Heresy, right? I’ve had a mechanical for the last couple of years, and while it’s served me well enough, I still don’t like the feel or clickety-clack compared to a membrane switch - and my current one is the Razer Blackwidow Stealth w/ rubber o-rings added to the base of each key, which I think is as non-clackety as a mechanical gets.

Anyway, the Blackwidow is starting to have issues - F5 key died months ago, and lately it’s been doing this annoying thing where I press a key and it registers the downstroke, but not the release, of the Tab and D keys until I pull it from its USB port and reinsert. It’s time.

…but the initial search for a replacement all I’m seeing are either mechanical or mimicking mechanical (like a membrane switch but with the big blocky keys that mechanicals use).

My favorite keyboard ‘feel’ 100% is an oldschool laptop style keyboard. Like the IBM T60 - flat, light to the touch, and no dead space in between the keys like you see in a lot of today’s laptops (the ‘island’ style… not a fan).

I don’t think my entire wish-list exists in a single product, but what I’m after is:

  • That T60 style described above

  • Programmable keys (remap / macros)

  • Corded… unless cordless options have really improved in the last decade or so: I recall a noticeable delay, and constantly running out of battery.

  • Extra keys specifically for binding macros like the Blackwidow

  • Backlight. Low priority, and I don’t give a shit about RGB (or aesthetics in general), but it is nice to be able to be able to see which key is which when the room is dark.

…is anything even kind-of like that on the market, or should I just shut up and get another mechanical?

  • pheonixdown@sh.itjust.works
    8·
    2 days ago

    If you actually just want a keyboard for typing words with rather than gaming, stop here.

    Keyboards weren’t designed with gaming in mind, the layout is terrible, from WASD wasting the ability of your pinky and ring finger to totally wasting your thumb, there’s a ton of sideways or angled movement that’s just a little awkward. Even 4 directional key movement is such a waste, you dedicate the 4 easiest to use keys, but only use 1-2 at a time, and if you do need 2, it costs an extra finger. If you want a key entry device tailor made for gaming, you need to look at the Azeron Cyborg. Each finger has ergonomic access to 5-6 different keys with only slight movement (you could reasonably press 2 at the same time with 1 finger), while the thumb has access to 3 buttons as well as a hall effect thumbstick (map your WASD to this), all bindable however you’d like, including macros. Angles and distances of the device are also highly adjustable, so it can fit YOUR hand.

    This kind of device is, in my opinion, as much an improvement over a keyboard as a mouse is over a thumbstick.

    Disclaimer: This is an honest review, other than as a happy customer, I’m unaffiliated with the company. This is not intended to replace a keyboard for typing purposes.