My question is about keyboards. The KB I have now for my PC is an MSI Vigor GK71 Sonic. I got it because I thought it would be an advanced KB. Well I don't like it. The keys are too small. I like the KB on my Alienware laptop much better. I don't make nearly as many mistakes when typing on my laptop. And the texture of the keys on my laptop are more comfortable. I have come to realize that the best thing about my MSI KB are the lights. Can anyone help me find a KB for my PC that is in line with my laptop?
Thanks!
Shoot! I didn't see the Peripheral page....Can this be moved there?
I don't know what your laptop is like... but I love my Asus Strix Scope II. I have relatively large hands (can palm a basketball) and this one worked out for me. So much so, I bought a second when the first failed (outside of its warranty).
can you link to your specific generation of Alienware laptop so we can compare the keyboard.
Selecting the "Perfect" keyboard:
1. Size, how many keys do you want, and what is your preferred layout? There are lots of other layouts but these are some common ones:
2. Key Press: can you describe what you like about the Alienware keyboard?
a. Do the keys activate as soon as you start pressing they key, or does it activate at the bottom of the key press, or is the activation point somewhere in the middle?
b. How do the key presses feel? Are they smooth from beginning to end of the press (linear), do they increase in resistance to a single point and then release (tactile/bump), or is there a audible click and release like a keyboard from the 1990's?
c. how deep do the key presses feel before they bottom out? or if you can measure the difference between a pressed key and an unpressed key is it like a 1/4", less?
3. Connection type, USBc, 2.4ghz, Blutooth? Do you want a battery/wireless?
4. Software, are you wanting something you can custom program and build macros, do you want total control where you can load custom firmware?
4. Lighting, do you want RGB, white, other single color?
5. Key type, there are lots of different key profiles, the most common are called OEM and Cherry, but do you want something specific like low profile/chicklet styles? Do you want to customize your keyboard to match your style, or interests?
a. Do the keys activate as soon as you start pressing they key, or does it activate at the bottom of the key press, or is the activation point somewhere in the middle?
Keychron K13 Pro is an ultra-slim wireless custom mechanical keyboard that allows anyone to master any keys or macro commands on its numpad tenkeyless layout through VIA, it has included LSA (low profile spherical-angled) profile keycaps for both Windows and macOS, and users can hot-swap with...
www.keychron.com
So this is similar to the Alienware but a bit more compact, if you like the layout I would suggest the one with RGB+Hotswap Red switches. Dont get optical switches, you end up with fewer choices if you want to switch in the future.
Keychron K17 Pro is an ultra-slim wireless custom mechanical keyboard that allows anyone to master any keys or macro commands on its 96% layout through VIA, it has included LSA (low profile spherical-angled) profile keycaps for both Windows and macOS, and users can hot-swap with Gateron...
www.keychron.com
This is the keyboard I showed on top of my laptop. Its my travel board as it fixes all the issues I have with my work laptop. I have the version with clicky blue keys but for you I would again suggest RGB + Hotswap Mechanical Reds.
NuPhy is the industry's leading designer and producer of mechanical keyboards for office or gaming uses, working for Mac, Windows, iOS and Android.
nuphy.com
I have not tested this one, but its a very similar layout to the Alienware its low profile, you can get mechanical red switches, and like the Keychron its QMK/VIA compatible so there is no crappy OEM propitary software. With the Aloe or Cowberry it should feel similar, the Aloe is a much softer switch, or the Gateron Red's.
what about them, its a deep deep deep rabbit hole, but we can go down it if you have something in mind? All 3 keyboards I linked to come with caps so you dont have to buy any right away.
can you link to your specific generation of Alienware laptop so we can compare the keyboard.
Selecting the "Perfect" keyboard:
1. Size, how many keys do you want, and what is your preferred layout? There are lots of other layouts but these are some common ones:
2. Key Press: can you describe what you like about the Alienware keyboard?
a. Do the keys activate as soon as you start pressing they key, or does it activate at the bottom of the key press, or is the activation point somewhere in the middle?
b. How do the key presses feel? Are they smooth from beginning to end of the press (linear), do they increase in resistance to a single point and then release (tactile/bump), or is there a audible click and release like a keyboard from the 1990's?
c. how deep do the key presses feel before they bottom out? or if you can measure the difference between a pressed key and an unpressed key is it like a 1/4", less?
3. Connection type, USBc, 2.4ghz, Blutooth? Do you want a battery/wireless?
4. Software, are you wanting something you can custom program and build macros, do you want total control where you can load custom firmware?
4. Lighting, do you want RGB, white, other single color?
5. Key type, there are lots of different key profiles, the most common are called OEM and Cherry, but do you want something specific like low profile/chicklet styles? Do you want to customize your keyboard to match your style, or interests?
O you know, normal geek who is into far to many hobbies. I game, build 3d printers, design 3d printable parts and tools, build keyboards, home lab, do wood working, home construction, networking, fiber optics, boy scouts... Im sure there is more but yeah I like a good quality keyboard and I enjoy building them.
I didn't realize there were so many options. I am a little over whelmed. Is there anything on the less expensive side of things? I know, I picked the wrong hobby for that.
I didn't realize there were so many options. I am a little over whelmed. Is there anything on the less expensive side of things? I know, I picked the wrong hobby for that.
its easy to do, honestly the Keychron for the price is a hell of a buy, its hot swap meaning you can replace the switches if you dont like them, and same with the key caps. I would strongly suggest buying the K17 Pro unless you really like they layout of the NuPhy Air 96 (I prefer that layout personally) The NuPhy is a bit more expensive, and I cant vouch for its quality while I can for the Keychron.
Both come with caps and switches, and again as long as you get Linear switches it should be very similar to your Alienware laptop. Then in 6months to a year when your ready for a change we can swap out caps or switches and you can try something new, without having to buy a whole new keyboard.
Keyboards dont get much cheaper unless you give up things like hot swap, quality key caps, rgb, and universal software. Something like a Redragon will tick most boxes but the RGB wont be fully customizable in software, they switches will be garbage, and it will be made from ABS plastic which some people like, but I find it turns shiny and greasy while PBT holds its feel and texture much better.
its easy to do, honestly the Keychron for the price is a hell of a buy, its hot swap meaning you can replace the switches if you dont like them, and same with the key caps. I would strongly suggest buying the K17 Pro unless you really like they layout of the NuPhy Air 96 (I prefer that layout personally) The NuPhy is a bit more expensive, and I cant vouch for its quality while I can for the Keychron.
Both come with caps and switches, and again as long as you get Linear switches it should be very similar to your Alienware laptop. Then in 6months to a year when your ready for a change we can swap out caps or switches and you can try something new, without having to buy a whole new keyboard.
Keyboards dont get much cheaper unless you give up things like hot swap, quality key caps, rgb, and universal software. Something like a Redragon will tick most boxes but the RGB wont be fully customizable in software, they switches will be garbage, and it will be made from ABS plastic which some people like, but I find it turns shiny and greasy while PBT holds its feel and texture much better.
Any time, just to help cement your choice, as you saw I have about 10 keyboards, and the 2nd one I bought was my Keychron, and its the one I keep going back to. Its the best for typing, its as close as I can get to full sized without eating up my desk, and with all the mods I have done to it, it looks cool AF IMO.
I hate everything about that board, OEM proprietary software that they can EOL any time they want, proprietary optical switches, not even hotswap optical switches, and the price, for $20 more you could have something that will last a lifetime and probably a coffee spill or two!
I love my K7. You could get a keychron in whatever format you like and safe a bit of money giving up RGB and hot swapping, but then if you don't like the switches you won't be able to change it out. If you're fairly confident in what kind of switch you want, or not picky, then it seems safe to do that if you need to save the money.
Keychron you say? I might have a few, would recommend for sure
All fully modded with sorbothane force break and case lining for antiping, various levels of plate and switch foam plus tape on PCB.
Q6 in silver with FR4 plate, Designer Studio White Jade switches, MT3 Godspeed caps, Owlstabs v2
K10 with PC plate, Healio v2 switches, Zeal plate stabs, Epomaker silicone keycaps
Q6 in blue with PC plate, Epomaker Iceberg Silent White (Haimu Heartbeat recolors) switches, Owlstabs v2, Epomaker silicone caps
Q6 in silver with FR4 plate, Designer Studio White Jade switches, TX stabs, GMK Laser caps
K10 painted with custom mixed spray paint in the Noctua Pantone codes, steel plate painted as well, Haimu Heartbeat switches, Zeal plate stabs, Drop/Noctua caps
Q6 SE in purple, POM plate, switches assembled from JWK Black Lotus and Chosfox Hanami Dango for green/purple bling, TX stabs, GMK Zooted caps
Q6 SE in purple with PC plate I custom painted with Tamiya neon green, diamond polished, lubed, filmed, broken in Shogoki switches, Durock v2 stabs, GMK Mecha caps.
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