Help needed! Keyboard purchasing advice.

[Coshy91]

Well after over a decade away from PC gaming I'm making a return to the community and I am well and truly out of the loop and the community has come on so much in the last decade my head is spinning.

 

Anyhow I need advice regarding keyboards. I want a mechanical keyboard in UK ISO that is RGB backlit preferably shine through. 

 

I don't know the difference between switches so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[Heyjake]

14 minutes ago, Coshy91 said:

Well after over a decade away from PC gaming I'm making a return to the community and I am well and truly out of the loop and the community has come on so much in the last decade my head is spinning.

 

Anyhow I need advice regarding keyboards. I want a mechanical keyboard in UK ISO that is RGB backlit preferably shine through. 

 

I don't know the difference between switches so any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Before picking out a keyboard you really need to figure out the sound if you want one you are really going to like. I would suggest looking up a YouTube video so you know the difference between say like "creamy" and "thocky" keyboards. Once you know what sound you want when typing you can select something with those switches. Keychron keyboards are a really good entry level nice keyboard. 

[Coshy91]

11 minutes ago, Heyjake said:

Before picking out a keyboard you really need to figure out the sound if you want one you are really going to like. I would suggest looking up a YouTube video so you know the difference between say like "creamy" and "thocky" keyboards. Once you know what sound you want when typing you can select something with those switches. Keychron keyboards are a really good entry level nice keyboard. 

I wouldn't know if I'm honest, I've used cherry MX before at work. But unknown what switches they were. I just want a good gaming keyboard experience. Probably more thocky than clicky though.

[Heyjake]

56 minutes ago, Coshy91 said:

I wouldn't know if I'm honest, I've used cherry MX before at work. But unknown what switches they were. I just want a good gaming keyboard experience. Probably more thocky than clicky though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRDKQNQ5?ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_cp_apan_dp_K4HGXTH7A13JNTKAPMB0&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1&titleSource=avft-a&newOGT=1

 

This is a good option. It's the brown switches so it's not clacky. It's not full sized though.

[Heyjake]

Another good option is this

 

https://a.co/d/iTaEfPG

[SorryBella]

2 hours ago, Coshy91 said:

I want a mechanical keyboard in UK ISO that is RGB backlit preferably shine through

you wont see shine-thru on most of these enthusiast board, because making it out of high density ABS or PBT is hard without using hollow inserts. And if you want ISO, youre most likely going to have to go with Keychron or limited run boards from other brands, besides of course the big box brands like Asus and Razer who would usually have them (same with Wooting).

 

Keyboard sizing is also a good answer, do you still want dedicated numberpad and function keys or are you fine with using the number on the alpha side (above your letters), or inside of function layers (fn key) respectively?

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

7 hours ago, Heyjake said:

Before picking out a keyboard you really need to figure out the sound if you want one you are really going to like. I would suggest looking up a YouTube video so you know the difference between say like "creamy" and "thocky" keyboards. Once you know what sound you want when typing you can select something with those switches.

Honestly, I would not recommend doing that.

 

Sound tests and demos on YT or tiktok are semi-accurate at best, misleading at worst. You don't know how the thing sounds in the room at the time of recording, what the microphone/EQ/compression did along the way and how well your headphones etc. will reproduce the sound. Plus it might sound totally different, just by using a different table and no deskmat. 

 

It is also incredibly difficult for someone not really experienced in this to pick components for sound, and asking for help will also not be easy because "thocky" and "creamy" are just buzzwords that everyone understands somewhat different.

 

If you want to get a keyboard and have no idea where to start, go with the requirements and budget:

- ISO layout

- probably full-size

- gaming focus

- backlit

 

The Q6 HE is not available in ISO apparently, but otherwise I'd just recommend that. Doesn't have backlighting though. Otherwise, the ISO version of the V6 MAX and then swap the keycaps. Monsgeek M5 is another one, not sure if that exists in ISO though.

 

Otherwise, Glorious has a new revision of the GMMK and I think Wooting has a full-size version as well. Again, no idea about ISO though. 

 

Really though, OP might just save the money and go with something that is at least hotswap and just see how they like it.

[Coshy91]

8 hours ago, SorryBella said:

you wont see shine-thru on most of these enthusiast board, because making it out of high density ABS or PBT is hard without using hollow inserts. And if you want ISO, youre most likely going to have to go with Keychron or limited run boards from other brands, besides of course the big box brands like Asus and Razer who would usually have them (same with Wooting).

 

Keyboard sizing is also a good answer, do you still want dedicated numberpad and function keys or are you fine with using the number on the alpha side (above your letters), or inside of function layers (fn key) respectively?

I've only ever used 100% but I'm not against a smaller one.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

35 minutes ago, Coshy91 said:

I've only ever used 100% but I'm not against a smaller one.

Do you tough type or have muscle memory with any layout already? If so, be aware of what you change.

 

Otherwise, imho the best way to start is with a budget. Keyboards can go from less than 100$ to literal thousands if you like, especially if you go with the more custom route where the sticker price is not the final one (shipping, taxes, switches, keycaps).

 

If you like to build it yourself (no soldering required, if you can do lego you can do this), you can find pretty solid kits between 100-200$, but you'll need to factor in another 20-50$ for switches, and 20-150$ for keycaps. ~25$ for stabilizers if they don't come with the keyboard.

Prebuilds are around 150-300, depending on how fancy you want to get and how expensive shipping/import will be. 

 

For switches, be aware of three main categories and a few competing technologies that are NOT interchangeable:

• linear, tactile, and clicky switches. Often referred to as "red", "brown", "blue" based on the prototypical coloring from Cherry
  • linear: smooth linear travel until the bottom out, actuation somewhere along the way
  • tactile: same as linear, but with a 'bump' build in so you feel actuation
  • clicky: have a click mechanism in there to provide a tactile feedback and 'click' to signal switching

• "Cherry MX style" mechanical switches. Pretty standard and the most popular and widespread among enthusiast and custom boards
• "low profile" switches also come in two or three variants now.
• "Hall effect" aka magnetic switches, which are analog switches. Usually found on gaming/competitive focused keyboards. HE switches are not always interchangeable between manufacturers
• "optical" also now come in a variety and are not always interchangeable.

Easiest would be to just stay away from most and focus on regular mechanical switches. Unless you really, really need the specific features of a HE keyboard. 

 

 

[Coshy91]

8 minutes ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

Do you tough type or have muscle memory with any layout already? If so, be aware of what you change.

 

Otherwise, imho the best way to start is with a budget. Keyboards can go from less than 100$ to literal thousands if you like, especially if you go with the more custom route where the sticker price is not the final one (shipping, taxes, switches, keycaps).

 

If you like to build it yourself (no soldering required, if you can do lego you can do this), you can find pretty solid kits between 100-200$, but you'll need to factor in another 20-50$ for switches, and 20-150$ for keycaps. ~25$ for stabilizers if they don't come with the keyboard.

Prebuilds are around 150-300, depending on how fancy you want to get and how expensive shipping/import will be. 

 

For switches, be aware of three main categories and a few competing technologies that are NOT interchangeable:

• linear, tactile, and clicky switches. Often referred to as "red", "brown", "blue" based on the prototypical coloring from Cherry
  • linear: smooth linear travel until the bottom out, actuation somewhere along the way
  • tactile: same as linear, but with a 'bump' build in so you feel actuation
  • clicky: have a click mechanism in there to provide a tactile feedback and 'click' to signal switching

• "Cherry MX style" mechanical switches. Pretty standard and the most popular and widespread among enthusiast and custom boards
• "low profile" switches also come in two or three variants now.
• "Hall effect" aka magnetic switches, which are analog switches. Usually found on gaming/competitive focused keyboards. HE switches are not always interchangeable between manufacturers
• "optical" also now come in a variety and are not always interchangeable.

Easiest would be to just stay away from most and focus on regular mechanical switches. Unless you really, really need the specific features of a HE keyboard. 

 

 

I have muscle memory with 100% where I can type more or less without looking to a reasonable accuracy but nothing spectacular. 

 

Yeah this is why Keychron have been of interest to me however the customer service reviews are off putting.

[Heyjake]

4 hours ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

Honestly, I would not recommend doing that.

 

Sound tests and demos on YT or tiktok are semi-accurate at best, misleading at worst. You don't know how the thing sounds in the room at the time of recording, what the microphone/EQ/compression did along the way and how well your headphones etc. will reproduce the sound. Plus it might sound totally different, just by using a different table and no deskmat. 

 

It is also incredibly difficult for someone not really experienced in this to pick components for sound, and asking for help will also not be easy because "thocky" and "creamy" are just buzzwords that everyone understands somewhat different.

 

If you want to get a keyboard and have no idea where to start, go with the requirements and budget:

- ISO layout

- probably full-size

- gaming focus

- backlit

 

The Q6 HE is not available in ISO apparently, but otherwise I'd just recommend that. Doesn't have backlighting though. Otherwise, the ISO version of the V6 MAX and then swap the keycaps. Monsgeek M5 is another one, not sure if that exists in ISO though.

 

Otherwise, Glorious has a new revision of the GMMK and I think Wooting has a full-size version as well. Again, no idea about ISO though. 

 

Really though, OP might just save the money and go with something that is at least hotswap and just see how they like it.

Why would you not recommend doing research on what kind of sound on a keyboard you might like? I didn't say a specific keyboard I said to find the general category. If he doesn't like clacky keyboards then he shouldn't buy one. If he likes creamy sounding keyboards then he should get one of those. To suggest a keyboard without knowing his preferences or even him not knowing his preferences then you risk having him buy a keyboard that he won't like. The caveat is that when you look up the YouTube video on that keyboard you should understand it's sponsored and every shot is curated down to the sound. So tailor your expectations to understand that.

[Heyjake]

1 hour ago, Coshy91 said:

I have muscle memory with 100% where I can type more or less without looking to a reasonable accuracy but nothing spectacular. 

 

Yeah this is why Keychron have been of interest to me however the customer service reviews are off putting.

I've never had a issue with their customer service. I think I've purchased 30 in the past few years for other computer builds. I've done a RMA on like 3 or 4 and it's always just been replaced. Sometimes the email conversation gets a little long and repetitive but they replaced it in the end. 

 

Like garlic suggested though it's best to build your own if you want it to be specific. However that can be kind of daunting. Hipyo tech on YouTube has a comprehensive video so that way you have a good idea of what you would be getting into. Here that is:

 

 

[Coshy91]

38 minutes ago, Heyjake said:

I've never had a issue with their customer service. I think I've purchased 30 in the past few years for other computer builds. I've done a RMA on like 3 or 4 and it's always just been replaced. Sometimes the email conversation gets a little long and repetitive but they replaced it in the end. 

 

Like garlic suggested though it's best to build your own if you want it to be specific. However that can be kind of daunting. Hipyo tech on YouTube has a comprehensive video so that way you have a good idea of what you would be getting into. Here that is:

 

 

 

I just bought a keyboard , it is a keychron V6 max with browns. I thought it was a good starting point for me and nothing too crazy either.

 

Thank you for taking your time to send me messages and to give me your help.

 

 

[Heyjake]

18 minutes ago, Coshy91 said:

I just bought a keyboard , it is a keychron V6 max with browns. I thought it was a good starting point for me and nothing too crazy either.

 

Thank you for taking your time to send me messages and to give me your help.

 

 

Awesome! Just be careful, the world of custom keyboards is now calling and it's a slippery slope!

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

4 hours ago, Heyjake said:

Why would you not recommend doing research on what kind of sound on a keyboard you might like? I didn't say a specific keyboard I said to find the general category. If he doesn't like clacky keyboards then he shouldn't buy one. If he likes creamy sounding keyboards then he should get one of those. To suggest a keyboard without knowing his preferences or even him not knowing his preferences then you risk having him buy a keyboard that he won't like. The caveat is that when you look up the YouTube video on that keyboard you should understand it's sponsored and every shot is curated down to the sound. So tailor your expectations to understand that.

My problem with recommending keyboards by mostly sound or bringing in sound as a category to shop keyboards by is that it is very subjective (as in recording and reproduction are really not the same). So you can end up chasing something that is not really achievable because the keyboard in the recording doesn't sound like that in the first place.

 

The other issue is that there seem to be a lot of people now shopping almost entirely by sound, which is difficult to predict when you are going to somewhat more custom offerings. There is simply not one component responsible for the sound, but many things comes together.

 

So unless you want to go for all-in-one prebuild, you are just sending people down a rabbit hole that they have little chance to really escape with more knowledge. Unless they are looking for a new hobby, that is.

 

By contrast, when you go by categories that are quantifiable from afar and more objective (layout, budget, functions) you can narrow down the field much faster and find something that serves the needs first. Then you can still go with sound tests on some versions of the keyboards, though even then you'll run into the sound reproduction issues again.

[Heyjake]

6 hours ago, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

My problem with recommending keyboards by mostly sound or bringing in sound as a category to shop keyboards by is that it is very subjective (as in recording and reproduction are really not the same). So you can end up chasing something that is not really achievable because the keyboard in the recording doesn't sound like that in the first place.

 

The other issue is that there seem to be a lot of people now shopping almost entirely by sound, which is difficult to predict when you are going to somewhat more custom offerings. There is simply not one component responsible for the sound, but many things comes together.

 

So unless you want to go for all-in-one prebuild, you are just sending people down a rabbit hole that they have little chance to really escape with more knowledge. Unless they are looking for a new hobby, that is.

 

By contrast, when you go by categories that are quantifiable from afar and more objective (layout, budget, functions) you can narrow down the field much faster and find something that serves the needs first. Then you can still go with sound tests on some versions of the keyboards, though even then you'll run into the sound reproduction issues again.

This person found the keyboard they were looking for, if you would like to argue my discord is on my page and you can add me from there. Coshy sorry about this, I hope you enjoy your purchase!