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Keyboard Suggestions

TNichol
By TNichol
in Peripherals
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Posted

Hi there! I’m new to keyboards and would like a few suggestions for which keyboard to buy/ custom build.

 

I would like a tkl form factor with silent switches for the least cost possible (without having to sodder cuz I’m bat at it)

 

Also I don’t care about RGB, but am fine with having it.

 

i live in Canada sand would like to use CAD as my currency.

 

thx!

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Posted
43 minutes ago, TNichol said:

Hi there! I’m new to keyboards and would like a few suggestions for which keyboard to buy/ custom build.

 

I would like a tkl form factor with silent switches for the least cost possible (without having to sodder cuz I’m bat at it)

 

Also I don’t care about RGB, but am fine with having it.

 

i live in Canada sand would like to use CAD as my currency.

 

thx!

Well, for around 139 Canadian rubble dollar, the easiest to recommend for hot swap (no need to solder the switch) is Keychron K8 Pro (wired & wireless)

They have just white backlight or RGB version, and I recommend the Red switch for silent sound, so you don’t have to worry for version that you like

https://keychron.ca/products/keychron-k8-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard

 

But if you wanna wired only TKL, you can try Keychron Q3

 

p.s

even if gateron red switch is not silent enough for you, you can buy switches from any third party, I recommend Gateron box black ink for super smooth and silent sound

My System: Ryzen 7800X3D // Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX // 32GB 6000MHz DDR5 Silicon Power Zenith CL30 // Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT OC with mod heatsink on the metal plate  // Phanteks P300A  // Gigabyte Aorus GEN4 7300 PCIE 4.0 NVME // Kingston NV2 Gen4 PCIE 4.0 NVME // 

Seasonic Focus GX-850 Fully Modular // Thermalright Frost Spirit 140 Black V3 // Phanteks M25 140mm // Display: Bezel 32MD845 V2 QHD // Keychron K8 Pro (Mod: Gateron black box ink; Tape mode on PCB and Keycaps) // Razer Cobra Wired Mouse // Audio Technica M50X Headphone // Sennheiser HD 650 // Genius SP-HF180 USB Speaker //

 

And Laptop Acer Nitro 5 AN515-45 for mobility

Phone:

iPhone 11 (with battery replaced instead of buying new phone for long term and not submitting (fully) to Apple Lord

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Posted
5 hours ago, ImWilly said:

even if gateron red switch is not silent enough for you

then buy internally padded switches like Boba U4T and MX Red Silent.

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Posted
11 minutes ago, TNichol said:

Just wondering, does the barebones version of the K8 pro come with key caps?

Nope, no keycaps and no switch

The barebone only comes with frame, PCB, silicone pad, some foam and plate

 

The barebone cost CAD125, a $14 difference compared to fully build

The keycaps are PBT, although it's not GMK PBT, but it's not a cheap low quality PBT

 

For me, I would prefer additional $14 even though I will replace if I don't like the feels

Because by adding $14, I could have 87 Switch and keycaps

My System: Ryzen 7800X3D // Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX // 32GB 6000MHz DDR5 Silicon Power Zenith CL30 // Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT OC with mod heatsink on the metal plate  // Phanteks P300A  // Gigabyte Aorus GEN4 7300 PCIE 4.0 NVME // Kingston NV2 Gen4 PCIE 4.0 NVME // 

Seasonic Focus GX-850 Fully Modular // Thermalright Frost Spirit 140 Black V3 // Phanteks M25 140mm // Display: Bezel 32MD845 V2 QHD // Keychron K8 Pro (Mod: Gateron black box ink; Tape mode on PCB and Keycaps) // Razer Cobra Wired Mouse // Audio Technica M50X Headphone // Sennheiser HD 650 // Genius SP-HF180 USB Speaker //

 

And Laptop Acer Nitro 5 AN515-45 for mobility

Phone:

iPhone 11 (with battery replaced instead of buying new phone for long term and not submitting (fully) to Apple Lord

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Posted
11 minutes ago, TNichol said:

Hey what’s the difference between k8 and k8 pro ( other than price)

Well, the quick difference, K8 is the cheaper version of K8 Pro

 

I have both K8 and K8 Pro and the difference is immense

The pros of K8 Pro (pun intended):
1. Custom designed Silicone pad to match the lower frame shape. You don't have to do foam mod under the PCB on the K8 Pro

2. Better stabilizer, as it's screw it, means easy to replace/upgrade, but the stock K8 Pro stabilizer is already so good

3. The stabilizer are lubed, while K8 is unlubed, but you can add a bit more lube on K8 Pro for finer taste, but becareful not to overlube it. I recommend to buy their first party stabs lube 'KLube' and syringe to inject for much easier adding lube rather than remove and reapply the lube on stabs

4. PBT Keycaps, while K8 are ABS

5. RGB is much more customized, but it's just a nitpick

 

My System: Ryzen 7800X3D // Gigabyte B650 AORUS ELITE AX // 32GB 6000MHz DDR5 Silicon Power Zenith CL30 // Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT OC with mod heatsink on the metal plate  // Phanteks P300A  // Gigabyte Aorus GEN4 7300 PCIE 4.0 NVME // Kingston NV2 Gen4 PCIE 4.0 NVME // 

Seasonic Focus GX-850 Fully Modular // Thermalright Frost Spirit 140 Black V3 // Phanteks M25 140mm // Display: Bezel 32MD845 V2 QHD // Keychron K8 Pro (Mod: Gateron black box ink; Tape mode on PCB and Keycaps) // Razer Cobra Wired Mouse // Audio Technica M50X Headphone // Sennheiser HD 650 // Genius SP-HF180 USB Speaker //

 

And Laptop Acer Nitro 5 AN515-45 for mobility

Phone:

iPhone 11 (with battery replaced instead of buying new phone for long term and not submitting (fully) to Apple Lord

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Posted

Linear Switches like the Gateron Red and Gateron Box Black Ink have silent actuations compared to Tactile and Clicky switches, but they have almost nothing to do with a quiet keyboard unless you are someone who types extremely slowly and never bottoms out keystrokes.

 

Listen to this video. The Linear switch is quieter than the Tactile switch, but both switches are LOUD because of bottoming out. @SorryBella is right, you would need to buy aftermarket switches if being quiet is critical to your work environment.

 

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7 hours ago, SorryBella said:

then buy internally padded switches like Boba U4T and MX Red Silent.

I don't think the Boba U4T are padded like the MX Red Silent, but I can check later. Mine are definitely very loud, though.

 

In any case, aftermarket switches would be required. In addition to MX Silents and the Gateron Silents switches, have a look at Gateron North Pole 2.0 switches:

https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-north-pole-switch-set

They have a buffer in the bottom and claim to incorporate some "aerodynamic principles" to make operation smoother. In any case, the one I have from a tester set is pretty quiet, they are quite expensive though.

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1 hour ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

I don't think the Boba U4T are padded like the MX Red Silent, but I can check later. Mine are definitely very loud, though.

 

In any case, aftermarket switches would be required. In addition to MX Silents and the Gateron Silents switches, have a look at Gateron North Pole 2.0 switches:

https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-north-pole-switch-set

They have a buffer in the bottom and claim to incorporate some "aerodynamic principles" to make operation smoother. In any case, the one I have from a tester set is pretty quiet, they are quite expensive though.

Nice catch.

The U4T do not have the bumpers.

The U4 do.

https://www.keebtalk.com/t/boba-u4-vs-u4t-vs-holy-boba/12548

 

Will also add a Reddit post I frequently reference

 

| Remember to mark Solutions! | Quote Posts if you want a Reply! |
| Tell us everything! Budget? Currency? Country? Retailers? | Help us help You! |

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