Keyboard (smaller) recommendations

[mechtech]

Good day, I currently have a full size corsair strife with browns, I don't have issue with it other than to bring my arms closer together so it's more comfortable. I put o-rings under the keys when I got it, but the space bar is still loud.

In a perfect world I would like a full size, but with the numpad and direction arrows on the left side, I did see an evoluent one that had that https://evoluent.com/products/r3k/
It is tempting, but it probably doesn't have backlighting and is expensive for what it is, but usually ergo things are.

I have been looking at the 60%, and I guess I could get a separate numpad. I find the browns are pretty soft and was considering cherry whites way back.......

Been looking at the spherical shaped caps as well, not sure if this would be an improvement or not? Also in Canada, so availability/exchange rate.

So I guess what I am looking for is basically some brands / models

1. mouse (arms) closer together (smaller keyboards)
2. quiet (ish) - the quieter, the better
3. no softer than a cherry brown
4. backlighting - doesn't have to be fancy, the strafe only had red and in 3 levels
5. $150 Cad-ish (110-ish usd)

nice to haves
-mechanical
-replaceable switches without soldering
-cord on right side
-detachable cord
-decent warranty
-no software for backlighting - or if rgb light/reliable drivers/software

 

[Bill_Bright]

I don't have issue with it other than to bring my arms closer together so it's more comfortable.

LOL

I laugh because one of my biggest complaints with small keyboards is they force me to jam my elbows into my ribs so my wrists and hands approach the keyboard at a more comfortable angle. For example, after typing on my laptop keyboard for more than 20 minutes, my wrists start to ache. But I never have that problem with my full sized PC keyboard - which, BTW, simulates an even wider keyboard by the way the rows of keys are curved. See here.

For the record, I have no clue who the OEM for those Microsoft keyboards is, but they are extremely well made, the key travel has great, positive feel and reassuring (but not too loud) "click" and great performance. I have never noticed any lag either - important with wireless keyboards.

To your question (kinda sorta) the problem with anyone here recommending a keyboard is that keyboards (and mice) are extensions of our own hands and fingers. What feels great at the ends of my fingers may feel awkward or even painful for you.

We can comment about build and reliability but only you can determine if a good "fit" for you.

I realize this is often an impossible challenge, but you really need to visit shops and electronics stores and go play touchy-feely with these devices yourself. Try to position them at the same height - in relation to your body – as they will be when at your desk. Remember display models may have been abused so some mechanical functions (buttons, wheels, keys, etc.) may not work properly.

Take a bottle of hand-sanitizer with you!

Good luck.

 

[Onasi]

Look into Keychron, Nuphy and Akko lineups. You might find something to your taste there and they have decently wide availability.

 

[mechtech]

LOL

I laugh because one of my biggest complaints with small keyboards is they force me to jam my elbows into my ribs so my wrists and hands approach the keyboard at a more comfortable angle. For example, after typing on my laptop keyboard for more than 20 minutes, my wrists start to ache. But I never have that problem with my full sized PC keyboard - which, BTW, simulates an even wider keyboard by the way the rows of keys are curved. See here.

For the record, I have no clue who the OEM for those Microsoft keyboards is, but they are extremely well made, the key travel has great, positive feel and reassuring (but not too loud) "click" and great performance. I have never noticed any lag either - important with wireless keyboards.

To your question (kinda sorta) the problem with anyone here recommending a keyboard is that keyboards (and mice) are extensions of our own hands and fingers. What feels great at the ends of my fingers may feel awkward or even painful for you.

We can comment about build and reliability but only you can determine if a good "fit" for you.

I realize this is often an impossible challenge, but you really need to visit shops and electronics stores and go play touchy-feely with these devices yourself. Try to position them at the same height - in relation to your body – as they will be when at your desk. Remember display models may have been abused so some mechanical functions (buttons, wheels, keys, etc.) may not work properly.

Take a bottle of hand-sanitizer with you!

Good luck.

It's not so much the typing as I don't do much of that on my home pc, it's more gaming when stuck on wasd and the mouse and the fixed arm rests on the chair don't help, maybe I should just get a lazyboy chair and use a controller

I guess looking for some good brands/manf. I think filco, ducky and one or 2 others were the bulk 20 years ago. Seems to be a lot more brands out there now.

I had an MS keyboard, I loved the calculator button on it among other things. Again, I would prefer a full size keyboard but with the numpad and direction arrow section on the left side. Like you mentioned, it's a pain when doing data input in excel and your numpad and mouse arm are squished together.

Edit - also the only shop where I live is a small best buy. The next closest one is a 750km (8hr) drive away.
Was thinking of ordering this to test

Switch Tester - WASD Keyboards

Switch Tester

www.wasdkeyboards.com