High quality, full size keyboard with MX brown or similar switches.

[Senzelian]

I'm in the market for a new full size keyboard, with a simple and sleek design with a budget of up to ~ 200€.

 

I really like MX Browns, which I used for many years on a CM Storm TK.

Would be a big bonus if it has a detacheable cable and if it does, it needs to be USB C.

 

I want something of high quality, without any thrills. No media buttons and volume control nobs and if it's something that's a little more special than the usual Logitech keyboard, then I'm totally up for that!

Bonus points if its grey and if the lighting can be controlled via function keys. The lighting doesn't need to be RGB - white would be good enough.

 

Got some recommendations for me?

 

Edit: Oh yeah and I like my keyboards to be heavy. If I set it down onto my desk and my desk collapses, then that's just fine for me!

[Skiiwee29]

This might peak your interest.

 

https://www.coolermaster.com/catalog/peripheral/keyboards/masterkeys-pro-l/

[Mateyyy]

If you're just looking for a prebuilt, Ducky's Shine 7 Gunmetal seems to tick all your boxes. It does feature volume control and a calculator key, but you could reprogram them to whatever you want or just ignore them.

 

I've been personally using one for a few months now, also with MX Browns. In fact, I've got a review of it up on the forum:

Overall, my opinion of it hasn't changed a whole lot, though I will mention something regarding the stabilisers.

Out of the box, the backspace key sounded horrible and the spacebar was quite loud (even more so with the stylised ABS one). Following this video though I did manage to get them to sound a tad better, albeit still not particularly great. A friend of mine also has a similar "problem" with the spacebar, but not the backspace, so there could very well just be something isolated to my particular unit.

 

Also, I think saying I don't really like the switches wouldn't really hold much value, since it's a matter of personal preference and you've mentioned that you do like them, but keep in mind that if you're looking for something more tactile, there are definitely much superior options (Zealios v2 for example are, from what I've seen, quite popular and very well regarded).

 

Going with something like a hotswap GMMK would allow you to pick any switches under the sun (and swap them out for something else whenever, since it's a hotswap board), then you throw your own preferred keycaps of choice and you're done. Just something to consider.

[DailyProcrastinator]

GMMK Fullsize could be worth considering, solid build quality and construction with no media keys. Hot-swap, so you could test different switches if you wanted (Gat browns would be the MX Brown equivalent). Per key RGB that can be set to a static color. Well within budget. 

 

Otherwise I would also look at Ducky and Das keyboards if you want solid build quality + materials. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

7 minutes ago, Mateyyy said:

Also, I think saying I don't really like the switches wouldn't really hold much value, since it's a matter of personal preference and you've mentioned that you do like them, but keep in mind that if you're looking for something more tactile, there are definitely much superior options (Zealios v2 for example are, from what I've seen, quite popular and very well regarded).

Going with something like a hotswap GMMK would allow you to pick any switches under the sun (and swap them out for something else whenever, since it's a hotswap board), then you throw your own preferred keycaps of choice and you're done. Just something to consider.

Zealios v2's are amazing but cost $10 per 10x switches, so they come at a premium. That said IMO they are the best MX style tactile switch out there (from what I have used, so there could be better), and are highly regarded.

 

But yeah going with the GMMK fullsize is a great option. I am very happy with mine! Great way to get someone into the bottomless addiction of mechanical keebs hahaha 

[Senzelian]

19 minutes ago, Mateyyy said:

Going with something like a hotswap GMMK would allow you to pick any switches under the sun (and swap them out for something else whenever, since it's a hotswap board), then you throw your own preferred keycaps of choice and you're done. Just something to consider.

 

13 minutes ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

GMMK Fullsize could be worth considering, solid build quality and construction with no media keys. Hot-swap, so you could test different switches if you wanted (Gat browns would be the MX Brown equivalent). Per key RGB that can be set to a static color. Well within budget. 

 

The GMMK looks very interesting!

Caseking has even a configurator on their site, which makes picking the switches and keycaps very easy.

And it's just 110€ with switches and keycaps.

 

But I haven't decided yet.

[DailyProcrastinator]

1 minute ago, Senzelian said:

 

 

The GMMK looks very interesting!

Caseking has even a configurator on their site, which makes picking the switches and keycaps very easy.

And it's just 110€ with switches and keycaps.

 

But I haven't decided yet.

Biggest benefit of the GMMK is the hot-swap sockets, meaning you are never married to a single type of switch. 

 

Heavy linear switches, like a Gat Blacks are also interesting. I always disliked linear because of the MX Reds, but the heavy spring makes up for the lack of a tactile bump and is quite nice to type on. Coming from religiously using MX Browns I would even go as far as to recommending a heavy linear switch, could be worth lookin into/trying if you get the GMMK. 

[Senzelian]

1 minute ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Biggest benefit of the GMMK is the hot-swap sockets, meaning you are never married to a single type of switch. 

 

Heavy linear switches, like a Gat Blacks are also interesting. I always disliked linear because of the MX Reds, but the heavy spring makes up for the lack of a tactile bump and is quite nice to type on. Coming from religiously using MX Browns I would even go as far as to recommending a heavy linear switch, could be worth lookin into/trying if you get the GMMK. 

Yeah I thought about that when I got my first mechanical keyboard many years ago, since I tend to hit the keys pretty hard I'd say.

I am currently using MX Reds actually, because I wanted to have a Tesoro Gram Spectrum, which was sadly only available in MX Red. It's fine, but no comparison to MX browns.

[DailyProcrastinator]

4 hours ago, Senzelian said:

Yeah I thought about that when I got my first mechanical keyboard many years ago, since I tend to hit the keys pretty hard I'd say.

I am currently using MX Reds actually, because I wanted to have a Tesoro Gram Spectrum, which was sadly only available in MX Red. It's fine, but no comparison to MX browns.

Yeah, honestly MX Reds are one of my least favorite, so a mid weight tactile or heavy linear is going to feel a LOT better to type on (IMO).  

[Godospartan]

If you are still looking, then i got a suggestion. 110 USD, HyperX's new Alloy Origins line. Lighting, full RGB to mention, that's vibrant bright and evenly spread. No frills, just a standard full sized layout (has FN functionality for brightness/profile switching/media control keys) and a detachable USB-C cable. It's really dark grey or black in color, and it comes in your standard 3 switch styles; Red Linear/Blue Clicky/Tactile Aqua. the Aqua is your Brown switch, it's HyperX's new in-house mechanical cherry clones but with higher durability/clicks than your standard cherry/clones. the lighting can be changed to your liking to as simple as white no frills to any kind of wild effects and colors via the Ngenuity software that's unfortunately only available on the microsoft store (for this model, theres a legacy version for previous models of their peripherals) and has 3 on board memory switch keys with f1-f3 through the FN key. It is also made of mostly all aircraft grade aluminum, heavy as hell and no flex without serious torque i got the blue clicky version and i've got nothing but amazing things to say so far regarding my experience!

 

https://www.amazon.com/HyperX-Alloy-Origins-Software-Controlled-Customization/dp/B0848KP25D/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=hyperx%2Balloy%2Borigins]&qid=1604377886&sr=8-1&th=1

 

EDIT: I should mention that i've heard people GUSHING over the Aqua as their new favorite switch, it's apparently super satisfying to many. hell, HardwareCanuks says the Red is their new favorite red switch.