this post was submitted on 12 Jun 2025
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32
'Gaming' keyboard that isn't mechanical? (lemmy.world)
submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by Sterile_Technique@lemmy.world to c/asklemmy@lemmy.world
21 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Heresy, right? I've had a mechanical for the last couple of years, and while it's served me well enough, I still don't like the feel or clickety-clack compared to a membrane switch - and my current one is the Razer Blackwidow Stealth w/ rubber o-rings added to the base of each key, which I think is as non-clackety as a mechanical gets.

Anyway, the Blackwidow is starting to have issues - F5 key died months ago, and lately it's been doing this annoying thing where I press a key and it registers the downstroke, but not the release, of the Tab and D keys until I pull it from its USB port and reinsert. It's time.

...but the initial search for a replacement all I'm seeing are either mechanical or mimicking mechanical (like a membrane switch but with the big blocky keys that mechanicals use).

My favorite keyboard 'feel' 100% is an oldschool laptop style keyboard. Like the IBM T60 - flat, light to the touch, and no dead space in between the keys like you see in a lot of today's laptops (the 'island' style... not a fan).

I don't think my entire wish-list exists in a single product, but what I'm after is:

  • That T60 style described above

  • Programmable keys (remap / macros)

  • Corded... unless cordless options have really improved in the last decade or so: I recall a noticeable delay, and constantly running out of battery.

  • Extra keys specifically for binding macros like the Blackwidow

  • Backlight. Low priority, and I don't give a shit about RGB (or aesthetics in general), but it is nice to be able to be able to see which key is which when the room is dark.

...is anything even kind-of like that on the market, or should I just shut up and get another mechanical?

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[–] Kolanaki@pawb.social 10 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

For the key style try looking for "chicklet keys." That's what I've always heard the more laptop-like, flat keys called.

But so many cheap keyboards like what Logitech sells for $10-20 have most everything else you want. Squishy membrane key feel, programmable macro buttons, wired... They're really just not usually lighted and the key roll-over can be quite low.

[–] pheonixdown@sh.itjust.works 8 points 10 months ago (1 children)

If you actually just want a keyboard for typing words with rather than gaming, stop here.

Keyboards weren't designed with gaming in mind, the layout is terrible, from WASD wasting the ability of your pinky and ring finger to totally wasting your thumb, there's a ton of sideways or angled movement that's just a little awkward. Even 4 directional key movement is such a waste, you dedicate the 4 easiest to use keys, but only use 1-2 at a time, and if you do need 2, it costs an extra finger. If you want a key entry device tailor made for gaming, you need to look at the Azeron Cyborg. Each finger has ergonomic access to 5-6 different keys with only slight movement (you could reasonably press 2 at the same time with 1 finger), while the thumb has access to 3 buttons as well as a hall effect thumbstick (map your WASD to this), all bindable however you'd like, including macros. Angles and distances of the device are also highly adjustable, so it can fit YOUR hand.

This kind of device is, in my opinion, as much an improvement over a keyboard as a mouse is over a thumbstick.

Disclaimer: This is an honest review, other than as a happy customer, I'm unaffiliated with the company. This is not intended to replace a keyboard for typing purposes.

[–] Saucepain@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

How much of a learning curve is there with it? Is it actually feasible to type with?

[–] pheonixdown@sh.itjust.works 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I was comfortable in less than a week for gaming, it doesn't have enough keys for typing.

[–] Saucepain@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago

Yeah I figured there weren't enough keys but couldn't tell if there was a workaround using layers or something.

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 8 points 10 months ago (2 children)

My favorite keyboard ‘feel’ 100% is an oldschool laptop style keyboard. Like the IBM T60

You may be looking for the IBM SK-8845 Ultranav USB keyboard. They're long-discontinued, but I see several on Ebay.

Razer Blackwidow Stealth w/ rubber o-rings added to the base of each key, which I think is as non-clackety as a mechanical gets.

It isn't. A web search says this uses Cherry MX Brown switches, which are pretty average in terms of noise. Here are some switches more focused on minimizing noise:

  • Outemu Boba U4 - a quiet switch with a strong tactile bump (MX Browns have a weak tactile bump)
  • Healios v2 - a linear switch (smooth, no bump) designed to be very quiet
  • Cherry MX Silent Red - a quiet linear switch you might actually find in a factory keyboard rather than something custom or DIY

At least two of the three use rubber pads inside to minimize noise.

[–] fefellama@lemmy.zip 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

A web search says this uses Cherry MX Brown switches

Strange, I had the same thought about swapping out the switches and found that OP's keyboard had Razer's Orange Switches (which supposedly are tactile and silent), but maybe that's a newer/different model. Regardless, I second the recommendation to try out some different switches. There's a big different between the feel of linear, tactile, and clicky switches, and if someone doesn't like one, they might still be fine with another type. Clicky switches in particular can be polarizing for their sounds, but linear switches can be as smooth as butter.

[–] Zak@lemmy.world 2 points 10 months ago

I'm not necessarily advising OP to swap keyswitches. I don't think that's a hot-swap keyboard, and they expressed no desire to solder.

I do, however think researching the switches available in factory or built-to-order keyboards could lead to better results. In this case, mimicking the feel of a Thinkpad T60 calls for something with a strong tactile bump and shorter travel than most mechanical keyswitches. O-rings can shorten travel.

I, too like the T60 keyboard enough that I built a Tex Shinobi with Durock Koala switches, which have a strong, early tactile bump that's a lot like the feel of the T60. I don't mind the longer travel or some clacking, so I haven't used any lube or O-rings.

[–] kubok@fedia.io 5 points 10 months ago

A friend of mine bought a gaming keyboard with magnetic switches (which is a new concept to me). That felt comfortable. I sadly forgot which brand or model it was.

That being said, if you have red or yellow switches, your keyboard should not be clicky. Many mechanical keyboards even have swappable swihches, so in theory you should be able to replace the switches on your keyboard with red ones.

[–] Onyxonblack@lemm.ee 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Look at the Periboard-326 wired mini. It's a mesh-chiclet style backlit. I buy 3 of everything usually, backups are always nice, and then years later when you need them, it would be out of stock of course. Anyways, perixx is a German company, and the boards feel great and I use them for gaming no issues.

EDIT: forgot to mention they are priced at $25 or less

[–] Reverendender@sh.itjust.works 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

I'm not entirely clear on the layout you want or the feel or travel distance of the key presses you like, but I am reasonably comfortable that this one checks all your boxes.

https://www.razer.com/gaming-keyboards/razer-ornata-v3-x

EDIT: I would bet dollars to donuts you would love something along these lines if you swapped out the standard keycaps with low profile ones.

https://www.keychron.com/collections/keychron-he-keyboards/products/keychron-k4-he-wireless-magnetic-switch-custom-keyboard

[–] Damn990099@lemmy.world 1 points 10 months ago (1 children)

From what you want if you dont mind building your own keyboard i would recommend getting a: 60% with hot swappable blank (no switches included) w/rgb backlight, and low profile linear switches.

Tldr. Do some research and have fun building something unique for you.

[–] supersquirrel@sopuli.xyz 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

My favorite modern keyboard is the logitech k780