Hi All,
I'm looking for a new mechanical keyboard. Hoping for some advice. I used to have a Corsair K70 Pro, but unfortunately that no longer functions. I've been using a crappy dell keyboard from work and have finally been annoyed enough by it to buy a new keyboard.
I've considered going with another K70, but corsair doesn't give a shit about linux and I'm kicking windows outta my house. While I could emulate or build a vm, I'd rather just get a keyboard that doesn't make linux an afterthought if thought of at all. What I like about the K70 is that the keys aren't shrouded making it super easy to
Wants are:
- 100% full keyboard
- Ideally no shrouding around the switches, minor shrouding would be okay.
- A passthrough USB port on the keyboard for a mouse, to minimize wires and simpliy cable management.
- Hotswap switches
- Full Linux support
- Backlit (ideally RGB, but I"m not doing any fancy profiles, just a solid color)
- Media keys nice, but I can live without them.
- Ideally not much more than $200
I'd prefer prebuilt, but at most minimal soldering would be acceptable, as long as it's nothing too small, my soldering skills are an embarrassment.
I've looked at the following already.
Ducky All models I saw shrouded the switches. seem shrouded.
System76 Cost seems excessive and I don't really want a 96% keyboard.
DasKeyboard & Keychron The models pretty much all shroud the switches too much, or they're low form factor.
The DasKeyboard 5QS comes close, and I might just go with it if I don't have a better option, but it's got more shrouding around the switches than I like. It also doesn't seem to have a secondary USB port.
I just saw this as well. I really like the bigger one on the left, would just need to be a full keyboard, maybe an additional USB port on the back as well. https://lemmy.ml/post/10016605
I love Keychron for the value, and quality they provide.
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k5-pro-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q6-pro-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-q6-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard
https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k10-pro-qmk-via-wireless-mechanical-keyboard
Anything that says QMK/VIA is supported in linux as you can define your own custom keys and develop/flash custom firmware if desired.
I run a K4v2 modified with QMK as my daily and love it for its compact size but still robust keyset since I actually use my function, navigation, and 10keys on a daily basis. My travel board is a K17 Pro because I wanted something a little smaller and low profile for use on airplanes and hotels.
Nearly all the Keychron boards offer hotswap and either white or RGB backlighting as well so you should not need to solder anything.
Maybe I'll just order a couple KeyChron and DasKeyboard to see if any fit the bill.
I can definitely see myself using a smaller keyboard away from my desk, traveling, etc. Definitely use the hell out of the 10 key for work though, so a must at my desk.
I use it enough when also needing to use my mouse I have a spare num pad on the left.
I like the use of space on the k4v2 and having every key near my finger tips.
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