cyclone3d wrote on 2022-04-25, 21:06:
In the search for a keyboard that would be useable for both XT and AT systems, I have always wanted something with Cherry MX switches.
They certainly exist - but why? why MX switches?
Cherry switches stand out purely for the fact they have become the de-facto keycap standard. They are not superior in pretty much any other metric - for typing almost all buckling springs beat them, and Alps aficionados consider their choice vastly superior. For gaming, you want NKRO, which means capacitive technology or huge numbers of diodes as a kludge. I like Model F, but even BTC foam & foil is superior to most MX boards in that respect.
The search has been futile until today when I discovered that there are a few models out there that have what I have been looking for.
Certainly. Most Cherry G80-1000 boards have the XT/AT switch you want (generally with MX Black switches)
I will post more info once I acquire one.
What features would a keyboard need to have in order for you to deem it as the ultimate retro keyboard?
I have a LOT of keyboards, both retro and modern, and I still haven't settled on the perfect one yet.
Personally I like ISO layout, I tolerate ANSI and I can't stand big-ass enter combined with narrow backspace (big-ass with normal width backspace is OK-ish). That sort of limits options. For typing I still can't beat my 1991 ISO model M, but that's mainly because I learned to type on one in the late 1980s/early 1990s. For gaming though the 2KRO is awful. Also, for work (conf calls), the noise level of buckling springs (or indeed clicky Alps/MX) is too high. I like my 1986 model F122 Battleship, but it's so huge and loud it's not practical. I have a BTC foam and foil, but it's almost as bad as a Cherry MY in terms of key feel. I have a pile of Alps tactile boards (SGI & Dell bigfoot, Apple Extended etc), but I find the switches much too scratchy, and all ANSI. Even a NOS Mathias board with their white switches is too scratchy for my tastes (and is the single loudest board I ever had, even the F122 is quieter). Same goes for a NOS Acer switch board, albeit quiet (Alps black clone, more or less). No, still need to find the ideal retro board. And indeed modern one - although I have a Ducky chassis I intend to solder Outemu Silent Forest switches onto. Am optimistic that will be sort of OK, but still ANSI and not even remotely vintage.
And no, using vintage keycaps (which I have, lots of nice dye sub Cherry stuff) isn't an option due to different space bar and modifier key sizes :'(
But if I had to list pure reqs:
- 102-key ISO layout (105-key with Windows keys acceptable)
- totally non-scratchy switches (which disqualifies any Alps version I've yet to see)
- quiet but tactile
- actuation force around 64g
- somewhere between Cherry and SA profile, definitely no higher than SA.
- keycaps heavy and preferably sculpted; preferably PBT, but not totally ruling out ABS (what is good enough for Dolch is good enough for me)
- either dye sublimated, laser etched or double-shot, no printed pads
Don't give a flying flatulence about what is printed on the keys, I type blind and actively prefer keyboards others can't figure out how to use 😉
(only use US layout though, my SO does things like left-handed Dvorak, but she's no keyboard fan and actively likes the rubber dome I gave her...)