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Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

6 points by comatory ↗ HN
I've been spending more time coding on my Macbook and the keys are nice but I wish for more feedback. I've tried few mechanical keyboards and I think I like that.

I don't know much about them but I'd like for the keyboard to be:

1/ illuminated with backlight 2/ standard layout like normal keyboards have 3/ usb 4/ classic look

I've seen Das Keyboard which doesn't look bad but it looks kinda glossy to me, I worry it'd look really dirty.

I really like the look of Happy Hacking keyboard but layout seems to be a bit strange - I don't mind the delete key and relocated backlash button but I worry I might miss ALT key. I'll be using this with OS X a lot so I don't want to relearn everything.

Any ideas?

21 comments

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Zekio
you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.
comatory
that does look really nice. thank you
Zekio
No problem at all, hope you found/find what you are looking for, i just hope the keyboards look standard enough :)
mercnet
I highly recommend them if you are looking for a basic and clean looking mechanical keyboard with a backlight. I own CODE 104-Key Cherry MX Green and love the key feedback on it. The only negative is the price but I feel it is worth for the durability. My cat knocked it off my desk and it left a small dent in the floor.
Phlarp
I second this. The price is premium, but so is the product.
comatory
Well i'll be buying the keyboard to last me for at least next 5 years. So far I like Code keyboards the best. Don't know much about switches though, I want something tactile but if it's super loud I don't know..
stonemetal
Maybe the Corsair K70. It claims to be a gaming keyboard, but it is a fairly standard keyboard layout.
jackgolding
I have one - very happy with the quality and price
nickysielicki
Buy a particular model for the form factor and any features you want or don't want. (I like tenkey-less without backlight)

But most important than anything is the switches. I have cherry MX greens, and I think they're great for typists.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green

PS: One think you might not like about the Das Keyboard is that their USB models use multiple USB ports for n-key rollover and a USB hub and backlight and stuff like that, or at least the model a friend had did.

pushplay
I have a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate and I can vouch for the excellent build quality. Cherry MX Blue switches are loud (and I wouldn't use them in an office), but the tactile experience is immensely satisfying.

At work I have a Leopold Tactile Touch "Otaku" Keyboard (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize&...). The switches are Cherry MX Brown, which are quieter but not as satisfying. The build quality on this keyboard isn't quite as solid either.

I don't think Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate had a Brown MX ultimate at the time I bought the Leopold or I probably would have bought that. If noise is an issue I also recommend keyboard landing pads (https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,slpads&pi...).

Both keyboards are blank which has made me a better typist. I also enjoy the reaction it gets when people come to my desk.

brudgers
It's not mechanical, but the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 is worth trying because it sits comfortably in the lap. For me, this makes it better than any keyboard with a rectangular layout. No wrist arch. No "where do my elbows go?" In EMACS the symmetrical Alt and Ctrl keys are a huge advantage.

Like many Microsoft products, this is something that comes out of the fact that employees spend a lot of time typing at the computer. It's the kind of product that comes from dogfooding.

It's the AK-47 of keyboards.

quickpost
> It's the AK-47 of keyboards.

Perfect description. I also took off all the numpad keys on mine and taped a trackball there for maximum usability. It can sit on the desk or my lap and the keyboard / mouse is always right there.

Someone1234
I really like the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 but managed to kill two due exclusively to drink spillages. After my second then $40 keyboard went bye bye in a split second, I switched to the much more cost effective Microsoft Comfort Curve 3000 ($13/each).

The Comfort Curve 3000 isn't for everyone. It feels more likely a laptop keyboard and is definitely NOT what the OP is after (since it feels more like his Macbook Pro than the Ergonomic 4000).

jarcane
I love the shape of the Comfort Curve, but the cheap rubbery keys played merry hell on my fingers. I eventually gave it up to the wife.
serf
that seems to change over time. I just bought my fourth one, and comparing it to my third it's noticeably stiffer.
zabador
I use a WASD keyboard with brown switches. Love it. You can customize your colors and layout too. I went with an all black with blank keys. Looks really nice.

http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/

pizza
I'm using a KUL ES-87 Tenkeyless keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches. I don't use numpads like.. ever.. so the desk space I saved by ditching it is way more useful to me. No backlight, though.