Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
It's most likely the last KB you'll ever need.
Unless you want something different lol.
But really, Hot-swap switches, Aluminum Body, Open Source Design, QMK (Or KLL with the K-Type), USB-C, RGB Per-key Backlighting, and Under/Side lighting. It can be anything you want it to be, and I absolutely love my K-Type. I'm sure this will be just as superlative, and if you have the slightest fear of missing out, I'd jump on this.
@TaylorD Thanks for the suggestion, though honestly I prefer to have a numpad...and yeah, I've been told it's more ergonomic to have it separate on the other side of your mouse. Would be nice if there was a numpad version or even separate numpad with the same design as this. I'm also still rocking a MX blue K70 in gunmetal(feels a bit limited edition since they stopped offering this color), though it would be nice to have RGB LED's instead of just blue. I also love having dedicated media keys even though I guess these days I listen to more pandora than my own music.
That being said, there are 10-key stand-alone options available. I've seen a few on mechanicalkeyboards.com
But, I realize that's not everyone's cup of tea either. Input Club is, I guess going to release a new Keyboard, called the Kira, which is a condensed full-layout. It DOES have a numpad, but it crams everything into a smaller form factor. It will also be hot-swap switch, and does have per key RGB (as per IC, nogoodnames and abrakspear), I don't think, though it does have a really cool underlighting gimmick. https://kono.store/products/kira-mechanical-keyboard
There's that link if you wanna look into the Kira, it might be what you need. I will say again though, I think you'll really like the CTRL and/or the K-Type a lot if you pick one up. To each their own of course.
Lastly, if you just want a 100% RGB Keyboard with Hot-swap switches, you can always check out the Glorious PC Gaming Race's GMMK (Glorious Modular Mechanical Keyboard), it's still programmable and hot-swap, just not firmware programmable to my knowledge. https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/gmmk-full-customized
There's that link, and I will note that you can get one with keycaps and Gateron Browns pre-installed, instead of adding them to the custom version. The LEDs aren't super bright, the cable is non-removable and USB-A, but it's still 1khz, and NKRO, so, that's something at least.
Edit: changed doesn't have RGB to does and gave credit to the sources