Glorious GMMK

The first thing that comes to mind is a computer, of course. Anything even semi-modern is fine, but right now I daily-drive a Ryzen 5 3600 with 16GB of RAM. A quality mechanical keyboard has also been great. I use a TKL GMMK with Kailh BOX White switches, it's been awesome. ~$100.

I used a K552 for a while. Definitely a decent keyboard for the price. Just be warned that, like going from membrane to mechanical, once you upgrade there's no going back. I upgraded to a TKL GMMK with Kailh BOX White switches, and now the K552 feels terrible because my standards have been raised so much higher.

There are plenty of options, however they do require at least some time and money investment. With low-profile switches, you can have switches that are as light or heavy as you want. I guess the travel distance is what makes the feeling the most different from scissor switches. I'm alternating between two radically different keyboards and a semi limited budget: a GMMK Pro with extremely silent heavy tactile switches (Boba U4s) and high profile keycaps, and a Ferris Sweep, split columnar ergo with Low profile switches (Choc burned orange so still heavy tactile but that's my preference). Both are more quiet than an standard plastic rubber dome keyboard. I can hear the springs in the low profile one but it is apparently easy enough to mod, it's just not worth it to me as I don't bother my colleagues and I'm not bothered by it myself. It seems like a lot of work is needed to emulate scissor switches but it may be worth it. Depending on your area, you might find someone willing to lend/send you a keychron low profile to try out. I guess most people who enjoy scissor switches are content with what is already on offer.

I came here saying that I would never again use software for a peripheral (keyboard, mouse) to control color, etc.. that must be kept running to maintain settings. I'm looking at you Razor Mouse. It's one thing to have custom software to set settings but the idea that the peripheral can't maintain those settings unless the software is kept running is ridiculous to me. My GMMK keyboard, for instance, it's a bit awkward but you don't need custom software to control color or custom functions, you can switch most of those using the keyboard itself or run software, set your settings, then exit the software and maintain your settings.

I used the GMMK[1] until one of the keys stopped working (I think one of my kids spilled water on the board since there was some oxidation). That happened in the middle of the week, so I bought a relatively inexpensive replacement until I had time to look into it further and ended up with the Tecware Phantom [2], intending it to be a spare, but have used it these last few weeks and haven't bothered trying to fix my old keyboard. I really value the lack of branding on the surface of both keyboards and I've enjoyed both of them. I prefer the GMMK board, but that's mostly because I opted for 10-keyless on the Phantom because I intended it to be a spare. Both are good boards so far. [1] https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/gmmk-full-customized [2] https://www.tecware.co/phantom

> the page has no real information about the switches at all It looks like it's their short travel switches, which are found on the G915. I own, but do not use (on account of my newer custom keeb), a G915. The switches are a noticeable step above stock Cherrys, with significantly less scratchiness (that probably has to do with the short travel), but obviously pale in comparison to "the rest." The G915 also has really solid build quality, although I'm not sure if that translates to this model. Despite my positive comments about the keyboard family, I strongly recommend looking into a custom keyboard because you'll find a much closer match, for what you're looking for, than what OEM keyboards will ever yield. You can get a GMMK 2, with lubed switches, for $149 [1] (then spend another $20 on cheap keycaps on Amazon). The switches are hot-swappable, so you will get many years of use from it. GMMK 2 is extremely entry-level, but will blow almost any OEM keyboard clear out of the water (including this one). You can also get keyboard switch samplers to help you choose which switch works best for you. [1]: https://www.pcgamingrace.com/pages/gmmk-2-configurator?color...

>Is it just me or do mechanical keyboard aficionados sound strangely like audiophiles? In some ways perhaps. In most ways not really. There are hundreds of mechanical key switches and many of them feel significantly different from one another. There are indeed bad switches and there are indeed good switches but 99.99% of them fall into the "good category". There's no objectively "best" switch. There are so many types that are good and will last practically forever that its just a matter of personal preference for the way they sound and feel. Some people like quiet switches. Some like clicky. Some like tactility. Some like smoothness. Some people need ergonomic features like split layouts and tilting. Some people prefer standard layouts. I have some very expensive keyboards (rare vintage stuff and modern custom builds) but in regards to custom boards, once you get over $300-400, you're basically paying for fashion/brand names/artificial scarcity/aesthetic craftsmanship and not utility. Honestly a $60 GMMK with a person's favorite switch (probably around $30-60 more depending on what you want and how big of a layout you use) and a $30-50 set of keycaps will get you 90% of the value that people get out of more expensive brands. Audiophiles' hobby includes a bunch of stuff that literally has no impact on anything. For some things there's no added value even when taking only aesthetics/superficial stuff into account. There is audiophile hardware that makes a real impact, but there…