keyboard purchase
I have a 100$ set aside to buy a keyboard. I'm thinking of the the Keychron k8 pro. Any thoughts or recommendations? First time mechanical keyboard so I don't know much. Sorry if I'm not allowed to ask a non tech related question, I'll take it down if it's against the rules.
11 Replies
Keychrons are pretty solid. If you can go into a Best Buy or another store that has some nice keyboards on display and try a few out. Figure out what switch characteristics you like. Tactile, clicky, linear. Weather you like low profile or standard profile keycaps, and any other features you need / want. I personally like low profile tactile switches so I use a Logitech g915 tkl and I enjoyed the keychron k3. The important thing is just to figure out what you like.
I would recommend this one https://www.amazon.com/EPOMAKER-Bluetooth-Mechanical-Keyboard-Budgerigar/dp/B0BMPJCYS5/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=th80&link_code=qs&qid=1681798778&sourceid=Mozilla-search&sr=8-8 as a great option as well
EPOMAKER TH80 Pro 75% Hot Swap RGB 2.4Ghz/Bluetooth 5.0/Wired Mecha...
EPOMAKER TH80 Pro 75% Hot Swap RGB 2.4Ghz/Bluetooth 5.0/Wired Mechanical Keyboard with MDA PBT Keycaps, 4000mah Capacity Battery, Knob Control for Windows/Mac(Theory TH80 Pro, Budgerigar Switch)
+1 on Keychron and Epomaker
both make decent keyboards for your price point
I have a Keychron K2 and I can really recommend it. No problems at all
keychrons are solid. if you pay the extra for replaceable switches, they're a decent base for upgrading in the future as well
i've been using a K12 with Boba U4 switches for about a year now. my only complaint is the stock keycaps are made from cheap plastic and get finger grease shine very fast
$140 for this bad boy 
60%
(dont buy this)
or
60%
(dont buy this)
or
https://www.zsa.io/moonlander over budget but honestly my favorite thing
ZSA Moonlander: Next-gen Ergonomics
An open-source keyboard for serious developers, creative professionals, and people who care deeply about their craft.
Try to decide on the following,
1. Sound - Silent types vs clicky ones
2. Key press feel - tactile vs linear
3. Backlit and keycaps - even when the keyboard has backlit, the keycaps might not allow shine through. Then there are things like north facing/south facing led position.
4. Hot-swappable - is it possible to change the keyswitches
5. Keyboard layout - Personally i like 80% TKL which has the Insert key (on windows and some terminal programs use shift insert for paste)
6. Wireless/Non wireless
I have the CIDOO ABM084 which also has a volume knob. Keychron k8 pro also feels like a good option.
I got the keychron k2 v2 earlier but the layout (75% TKL) feels a bit crammed.
thanks for all of your help, I decided to go with the k8 pro.
It's been a few days and I really enjoy using it
honestly if it was 100-150$ cheaper would have bought it