Hacker News Reader

Comment by mkdirp | Hacker News Reader

> It's a rabbit hole

This is my issue. I really want a mechanical keyboard, but the amount of choice is insane, and the price difference between different ones are insane.

Sadly these days it's hard to separate fact from fiction when it comes to products.

All of this, and I have very basic requirements too (at least I think so). 70% keyboard layout, needs to be somewhat quiet, and I don't really want to pay an arm and a leg. Is there not a website where I can filter from many different keyboards so I can short-list what suits me best? I've not found any. The only places where I've been able to find quality information are Reddit and other similar communities, but they contain a barage of information and it's hard to find anything useful.

edit: I'd really like to not have to build it myself.

View on HN

https://keebhunter.com/

https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/

https://mechdb.net/

Building it yourself is the best way to tune it to your personal preferences and to reduce the cost.

What is your budget? If you can spare a few weekends I think it is worth it, but I usually enjoy building things so I might be somewhat biased...

70% is not a thing AFAIK, there are 60% 65%, 75% and TKL.

You can't go lower than what the Chinese manufacturers have these days. You can easily get a TKL for less than $40 these days from Amazon with prime shipping.

Building certainly let's you control all aspects but you just can't compete on price unless you want something exotic like a split ergo or fancy metal chassis.

> 70% is not a thing AFAIK

Maybe this is what has thrown my research in shambles. I thought 70% was basically a laptop like layout (basically normal keyboard + arrow keys cramped under the right shift key and maybe a few extra keys). Maybe I'm mistaken.

In terms of I've been thinking up to £150 or the equivalent. Split keyboard optional, though, I've never really used one, so maybe it's worth it if it falls within the budget for ergonomics.

75% should do the trick.

£150 is a bit short is you want something made of metal. £200-£250 would be easier.

But really, if you can afford it this is something that is likely to outlast your computer by a long shot and be use for hours every day.

There are diminishing returns at some point, but you're going to reach that point before ~ £500.

That would look like a 75%, if you cut off the function keys you get a 65% Authors article is a 75% board. As the forementioned gmmk pro. Both reasonably priced, and a with a little tuning and modding very decent boards. ergo is a whole other rabbithole

https://www.reddit.com/r/ErgoMechKeyboards/comments/f5h3d6/s...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com