I’m looking to buy a decent keyboard - nothing ridiculous as I’m not a keyboard enthusiast, but decent enough for regular use. In particular, I’m looking for something…
- tkl or full size, nothing with a non-standard arrow key layout
- Pink or pink and white (or white but cheap enough I can buy keycaps with it)
- Quieter switches and shorter travel are perfered, but not a deal breaker
- Available in Canada
Currently I’m mostly looking at the Razer BlackWidow V3 for $122 CAD. I’m not exactly a Razor fan, but the only competitve option I found was the Ducky One 3 TKL for $171 CAD. I’m sure the quality is better, and the hotswappable switches are very nice, but it lacks the backlight and the media controls while being $50 more expensive.
Is there a better option I’m missing, or a good reason to pick one or the other?
Feel free to disregard this answer if you want. I freely admit it doesn’t really fit what you’re asking, but I don’t have much experience with mechanical keyboards. I’ve only used one, and MY GOD I LOVE IT!!!
It’s not quiet. It’s not backlit. It’s not pink. But here it is anyways.
https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-108-mechanical-keyboard/
And here’s a video review with unboxing
The video review is from a year ago, with the 87 button version. HOWEVER, in December 2024 they released the 108 button version which adds the number pad on the side. This is the version I recommend. It just has such a perfect lap feel to it. One small addition to the 108 version are magnetic flipout feet to help prop up the keyboard if you have it on a flat surface. Something the 87 key version lacked.
Outside of that the 87 key version, and thus everything in the review for that version, also apply to the 108 key version. So you can watch the review, and ignore any complaints about a lack of number keypad, or feet. The 108 version have those. But still get a good idea of what you can expect performance wise from this keyboard.
He also goes into the keyboard sound test. As in, tapping the keys, and giving you an idea of how well they sound with their clickyness.