Small Tactile Keyboard

[German_John]

Hello everyone,

I recently switched from my outdated desktop to a new laptop. I love everything, and the Y50 has a pretty good keyboard as far as laptops go.

However I do miss my old mechanical keyboard. There just isn't enough space for a laptop and the extremely large Trigger Z on my desk, even with a laptop stand, and the screen would be quite far away.

 

So I'd like a small mechanical keyboard. Ideally I'd like to try clear switches, since I'm used to browns but I think I'd like a little more force to be required.

It doesn't have to be a tenkeyless or poker, I care more about the depth. Having a numblock (like the Quickfire TK) would be cool, but I guess I could try giving that up (is something people say before they kill themselves over pressing ctrl when wanting to press enter)

 

Also, budget... sub 100 would be perfect, but I don't think there'll be much in that price range and being this specific.

[79wjd]

Poker or Ducky mini are the smallest I've really seen (including depth).

[German_John]

Poker or Ducky mini are the smallest I've really seen (including depth).

Are they much smaller than something like a CM Storm Rapid-I? Ducky is so expensive... ; __ ;

[79wjd]

Are they much smaller than something like a CM Storm Rapid-I? Ducky is so expensive... ; __ ;

Yeah, I have the Ducky Shine mini and the Rapid and I prefer my mini (with clears) in every way. It's quite a bit smaller, plus it just feels nicer to type on than my Rapid (although the latter bit could be because of the switches, the keycaps, or my desk height -- the desk where I use the Rapid is uncomfortably tall).

[German_John]

Yeah, I have the Ducky Shine mini and the Rapid and I prefer my mini (with clears) in every way. It's quite a bit smaller, plus it just feels nicer to type on than my Rapid (although the latter bit could be because of the switches, the keycaps, or my desk height -- the desk where I use the Rapid is uncomfortably tall).

Is it usable without a wrist rest? The Trigger Z is a complete mess without one, much too high. (Although I could of course get a shorter aftermarket wrist rest)

[Guest]

Hello everyone,

I recently switched from my outdated desktop to a new laptop. I love everything, and the Y50 has a pretty good keyboard as far as laptops go.

However I do miss my old mechanical keyboard. There just isn't enough space for a laptop and the extremely large Trigger Z on my desk, even with a laptop stand, and the screen would be quite far away.

 

So I'd like a small mechanical keyboard. Ideally I'd like to try clear switches, since I'm used to browns but I think I'd like a little more force to be required.

It doesn't have to be a tenkeyless or poker, I care more about the depth. Having a numblock (like the Quickfire TK) would be cool, but I guess I could try giving that up (is something people say before they kill themselves over pressing ctrl when wanting to press enter)

 

Also, budget... sub 100 would be perfect, but I don't think there'll be much in that price range and being this specific.

I've got a POK3R with MX-Greens.  It's so small, built like a tank, and looks great at the same time.  I use mine without a wrist wrest and it works just fine, but you might want to buy one depending on what you like or don't like.

[79wjd]

Is it usable without a wrist rest? The Trigger Z is a complete mess without one, much too high. (Although I could of course get a shorter aftermarket wrist rest)

I use mine without a wrist rest, although your experience with one might be different. 

[KaminKevCrew]

The pok3r will be slightly smaller than the ducky, due to the large aluminum housing around the ducky. Losing the "f" row of keys makes for a huge space saver. I know a lot of people like to carry poker boards around with their macbook, and they just place them on top of the regular keyboard. The poker style boards all fit pretty much perfectly, although a TKL would probably fit on a 17" laptop.

[German_John]

The pok3r will be slightly smaller than the ducky, due to the large aluminum housing around the ducky. Losing the "f" row of keys makes for a huge space saver. I know a lot of people like to carry poker boards around with their macbook, and they just place them on top of the regular keyboard. The poker style boards all fit pretty much perfectly, although a TKL would probably fit on a 17" laptop.

I don't want to put it *on* my laptop... that'd raise it a bit too high off the desk I think. 

 

Welp, sucks to be German, because I can't get my hands on any of these, especially not for an acceptable price. Guess I'll hope that Massdrop brings back the Shine Mini and pray that it'll be a really good because otherwise VAT will screw me.

[79wjd]

I don't want to put it *on* my laptop... that'd raise it a bit too high off the desk I think. 

 

Welp, sucks to be German, because I can't get my hands on any of these, especially not for an acceptable price. Guess I'll hope that Massdrop brings back the Shine Mini and pray that it'll be a really good because otherwise VAT will screw me.

The Shine mini was $120 (with clears) on MD the last time.

[KaminKevCrew]

I don't want to put it *on* my laptop... that'd raise it a bit too high off the desk I think.

Welp, sucks to be German, because I can't get my hands on any of these, especially not for an acceptable price. Guess I'll hope that Massdrop brings back the Shine Mini and pray that it'll be a really good because otherwise VAT will screw me.

Too bad too, you just missed a drop for the pok3r. If you put it on your laptop, the area where the track pad is would work just fine, since the pok3r is fairly low profile. To each their own though, I suppose.

[German_John]

The Shine mini was $120 (with clears) on MD the last time.

 

Too bad too, you just missed a drop for the pok3r. If you put it on your laptop, the area where the track pad is would work just fine, since the pok3r is fairly low profile. To each their own though, I suppose.

 

120 would translate to 160... man sometimes I hate not being American. But thanks guys, I'll just keep a lookout

[German_John]

Just outta curiosity, does this look any good?

 

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/v60-mini-mechanical-keyboard

 

It appears to be the size of a pok3r, so smaller than a Shine Mini. Clear switches (for fourteen bucks more noooo), even is backlit... It's a bit expensive, but I might consider it.

[KaminKevCrew]

Just outta curiosity, does this look any good?

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/v60-mini-mechanical-keyboard

It appears to be the size of a pok3r, so smaller than a Shine Mini. Clear switches (for fourteen bucks more noooo), even is backlit... It's a bit expensive, but I might consider it.

The v60 is the popular alternative to the pok3r. Where are you located, out of curiosity?

[Vozella]

The only thing I can think of that's smaller than a Poker is the Planck.

[KaminKevCrew]

The only thing I can think of that's smaller than a Poker is the Planck.

But that's a 40%, and (imo) it's missing some serious buttons that I, at least, would really need.

[Vozella]

But that's a 40%, and (imo) it's missing some serious buttons that I, at least, would really need.

Yeah. I agree. I wouldn't go below 60%. It's the only one I know that is shorter in depth that a Poker. (4 rows of keys vs 5 rows.)

[KaminKevCrew]

Yeah. I agree. I wouldn't go below 60%. It's the only one I know that is shorter in depth that a Poker. (4 rows of keys vs 5 rows.)

Yeah. It's a cool concept, but, for instance, the complete lack of any function keys is a big no-no from me. That's why I didn't buy it when I had the chance on massdrop. Also, I like larger space bars.

[German_John]

The v60 is the popular alternative to the pok3r. Where are you located, out of curiosity?

Germany. Shipping is $26, and for anything that exceeds about $25 without shipping I have to pay 19% VAT, and that applies to price and shipping. So that thing would be $140 for me. 

 

 

The only thing I can think of that's smaller than a Poker is the Planck.

 

Wow, nope. While I think that it looks amazing, I absolutely need numbers, functions keys and I'm not that precise on my spacebar.