz. people got their own preferences.

Green alps short throw threw me off and yeah gaterons are really good.

[bocahgundul]

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

Well, the best I've tried so far. I tried matias linears and hated them. Aren't those alps? Plus, I really like switching out keycap sets and if I got an alps keyboard I'd have to settle for subpar caps which sucks! I have been interested in maybe trying out a matias click/quiet click board but I'm happy with the 2 I have now so I can't justify getting any more any time soon. I don't wanna have more boards than I actually use. Right now I have my varmillo and my novatouch plugged in and I swap back and forth between them.

They are indeed alps but they are the simplified/clone alps which is imo not as good as the OG stuff.

I know why you don't like em, they're too wobbly right?

If you like the short throw I would suggest you to try Green SKCL alps they're not wobbly at all.

And there's plenty of good alps keycaps and the easiest one to find is SGI bigfoot which use Thick PBT dyesubs with sharp font which imo one of the best keycaps for alps.

Sorry for double post!

[chyros]

But recreating the best vintage switches requires a large investment of time and money, and also actual QC, all of which seem to be rather lacking among modern mechanical keyboard manufacturers.  Oh well.

Yeah of course it requires investment, but that doesn't mean the design is outdated, quite the opposite!

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

Well, the best I've tried so far. I tried matias linears and hated them. Aren't those alps?

No.

Also, there's plenty of great Alps keycaps!

[Aricil]

But recreating the best vintage switches requires a large investment of time and money, and also actual QC, all of which seem to be rather lacking among modern mechanical keyboard manufacturers.  Oh well.

Yeah of course it requires investment, but that doesn't mean the design is outdated, quite the opposite!

Gateron makes the BEST linear switches.

>best linear switch
>never heard of skcl green alps

Alps too outdated. Can't find any that fits me. ;p

Well, the best I've tried so far. I tried matias linears and hated them. Aren't those alps?

No.

Also, there's plenty of great Alps keycaps!

Yeah, they were wobbly, and I dunno if I'm crazy or not but I felt like they were pretty heavy as far as linear switches go but I dunno. I may try and alps board one day but I don't think anything can dethrone my gateron blues as of right now. I'm quite content with my boards as of now so I won't be spending any more money on keyboard stuff for a while at least. Maybe some caps if I see a set I really gotta have but even then it'd have to be pretty cool. The skeletor GB looks very nice but I'm a little stretched and it only extends to the 22nd. If Alps are so great y'all should send me a keyboard so that I can see what all the fuss is about =p