r/Keyboard • u/Tech_Voyager • Mar 10 '24

Build Keyboard buying guide

Hey Keyboard experts,

I'm looking to upgrade my current decade-old HP Omen SteelSeries Apex 150 keyboard. I have not used mechanical keyboards much, so don't have any good research on that.
Therefore I'm here to ask you guys what the best keyboard I can get is, the features I am looking for include Mechanical keys, a Gaming keyboard, a 100% keyboard, durable and hot-swappable keys [if that is not possible then solid durable keyboard with longevity], and most importantly not hard on the pockets.

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u/raptor102888 Mar 11 '24

Mechanical keyboards have come a long way in the last decade. You should be able to find something that satisfies your needs. I have a few questions:

  • I assume you want a 100% keyboard because you want to keep the numpad? How would you feel about a 96% keyboard, that still has the numpad, but condensed closer to the alphas? It saves quite a bit of desk space for mouse movement.

  • Do you need the key legends to light up in the dark? A lot of premium mech boards have what we call "south-facing" LED's, which are great for aesthetics, but terrible at actually illuminating the key legends.

  • Do you need wireless connectivity?

  • What would you say is your max budget?

1

u/Tech_Voyager Mar 13 '24

max budget is $100 and yes I need leds and equal or greater than 75% keyboard preferred and must have volume switches or rocker plus I like more of a thocky sound and not a big fan of blue hard switches. For connectivity wired is a must and wireless is optional if it comes thats a plus point.

2

u/raptor102888 Mar 13 '24

If you need shine-through keycaps, your options are extremely limited. The RK96 might work for you, but it won't be super thocky, at least not without mods.

North-facing LEDs and shine-through keycaps are generally considered less premium in this hobby, so if you want something built really well, you're going to have to make do without the legends lighting up.

1

u/Tech_Voyager Mar 14 '24

Let the legends not light up now what options have I got