Help? Mechanical Keyboard for Mac!

[max668]

Hello all, Hope you are well.

 

I have recently switched from windows to mac.
While using windows I have pared my pc with a fairly nice mechanical keyboard.
link below. ( mine however does have the number pad and is a brown switch)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JM61264?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

It goes without saying that a mechanical keyboard is far better then the standard apple keyboard.

Id like to have the opportunity to explore this topic and purchase something that I would really enjoy.
After all how often do we buy a new keyboard? I personally have been using the same keyboard for almost 10 years.
So why not choose something nice however I know nothing about this topic and I was wondering if there is anyone out here that can perhaps suggest some good keyboards for mac and a way to test out different switchers if one would want to do that.

Thanks for your time and I hope to hear your thoughts from you guys on this topic 

[GuiltySpark_]

Well, there is nothing special about a keyboard that makes it "for Mac", other than the keycap with Command on it. That being said Keychron caters towards Mac users with most of their lineup offering Apple specific keycaps. A popular choice if you're not looking to get "into" the mechanical keyboard hobby and start building your own.

 

https://www.keychron.com/

[max668]

27 minutes ago, GuiltySpark_ said:

Well, there is nothing special about a keyboard that makes it "for Mac", other than the keycap with Command on it. That being said Keychron caters towards Mac users with most of their lineup offering Apple specific keycaps. A popular choice if you're not looking to get "into" the mechanical keyboard hobby and start building your own.

 

https://www.keychron.com/

Thank you for the link
"building your own" sounds nice but I wouldn't have the time for a project like that, all though it sounds like fun.
You are somewhat correct as far as the "there is nothing special about a keyboard that makes it "for Mac", other than the keycap with Command on it."
Because there kind of is. In my case my windows keyboard looses its number pad capabilities because the numpad is under on and off switch that seems to only work on windows and the obvious one, the windows key on your keyboard becomes the apple command button.
With that said yes a windows keyboard can be used with out a problem but I only have one and when I want to game I have to unplug and swoop XD

Having key caps that have the hot key icon drawings its a nice touch and it helps while working as apple has some funky looking icons to represent shift command  ... I personally could memorize any of that hehe

 

[saintlouisbagels]

On 5/16/2025 at 4:43 PM, max668 said:

"building your own" sounds nice but I wouldn't have the time for a project like that, all though it sounds like fun.

"Building your own" is a misnomer for a lot of people.

Most people who buy mechanical keyboards and "customize" or "DIY" them are really just replacing keycaps and replacing keyswitches if they realize they don't like the ones they purchased.

 

If you're on a budget, I would recommend checking "nuphy" or "nuphy v2" on eBay and purchasing a Halo or Air keyboard. The names are something like Air75, Halo96, etc. which references the % size. I have several of them and I frequently switch between MacOS and Windows. I keep my keycaps as MacOS caps.

 

My setup at home is Air75 v2 with Moss switches. The heavier actuation prevents me from making a lot of typos. My keyboard at work is the Air96 v2 with Wisteria switches. I intend to switch them out with Moss switches since they're quite light to the touch. Air96 because I sometimes use a NumPad.

 

Otherwise, I second the keychron recommendation if you just want something new.

[max668]

3 hours ago, saintlouisbagels said:

"Building your own" is a misnomer for a lot of people.

Most people who buy mechanical keyboards and "customize" or "DIY" them are really just replacing keycaps and replacing keyswitches if they realize they don't like the ones they purchased.

 

If you're on a budget, I would recommend checking "nuphy" or "nuphy v2" on eBay and purchasing a Halo or Air keyboard. The names are something like Air75, Halo96, etc. which references the % size. I have several of them and I frequently switch between MacOS and Windows. I keep my keycaps as MacOS caps.

 

My setup at home is Air75 v2 with Moss switches. The heavier actuation prevents me from making a lot of typos. My keyboard at work is the Air96 v2 with Wisteria switches. I intend to switch them out with Moss switches since they're quite light to the touch. Air96 because I sometimes use a NumPad.

 

Otherwise, I second the keychron recommendation if you just want something new.

looks expensive do you know of any other more budget options?
perhaps you have some recomendations

[saintlouisbagels]

9 hours ago, max668 said:

looks expensive do you know of any other more budget options?
perhaps you have some recomendations

Asking for a budget option normally requires a budget range.

 

I have a Keychron C3 and it's a really solid budget keyboard with hot-swappable switches.

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CBWH8VPN/

 

I've since upgraded the keycaps with:
XVX Shine Through Keycaps, Black Semi Translucent Keycap Set

it sucks that they don't make a set with MacOS symbols though.

 

and I've used it for playing around with new keyboard switches such as:

Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro Keyboard Switch - for a very tactile typing experience

Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro Keyboard Switch - for super satisfying linear keypresses and thock

Kailh Box Jade Clicky Keyboard Switch - for super loud clicky torture of coworkers

Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red Switches for Mechanical Keyboard - for extremely vanilla mechanical keyboard experience. smooth and linear.

[max668]

On 5/18/2025 at 8:02 PM, saintlouisbagels said:

Asking for a budget option normally requires a budget range.

 

I have a Keychron C3 and it's a really solid budget keyboard with hot-swappable switches.

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CBWH8VPN/

 

I've since upgraded the keycaps with:
XVX Shine Through Keycaps, Black Semi Translucent Keycap Set

it sucks that they don't make a set with MacOS symbols though.

 

and I've used it for playing around with new keyboard switches such as:

Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro Keyboard Switch - for a very tactile typing experience

Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro Keyboard Switch - for super satisfying linear keypresses and thock

Kailh Box Jade Clicky Keyboard Switch - for super loud clicky torture of coworkers

Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red Switches for Mechanical Keyboard - for extremely vanilla mechanical keyboard experience. smooth and linear.

Wow sounds like you really know this craft

Whats your favorite type of switch and why?

[max668]

On 5/18/2025 at 8:02 PM, saintlouisbagels said:

Asking for a budget option normally requires a budget range.

 

I have a Keychron C3 and it's a really solid budget keyboard with hot-swappable switches.

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CBWH8VPN/

 

I've since upgraded the keycaps with:
XVX Shine Through Keycaps, Black Semi Translucent Keycap Set

it sucks that they don't make a set with MacOS symbols though.

 

and I've used it for playing around with new keyboard switches such as:

Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro Keyboard Switch - for a very tactile typing experience

Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro Keyboard Switch - for super satisfying linear keypresses and thock

Kailh Box Jade Clicky Keyboard Switch - for super loud clicky torture of coworkers

Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red Switches for Mechanical Keyboard - for extremely vanilla mechanical keyboard experience. smooth and linear.

Heres what I have been looking at
Havent made my mind up yet

Also you are right it is a shame that they dont have the keys with mac symbols

so the ones below score some points for having them

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DH2DHS8S/ref=ewc_pr_img_4?smid=A2DMLSKSOJVRQ1&th=1

I like this one because it has a numpad, but its a bit pricey
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVLLDYR9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A19P1OE43Y3F5A&th=1


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CRDKFZWF/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=ASKDIKGC8TC4&th=1

[saintlouisbagels]

1 hour ago, max668 said:

I like this one because it has a numpad, but its a bit pricey
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0BVLLDYR9/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A19P1OE43Y3F5A&th=1

A little backwards.

This is fully featured at a really affordable price from a trustworthy brand.

Going any cheaper and you’re in the “cheap, low quality” territory except for Keychron’s own unusually cheap C3.

[max668]

4 minutes ago, saintlouisbagels said:

A little backwards.

This is fully featured at a really affordable price from a trustworthy brand.

Going any cheaper and you’re in the “cheap, low quality” territory except for Keychron’s own unusually cheap C3.

have you ever used this keyboard?

How long do you think the battery lasts?

[max668]

On 5/18/2025 at 8:02 PM, saintlouisbagels said:

Asking for a budget option normally requires a budget range.

 

I have a Keychron C3 and it's a really solid budget keyboard with hot-swappable switches.

https://www.amazon.com/Keychron-Keyboard-Programmable-Backlight-Mechanical/dp/B0CBWH8VPN/

 

I've since upgraded the keycaps with:
XVX Shine Through Keycaps, Black Semi Translucent Keycap Set

it sucks that they don't make a set with MacOS symbols though.

 

and I've used it for playing around with new keyboard switches such as:

Akko V3 Creamy Blue Pro Keyboard Switch - for a very tactile typing experience

Akko V3 Creamy Yellow Pro Keyboard Switch - for super satisfying linear keypresses and thock

Kailh Box Jade Clicky Keyboard Switch - for super loud clicky torture of coworkers

Gateron G Pro 3.0 Red Switches for Mechanical Keyboard - for extremely vanilla mechanical keyboard experience. smooth and linear.

 

1 hour ago, saintlouisbagels said:

A little backwards.

This is fully featured at a really affordable price from a trustworthy brand.

Going any cheaper and you’re in the “cheap, low quality” territory except for Keychron’s own unusually cheap C3.

By the way How can someone test out switches before actually investing money in a product.
I have only tried brown switches but would like to try other ones and see what I like better

[saintlouisbagels]

13 hours ago, max668 said:

By the way How can someone test out switches before actually investing money in a product.
I have only tried brown switches but would like to try other ones and see what I like better

Going to an electronics store like Microcenter or Best Buy.

Otherwise you could try ordering multiple keyboards and returning the ones you don't like.

 

There are switch testers but I think they're useless. Testing a single key is not indicative of typing feel. And I just don't think it's necessary to test switches..? Like all linears are going to feel the same aside from the force necessary and the thocky sound. Brown switches are basically linear switches since their tactile bump is almost non-existent. There are tactile switches now where the bump is at the beginning of travel and it feels like typing on extremely satisfying rubber dome switches since it feels like a really good snap/sudden drop after the bump.

 

I would just blindly recommend you get a keyboard with Reds and if the actuation force is too low for you, you should upgrade to yellows. Or if you want faster actuation, you upgrade to silvers.

 

On my personal full-sized boards, I use the Akko Creamy Yellows. They sound and feel amazing. I was on Reds for a long time, but I was getting too many typos.
I've recently switched to low-profile boards with pre-travel tactile bumps and I really feel like all of my typing is very deliberate and accurate now lol.