Gaming/ Mac Typing Keyboard Suggestions Needed

[groove-agent]

Hello all,

I'm shopping for a keyboard that I can use for rapid touch-typing on my Mac and game with as well. Ideally I'm looking for a relatively compact and silent keyboard with low travel like the Apple Keyboard, but without that blasted function (fn) key at the bottom left. I've tried the Razer Jaro but it is so cramped, my right thumb grazes the right alt key when using the space bar. I've also tried the Razer Deathstalker V2 low profile, but it is relatively too chunky to type quickly on, and loud, especially when you rapidly spank the space bar. I love the features of the Nuphy Air75, but it seems too loud (from Youtube videos). It would drive my wife crazy in the other room, and will likely be heard on my microphone while recording/ streaming.

Logitech has some good keyboards, but they don't have wireless AND wired connectivity. Ideally I'd like to wire to my desktop for gaming and wireless for my Mac.

Anyone have a keyboard they can recommend? Thanks in advance.

 

[Chancha]

NuPhy, Keychron, Lofree

These three brands all have:
1) low profile switches
2) switches are hotswappable so if you want silent you can buy and swap them in
3) tri-mode, meaning wired + wireless 2.4GHz + wireless Bluetooth
4) Mac friendly legends, namely cmd / opt keys, function row secondary prints like brightness and volume

But these are all mechanical keyboards, and as low travel as those switches are, they aren't short to the point of membrane keyboards like the Apple Magic KB / current MacBooks, or even the Butterfly key switches in the 2016/2019 MacBooks. For fast typing there are many preferences and ergonomic differences for each person, but generally travel is not the only consideration. I myself for instance uses a full mechanical keyboard with regular MX switches, but using a long pole (3.4mm) tactile switch with early tactile bump, since I want the strong (60+ gf) feedback while having a moderate amount of travel (full travel is 4mm, low profile is usually 2 to 3mm). In comparison the Magic Keyboard travel is only 1mm, Butterfly is 0.7mm.

 

[maflynn]

I vote for Keychron, there's many options models to choose from and choose different switches and keycaps
Keychron keyboard discussion

 

[groove-agent]

Thanks everyone. I might just see if I can get the Nuphy Air75 and try it and hopefully return it if I hate it. I think sometimes it's better to have separate keyboards for gaming and productivity, but really I like a lightweight mouse for both gaming and productivity, and I like low travel, silent keyboards for both as well but I hate the "fn" key for gaming which is on every Mac keyboard. I guess I could look into remapping the keys on the Mac keyboard but I'd rather buy something that is more practical.

 

[smirking]

Thanks everyone. I might just see if I can get the Nuphy Air75 and try it and hopefully return it if I hate it. I think sometimes it's better to have separate keyboards for gaming and productivity, but really I like a lightweight mouse for both gaming and productivity, and I like low travel, silent keyboards for both as well but I hate the "fn" key for gaming which is on every Mac keyboard. I guess I could look into remapping the keys on the Mac keyboard but I'd rather buy something that is more practical.

I have the HE version of the Air60. It's a really nice low profile keyboard. It was already pretty good out of the box, but I needed to customize it a bit before I wanted to be using it all the time.

That said, buying a keyboard that you may or may not like just to avoid a key that's easy to remap sounds a bit odd. It's not hard to remap that key. It's in Settings > Keyboard > Modifier Keys. I'm not sure why that key being present makes it such a deal breaker for you. Nearly any keyboard that you can buy will have at least one or two keys that you wish were different.

 

[groove-agent]

That said, buying a keyboard that you may or may not like just to avoid a key that's easy to remap sounds a bit odd. It's not hard to remap that key. It's in Settings > Keyboard > Modifier Keys. I'm not sure why that key being present makes it such a deal breaker for you. Nearly any keyboard that you can buy will have at least one or two keys that you wish were different.

It's more of an OCD / perfectionist thing than anything else. It's a key I hardly ever use and don't want it in the modifier key area especially if I have to switch back and forth to/ from a Windows keyboard. When gaming you use modifier keys frequently depending on the game. Plus I'm an older-school Mac guy and the (fn) key wasn't originally in that position on the magic keyboards.

IMO, you'll never find a perfect solution but sometimes when you try a few options, you can find something you'll be happy with. There's only so much you can learn with online reviews and really need to try for yourself.

 

[CharlesShaw]

There's only so much you can learn with online reviews and really need to try for yourself.

I suggest you first explore the mechanical keyboards that are on display at local retailers, if you have any nearby.

My first and last (for the moment) mechanical was the Nuphy Air75 (shipped from the other side of the globe) and I loved it, but it had a swollen battery after the warranty expired and I simply wanted the battery out of my apartment. I removed the screws and took the bottom tray the battery was glued to to a local retailer that accepts batteries and luckily they took it.

 

[smirking]

It's more of an OCD / perfectionist thing than anything else... Plus I'm an older-school Mac guy

LOL, can relate a bit. I'm an expert typist and the most difficult change in my typing setup that I've ever had to endure was getting used to the tactile nub on your keycaps being under your index finger instead of your middle finger on the home row. For years, I would swap keys so the nub would be under my middle finger.

I've done more drastic changes to my typing routine like go ortholinear, adopt chorded shortcuts, use a bowl shaped keyboard, or work on a sub-60% with lots of keys missing... none of those adjustments bothered me much. Those nubs being under the wrong finger though? Uggggghhhh... where are my anxiety drugs?

One day I decided it was time to make a clean break. I got used to it eventually. Now, whenever I get my hands on an old school Apple keyboard that still has the nubs where Apple put them, I have to switch them around.

 

[groove-agent]

LOL, can relate a bit. I'm an expert typist and the most difficult change in my typing setup that I've ever had to endure was getting used to the tactile nub on your keycaps being under your index finger instead of your middle finger on the home row. For years, I would swap keys so the nub would be under my middle finger.

I never realized the nubs were on the middle finger. I've been touch typing since the 80s starting with a mechanical typewriter with an actual carriage return. The nubs on every keyboard I've owned have been on the home keys index finger. That's very interesting.

 

[smirking]

I never realized the nubs were on the middle finger. I've been touch typing since the 80s starting with a mechanical typewriter with an actual carriage return. The nubs on every keyboard I've owned have been on the home keys index finger. That's very interesting.

Yup, if you ever get your hands on a vintage Apple mechanical keyboard, you'll notice the "homing nubs" under the middle fingers. They switched to the index finger like everyone else sometime in the late 90's

Here's an archived Apple post about this:

https://web.archive.org/web/20180811101606/https://support.apple.com/kb/TA34988

I still have an Apple IIe in my collection and it was apparently one of the first to get the homing nubs. Prior to the IIe, I believe Apple keyboards just didn't have any homing nubs.

Since you're a touch typist, try swapping your key caps to experience this. It feels almost creepy. Set a timer to see how long it takes before you swap them back.

 

[groove-agent]

Here's the funny thing. I started typing on a mechanical typewriter (with a carriage return!) which doesn't get any chunkier to type on, with maximum travel distance and force. I'm starting to realize that the ultra slim keyboards are the ideal and most practical thing to type on, or game on for that matter. This could be a personal preference thing, but lets explore the logic...

When we think about being able to type quickly, ideally we want to be efficient in the sense of low finger travel. Think of CPU architecture, particularly how reducing the technology from 5nm to 4nm increases the efficiency of the CPU because signals have less distance to travel. I hope I'm using the analogy correctly and it makes sense.

I also play a few musical instruments as well. When you play guitar for example, you want the string height (string action) as low as possible so it's less effort to fret a note, and you can play faster when needed - especially when fretting many notes over short periods of time. Most guitarists ask for low action when they have their guitars set up. Similarly, when you play a musical keyboard, you can play faster on lower action keyboards than weighted (piano-like) keyboards.

When typing on a Magic Keyboard, the action is only 1mm I believe. When I get on a mechanical keyboard, it often takes more force and travel to activate a keypress. When typing quickly this slows me down. The lower the action, the faster I can type. When gaming, mechanical keyboards might make more sense because clicky keys give you the feedback as to where the activation point is during the key's travel, and you're less likely to false trigger a key while gaming when your fingers relax (I've done this many times). However, when rapidly using the gaming home keys (WASD), lower action/ force means you can change directions/ strafe more responsively. I understand that there is something satisfying about having "chonky" keys, but I wonder if it's more for people who don't necessarily touch type.

Also, there's the noise factor. While streaming, talking on the phone, or working close to someone else the noise can be distracting or an annoyance. Ultra-slim keyboards are the best in this regard as well.

I guess this is why the Magic keyboards are the way they are. Ideally I need to find an ultra-slim keyboard that can go wired/ wireless. The options are very minimal unfortunately.

 

[smirking]

Here's the funny thing. I started typing on a mechanical typewriter (with a carriage return!) which doesn't get any chunkier to type on, with maximum travel distance and force. I'm starting to realize that the ultra slim keyboards are the ideal and most practical thing to type on, or game on for that matter. This could be a personal preference thing, but lets explore the logic.

Same here. I learned to type on a manual typewriter, but honed my skills on an IBM Selectric 2. Partly because of this I've always had a love for mechanical keyboards. The heavier and chonkier, the better. I completely rejected low profile keyboards until I started having persistent pain from repetitive strain injuries in both hands.

I'm pain free today largely due to low profile keyboards, but specifically one low profile keyboard that will get a lot of groans around here. It was the "butterfly" keyboard. Wow did I hate that thing initially, but I really needed a new MBP badly so I learned to live with it.

I eventually learned to love it once I adapted my typing mechanics to be as light as possible. I do understand how many people never get used to it or have aching hands when they use it. It took a lot of effort for me as a 100+ WPM typist to learn the right mechanics to use that keyboard proficiently.

You're probably an expert typist too so it's easy for us to overlook how challenging just basic touch typing is for most people. If you have near perfect mechanics, I'd agree. Low travel (when done right) is the way to go, but most people aren't ever going to come close to near perfect mechanics and because of that I'd say the "ideal" keyboard could be the worst choice for many people.

I guess this is why the Magic keyboards are the way they are. Ideally I need to find an ultra-slim keyboard that can go wired/ wireless. The options are very minimal unfortunately.

I haven't given up on chonky keyboards though. Actually, I've mostly gone back to them and I'm still pain free thanks to having developed a lighter touch from my time on the butterfly keyboard. I've come to appreciate the low profile keyboards I used to revile, but I'm still fond of keebs that remind me a bit of hearing the carriage bell or the thump of the Selectric 2 letter ball.

 

[groove-agent]

I'm pain free today largely due to low profile keyboards, but specifically one low profile keyboard that will get a lot of groans around here. It was the "butterfly" keyboard. Wow did I hate that thing initially, but I really needed a new MBP badly so I learned to live with it.

I couldn't stand the butterfly keyboard at first either but then again, I couldn't stand the latest generation of Apple scissor keyboards at first because they felt too low compared to older Mac low profile keyboards. Had they kept the butterfly keyboards (meaning they weren't prone to failure), I probably would have gotten used to them.

I'm currently trying a Logitech G515 keyboard that has 1.3mm of travel, and I generally satisfied with the typing on it for the most part but the noise is stilly relatively "clocky". I remember gaming with people on voice chat and constantly hearing the clackity-clack of their keyboards which was pretty annoying. Also I feel if long typing sessions would tired my hands. At the moment my right forearm is starting to develop a bit of an ache while typing this but maybe it's a keyboard you just have to get used to.

I might look at the Keychron B1 as well.

 

[transmaster]

I am having some trouble with one of the HE magnetic switches on my Keychron Q3 HE QMK keyboard. I ordered a set of HE switches several months ago, but the order never posted, no doubt due to the tariffs. Checking back, I have discovered Gateron has greatly expanded the line of HE switches. I ordered a set of the Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro Switch, which is an improved version of the Magnetic Jade I have on my Q3 right now. There is also a Max version of the HE Jade switch.

Gateron Magnetic Jade Pro Switch​

GATERON Magnetic Switch

Gateron Magnetic Series

www.gateron.com