What do you prefer? Appearance or feeling?

[KorKeyboard]

When I assemble a keyboard, I usually don't solder LEDs even if it support (full) LEDs.
Because I don't like a keyboard as a keyboard.
The only parts I solder LEDs are capslock, scrolllock and indicators.
I think most important thing is the feeling when I press each key.
I lube all the linear switches and I actually don't care how much time it takes.
When I look at the pics of other's boards, sometimes I want to make or get that kind of shiny boards.
What kind of boards do you guys prefer?

[1391406]

Both, look and feel.

[hking0036]

I'm definitely in it for feels, beyond the fact that all the LED backlighting is just gaudy and glaring. That's the reason I picked up my first mechanical board in the first place. If something has really good feels but lacks in some other features I think it's worth it though. There's a lot more to it than just looks ofc, you have to take into consideration Caps, general build quality, and all that.

[happylacquer]

Feel is #1 of course but looks certainly matter too. When I got my corsair board with reds (cheapest way to get a board with reds, my favorite switch) the gray WASD/arrow keys drove me insane after a little while. Now, I have all but the bottom row (as it's all nonstandard spacing on those keys) with white PBT caps front printed. I actually left the bottom row alone instead of switching it with other fitting keys as I liked the feeling of the stock spacebar (bumpy) more than I cared about how it looked. Now it has a DOOM cap on the ESC key and it looks very nice although a little unorthodox.

[tp4tissue]

Wrist Ergonomics..


The only keyboard which achieves that is the ERGODOX..

[chyros]

Feel over looks, although looks certainly matter too. That said, my definition of good looks might be a bit different from others' though, I don't really care for backlighting for example.

[ReadmeDotTxt]

Feels is primary. Looking for the right switch, experimenting with the different kinds.

The wide range of keycaps and case options makes aesthetics a lot easier to nail down, though.

[kurplop]

Feel is paramount. In some way, looks are a distraction and the ideal keyboard should just disappear on the table.

[DRAZAH]

Neither, My main concern is SOUND. I purposely got the HHKB to silence and lube specifically for the "thock" that it makes. If I had to order it, It would be Sound, Feel, Appearance. I dislike MX style switches because of the cheap sound and feeling.

[FoxWolf1]

Neither one is that important. IMO subjective factors like feel, looks, sound, etc. are overrated because, when you're actually using your keyboard, not just playing around with it, it needs to fade into the background and let you focus on your task. If it doesn't do that, then it's not a good keyboard, but if it does do that, then all of the subjective factors disappear.

So I put more emphasis on objective factors. How fast can you actually type on the keyboard? What extra tools, if any, does the keyboard give you? How well does it resist damage? How fast is its response time? And so on.

[kurplop]

 FoxWolf1—I completely agree with you, but the question was A or B and you answered C.

I didn't get into keyboards for the artisans, led lighting, and fine distinctions in switch characteristics. I had a lot of discomfort using traditional boards and was looking for a solution that addressed my specific needs. When I said feel, I don't mean the elation one gets pushing a particular button but rather, the improved comfort and ability to forget that I'm even typing. For me, that involved utilizing several ergonomic features.

it needs to fade into the background and let you focus on your task. If it doesn't do that, then it's not a good keyboard,

In the end, that's really what it is all about.

[MperorM]

Feels > Form > look for me. After having tried alps, I would not be able to go back to a cherry mx blue. Maybe some of the heavier MX switches would still be good, but I don't think it would be the case. Form is also important, as I can't use any board larger than 80 %. Lastly comes the looks, where I just want a clean look without too many different colours. Currently rolling with white blanks and black keycaps