Mechanical Keyboards

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Are you addicted to the clicking sounds of your beautiful and impressive mechanical keyboard?
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Here you can discuss everything about mechanical keyboards (and only mechanical keyboards).

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Looking for a keyboard (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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It's a sad day: My previous mechanical keyboard more/less died. Multiple keys just stopped working and even upon replacing them with new switches: still dead.

So anyways I'm looking for a keyboard with some specific features:

Anyone know of one that is:

full size (extra macro keys would be a bonus!)
rgb backlit
has at least one usb port on it (so it has a builtin hub of sorts) Super bonus if it also has a type c passthrough port.
user-swapable cherry-mx compatible switches. (bonus if it comes with browns)
bonus points if it can run open-source firmware
bonus points if it has a volume spinner-thing

I know its asking a bunch, but hey if someone has seen one of these, or has ideas: let me know.

Budget: idk, but I'd be willing to pay probably $200 ish if it was a perfect match and seemed legit.

Thanks in advance

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[–] bloopernova 10 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

Check out the keychron site. Multiple keyboards that fit your requirements except the USB hub.

https://www.keychron.com/

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (3 children)

The usb port is really close to a requirement. I use a yubikey for work often, and liked having it easily press-able. I don't really have another usb port within arms reach of the keyboard/mouse.

I guess I could add a switch somewhere but it would be kind of ugly on my desk. Still: Thanks for the suggestion.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago)

I second Keychron. Don't let the lack of USB port dissuade you. Keychron, even in the enthusiast sphere, is known as a very good entry to mid range level manufacturer. Keychron V6 QMK in a budget, Keychron Q6 / Q6 Pro or Max w/ QMK/VIA if you have some more $. Or the V5/Q5 if you want to try something more compact.

Get a USB hub and/or an extender.

Edit: to add, even just the extra $20-50 compared to Amazon shit or ducky and DAS keyboard make the V-series worth it. QMK and VIA programmability make all the difference compared to all the shit that other manufacturers would make you install to even just remap some of your keys. And the Q-series if you have the cash to spare is a delight compared to plastic cases.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago

I had almost the same requirements as you, and keychron is what I got recommended (from this community actually). It's been nice, so I second the recommendation.

In my case I wanted multiple Bluetooth connections over USB, which keychron did have. The one USB port is for the keyboard only I assume, but you might be able to add the hub along that chain if ports are limited.

[–] bloopernova 4 points 8 months ago (1 children)

I use a yubikey daily too. I have a USB hub that clamps to the edge of my desk, so I can leave the yubikey in there with no extra mess.

Not this specific one, but you get the general idea: https://www.amazon.com/HYWHUYANG-USB3-1-10Gbps-Computer-Transmission/dp/B0CNKQMXFD/

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago

Fair enough. If all else fails, I'll try something similar.