I’m not a serious hobbyist in this regard, but I do prefer mechanical keyboards. So, when I recently got one, I went with an economical choice: Keychron K4 (96%) with Gateron brown switches. The browns don’t require more force than my age-addled claws can muster, and are satisfyingly “clacky” without being obnoxious.
So far, so good, but I would highly recommend a wrist rest if anyone is considering getting one.
That is what I have. I use it with my work MacBook (corded at the office, wireless at home). I’ve had it for about a month now, and am really enjoying it. As I stated in my earlier post here, I chose the brown switches, although the reds would probably be fine for me too. The sound of the browns when typing is very satisfying to me, (and I am really loving having a number pad again).
Due to my propensity for spilling soda over my desk, I tend toward cheap, no-fills keyboards. I am on my second one of these:
I just bought a laptop stand and I’m enjoying my new work set-up. The separate keyboard is what put the bug in my brain. 
(Pardon the mess, but I believe that a messy desk is a happy desk. 
)
A monitor/laptop arm was one of my best pandemic/home-office investments:
That was shortly after setting up the arm at Xmas, it hasn’t been that tidy since. It also gained a second keyboard and mouse.
So…I got an identical K4, but with the blue switches, on the understanding that I could return it if I didn’t like it. Thing is, I do like it. That’s surprising to me, to be honest. But I also really like the brown switches. I have a feeling that I’d also like the red switches too. My God, but I’m just a basket case. 
NB: The browns are the best. Hands down.
But…I’m not returning the blues. Too good. 
Addendum: It has to do with feedback. The browns feel better, but the blues sound better. I can’t choose between them.
I’ve only tried various flavours of tactile switches mostly to keep the decision space slightly smaller. Though I do have some “speed” clickies (Kailh Box Gold) in my hot-swappable macro pad.
I’m aiming for a hot-swappable keyboard even though I’ll likely never swap the whole set of keys. But the idea of having some clickies or linears dotted around is kind of appealing.
have any of you ever tried to repair a mechanical keyboard? like switch 2 buttons?
My “q” and at button is no longer working … the thing is slightly over 3 years old and really a mechanical keyboard that costs over 200€ should not be broken now. it is just the one key. I have enough unused “F” keys… but the repair video I watched for a close relation of my keyboard suggests I am not up to the task -.- soldering stuff? Nope. My contact with razer support does not look promising either.
Barring repair… I had a Razer Huntsman Elite now for 3 years. Which is really loud. But I’d still like a mechanical keyboard. So I’ll be scouring the thread here for your recs. Thanks all. I just needed to vent. That particular button is not optional.
On an unexpected positive note: I bought the keyboard at amazon and their order history is really worth something. Tech stuff is one of the few things I still buy there occasionally precisely b/c they track all that stuff for me. So I don’t have to. Because stuff breaks.
Unless it’s a hotswap socket you will unfortunately need to de-solder the switch and solder an new one in its place.
I almost pulled the trigger on my custom keyboard build then read some poor reviews of the lifespan of the switches I was going to buy. So I’m having a bit more of a think.
I was looking at the Kailh Box, browns in particular for that tactility. Apparently they start off well but after a period of use the lubricant wears off and they become quite loud.
The vendor I’m looking at getting the keyboard and keycaps from do Gateron Browns or Kailh Purples so I may fall back to one of those. I think the Keychrons have Gateron Browns in them?
Yes, they have the Gateron Browns. If I had all the time in the world, I might spend money on a test kit to check what I really like best. As it is my current keyboard is lacking an important key–which my laptop still has of course but what a hassle.
I was looking at WASD Keyboards as well but delivery to Germany is around $80 …
PS: razer answered my second mail with “it’s probably a hardware issue, no you don’t have guarantee and no we do not offer any repair options whatsoever even if you wanted to pay for it” The tone was more friendly than my rough translation, the tone is mine. I am not happy with such an expensive unrepairable keyboard–what a waste.
That sucks, if it was a mechanical issue you might be able to open the switch in place and swap its internals with another. My guess is maybe electrical, an issue with the contacts? Though that might be resolved by some cleaning? I know the LMB of my mouse sometimes stops working because the spring contact has got dirty or oddly bent.
I bought seven sample keys for my tester. Six of them were reasonably priced, reasonably available tactile switches. The seventh was less reasonably priced but threw it in to see what the fuss was about.
Unfortunately two of those six were Kailh Box so while useful for comparison, both seem to be affected by that issue.
I have cleaned it once again with air and every once in a while it does register… but with a strange lag. and then it works again for a bit. and then it stops. I am buying a new one with the hot-swappable switches. Amazon says it’ll be in stock in a week. I’ll be able to work around that issue for that long. And I’ll probably not buy another razer keyboard again.
And just for everyone else coming here: razer makes cool looking gadgets but their software is really bad. The synapse software in particular is terrible and they managed to lock out my older mouse a couple years back.
Even it’s not something you can fix, replacing a key is a pretty simple task. So, don’t toss it in the trash, get it fixed (I would ask a cell phone repair place, around here they can solder, or point you to someone who can), or give it to someone who can fix it.
But first, pry the key cap off and try a thorough cleaning. Rubbing alcohol is a reasaonable solvent to start at.
I gave my last keyboard to a friend’s kid. I know some people who are much better at repairing than myself. I’ll find someone to take it off my hands. Like my old laptop which will probably live another 4 years at another friend’s (once she has replaced the bloated battery).
Most of my keyboard quest has been finding a base that doesn’t look god-awful.
Two-thirds of my keyboard arrives tomorrow, exciting.
Wow, big keyboard!
I did go for a full-size chassis - can’t do without my num keys. The keycaps also arrive tomorrow, I’ll sadly have to wait a bit longer for the switches.
Edit: Keyboard and keycaps (and Haribo) arrived today. Now I endlessly refresh the switch tracking page.
