Buying a cheap keyboard for traveling (Mechanical or Membrane?)

MTomic2003 · June 13, 2021

TL;DR: I wanted to buy a keyboard that can fit into my laptop backpack, like Logitech MK240. But I saw I can buy an Armaggeddon SMK-2C mechanical keyboard (a brand from Singapore?) for about the same amount of money. It's not high end by any means, but I wanted the cheapest compact keyboard that will still feel OK.

I travel a few times a week, so portability is kinda important to me. I use the computer mainly for browsing, word processing and sometimes games.

I never bought a mechanical keyboard before, and don't know what to choose. Should I go with Logitech for portability, or maybe risk it a bit with a mechanical?

Original post:

I decided to buy a compact keyboard to complement my laptop because of the ergonomics. I've been using laptops as my main computers for years, but never really thought about ergonomics until recently when my wrists started hurting (of course)...

Unfortunately, the options for computer stuff in the place where I live isn't great. (Not even because of the pandemic. It's been this way since I knew that computer stores here existed.) That is also the case for compact keyboards, and if they exist, they ain't as cheap. The Logitech K380, for example, costs $30 on Amazon.com, but over here it costs about 50€ ($60 at the time of writing). There is VAT, but still...

So, I do have some okay choices, like Logitech MK220 (34€) or MK240 (30€) wireless combos, as well as some cheap keyboards from probably Chinese companies (like Trust Muto or Alcatroz Magic keyboard clones).

But, I recently found out I can buy an Armaggeddon SMK-2C for about the same money (31€). It is a cheap, low-profile mechanical keyboard with Outemu Blue switches.

It has a Micro USB cable, though. Don't know if I can modify it and solder the Type C port on it. Maybe even hack in a USB hub to connect a wired mouse through it. All for one more USB port. Wouldn't probably bother with that on Logitech ones, as they both come with a mouse that uses the same receiver.

I travel about twice a week and would like to bring the keyboard with me in my laptop bag, designed for 15.6" laptops (hence the need for a more compact one). I usually do the casual computer stuff: web browsing, word processing and sometimes PC gaming.

I never had a mechanical keyboard before, so I don't know what should I choose. A probably not as portable wired mechanical, or probably not as satisfying wireless membrane keyboard?

P.S. Also, if anyone has the Armaggeddon SMK-2C, could you tell me how much it weighs? I searched the Internet for so long and for the love of God, I can't find how many grams it has.

P.P.S. Sorry for writing such a long post. It's very late at night over here.

Daethz · June 14, 2021

Corsair keyboard fanboi here, that new K70 TKL with detachable usbc looks great for traveling

Or maybe a expensive wireless logitech G915 TKL

dont try modifying ports.. just find an adapter

MTomic2003 · June 14, 2021

5 hours ago, Daethz said:

Corsair keyboard fanboi here, that new K70 TKL with detachable usbc looks great for traveling

Or maybe a expensive wireless logitech G915 TKL

dont try modifying ports.. just find an adapter

Yeah, they both sound like great keyboards, but they also sound very expensive. I really boiled it down to two choices because of cost: an okay Logitech, or a cheapest mechanical I could find.

Also, it looks like there are no places around here that sell the Corsair keyboards! And I didn't want to buy from Amazon or eBay because I don't want to deal with tariffs.

I edited the original post with a TL;DR because I really went on a rant of sorts last night.