Author Topic: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?  (Read 2717 times)

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Offline THX1138b

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What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« on: Sat, 30 September 2017, 15:09:30 »
I would like a keyboard with a similar arrangement of keys to the MCK-142 Pro. In particular, a second row of function keys and some keys to the left of where keys typically stop. I really don't give a hoot what type of switches are under the keys (they can be that dome thing ya'll hate for all I care), although I do prefer full-height keys and I would like to be able to replace keycaps so a standard keycap connection is necessary. I set up some automated searches on eBay for the MCK-142 Pro but I was wondering whether there aren't any more recently-produced equivalents?



The AmtelCo KB-163 is also cool and unobtainable:

« Last Edit: Sat, 30 September 2017, 15:12:27 by THX1138b »

Offline chyros

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Re: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 30 September 2017, 15:56:05 »
This sort of layout was fairly common for "battlecruiser" keyboards back in the day, many of which share similar features such as a star nav and programmable keys.

To my knowledge, no-one makes keyboards with a double F bank anymore, but extra keys to the left, such as on the Logitech G11, aren't that uncommon.

The Ortek battlecruiser is a ton of fun, by the way. They're somewhat rare, and don't generally go very cheap (about $100), but they're cool and well-made boards. FORTY-****ING EIGHT F keys FTW!
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Offline THX1138b

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Re: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 30 September 2017, 16:46:05 »
Thanks for your response. There is this backlit SteelSeries Apex which has a second row of function keys it calls M1-M12 but I don't like that they are half the size of the other keys. I don't think it's mechanical but that's not what bothers me.

Offline 0100010

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Re: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 30 September 2017, 23:32:36 »
GH122. This is mine, 100% MX Green, Nuclear Data Green caps, green lock LEDs.  I think there is a buy for Rev2 now.

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Offline Hak Foo

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Re: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 01 October 2017, 00:34:58 »
In terms of off-the-shelf boards, not a lot of options.  I ride a GH-122 myself (Gateron Green, Maxkey Dolch caps)  but Rev. 2 seems to be in a holding pattern.

The Cherry G80-8133 puts most of its programmable function keys in a second row above the main ones, but it has a very nonstandard editing block, and no extra left-side keys.  There are also some other boards designed for point-of-sale use with similar layouts, sometimes mechanical, sometimes rubber dome.
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: What modern keyboards have MCK-142 Pro layout?
« Reply #5 on: Sun, 01 October 2017, 06:02:32 »
There is this backlit SteelSeries Apex which has a second row of function keys it calls M1-M12 but I don't like that they are half the size of the other keys. I don't think it's mechanical but that's not what bothers me.
There is a mechanical Apex M800, but it has only a single column of macro keys on the left and the keys have a unique key mount. The switches are Kailh's counterpart to the Omron Romer-G switches, except linear I think.

You can get new buckling spring 122-key keyboards from Unicomp. I think the shells are in thin ABS, not built like they used to.
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