Mechanical Keyboards

Hi all, new to this thread.

I am learning to touch type and, to augment this, bought myself a mechanical keyboard.

Thing is, I don't like the one I got. I think because it is gaming focused.

It has Kailh speed silver switches that activate if you brush them. Loads of typos that I just don't get when on the keyboard at college or even on my laptop.

So

a) does anyone want to buy an EVGA Z15 RGB keyboard?

b) any pointers on what I should have bought?

Filco Majestouch-2 Convertible with Cherry MX Silent Red?

https://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-f­ilco-convertible-2-mx-silent-red-soft-li­near-keyboard.asp

This is a recent recommendation.

Good for a beginner? Seems a touch spendy, but if it will be last me a lifetime....

I see I can get it for £125 if I don't want Bluetooth, which I am fine without.

Also, how do I pick between MX Brown and MX Red silent?

I think that many year of bad habits have made me quite inaccurate which is why the speed silver switches are so bad for me.

So perhaps the higher actuation force of the M X browns would be a good idea, vs the MX red silents. But how noisy are these things?

Maybe I need to go and play with a range of them. Is there a shop in London that allows me to try them out?

So sorry for all the questions!

If you want to try out just the different keys for feel I have a sample 3x4 key pad thingy.

Low Profile Keychron Optical testers](https://www.keychron.com/products/low-profile-keychron-optical-switch-set-87-pcs) that I'm happy to forum-share @postage once I'm done.

I can send it to you for the cost of postage. You just need to pass it on to the next forumunger when you're done.

You probably won't want to hear this but you really don't need a mechanical keyboard (or any special keyboard) to learn to touch type. Not sure you'd notice much difference.

But it's always nice to have a new toy.

I can type just as fast (~140wpm) on pretty much any keyboard (once I've had a few minutes to familiarise myself with it). Once you have the muscle memory then your brain can cope quite easily with the micro adjustments needed to type on a different keyboard.

The difficult bit is getting the muscle memory for touch typing in the first place.

You probably won't want to hear this but you really don't need a mechanical keyboard (or any special keyboard) to learn to touch type. Not sure you'd notice much difference.

I am sure this is true, but there are a few things going hand in hand here, learning to type being part of a larger process of returning to education / work and therefore setting up a workspace.

Said workspace was not going to be "laptop on table" but rather "nice big monitor, mouse and keyboard".

Since I needed to get a keyboard anyway....

But, maddeningly, I seem to have bought a keyboard that is making it harder to learn to type since it is so darn sensitive. As in just lightly resting my finger on the home row tends to type a character.

I may be wrong here. I might just need to practice more to get more accurate. Hmmm

Also, you can type at 140 words per minute? 140?

Wow!

If you want to try out just the different keys for feel I have a sample 3x4 key pad thingy.

This is a kind offer, but now I am even more confused thinking about Gateron and Keychron as well as Cherry MX.

Perhaps I should persevere with my Kailh speed silver board for a few weeks. Stop blaming my kit and work on my skills.

I can thoroughly recommend Logitech MK270. Never had any lag issues. Number pad. F keys. Media shortcuts. Comfortable.

Cheap as chips, so maybe give that a try, see if it's an improvement and reassess.

They usually come with a small mouse so it's not the worse backup/spare to have lying around.

Interesting. Very cheap so might be a good idea.

I have that keyboard, it's fine. Mine died after 7 years or so and I just bought another one as I couldn't find a better option.

Yeah, I mean don't get me wrong it's cheap plastic and not particularly sexy.

But being Logitech it works and it has a decent range of functions without going overboard. I think it's dongle only.

Meh... Bought a Keychron K4 last year, loved it, bought another one soon after so now I have the same at home and work.
Then today, at work, spilled coffee on it! Not even that much! And it's like the keyboard's drunk, typing all kind of nonsense.
Can't look into it now but taking it home tonight. Any tips welcome. Unlike the one I have at home it's the version WITHOUT hot swappable keys, which presumably makes things worth?
Ta

Keychron K6

I've got a Logitech G910 with keys semi-equivalent to Cherry Browns IIRC sitting in a cupboard doing sod all, let me know if you want to borrow it.

Keychron K6

F**k! Really?

:(

got a Logitech G910 with keys semi-equivalent to Cherry Browns IIRC sitting in a cupboard

That would be quite splendid!

I'll PM you.

Keychron coffee spill...

Took keyboard home. Watched a video online about how to clean after similar misadventure, guy was saying to first of all do nothing and let dry before attempting anything. As this was by then several hours after the accident (used a spare keyboard at work for the rest of the day) I tried the keyboard and all works fine again. Phew

Peeps with the Keychron K2, do you see the wrist rest as necessary, due to the height of the front of the board?

yo @mashton u want a Keychron? I have one spare. K2 I think, one without a num pad.

I have a K4 and no wrist rest, but I an happy to rest my wrists elsewhere.
Good to rest your eyes as well as your hands.

I’ve a k2, no wrist pad and haven’t needed one

Maybe took a bit of getting used to (can’t remember now as I’ve had it maybe a couple of years - bought off here iirc)

In general I would recommend one, it'll help to minimise wrist extension

I use the this
https://www.pcgamingrace.com/collections/wrist-rests

yo @mashton u want a Keychron? I have one spare. K2 I think, one without a num pad.

Certainly interested. Is it UK ISO layout?

it is yep

I'd bought a rest when I got the keyboard, used it for a week or so, but found it more comfortable without. If you want to try the rest you're welcome, will sent deets through later.

yep

PM sent