Looking for a keybo...
 

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Looking for a keyboard

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Very OT of course, but there are enough IT whizzes I reckon it's worth a try...

Basically I'm looking for a mechanical keyboard; ideal specs are hot swappable (cause I keep having keys die), box white switches (great for typing), ISO layout (not US). So something like this https://www.amazon.com/Hexgears-Impulse-Mechanical-Keyboard-Switches/dp/B07LFNS4XC?th=1 but in a UK layout.

Anything out there that fits the bill?!


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 8:30 am
Posts: 1825
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Have a look through Keychron site.

They are well reviewed and many of the newer models are hot swappable.

Also there's a subreddit r/MechanicalKeyboardsUK which has a list of UK suppliers and good models. Plus lots of posts asking for recommendations.

If you really get into it, it's a deep and expensive road!!

I've got a Ducky Mecha Mini 60%. Not hot swappable though.


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 8:49 am
Posts: 197
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I love my Filco TKL - built like a tank, and the TKL layout leaves room for a mouse on the right-hand side.


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 11:25 am
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What are you doing to cause keys to die? Good quality mech switches are meant to have an enormous life.

I needed UK Mac layout which narrowed it down a lot more - ended up with a Varmilo (ordered direct via https://en.varmilo.com/keyboardproscenium/). You can choose from a variety of switches but I'm not sure any of their designs are hot swappable.

This place has UK stock I think. https://www.keyboardco.com/category.asp?man=varmilo


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 12:01 pm
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If you don't mind spending £240ish then you can get a Keychron ISO barebones and build yourself with your preferred switches and keycaps.

https://www.keychron.uk/products/keychron-q6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard-iso-layout-collection?variant=43975073005738
(assuming you want numpad)

https://www.keychron.uk/products/kailh-box-switch-set?currency=GBP&variant=43373794164906

https://www.keychron.uk/collections/iso-ansi-pbt-keycaps-for-q3-q4-q6-k8

Not familiar with Kailh box white but the specs look very similar to Cherry MX blues. If you can live with that then you can get those for half the price.

https://www.keyboardco.com/category.asp?sr=&path=Mechanical+Keyboards&stk=&swi=CHERRY+MX+Blue&lan=United+Kingdom&ss=lh&rtv=100


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 12:56 pm
Posts: 5787
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Ah some great suggestions there - thanks!
Simon_g, looks like I could even buy the K10 Gateron Brown and subsequently swap out the Browns if they're not doing it for me:
https://www.keychron.uk/collections/keychron-uk-iso-layout-keyboards/products/keychron-k10-wireless-mechanical-keyboard-uk-iso-layout?variant=44005426167978

The Box Whites supposedly have a shorter distance to travel so can be even better for typing than, say, Blues. Either way the MX Reds on my current keyboard aren't doing me many favours in typing!


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 1:36 pm
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I love that these are still a thing.  For me I would google Cherry UK keyboard and see what came up but I don't have any specific recommendations, sorry.


 
Posted : 22/11/2022 2:25 pm

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