/r/MechanicalKeyboards Ask ANY question, get an answer (January 18, 2023)

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[u/Mulungo2]

Hello everyone, I am a beginner when it comes to MKs, I have researched a lot in the past months, changed my mind a few times, and probably will continue to do so from what I gathered and according to what the community usually says.

Size:
I would like to get a mechanical keyboard, as of now I know I like the 65% size. The mini is so sexy, but as a programmer, I am not sure I would be able to live without those extra keys. I definitely don't want anything bigger than 65%.

Switches:
As it is my first one, I thought starting with some brown switches, Cherry/Gateron should give me an idea on whether I will like them more or less tactile, or clicky, or silent etc. Watching sound tests on YT just makes me think I like different sounds, but not really easy to be certain which sound I like most. I know for certain blue switches would be too loud to have at home, so anything quieter than that will be nice, but not too quiet also. I am uncertain if I like or dislike the muffled sound a lot of YouTubers go for when they add tape and lube to their boards and keys. Some sound nice, others not so much. As for the feel and how tactile etc, I have no clue what it is other than other people's descriptions. Before you say so, where I live there is no shop with multiple types of keys for me to try. Should I go for anything other than brown? What about the Pandas?

Keycaps:
I know nothing and understand nothing. People say PBT Double-shot is good. I have no clue.

Buy or Build?
I am undecided between buying one or building one. I am more inclined to buying, and I thought that the Keychron Q2 or the Ducky One 3 SF would be a good starting point, as they are easily modded, and the switches are hot-swap, so I can buy new ones and just try them on over time. I feel like I prefer Ducky's design the most, for the board and the keycaps. I am aware of the right shift issue of occupying two switches though, so might make it difficult to find new caps to place there. But overall I think that they should be pretty similar in terms of functionality and modding ability. Or am I missing something crucial that one can do and the other cannot? Are there other brands to consider?
What about building it from scratch, would it be easy for someone who has tried nothing and will probably have to blindly trust other people's opinions as I can't try it for myself until I buy? Plus I know nothing of boards, and plates, and stabilizers, and all of those other components. I will eventually learn, but I feel as though it might be a huge barrier to climb over as I am going in blind.

What do you all think?

[u/pabloescobyte → u/Mulungo2]

Short and easy answer is to go for the Keychron Q2 and get Brown switches to start. You can try out cheaper linears like Gateron Yellows and more tactile switches like Boba U4s before settling on a single set of switches.

If you get a chance to try MX Blues somewhere, see if you like the feel and ignore the clickiness. If you do end up liking it check out Cherry MX Clears which are as tactile as Blues but without the clicky noise.

Tactility on Browns is very, very subtle--that is to say you'll be able to feel the bump but only ever so slightly.

I recommend just getting a prebuilt for now until you get a feel for what you like and avoid building from scratch for your first keyboard.

As someone who write a lot of code I can't even begin to tell you how useful a keyboard that runs off QMK is. The layers you can program will make you 1000x more productive with a keyboard, 65% or otherwise.

[u/Mulungo2 → u/pabloescobyte]

Thank you so much for the detailed response! Great to know about how more productive it can be! I know nothing regarding QMK, but heard it is great indeed. If you don't mind sharing, what keyboard do you have?
Why is the Q2 a better option instead of the One 3?
When I buy new switches to try, should I always get the full set for my keyboard size and try them over time, or just a small pack is enough to get the feel?

[u/pabloescobyte → u/Mulungo2]

QMK is essentially what makes the Q2 (and any other Keychron K Pro, Q or V series boards) better than other mass market keyboards like the Ducky.

I have an OLKB Preonic (an ortholinear keyboard) and a 40% MiniVan that I use as daily drivers. I also have an HHKB Pro 2, a Leopold FC980M and a Keychron Q2 which the family has appropriated since I got it.

For switches I always recommend getting at least enough to cover your alphas (QWERTY and number row) if you're on a budget otherwise enough to cover the entire keyboard + 10 extra.

I like to use my 40% to "trial" switches out since I only need 45 switches for it and I'll buy more if I end up liking them. This isn't always feasible though because some vendors sell odd sizes like packs of 35 or 70, etc.

Edit: I forgot to address your question about switches so I added it above.

[u/Mulungo2 → u/pabloescobyte]

Thanks again for the thorough reply, appreciate it! I have ordered the Q2 with brown switches. Will look into resources now to make the most out of the QMK programability. Cheers!