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
edit: I'm still new to keyboards, so forgive what might be a silly question.
No need to reprogramm, the output, if you press a key, is given by your OS and the settings Country/Language, Keymap. Stock Win ISO-DE would output Z, if Y would be pressed and Y, if Z would be pressed. (Qwertz) Stock Win US-ANSI, Z and Y would be corresponding to the keycaps shown. (Qwerty)
What does it mean, if you're able to type without looking at your keycaps, you shouldn't experience a difference. If not, you might be in trouble, keycaps don't reflect the output. You can buy fitting keycaps, if available, but they must be compatible with Cherry MX and the sizes have to match. This one does use the so called standard bottom row, 7x1.25u and 6.25u spacebar, which is good! It might be getting expensive to get a fitting keycapset, usual drops here might be $80+ and ISO-UK addon another $20+, additional shipping and customs.
UK has a very good keyboardstore: https://www.keyboardco.com/category.asp?sr=&path=mechanical+keyboards&lan=United+Kingdom&ss=de&rtv=100 and have a look: https://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-va88m-cmyk-pbt-backlit-soft-linear-keyboard.asp as example.
In the end, all money and trouble considered, i would know for sure, where i would be buying :)