The Oracle Answers

[guilleguillaume]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The desired keyboard is possibly still available as a custom order.

Thank you! Will look into it for more info

[ViXoZuDo]

Oh, my great oracle! I have simple requirements:
1. Sub 200$ price
2. International shipping (I'm in south America)
3. Under 60gr Actuation Force [I'm using now a Steelseries 6Gv2 (MX black) and feel it's too heavy for my fingers]
4. ISO layout (with the inverted L enter key and the <> key next to the left shift). I don't like the US layout. If posible, in spanish... but I don't really care because I don't see the keyboard. (UK, DE, ETC... I'm fine with any)
5. nkey rollover (or at least 6key)
6. Media keys (or at least media hotkeys/macros)
7. Solid construction (it must be heavy!!)
8. No Clicky (I have tested MX blue and they are so damn noisy)

Optional:
1. Backlit
2. Extra USB port/audio jack
3. Macro keys

EDIT: I forgot, I have been thinking about any of the Qpad keyboards, but I'm not sure if there any other better option...

Oh, and I'm a programmer and a gamer. So I have to type a lot and also enjoy my video games

[lieiti]

Oracle sir or madam, wondering if you know of any existing options in the marketplace that match:

1. MX Brown switches (or whatever is best for typing)
2. Illuminated backlit keys (blue preferably)
3. USB connectivity (integrated USB port preferably)
4. Mac compatible (with Mac key options preferably)

My exhaustive search has come up empty, so I am turning to you for help! My primary use will be for long hours of consecutive typing (writing novels), that is, when I am not procrastinating. So comfort, response, and durability are also very important.

Much thanks!

[The Keyboard Oracle]

1. MX Brown switches (or whatever is best for typing)
2. Illuminated backlit keys (blue preferably)
3. USB connectivity (integrated USB port preferably)
4. Mac compatible (with Mac key options preferably)

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Ducky DK9008 Shine Keyboard with Blue LED, Cherry Brown switches and Mac compatibility over USB.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

Oh, my great oracle! I have simple requirements:

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The QPAD MK-85 with Cherry Brown switches and ISO layout.

[hoggy]

Dearest Oracle,

I have a tenkeyless rubber dome IBM keyboard with a trackpoint. Layout and size are good, but the 'feel' is terrible. Should I attempt a rubber dome transplant?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: You can't polish a turd.

[ripster]

Though wisdom makes me rofl disturbing my fellow churchgoers.

[Fir3chi3f]

Oh great Oracle! I have traversed the interweb and find myself before you!

I seek a keyboard that is simply pleasurable to type on with multimedia keys and can fit a college students budget.

From what I've read - Brown switches or similar maybe best for me, but I simply do not have enough experience with different switches to decide! I fear the noise may disturb others in online chats.

Any suggestion would be most greatful Oracle!

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The CM Storm QuickFire Pro with Cherry Brown switches and multimedia shortcuts.

[Trent]

Oh great Oracle.

I am attempting a bolt mod, but my plastic rivets have not been cut cleanly. What should I do in order to get the 60 odd holes drilled without going insane?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: Sand any remaining rivet plastic sticking out, then use a soldering iron to make shallow holes, in order to accurately guide the drill bit.

[ripster]

Next time don't be ghetto and use a PCI slot cover like Bigpook did. SHARP chisel or belt sand for the impatient.

Whoops.

No talking in the temple.

[thelittleone]

Hi keyboard oracle is there a keyboard that has the feel of mouse clickers maybe lesser activation force? not an mx blue.
should bottom out and release instantly like a flat keyboard but is mechanical.
preferably tenkeyless

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: There is no true flat mechanical keyboard, a board with scissor switches such as an Apple keyboard, is the best you can do.

[bhtooefr]

Oh all-knowing Oracle,

I would like a keyboard with clicky and tactile switches (Cherry blue would be best, although a clicky+tactile Alps will also do nicely), a relatively compact layout (but with numeric keypad, some software I use requires it)... and here's the kicker, it needs to be ADB.

I would just get the A9M0330 ADB Keyboard - that's even the official keyboard for the machine I'm using it on, an Apple IIGS - but it has some layout issues - the largest of which is the L-shaped enter (and they stuffed backslash out of the way, although admittedly, it's not a character that's used often on an Apple II). I could get an AEK1 (M0115), but while I do like aircraft carrier Model Fs for x86 machines, I'd prefer something smaller for the IIGS. I also don't like the way that Apple did the arrow keys on their compact layouts - inverted T is my favorite.

Escape... I'm undecided there. Apple liked to put it where ` goes, and then move ` to the left of the spacebar. Later Apple layouts had Escape to the right of the spacebar, and ` where it normally goes.

The IIGS has trouble using function keys, although there are INITs to make use of them. Don't really care either way.

Complicating matters is the fact that I have a ROM 01 IIGS, which means some keyboards have weird issues or flat-out don't work. The AEK2, for instance, can't reset a crashed ROM 01, it seems. The Apple Adjustable (which I don't want), only half of it works on a IIGS.

So, in summary:

ADB interface
Cherry blue or clicky+tactile Alps
Compact layout please, but needs a numpad
ANSI enter and backslash, no funny business there please
Inverted T arrow keys
Does not need function keys, but it can have them

[Cronax]

Oh great oracle, hallowed be thy name, I come to thee in my time of need.

My wishes are as follows:
- Maximum budget of 150 euros with shipping (I am European)
- US 104-key layout (Full layout)
- Backlighting preferred
- Cherry MX Browns

I have been contemplating the Ducky DK9008S, CM Storm Trigger, QPad MK80 and a custom WASD keyboard, but I find myself in doubt...research on the hallowed intertubes tells me the build quality of Ducky keyboards is a bit of a coin-toss, the QPad has unsightly logos and I hear the legends on the keycaps fade really fast, I haven't found the CM Storm Trigger in any European shops and thus do not know if this is within my budget, and a custom WASD board would mean risking import fees raising it above my budget...

Is the answer within the boards I found, or is there perhaps a different board I should be looking at?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

ADB interface
Cherry blue or clicky+tactile Alps
Compact layout please, but needs a numpad
ANSI enter and backslash, no funny business there please
Inverted T arrow keys
Does not need function keys, but it can have them

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The KeyStone adapter from Silicon Valley Bus Co. and the Cherry G80-1800.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

Oh great oracle, hallowed be thy name, I come to thee in my time of need.

My wishes are as follows:
- Maximum budget of 150 euros with shipping (I am European)
- US 104-key layout (Full layout)
- Backlighting preferred
- Cherry MX Browns

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Ducky Shine DK9008S.

[huttala]

Oh great oracle, I need a Cherry board (or any other board that is not plate mounted) with 6KRO or NKRO.
I have an G80-8113 right now but it's to big for me, I need a smaller one.

What should I buy ?
Switches doesn't matter since I got all the switches I want at home and will just swap the switches that I want.

I need to be able to get it shipped to Sweden as well, ISO would be prefered, but ANSI is no problem at all.

[bhtooefr]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The KeyStone adapter from Silicon Valley Bus Co. and the Cherry G80-1800.

Oh, Oracle, are there any options that are native ADB? It looks like that adapter is unobtanium, and I'd like the reset (II)/power (Mac) key on the board itself, you end up pressing Open Apple+Ctrl+Reset too often to have it on the adapter.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

Oh great oracle, I need a Cherry board (or any other board that is not plate mounted) with 6KRO or NKRO.
I have an G80-8113 right now but it's to big for me, I need a smaller one.

What should I buy ?
Switches doesn't matter since I got all the switches I want at home and will just swap the switches that I want.

I need to be able to get it shipped to Sweden as well, ISO would be prefered, but ANSI is no problem at all.

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Raptor Gaming K1 with ISO layout and NKRO.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

Oh, Oracle, are there any options that are native ADB? It looks like that adapter is unobtanium, and I'd like the reset (II)/power (Mac) key on the board itself, you end up pressing Open Apple+Ctrl+Reset too often to have it on the adapter.

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: A keyboard with the exact desired configuration is not known in the conscious and vast mind of the Oracle. You need to compromise or modify.

[Mordin S.]

First of, greetings.


Second, here is what I'm looking for:

1. MX Brown switches. MX Blue, also welcome.
2. Tenkeyless form factor. Smaller size acceptable. Full size most definitively not.
3. Price: Maximum of €80 with shipping. (Located in Europe.) Anything above, problematic.
4. ISO layout preferable, although not necessary.

Thankful in advance,


Mordin S.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Noppoo Choc Mini.

[viisual]

*begins casting Summon Oracle*

Oh, thine mighty Oracle; I call upon you this day for guidance. Prithee, mighty Oracle, guide me on my journey.

I require a new tool.

For my trade, Software Blacksmith, requires an abnormal, or even arduous at times, capacity to wield this very tool...

I've been searching many moons for my own Holy Grail. The perfect tool. Not all tools are created equal, and luckily my indifference should help with my quest. The tool doesn't have to shine as the sun in the darkest nights, I can easily guide my way based on the moon and the stars. All my other tools have been purely for practice and training, I've only had the displeasure of working with rubber domes! It is my hope that my tool will be usable during work and leisure.

*breaks character*

Your post was awesome, so I figured I'd give it a go and see what you have for me.

I'm a computer programmer and a gamer. I've only used "normal" keyboards up until now, and have been thinking/researching this purchase for a while. I've been under a weird impression that my keyboards have to be of a "full" size, including arrow keys and numpad. Lately I've begun to rethink this, and am willing to move out of this restriction of layout.

Reqs:

• Feels better than rubber dome.
• Balance between pure typing and gameplay.
• USB 2.0 Connector - This is better than PS/2 Inputs right?

Optional:

• Dark is better than Light/Grey, but doesn't matter.
• Ilumination (backlit keys) are a nicity, but I can also see myway through the dark.
• Labeled keys.

Dislike:

• Incompatibility / Bad Compatibility with OS X.
• Light (Tan, White, Light Grey) colored body/keys.
• Ergonomic / split layouts.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Filco Majestouch-2 Tenkeyless with Cherry MX Brown switches.

[rhune]

Oh great Oracle! I am in need of input guidance...

I am looking for a full sized, ansi, PCB mounted board with blues that I will (partially) convert to ergo clears...I will probably replace the keycaps at some point so having a standard keyset is a must. I need a fullsized board as I will use this at work and do a decent amount of data entry.

I'm willing to spend ~$120 or less and have basically narrowed it down between a Ducky DK9000G2 or a Cherry G80-3000. I would be willing to spend more if its worth it, but that is basically my limit.

Are there any other boards that meet these requirements? Is it worth it to look into getting an older cherry board?

Please guide me in my quest!

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: An older Cherry G80-3000 for best quality, value for money and resale value.

[ripster]

Oh Mighty Oracle, I have had a RASH of interpersonal conflicts with Authority Figures online. Should I go back into counselling for Mother/Father/Penis issues? Post my lunch and family pics on FB and be a loser? Ball my wife more? (she complains as it is).

At WebWits' end. Looking for spiritual guidance.

Signed,
Former Geekhacker