Slim mechanical keyboards

[b00m666]

As far as i've seen, the gram spectrum from tesoro is one of the smallest out there ( excluding the ones currently being developed which are even smaller)

 

[Lateralus]

Screw it!!! Just bought the Corsair low profile again. I still hope to see the Ducky, but I’ll deal with it when/if the time comes. In the meantime, I can see how I do with a full size board for an extended period of time.

Price is down to $125 shipped on Amazon.

I can't wait to be the proud new owner of it after you get your Vortex ViBE!

 

[Mad Maxx]

I can't wait to be the proud new owner of it after you get your Vortex ViBE!

That Vibe never was delivered. Damaged in transit and returned to Amazon. They don't have any more with MX Silvers, so I haven't reordered.

I'm really getting good at typing on these LP keys, but am ambivalent about having a full size keyboard. I'm still a tenkeyless guy, at heart. The price at Amazon is now at $160, so I caught a break buying it on Saturday.

 

[Lateralus]

That Vibe never was delivered. Damaged in transit and returned to Amazon. They don't have any more with MX Silvers, so I haven't reordered.

I'm really getting good at typing on these LP keys, but am ambivalent about having a full size keyboard. I'm still a tenkeyless guy, at heart. The price at Amazon is now at $160, so I caught a break buying it on Saturday.

Geez!! Sure enough! I'm totally not interested at that price. You did good for sure.

 

[Kajun614]

Im buying a new keyboard for work. We just got new stuff at work and I hate the keyboard. it's small like an apple keyboard and just doesnt feel right. Spacing, F keys and stupid pclock key that has gotten me 4 times now.

Gotta have a keyboard you like a work if you sit behind one all day.

 

[atarione]

The Filco Stingray is an option with cherry MX low profile reds

$165 however

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=4553

 

[knowom]

I just got a Cherry B. Unlimited that came today Cherry SX Scissor switches low profile wireless laser engraved keys. It's got this style scissor key cap for the record.

Cherry's KeyMan software lets you program the F1-F12 keys and the calculator/email/home button keys above the number pad. If you're looking for a low profile keyboard and want a cheaper alternative to low profile mechanical it could quite easily fit the bill for a lot of people. Cougar makes low profile keyboards as well that have LED lighting and Cherry SX scissor switches so you might like those as well, but I don't think they have a wireless version. Overall I'm stunned by the feel and quality of it. I should have bought one of these ages ago. I was looking into a the Cherry mechanical MX low profile's, but honestly scissor switches have lower overall actuation points and travel. They feel great to type on with the right key caps avoid the perfectly flat style scissor switch caps or expect a awkward type feel more dense key spacing than normal. Cherry should start putting soft landing pads under the keypads to dampen the noise on them a bit further though they are quiet anyway. They could drop the rubber dome design on scissor switches for a optical and use thru lighting like Romer-G switches as well and make scissor switches and call them SOL switches short for literally and figuratively for...well I'll leave that for you to figure out that part. One last thing that would be nice is a polling rate to 2000Hz that would be great on these low profile keyboard be it MX or SX switches a drop from 1ms vs 0.5ms adds up quickly when you're spamming W/A/S/D keys quickly on a low actuation point and key travel keyboard. That would be easiest next logical step.

 

[Lateralus]

Sure enough, I did end up buying the Corsair low profile keyboard from Commander Shepard as he prefers TKL boards.

This one has the low profile Cherry MX Speed switches. I love it!! Would highly recommend.

 

[knowom]

Sure enough, I did end up buying the Corsair low profile keyboard from Commander Shepard as he prefers TKL boards.

This one has the low profile Cherry MX Speed switches. I love it!! Would highly recommend.

View attachment 151346
View attachment 151347

I was looking at the Corsair K63 and K70's the K63 is wireless, but not low profile though, but would be cool if they made a MX low profile wireless version with that design layout at some point. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy such a pairing. I'm very pleased with Cherry SX scissor switches it's already so good that it's hard to improve upon in any sweeping ways I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Cherry B.Unlimited and got a steal of a deal on it. I'm half tempted to order a second to have as a backup and to have a second receiver. I will say the RF receiver size was a bit bulky, but really not a deal breaker at all to me though not worthy. The mouse had a very hair trigger click feel and both keyboard/mouse are tanks in terms of relative weight perfect for burgler's skulls.

 

[Lateralus]

I was looking at the Corsair K63 and K70's the K63 is wireless, but not low profile though, but would be cool if they made a MX low profile wireless version with that design layout at some point. I'm sure a lot of people would enjoy such a pairing. I'm very pleased with Cherry SX scissor switches it's already so good that it's hard to improve upon in any sweeping ways I'm very satisfied with my purchase of the Cherry B.Unlimited and got a steal of a deal on it. I'm half tempted to order a second to have as a backup and to have a second receiver. I will say the RF receiver size was a bit bulky, but really not a deal breaker at all to me though not worthy. The mouse had a very hair trigger click feel and both keyboard/mouse are tanks in terms of relative weight perfect for burgler's skulls.
View attachment 151352

I'm glad you're happy with it! After using traditional mechanical keyboards for the past several years, I forgot how much I enjoyed low profile keyboards.

 

[knowom]

Yeah I enjoy it a lot feels great. I can't see going back to a full height keyboard ever after a day on this keyboard. Feels less fatiguing, feels quicker, and is quite a bit quieter overall especially if typing more gently with it. If I were to try anything else I'd it would be the a Cherry MX low profile with something like Corsair's K70, but that is a tough sell especially w/o a direct comparison between the two first hand. I got mine for like $20's shipped brand new so no complaints at all here. I'm pondering getting one of these Sanwa wrist rests for it with a nice trackball built into it. It's a pretty nifty design, but they really need to make a lower profile wireless version of it then it would fit the bit better. At the very least they should have allowed for wiring cable management underneath to route it. Good general ideal, but needs refining too rough around the edges.

.

 

[Outbreaker]

I prefer a compact Keyboard with a number pad option because if you need to enter a symbols with ALT+"Number" the key then you have to use the number pad for that.
And if you have a computer that is encrypted by using a Number Pad key then you can only unlock the computer with a keyboard that has also a number pad option.
And if the Keyboard supports macros then you can also use the number pad to assign game macros to it.

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B07GSRPCC7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B014VXUZ1A...olid=1AQGKGUBMSMYX&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it
https://www.drevo.net/product/keyboard/joyeuse
https://kono.store/products/hexgears-x-1-mechanical-keyboard
http://www.coolermaster.com/peripheral/keyboards/masterkeys-pro-m-rgb/

 

[knowom]

I'm not a fan of those key caps Outbreaker the flat keys just don't feel as nice to type on to me. The coolermaster one is more like a regular key cap though I'd rather type on that. I love low profile low actuation point low travel keyboards though in terms of rapid typing response that's why I went with Cherry's SX scissor switch, but I wanted a key cap that also felt a bit similar to regular key cap rather than flat it provides a nicer more tactile typing feel. I have a flat key one as well, but I don't like it remotely as much though it was great in terms of response time better for quick key action for games where your hands don't move around as much over a normal regular height keyboard, but worse typing feel basically. The Cherry B.Unlimited is the best of both basically great typing with the outstanding quickness, stability, and fairly tame in terms of noise though I do believe they could dampen it slightly with soft landing pands. It's not really marketed toward gaming at all, but office use and the thing is wonderful feeling for it due to it's emphasis toward the former aspects that are all just as vital and important for gaming as well. It's got a fairly light touch, but I think they could reduce the actuation force a hint further by 5g. Cherry should make a newer version and put four programmable of the slim F1-F12 key caps below the space bar. I think a rapid fire toggle key above the number key's with +/- ms latency interval control would be slick too and those two other empty side keys by the arrow keys could toggle whole keyboard or just the 4 half height F macro keys below the space bar for it to apply to. To me that would be a brilliant enhancement to a already good design. I'd also add a windows key lock toggle by the ESC key.

I really like the feel of the Cherry B.Unlimited SX scissor switch keyboard a ton, but Cherry has room to take it a step further. There is plenty of room to squeeze in those 4 keys below the space bar and they'd make great thumb keys. Two mini thumb trackballs below the alt keys would be very handy as another addition and then you could assign those 4 keys below space bar to left/right click and back/forward button's. Very sleek very initiative and a all in one device that flat out works. Thumb trackballs aren't the greatest especially smaller sized ones however by utilizing two you get double the pointing speed and precision and less individual thumb fatigue since you can swap between the two. It would make a great design. I'm quite positive it would work well and feel well. I'd love just not having to move my arm around as much back and fourth between keyboard and mouse. A single trackball I don't feel works as well it's located more in the center of the space bar and your thumbs are closer to the gap between the alt and space bar keys. The two closer edges below space bar is still pretty comfortable to use as click keys and the inner two can be reached easily enough, but you'd utilize less often and be fine for that purpose. Ergonomically I think it's a sound design for a keyboard marker to capitalize on.

 

[Outbreaker]

I have no problem in using any switches but i prefer the Rubber Dome Switches more then this big ugly loud Switches.
The best Keyboard would be a Scissor Switch or Rubber Dome Switch with RGB and Full Macro in the style of a "MasterKeys Pro M" or "Hexgears-X".

 

[knowom]

Scissor switch is a rubber dome technically speaking though it seems like the rubber is a bit less stiff and rigid on them. It's a bit quieter and a lot quicker and it's a super stable key press due to the two arms on it with a low actuation point and low travel and good key return due to the former. If you absolutely like the flat keys the newer style of ThinkPad keyboards could be a good option I think they'd be slightly nicer to type on than the flat square chicklet key caps are, but the old ThinkPad key caps traditionally were more like Cherry B. Unlimited key cap which I find great personally. CHERRY KC 4000 looks pretty interesting too if you need compact though I can't tell how low profile the key caps are or if they are regular full height keys. They use Cherry ML switches that are like the newer slim style Kailh switches.

 

[Outbreaker]

I had a "SR Mini Ultra" and replaced it with a "Gamdias Hermes M3" but i had to send it back because of the mentioned points above. Now i have bought the "MasterKeys Pro M RGB" (Red Switches) because i couldn't find any low-profile Keyboard with a layout like this which also has RGB and Full Macros.
I hop some day a company will make a Desktop Keyboard like the once on the Asus Gaming Laptops.

For everyone else, here is why an modded AT Layout is better then a TKL Layout:

 

[kamxam]

Been using this one for 4+ years and still running strong. Keycaps still look good as new due to the way they make them. Not the cheapest but good quality. They don't have an RGB one from what i can see but can make them with customized colors you pick for the keys.

 

[Lateralus]

A new low profile TKL option:

Gamdias Hermes M3 RGB Low-Profile Gaming Keyboard

I don't know anything about the brand, but the price ($69.99) is decent enough for a low profile TKL board. Some in the discussion thread are saying it's similar to the Havit low profile boards that are on Amazon. If it's just a rebrand of sorts, then the Havit TKL is currently $10 cheaper at $59.99.

 

[Lateralus]

I decided to try the Havit full size board with the low profile Blue switches. I've been using the Corsair K70 MK.2 low profile for a few weeks now and absolutely love it, but man are the Speed switches sensitive. I found that I was making a lot of typos compared to my other boards, but I am completely addicted to the low profile form factor and reduced travel. I probably would have been a little better off with the version with MX Reds, but it's a great board for light typists!

The Havit arrived in only one day thanks to Amazon...I've only been using it for about an hour, but initial impressions are very positive. I've always preferred tactile switches, and these low profile Blues have a nice crisp snap to them while remaining quieter than regular Cherry MX Blues (and presumably other variants of the traditional Blue switch). Typing speed is still excellent, but I'm making far fewer mistakes which means I'm not getting kicked back to login screens due to incorrect passwords and don't have to back up as often when typing emails and forum posts.

I haven't messed with the RGB yet, and I miss the handy volume roller from the K70 but that's not too big of a deal since the volume knobs on my DAC and speakers are within arm's reach. It was just a convenient thing to have, but not a dealbreaker.

 

[AVT]

Any new releases in the last six months? I'm still waiting for a keyboard I like to come to market so I can replace my aging scissor key based keyboard.

 

[Skull_Angel]

These new slim switches look a lot like the old Cherry ML. Probably look into it more later, but I'm curious if they solved the issue with binding on angled key presses; it was an inherent design flaw introduced by lack of proper guide support due to the decreased height of the switch.

 

[FedericoUY]

I decided to try the Havit full size board with the low profile Blue switches. I've been using the Corsair K70 MK.2 low profile for a few weeks now and absolutely love it, but man are the Speed switches sensitive. I found that I was making a lot of typos compared to my other boards, but I am completely addicted to the low profile form factor and reduced travel. I probably would have been a little better off with the version with MX Reds, but it's a great board for light typists!

The Havit arrived in only one day thanks to Amazon...I've only been using it for about an hour, but initial impressions are very positive. I've always preferred tactile switches, and these low profile Blues have a nice crisp snap to them while remaining quieter than regular Cherry MX Blues (and presumably other variants of the traditional Blue switch). Typing speed is still excellent, but I'm making far fewer mistakes which means I'm not getting kicked back to login screens due to incorrect passwords and don't have to back up as often when typing emails and forum posts.

I haven't messed with the RGB yet, and I miss the handy volume roller from the K70 but that's not too big of a deal since the volume knobs on my DAC and speakers are within arm's reach. It was just a convenient thing to have, but not a dealbreaker.

View attachment 162507

I'm liking a lot that keayboard, and price is awesome for it. Lot's of good reviews. Does it comes with any software to create macros? (i know it has built in on the go lighting switch). I'm coming from a k70 lux rgb (browns) wich bored me so much, mostly for it's awful and complicated CUE software.
Keep updated. Thanks!

 

[Mad Maxx]

The sleek, sexy Corsair K70 M.2 low profile is available for just $99 on Amazon Prime Day!! This one has low profile Cherry Reds.

https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-Profile-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B07H6MWLXS/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2KAIM9ZXEC900&keywords=low+profile+mechanical+keyboard&qid=1563217751&s=gateway&sprefix=low+prof,aps,130&sr=8-8

 

[Lateralus]

I'm liking a lot that keayboard, and price is awesome for it. Lot's of good reviews. Does it comes with any software to create macros? (i know it has built in on the go lighting switch). I'm coming from a k70 lux rgb (browns) wich bored me so much, mostly for it's awful and complicated CUE software.
Keep updated. Thanks!

Hi there, yes it's an awesome board. I've been very happy with it, especially for the price (and it's now $10 less than what I paid). I'd have to double check the box; I honestly don't recall if it came with a disc or not. But the software should be available now, as the user manual covers how to configure macros using the Havit program:

It also covers how to customize the key LED lighting. If you want, you can take a look at the manual yourself here: https://www.havit.hk/downloads/ (it's model # HV-KB395L).

I never use macros and quite frankly I haven't experimented with changing the lighting from the default mode other than to cycle through the pre-programmed factory lighting patterns, so unfortunately I'm not going to be a lot of help in those areas. But you're not alone in hating CUE; that software has been oft-maligned by Corsair buyers ever since its inception!

What I can tell you though is that the keyboard does have onboard memory, and settings are stored there. So you don't have to have the software running once you apply the changes, which is nice. The Corsair is like that also, but it's nice to see that feature in a less expensive board.

The sleek, sexy Corsair K70 M.2 low profile is available for just $99 on Amazon Prime Day!! This one has low profile Cherry Reds.

https://www.amazon.com/CORSAIR-Profile-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B07H6MWLXS/ref=sr_1_8?crid=2KAIM9ZXEC900&keywords=low+profile+mechanical+keyboard&qid=1563217751&s=gateway&sprefix=low+prof,aps,130&sr=8-8

Nice find!!

 

[FedericoUY]

Hi there, yes it's an awesome board. I've been very happy with it, especially for the price (and it's now $10 less than what I paid). I'd have to double check the box; I honestly don't recall if it came with a disc or not. But the software should be available now, as the user manual covers how to configure macros using the Havit program:

View attachment 174259 View attachment 174260

It also covers how to customize the key LED lighting. If you want, you can take a look at the manual yourself here: https://www.havit.hk/downloads/ (it's model # HV-KB395L).

I never use macros and quite frankly I haven't experimented with changing the lighting from the default mode other than to cycle through the pre-programmed factory lighting patterns, so unfortunately I'm not going to be a lot of help in those areas. But you're not alone in hating CUE; that software has been oft-maligned by Corsair buyers ever since its inception!

What I can tell you though is that the keyboard does have onboard memory, and settings are stored there. So you don't have to have the software running once you apply the changes, which is nice. The Corsair is like that also, but it's nice to see that feature in a less expensive board.

So it has a software available for download, that's awesome news, I may end up buying this board (TKL). Thanks for that info man.

 

[Conman]

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...-romer-gl-switches-release-date-news-features

Logitech’s latest mechanical keyboards use its new super slim switches

The new GL Switches are available in three variants — linear, tactile, and clicky —which would make them the equivalent of Cherry MX Red switches, Brown switches, and Blue switches respectively. Whichever variant you prefer, Logitech says the GL Switches are half the height of standard mechanical switches. It also claims that they are 25 percent faster to press, since you don’t have to press them down as far before they actuate.

 

[Lateralus]

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbre...-romer-gl-switches-release-date-news-features

That's awesome news but, $249 for the wireless and $199 for the wired? Yikes. Hopefully street prices will be significantly lower. That's really stretching it when you consider that the Cherry-equipped Logitech low profile keyboards fluctuate between $110 and $130.

 

[jeremyshaw]

[...]
View attachment 151485
[...]

Shame it is still using the earlier Thinkpad chiclet layout. FN keys clusters are not grouped like a desktop KB (newer ones are). The real disappointment is incompatibility with the specific Synaptics API that allowed TPMiddle to enable both middle button scrolling and middle button click.

I still use mine a lot for Raspberry Pis and the Jetson Nano.








Unrelated, as for small footprint mechanical KBs, I have a Ducky 3084. Soldered the ~85 LEDs it should have come with, but no shipping version seems to have. Replaced all but 4 keycaps with some cheap "pudding" keycaps.

A little too bright, even at min brightness, but still a reasonable KB. Still want an RGB TLK with MX Blues, so maybe next year, I'll look around for one. Can't go replacing a KB every few months, after all

 

[crazycuz20]

That's awesome news but, $249 for the wireless and $199 for the wired? Yikes. Hopefully street prices will be significantly lower. That's really stretching it when you consider that the Cherry-equipped Logitech low profile keyboards fluctuate between $110 and $130.

I'm going to wait for a pro wireless version. No macros, No media buttons, TKL, and hopefully under $200. It would also be nice if it came with a travel case

 

[FedericoUY]

I've seen actuation point on the cherry slims are not correct... Has this been fixed?

 

[AVT]

Anything new on the market? My ultra slim scissor keyboard is dead - enter and comma keys went out have to use copy/paste to type them - and not temporarily because I spilled water on them. On the market for something new.

In particular: super interested if someone has a DIY kit out such as this one: https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit. Looking to buy a nice keyboard long-term so price really isn't a concern.

 

[IdiotInCharge]

These 65%? layouts are growing on me; I'd like to do one with a white case, Red Silent switches, with while backlighting and pink PBT shinethrough keycaps for the fiancé, preferably with a lower profile.

So far I've limited my keyboard customization exploits to adding O-rings, bounce protectors, and changing keycaps - not sure where to start.

 

[FedericoUY]

Anything new on the market? My ultra slim scissor keyboard is dead - enter and comma keys went out have to use copy/paste to type them - and not temporarily because I spilled water on them. On the market for something new.

In particular: super interested if someone has a DIY kit out such as this one: https://kbdfans.com/collections/diy-kit. Looking to buy a nice keyboard long-term so price really isn't a concern.

Also still looking, mech, rgb tkl and slim. Could not find still a perfect one. Liked the havit but the size if full.

 

[Lateralus]

Also still looking, mech, rgb tkl and slim. Could not find still a perfect one. Liked the havit but the size if full.

They make a TKL, but it's not RGB.

Mechanical Keyboard HAVIT Backlit Wired Gaming Keyboard Extra-Thin & Light, Kailh Latest Low Profile Blue Switches, 87 Keys N-Key Rollover (Black) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0722GG88M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Vd8LDbV4YC2RS

 

[IdiotInCharge]

Blue Switches

 

[Lateralus]

To each their own. I happen to enjoy typing on Blues very much when noise isn't a concern. Good thing there are like, a million other options to suit different tastes (just unfortunately not in the realm of slim mechanical boards as most seem to be built around Reds or Speeds with Blues and Browns being less common).

 

[IdiotInCharge]

To each their own. I happen to enjoy typing on Blues very much when noise isn't a concern. Good thing there are like, a million other options to suit different tastes (just unfortunately not in the realm of slim mechanical boards as most seem to be built around Reds or Speeds with Blues and Browns being less common).

To be fair, the noise is the only concern, as I do enjoy typing on Blues. I just can't stand the noise, it's like a toothpick splitting with every actuation.

Though personally I'm looking forward to whoever puts membranes in for dampening of noise and bottoming feedback in with a quiet, fast, and tactile switch. And I'd take a low-profile version stat!

 

[AVT]

Looks like the keyboard gods have finally made a keyboard which fits all of my requirements on paper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinnest-Wireless-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Aluminium-black/dp/B07VNKQJRK/

Anyone bought one? How are your experiences?

 

[IdiotInCharge]

Looks like the keyboard gods have finally made a keyboard which fits all of my requirements on paper.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thinnest-Wireless-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Aluminium-black/dp/B07VNKQJRK/

View attachment 207486

Anyone bought one? How are your experiences?

I read the first review -- this one is even worse than the one I have :/

 

[AVT]

I read the first review -- this one is even worse than the one I have :/

That person appears to be unhappy with the Kailh blue switches used in the keyboard. These should be identical to those in the Havit which nobody seems to be complaining about.

I may give it a try, but I may also hold off until that keyboard is available with linear switches, which I'd generally prefer. Actually, Kailh has a mechanical/scissor hybrid that would be very interesting to try.