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Showing 1 of 636 conversations about:
AzureSerenity
168
Feb 6, 2018
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I'd really like to see the all 30g or all 45g version of this. As a MX brown guy 55g sounds like a lot to me, and not really a fan of the idea of variable weight.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 6, 2018
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AzureSerenityIt's easy to get used to, and way more tactile. In my experience, 30g is WAY too light to even be a keyboard compared to the lightest MX switch. 45g I think is only part of their variable weight boards.
rumblehotep
145
Feb 7, 2018
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AzureSerenityMy pinkies were tired at first but you just need to build up strength. The 55g didn't wow me at first like I thought it would, but after a couple of weeks getting used to it they're just the best typing feel, period.
Baconheart
47
Feb 8, 2018
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AzureSerenityIf you bottom out your browns, it won't make a difference. Topre advertise their switches by the peak force, while Cherry is typically advertised by the actuation/tactile peak force. So although MX Browns are a '45g' switch, they bottom out at 55g.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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AzureSerenityWhat *ARE* you talking about? I'm not trying to be rude. What is 30g or 45g or 55g? Is that the weight of they key itself, or the pressure needed to push down the key, or something else entirely?
Sorry - I am NOT an expert on keyboards, but I am seriously considering this one... but can't figure out what makes it so super special.
Sorry - I am NOT an expert on keyboards, but I am seriously considering this one... but can't figure out what makes it so super special.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411The weight in grams is the amount of pressure it requires to actuate the key, typically at it's actuation point. It's an important comparison because 10g makes a noticeable difference. Although if your preferences aren't set in stone, any would probably be noticeably better.
What makes this keyboard super special? It uses electro capacitive switches, of which Realforce makes the highest quality version. Each key has a rubber dome that gives great tactile feedback compared to something like Cherry MX Brown switches.
What makes this keyboard super special? It uses electro capacitive switches, of which Realforce makes the highest quality version. Each key has a rubber dome that gives great tactile feedback compared to something like Cherry MX Brown switches.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreCould you please explain to me what an electro capacitive switch is, and why that is great? Sorry, but I don't know much about keyboards, except that I need (want) a new one, and that I used to have one that I treasured.. not sure what was great about it, but I really liked the feel of that keyboard. It was a quiet keyboard and had a little nib (or nub?) on the letter "k". The keys just felt really ... "nice". I wore the ink off those keys. Wish I still had it, quite honestly.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreAlso - please understand that I'm NOT trying to be rude when I ask what makes this keyboard so super special. I don't know anything about keyboards, but want a new one.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411Oh, well welcome to the mechanical keyboard community!
The core of the name Mechanical Keyboards is that instead of the cheaper alternatives provided over the years ("membrane"), mechanical keyboards use individual switches of different types which trigger at an 'actuation point' rather than bottoming out a key to enter a letter. They are costlier to produce, but feel a lot nicer to type on, since you don't have to press every key down completely. Overall, much more comfortable and enjoyable to type on.
Cherry MX type switches are some of the more common, as there are a lot of variants to choose from, and users can easily build their own keyboards since switches are self-contained. Electro capacitive Topre switches use a rubber dome and a spring, and the PCB detects the keypress via capacitance (I can't really explain it well). Switches all have actuation points either high up or somewhere around the midpoint of the total key travel, some of which even have tuning, like the Realforce RGB.
Topre keyboards like this are costlier not only because of quality, but availability. Elitekeyboards.com is the only actual US distributor for Realforce boards, so acquiring them any other way requires other sites like this, or people selling direct from Japan for a premium (often around $250~$300USD).
The core of the name Mechanical Keyboards is that instead of the cheaper alternatives provided over the years ("membrane"), mechanical keyboards use individual switches of different types which trigger at an 'actuation point' rather than bottoming out a key to enter a letter. They are costlier to produce, but feel a lot nicer to type on, since you don't have to press every key down completely. Overall, much more comfortable and enjoyable to type on.
Cherry MX type switches are some of the more common, as there are a lot of variants to choose from, and users can easily build their own keyboards since switches are self-contained. Electro capacitive Topre switches use a rubber dome and a spring, and the PCB detects the keypress via capacitance (I can't really explain it well). Switches all have actuation points either high up or somewhere around the midpoint of the total key travel, some of which even have tuning, like the Realforce RGB.
Topre keyboards like this are costlier not only because of quality, but availability. Elitekeyboards.com is the only actual US distributor for Realforce boards, so acquiring them any other way requires other sites like this, or people selling direct from Japan for a premium (often around $250~$300USD).
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreThank you! Which g do I want to order? I think there is a choice, perhaps, between 30g, 45g, or 55g. I need to go back and read the specs closer, but as I recall, there is a choice. I am lost there.
I don't suppose this keyboard is ever made with the extra number pad over on the right side, is it? That wouldn't be a possibility, would it?
Thank you again.
I don't suppose this keyboard is ever made with the extra number pad over on the right side, is it? That wouldn't be a possibility, would it?
Thank you again.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411Hard to say as keyswitches of any type are purely personal choice. Like I would always go for the 55g, because I don't like variable weighted boards.
There are definitely full size variants (with numpads)! I think you just missed the drop here for the Realforce 104U boards that ended right before this one started. For reference, the two industry standard sizes are a full size 104 key, or the tenkeyless (without numpad) 87 key variant you see here. The 'U' is unit typically. Most major manufacturers sell both of those variants. In fact, if you do a lot of number entry, I would definitely recommend searching for a full size instead of the keyboard here.
There are definitely full size variants (with numpads)! I think you just missed the drop here for the Realforce 104U boards that ended right before this one started. For reference, the two industry standard sizes are a full size 104 key, or the tenkeyless (without numpad) 87 key variant you see here. The 'U' is unit typically. Most major manufacturers sell both of those variants. In fact, if you do a lot of number entry, I would definitely recommend searching for a full size instead of the keyboard here.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreThank you. I think I just found the drop that closed. I just requested that it be opened again. 99 other people have also requested that it be reopened. Do you happen to recall if the options were the same as this drop?
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411Can't say I recall perfectly, but I do know it had the usual 45g variable version. Also, drops here rarely pop up a second time in succession, so you may have to look elsewhere if this is the kind of keyboard you're after.
Here is the standard variable weight on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Topre-Realforce-Keyboard-English-XF11T0/dp/B00B5SEHNC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1518187708&sr=8-1&keywords=realforce+104u
Or in White on Elitekeyboards (the only variant they have in stock): http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rf104&pid=xf01t0
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreThank you for the information. Decisions, decisions... I used to use the num pad a lot, but I'm not sure that I use it all that much anymore. It would be a nice thing to have, given an easy option to have it, but..?
What to do, what to do.
What to do, what to do.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411If you're already used to having a numpad, and inputting ANY numbers, you will definitely miss not having it. Like I can freely switch between both myself, but I have had a lot of different use cases for keyboards.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreI think all the various keyboards I have ever had, have ALWAYS had a numpad. That being said, I used to enter a lot of numbers, doing various tasks, but I'm not so sure that is true now. I honestly think I would rather NOT have the variable keys...
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411All traditional keyboards from 'PC manufacturers' are 104 key. They aren't very inventive in their keyboard manufacture as you can imagine.
Go for it! You won't regret owning a Realforce board (unless you're broke).
Go for it! You won't regret owning a Realforce board (unless you're broke).
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreI am going to get one. Now to just decide which color. I think I'll get the white with black keys. Or maybe I want white keys... I need to think about that a bit.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411Oh, these are standard models, so it's only white with white keys or black with black keys.
brenda52411
181
Feb 9, 2018
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CyphreOh, white with white keys, or black with black keys? Okay. Thank you. Somehow, I was thinking it was white with black keys, and black with white keys. I will probably opt for the white with white keys, as I recall that was what my keyboards looked like, 100 years ago.
Cyphre
2708
Feb 9, 2018
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brenda52411Probably the guy who posted mockups with the keycaps swapped. Looks good either way in my opinion.
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