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 never ever had a mechanical keyboard

are they worth it, and if so, which ones would you recommend? 
 fuck yes, they're so good.

go to the shop and try out different switches before you buy though, it's all preference

also don't buy razer, it will break instantly 

get Logitech or steel series probably, used em both and can recommend  
 i prefer not to speak about razer...

heard lots of good stuff about logitech ones from irl frens 
 I finally got one this year. i like it, but each person is different for how much pressure response they want and click type.

i use this one i got from amazon

Keychron C2 Full Size Wired Mechanical Keyboard for Mac, Hot-swappable, Gateron G Pro Brown Switch, RGB Backlight, 104 Keys ABS keycaps Gaming Keyboard for Windows, USB-C Type-C Braid Cable https://a.co/d/bI47b40 
 I second the comment around the choice is very personal  
 I have the k7. I love it 
 everybody seems to be huge fans of the brown switches, excited to try them out 
 I have blue switches I believe 
 A lot of people start with browns... but something funny happens, after about six months they don't feel "clicky" enough as your fingers get used to the force. I see a lot of people end up with Boba u4T or something with a force range of 42-62g 
 wait, what the hell does force range mean 
 it's a deep rabbit hole but each switch type has an activation force. How hard you have to press to push the key down.

At first the low force ones feel nice because people are used to typing on mushy laptop keebs. As you use mechanicals more I see people like a bit more push  
 hmm, excited to see that

how much would a swap like that cost? 
 Make sure the board you buy is hot swappable. Means you can just pull switches in and out.

The switch packs can run anywhere from $20 to $200+ dollars. 

This is a solid set for a bit over 20. I personally like gazzews u4ts

Akko V3 Cream Blue Pro Keyboard switch
 https://a.co/d/6M0RhfH 
 Pretty much the price of a set of new switches. A hot-swappable keyboard would let you change out the keys easily, otherwise you'd need to solder them off/on 
 I'm a clear/white switch maxi. Clears are better browns and whites are better blues. 
 never even heard of thoss 
 ooh, i like the setup of this and the price also seems reasonable

although i would really really love a differently colour schemed keycaps

how hard would those be to exchange? 
 Easy and can get some good ones from Amazon for 20-30 
 Yeah, the keys pop right off and on like Lego 
 ah heck yeah 
 I like the clicky clacky 
 I have owned 4 and have enjoyed them. If you just want to try one out then a keychron or royal kludge m75 are safe bets to start with... I would avoid the normal peripheral brands. The quality isn't as good.

You'll have to make a few decisions that make it feel very different so I found YouTube reviews helpful before buying

-Size (65%,75%, all the way to full with numpad)
-Switches there are a lot but these are common (red - not super clicky, brown - a bit of a bump but not too loud, blue - super clicky)
-brand
-Wireless/wired 
 what’s with the dial in the upper right corner of the royal kludge m75? 
 If that’s a source selector I’m in. 
 - push down for on off
- push and hold for mode switch (USB, 2.4ghz, 3 Bluetooth) I use it with 3 computers and a tablet
-volume 
 Oh man. Ok.
I know what I have to do 🤓 
 I enjoy it, it's my main keebs. I did replace the switches with gazzews and a key cap set I already had but the ones it came with are decent. 

 
 the youtube reviews are definitely a solid shout

don't care about the brand at all, i am all for good quality, durability and aesthetics 
 Keyboards offer almost endless aesthetic opportunities 😂 
 oh absolutely

i would absolutely love some sleek matte black keycaps 
 Yes!! Matte is a great contrast tool. 

Also for your switches, you can do something like what I posted about earlier - building a board for a friend so I got this sampler to figure out what they like best. $10 usd isn’t terrible https://image.nostr.build/ffffec28345d29a631325f77ee7acd83e50f0ee5c8abcff8054ee140ff829b65.jpg  
 I grabbed a Keychron because it was wireless and less expensive than my others, and I wasn't expecting a lot. It ended up being a pretty nice keyboard. Good bang for the buck, IMO. 
 yes, I recommend the clicky feel without too much sound- Gateron Browns are nice. 

The brands can vary and you can get into a rabbit hole with these things but you can get nice switches on a relatively inexpensive prebuilt 

such as this perhaps 
https://a.co/d/d4Mnlex 
 wonderful, was just thinking about how much sound would the brown ones make, as i can't have it be too loud 
 Brown switches make no sound themselves. The sound comes from the key bottoming out. So if you type softly it's nearly silent.

I've been using a Dad Keyboard with brown switches for over a decade and I love it. 
 Das Keyboard* 🙃 Though it is totally a keyboard a Dad would use. 
 thought childrenless, i identify as a dad in my 50s 
 There's a youtuber called hippyotech that does great sound checks, you can get an idea from there  
 Wait, are mechanical keyboard the standard ones that used to come with the purchase of a basic PC? The ones with the big, boxy keys? 

If so, this post just made me feel really old 🥲 
 ohh, i think those are called membrane keyboards? 
 Nah. membrane is like whats on the Atari 400, or a Coldcard.

The old mechanicals were IBM Model M and built like tanks 
 No, those and most keyboards are membrane. Mechanical keyboards actually have a mechanical mechanism under each key. It changes the amount of pressure is needed to key and a audible and tactile CLICK when you key 
 Theyve got "mechanical switches" under the keys, though the keys can be big and boxy 
 Nuphy Air75 V2 with Cowberry (45gf) Low-Profile Switches. 🤙 
 I like this 
 Click clock ‘nother doc. 
 I’ve been thinking about it, my keyboard works well after 9 years. But, the ASDW keys are completely erased… 
 If you're wondering about mechanical keyboards. This is a thread with good thoughts and questions. 

#grownostr
nostr:nevent1qqsrs9tywmg28ac09tny2cjxxruc6dqlf6cc6q6j99ddwegxg6peamgppemhxue69uhkummn9ekx7mp0qgs9c5yvxn6csehvwdq64ugvcxh496fr9wulskwgzq72tm8j42fm77qrqsqqqqqpldmgn3 
 Ducky one, double shot keycaps, your preference of switch. Great keyboard. 
 You know it’s a good keyboard if each key press results in sparks flying ⚡️ ⚡️⚡️ 
 The OMX-27 is a gem.
Not for your conventionnal typing 😉 🎹

https://llllllll.co/t/omx-27-a-diy-mechanical-key-keyboard-sequencer/41034 
 Totally worth it if you type all day. You'll never look back.
Keychron Q series keyboards are amazing. 
 Keychron seems to be one of the main recommendations in this thread