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CODE (WASD) mechanical keyboards?

JTK Awesome

JTK Awesome

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 26, 2022
299
395
Boston, MA, USA
Keychrons are great but I would like to eventually trade up to higher quality, namely metal chassis and real Cherry switches. For built-in Mac functionality it appears that CODE V3's from WASDkeyboards are the next step. You get a plethora of choices including size (87- or 104-key), key switches (MX Greens among them), and case colors and materials. There are DIP switches to convert from Windows to Mac, as well as Mac-specific replacement keycaps.

8.jpg


Anyone use a CODE keyboard with their Mac? Does it really look (with swapped keycaps) and work like a native MacOS keyboard? Any issues?

Relevant links:


accidentaltechnologist.com

CODE Keyboard - The Best Mac Keyboard - Accidental Technologist

A keyboard to satisfy my needs was hard to find but the CODE keyboard fit the bill very well. This well-built, solid keyboard is very configurable.
accidentaltechnologist.com accidentaltechnologist.com


www.wasdkeyboards.com

Mac Hotkey Media Shortcuts Cherry MX Keycap Set (12 R4 1x1)

Available in various colors.
www.wasdkeyboards.com www.wasdkeyboards.com

www.wasdkeyboards.com

Mac Command and Option Backlit Cherry MX Keycap Set (4 R1 1x1.25)

A set of four backlit Cherry MX keycaps for the command and option keys on your mechanical keyboard. This mod pack is perfect for our CODE keyboards allowing you to swap out the blank and alt keycaps for some Mac specific command and option keys. Keycap
www.wasdkeyboards.com www.wasdkeyboards.com

BTW my old Unicomp Model M is officially no longer usable. In Ventura it keeps triggering Keyboard Assistant, and the built-in Exposé (no longer re-maps to Mission Control) and Dashboard (no longer re-maps to Launchpad) keys no longer function. RIP my beautiful buckling springs; Cherry Greens are a poor substitute.

UW4ZP4A.jpg
 
Last edited:
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I’m looking for a new keyboard—a good one—and would definitely be interested to hear about your experiences.
 
Wheel_D said:
I’m looking for a new keyboard—a good one—and would definitely be interested to hear about your experiences.
Click to expand...
There's a thread here down below discussing Keychron keyboards. In my experience, Keychrons are excellent choices for Mac users for a few reasons:

- On the pre-built models, their included keycaps have macOS F-row icons/legends and function properly (brightness, Exposé, play/pause, volume/mute).
- The included keycaps have appropriate Command and Option keys.
- There's a switch on the back to toggle between Mac and Windows modes (properly remaps position of CMD/OPT & WIN/ALT keys and swaps F-row functions, amongst other things).
- They come preset for Mac out of the box. Nice to see as a Mac user.

There's a ton of different models to fit different budgets and layouts. My only recommendation is to skip the C-series and regular K-series (K Pro-series, V-series and Q/Q Pro-series are excellent choices).

If you're in the US, I suggest buying from Amazon or other local US-based resellers. Otherwise they ship from mainland China, and while shipping to the US isn't outrageous ($20-$30), shipping is super expensive if you need to send something back.

I have several and while there's better to be had, they come at significantly higher prices.
 
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xraydoc said:
There's a thread here down below discussing Keychron keyboards. In my experience, Keychrons are excellent choices for Mac users for a few reasons:

- On the pre-built models, their included keycaps have macOS F-row icons/legends and function properly (brightness, Exposé, play/pause, volume/mute).
- The included keycaps have appropriate Command and Option keys.
- There's a switch on the back to toggle between Mac and Windows modes (properly remaps position of CMD/OPT & WIN/ALT keys and swaps F-row functions, amongst other things).
- They come preset for Mac out of the box. Nice to see as a Mac user.

There's a ton of different models to fit different budgets and layouts. My only recommendation is to skip the C-series and regular K-series (K Pro-series, V-series and Q/Q Pro-series are excellent choices).

If you're in the US, I suggest buying from Amazon or other local US-based resellers. Otherwise they ship from mainland China, and while shipping to the US isn't outrageous ($20-$30), shipping is super expensive if you need to send something back.
Click to expand...

Very good to know--thanks!

xraydoc said:
[W]hile there's better to be had, they come at significantly higher prices.
Click to expand...

What options do you like best? I know @JTK Awesome was enthusiastic about WASD, but some Amazon customers reported disappointment with the quality of the keyboards they received.
 
Wheel_D said:
What options do you like best? I know @JTK Awesome was enthusiastic about WASD, but some Amazon customers reported disappointment with the quality of the keyboards they received.
Click to expand...
Personally, the most expensive ones I have are from the Keychron Q series. Between a $200 barebones keyboard, $65 for quality switches, and $80 for quality keycaps (plus various shipping costs), I'm satisfied that the investment will be sufficient. Beyond that, I (personally) feel the costs above that bring diminishing returns. Clearly there are plenty of people who don't have a problem investing over $400 in a keyboard, but I think that's quite enough for me.

I don't mind paying for the BMW of keyboards, but I'm not interested in a Ferrari.

All that said, I'll put two of my keyboards up against any under $500 and I believe they'll come out strong.

One is a silver Q1 version 1 with Kaihl Box Navy switches, tuned stabs (still the stock ones, but removed, re-lubed and reattached) and the Keychron OSA keycaps (I actually really like them -- like SA profile only much shorter). The case has been modified with additional poron foam and a force-break mod. And there's two layers of painters tape on the back of the PCB. Since the larger Keychron OSA keycaps sounded a little hollow (especially the stabilized keys backspace, enter and spacebar), I've filled in the edges of some of them with blue tack poster putty to even out the sound. It's clicky because of the Box Navies, but it sounds like music to my ears and its very consistent across the board without hollowness or ping (not that my 53-year-old ears can hear, anyway). This keyboard is paired with a Q0 Plus numpad with the same Box Navy switches and matching keycaps. Right now they're on my work-from-home PC. I can probably type the fastest and most accurately on this keyboard as compared to my others.

The other beauty is a black Q12 with lubed Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switches and a set of PBTFans Cherry profile WOB keycaps. Stabs have also been re-lubed and the case has a force-break mod. The PCB came with a sheet of tape on it from the factory, so I left it intact. No additional case foam has been added (didn't want to disrupt the nice gasket flex of the board). Sounds "creamy", poppy and medium deep. And the Baby Kangaroo switches are really smooth. The only imperfection is that it has the most minor stab rattle along the left edge of the spacebar, but you can only tell if you're looking for it, and I use my right thumb to hit the spacebar anyway, so I never hear it. Replacing the spacebar stabilizer would probably solve it, but it's really a non-issue, so I've not bothered.

I have a silver Q5 at the office but it hasn't gotten quite the same attention, though it does have Kailh Box Pink switches and an inexpensive set of Cherry profile keycaps. Haven't done anything to the case or the stabs. Will give it more love later this summer. I've got a set of keycaps on pre-order and will decide on some switches in the next few weeks (or maybe I'll just keep the Box Pinks as I have a soft spot for clicky switches).

I have a couple Keychron V-series keyboards, but those are inexpensive enough that I can just kind of play with them as toys and try out different caps and switches for fun and I don't feel too bad if they don't get much use. My son is currently painting one to look like walnut wood grain.

I did win a black Q2 on eBay over the weekend (price was decent) so we'll have to see what to do with it. I'll probably build it out for my Mac. Ordered a set of switches but everything is still in the mail.
 
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@xraydoc - Oh, I see. I thought you meant that there are nicer alternatives to Keychron, even if the alternatives are pricier.
 
Todd H said:
I own a WASD Mac keyboard. This model in white with Cherry MX Blue switches...


Fantastic keyboard.
Click to expand...
If you like Cherry MX Blue switches, you really should try Kailh Box Jade switches. Or if you like heavy springs, try the Box Navy. You can often find a Kailh switch tester that includes both.
www.amazon.com

YMDK 16 Key Kailh Box Navy Jade Royal Pink Switches Pro Red Shaft Testing Tool Switch Tester (16 Key Box Tester)

Details This link is only switch tester,no keyboard included. 16 Key Box switches (Box tester,SMD compatible) Box Heavy Dark Yellow is linear switches,70g operating force Box Heavy Burnt Orange is tactile not clicky,60g operating force Box Heavy Pale Blue is tactile clicky 60g operating force Bo...
www.amazon.com
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
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