Need keyboard recommendation mostly non-gaming and quiet

[Marco2G]

Hi everyone

 

I keep mistyping more and more on my cheapo Dell membrane keyboards. Now it might just be my mind deteriorating, I'm really not sure, but I wonder if a better keyboard type would help. Like mechanical or magnetic even.

 

Problem is, I am not a gamer and I am unwilling to spend upward of 150 bucks for a keyboard, especially because I want the same at work and at home, so I'd need two.

 

Further Problem is, I have absolutely no idea whether I'd fare better with a tactile or non tactile switch. I did have a Corsair mechanical with browns several years back and I can't say that it was a revelation in typing.

 

What I do know is I want this thing to be quiet. Otherwise my colleagues might murder me.

 

I do not really touch type. I don't usually have to write essay length texts, either. I mostly write comments, do scripting or enter stuff into forms.

 

I would prefer a keyboard costing closer to 50 bucks rather than 100 if that is even remotely doable.

 

Am I completely unrealistic or does anybody have a keyboard in mind that might fit my needs?

 

Oh yeah, due to the scripting I'm using ANSI US, so the layout shouldn't be a limiting factor.

 

If your recommendation is one without a number block, I would be interested in a bang for buck number block only keyboard, too.

 

EDIT: Wired! Oh my god, spare me with the wireless stuff :D.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

The question of whether tactile or linear is a thing only you can answer, unfortunately. However, I would cautiously lean more towards linears, with a focus on heavier springs and "silent" switches. As you are not a touch-typer, I would go with something heavier in spring weight so that you don't accidentally press two at once (the standard "red" switches are too light imho).

 

To get a keyboard quiet, you need to consider how it produces sound:

• moving bits inside the switch hit the housing of the switch
• housing transmit sound to the support plate and PCB
• Those transfer it further to the case, air, desk etc.

So by buying 'silent' switches, i.e. switches that have dampeners build in to cushion the mechanical slider hitting the housing, you kill the sound where it starts. You can add foam to the rest to mute the overall sound and dampen some of the annoying higher frequencies.

 

Bottom line, you will need to probably need to buy switches and keycaps separately for max effect. With numpad the options are more limited:

• https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v6-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40912031809625 Version without switches/keycaps is 89$
• https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard?variant=40320325386329 Wired only and less fancy version, 79$ or even 69$ if you can find the non-knob version in stock

Depending on where you are, there are different shops to go with. Switches for a full-size would be another ~40-50$, keycaps you can find some cheap ones for ~20$ or go all the way to 150$ or more for fancy designer stuff from GMK, SP, etc.

 

Otherwise, if you want it ready to go and somewhat close to full-size, maybe go with a CIIDOO V87 + V21 or V98. I gifted a relative a V21 (a numblock only), and even though it is not listed as silent, it has a rather quiet and pleasant sound to it. So I would hope the other products are similar. Would get pretty high on the budget though: https://cidootech.com/collections/latest-arrivals

 

I also did a bit googling for cheap keyboards, and Yunzii apparently has a 98% keyboard now as well:

https://www.yunzii.com/products/yunzii-yz98-mechanical-gaming-keyboard?variant=46411486363890

 

I have no experience with them personally, I only read and saw reviews about their cheap 75% keyboards being really good for the money (the AL series in particular). Probably the most affordable solution so far. Otherwise, there will probably be a lot of cheaper gaming

 

[Marco2G]

@GarlicDeliverySystem First of all, dig the nickname.

 

Second, I had a look and this seems interesting:

https://cidootech.com/products/cidoo-qk61-v2?variant=48909684048162 I would prefer it to not have a battery but at that price, who could complain.

I have absolutely NO idea what "thocky yet poppy" is supposed to be but okay :D.

Still, depending on switches (if the included ones are solid), that thing would be in my budget range... depends what they want for shipping to Switzerland or German, though.

Still doesn't solve the question about keys

As for the Keychron v6 max... the everlifing F is a banana switch???

One question, though: VIA programmable? Does that mean you need to have software running or does it save your settings? I don't have admin on my work machine...

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

3 minutes ago, Marco2G said:

I have absolutely NO idea what "thocky yet poppy" is supposed to be but okay :D.

Currently used buzzwords to describe sound. Over the last few years mechanical keyboards as a hobby has kind of explored, particularly on YT and other social media where sound is a big factor. Hence where "thock" and "poppy", "creamy" "marbly" etc. all come from.

 

5 minutes ago, Marco2G said:

Still doesn't solve the question about keys

What question? Do you mean the keycaps or the switches?

 

6 minutes ago, Marco2G said:

As for the Keychron v6 max... the everlifing F is a banana switch???

Welcome to switch naming schemes. They ran out of colors, so you now have fruits, animals, food, and other abominations (latest one: Gateron Pro Ultra Glory Yellow).

So you do have to read the descriptions with the technical details a bit (not the marketing fluff!) and look for numbers and force curves, but those still tell a story. Banana switches are tactile switches with a super early tactile bump, giving them a sort of 'trigger' feel. Compared to browns that have a bump right before the actuation point.

[Marco2G]

I mean I wasn't aware that the cidootech comes with some switches preinstalled. I though I'd have to add switches to that price but it seems I only have to if I am dissatisfied with the ones it comes with. Which is nice. I could give one a try at home, pimp it to my liking if necessary and buy a second one once I'm happy.

Any configuration I did on it would have to be saved on the keyboard, though. Can't install software at work.
 

Gotta be honest, though, it being wireless with a battery is kinda a con... That's basically ewaste from the beginning and a fire hazard to boot...

[Marco2G]

I just went and had a sound test on youtube... I don't think these sound tests are useful at all because you have no way of knowing how loud those would be in real life... because all of these keyboards would drive me nuts in short order.

 

If I go by these sound bites, mechanical keyboards aren't for me.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

7 minutes ago, Marco2G said:

I don't think these sound tests are useful at all because you have no way of knowing how loud those would be in real life... because all of these keyboards would drive me nuts in short order.

Sound tests on YT are designed to sound, well, loud. But yes, some of them are louder than your average chicklet or rubberdome membrane board. Plus some people find these sounds in combination with the tactile experience (tactile as in the sensory experience of touch) from pressing the buttons really satisfying. 

I had this with coworkers and family: first "meh" when just hearing the sound, but they suddenly got it when they started typing. Somehow that makes it different in the mind, when you associate the sound with a certain feel. Hard to describe.

 

If it really needs to be quiet:

Edit: more videos:

 

 

[Marco2G]

I really hate how much choice there is but as it always happens, NOTHING I come across hits me sweet spot.
I'm probably gonna have to build one myself... although there's no chance in hell I'll stay under 100 bucks like that...

 

I think I'm gonna try and mantra myself into false happiness with the keyboards I have instead...
 

Thanks for trying to help, though!