keyboard Needing recommendation for customizable, low profile, quiet mechanical keyboard (if it even can be done)

[YellowZedman]

My quest to find and/or build the quietest low profile mechanical keyboard possible.
I work as a web dev and want to get myself a nice keyboard to use in office while my laptop is perched on a support.

Basic requirements

• Mechanical
  • Linear, optical, whatever is the quietest
  • HotSwap ( custom switch should be quieter then stock right?)
• 80% / TKL
  • I don't care about the numpad
  • I need DEL-Insert-Home-End-PageUp-PageDown
  • I need function row (F1-F12)
• Low profile
  • So i've heard its more ergonomic to be flatter
  • Easy to carry
• VIA support
  • I like VIA that's all

No need for RGB, budget is open to anything reasonable (no more than 300 $CAD).

 

What I found do far

So I think something like a Keychron K1 Max or K1 QMK v6 with kailh deep sea silent mini low profile would make a good fit. Thing is, the world of custom keyboard is so vast I'm afraid of missing details around compatibility or more options that would better fit my needs and expectations around a keyboard.

 

The closest store to me that sells custom keyboard stuff is Canada computer. Choices there is fairly limited. They have Glorious GMMK stuff so that could maybe be a thing, if it is low profile that is...

I struggled to find custom options, and I know this is in most parts due to the low profile requirements I've set, but I would not be afraid to get parts like casing, board, stabilizers and all separately and build it myself.

If buying something prebuild and modding it is more accessible than so be it. I'm not afraid of disassembling tech stuff and fiddle around. Only thing I have never done seriously is soldering so anything up to that is good for me.

Where you come in

Any links, resources or tips is greatly appreciated. My experience with mechanical keyboards goes as far as doing the o-ring mod and changing key caps on prebuild keyboards, but I'm more than willing to learn.

TL;DR

I need tips around finding or fully building a low profile keyboard for less then 300 $CAD.

 

[saintlouisbagels]

Keychron has a Canadian site. Here's the K1 Max.
https://keychron.ca/products/keychron-k1-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboardus-ansi-layout?variant=41284471881811

 

In terms of silence, it is better to get 'linear' switches such as Gateron Red.

But tbh totally depends on how you type because most of the audio from a keyboard comes from the user fully bottoming out on every keystroke. Tactile switches make the problem worse because of the force requirement before the bump makes you use more force, and then it kinda snaps and you bottom out hard.

 

I'm a big fan of Nuphy keyboards and their Air75 v2 (soon to be v3!) has all of the keys you're asking for.

https://nuphy.com/collections/keyboards/products/air75-v2

https://nuphy.com/pages/shipping-areas

https://www.amazon.ca/nuphy-Air75-V2-Mechanical-Systems-Grey/dp/B0CMYYM2SQ/

 

FYI both the Nuphy and Keychron keyboards DO NOT have shine-through keycaps. That means the letters are not going to illuminate.

https://nuphy.com/products/nsa-shine-through?variant=40931570712685

[YellowZedman]

Thank you for the answer @saintlouisbagels! I'll take everything into consideration.

I've also read that, on the low profile setup, gateron and kailh pinout and/or the size of the switch is not the same ? So I should be carefull if I even wanna change switches.

 

And I touch type so idc about shine through that much. Gives less rgb gloriness but meh.

[saintlouisbagels]

4 hours ago, YellowZedman said:

I've also read that, on the low profile setup, gateron and kailh pinout and/or the size of the switch is not the same ? So I should be carefull if I even wanna change switches.

Super budget full-size keyboards with hot-swappable switches might use a PCB that is only compatible with slim Kailh pins and no brands. I don't know if these have been phased out, so do your due diligence checking reviews if you go down this route.

 

Low Profile keyboards use low profile switches which have a different pin-out layout from full-size switches.

 

- - - -

HOWEVER, the upcoming NuPhy Air V3 series will be using low-profile switches that have a layout that matches full-size switch pinouts.

That's worth considering, I guess.

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

20 hours ago, YellowZedman said:

I've also read that, on the low profile setup, gateron and kailh pinout and/or the size of the switch is not the same ? So I should be carefull if I even wanna change switches.

AFAIK the low-profile switches are somewhat more proprietary, so watch out for compatibility there. Not sure what the difference is exactly, but usually it is something like the position and orientation of pins and stems.

[YellowZedman]

With Nuphy starting a 6th anniversary sale, I made the decision to get their new Kick75 with the blush nano. Specifically the low profile variant compatible with QMK/VIA.

 

Sure, it doesn't fit one of the requirements that I listed above being a 75%. But I think that I will get use to it by remaping keys where it fits (mainly the insert, del, home, end, page up, page down) or use layers.

 

I'll do an update with my though about it after receiving it and using it a bit.