8 ms·

Matias Click Switches: Tactile mechanical keyswitches

46 points by arm 9y ago

tuananh 9y ago
I love matias switches, however my experience with them is terrible. i got replacement twice (3 boards), however, none of them work properly.
- mseidl 9y ago
  I have a keyboard with a mathias silent switches, but I'm replacing it with a Pok3r with browns. I like the browns better.
sz4kerto 9y ago
I have a Matias Ergo Pro. It's a brilliant split keyboard. Great quiet but tactile switches, tenting, etc. But the QC is terrible. The interconnect cable had connection issues, keys are often 'stuck' (not physically, just keeps repeating until I press it again), etc. And the internet is full with complaints. It's a pity, but I would not recommend them right now. (I've sent it back then got a new one with exactly the same issues, then I didn't bother in the end even though I paid more than 200 Euros for it.)
- tuananh 9y ago
  for me, the problem is the key (pressing 1 time resulting in 2 chars, not sure what's the proper term for that)
  - tincholio 9y ago
    key chatter is the term you're looking for. You can usually fix it in your OS keyboard settings (increasing a bit the repeat delay)
    - arm 9y ago
      Yep, also known as key bounce (happens when a key bottoms out and bounces up slightly which results in an unwanted key repeat).
    - userbinator 9y ago
      If it's insufficient debouncing in the hardware, then something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FilterKeys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FilterKeys might help as a workaround, but it's ultimately a hardware problem.
    - tuananh 9y ago
      but it just happens to a single key. i think it's defect rather than os settings
      - swampangel 9y ago
        It is a physical problem with the key. You can fix it by disassembling the key and cleaning the contacts: Original guide - https://imgur.com/a/elAFF#0 https://imgur.com/a/elAFF#0 Thread with context - https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2hjct6/help_opening_a_matias_switch/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2hjct6... However, this is really Matias's problem to resolve. Supposedly the switch or the assembly process has been redesigned to prevent this problem in the newest batch, but I don't know if it's a proven success.
        tuananh 9y ago
        thanks for the tip but i have moved on to other boards. this was a few years back.
      - tincholio 9y ago
        It is a defect, but you can work around it by using those settings.
- monsieurbanana 9y ago
  Paid 150 euros for mine (matias silent something), was faulty (some keys would either not record a press, or record twice), asked for a replacement. Replacement had the same problem. 150 euros thrown. Otherwise an awesome keyboard, that I'll never recommend to anyone.
- kgtm 9y ago
  I echo this. When my TKL KBParadise with Matias Quiet Click switches started misbehaving I was quite disappointed to find out that chatter is a common defect of Matias switches. Don't like the stabilizers either. Should have stuck with Cherry MX Browns, by far my favorite switch.
- FranOntanaya 9y ago
  Same here. Even soldering and replacing switches couldn't keep it going. The switches had a thin metal contact that has to bend to close the circuit and it'd just break after little use.
- arnvald 9y ago
  Unfortunately I've had the same experience. 1st keyboard: connectivity issues after 2 months, got replacement 2nd keyboard: some keys (4-5 letters) detected two presses when I pressed a button, got replacement 3rd keyboard: same issue as 2nd one, with different keys. Then I gave up and switched back to my old keyboard.
- Nexxxeh 9y ago
  There's very possible still some value in the keyboard. Someone over at /r/Mechanicalkeyboards would certainly take a look. It might be a matter of removing the current controller chip and putting in something custom. Or removing the switches and using them in a new design. They've put more effort into less.
- jseliger 9y ago
  But the QC is terrible. The interconnect cable had connection issues, keys are often 'stuck' (not physically, just keeps repeating until I press it again), etc. Ages ago I had a Matias keyboard: https://jakeseliger.com/2007/10/18/product-review-matias-tactile-pro-2 https://jakeseliger.com/2007/10/18/product-review-matias-tac... Never again.
- castillar76 9y ago
  I had exactly the same problem with the Ergo Pro, with exactly the same resolution: within a year, it was simply untenable to continue using it due to repetitive key issues. It's a shame, because I actually liked the feel of their keyswitches, but it was starting to drive me nuts the number of times I'd have to correct something, to say nothing of the number of mangled vi and zsh commands that resulted from a stuck "r" or "t". I really liked the split layout, though, and going back to a tenkeyless non-split keyboard started to bug my wrists. Fortunately, Kinesis now has a split keyboard that uses genuine CherryMX switches, and it's been terrific: the combination of a split, adjustable keyboard with actual mechanical switches has finally made my wrists and fingers happy.
Pingk 9y ago
I have a Matias Quiet Pro Mini (2016) and it's by far the most comfortable mech I've tried (Cherry brown, red, blue and black. Would like to try clear and green). From what I've heard their QC has improved over the past couple of years, and I've not had any problems with mine. They're also working on PBT keycaps which should arrive in a few months. The dream would be a Planck or Preonic with Matias switches...
- zaarn 9y ago
  I do recommend trying Clears. I have a natural heavy typing, I do hammer keys with extreme force if they have any more way than cheap rubberdome keyboards. The clears are very nice to type on though I wish I would have had a chance to try the superblacks. I'm looking into ways to increase the force on the switches for a while now, springs have been suggested at some point.
tylerjwilk00 9y ago
This article is lying or perhaps I am misunderstanding. The article states: "Cherry switches are linear — by definition, not tactile. They lack a click leaf, which is required for tactile feedback." I have used and built several mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX Blue switches. They _are_ non-linear and _do_ include a click leaf which gives the Cherry MX Blue [1] its characteristic "bump" feel and click. [1] https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/keyswitches https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/keyswitches
- trampypizza 9y ago
  As a blues-user myself I agree with you. They are both non-linear and include the click leaf. I've found quite a good gif [1] that demonstrates the difference between switches and shows the mechanism in the blue switch. Whilst I don't know if this diagram was produced by Cherry, or another authoritative source, I know that within the Mech community it has been recognised as being entirely accurate. [1] https://i.imgur.com/WWH2M96.gif https://i.imgur.com/WWH2M96.gif
- kw71 9y ago
  They are also not very honest about "Cherry copied our backlighting idea" - all the MX I ever saw have a hole for a 3mm LED, and I'm sure I saw other vendors selling backlit keyboards with MX switches even if Cherry itself was late to this game. I think it's all retarded, and it's not very innovative by itself to replace blue diodes or whatever with multicolor diodes. Whatever will sell to kids eh?
  - orev 9y ago
    Cherry has been around for decades, far longer than the idea of backlit keyboards existed. Obviously at some point that became a thing so they would have added the hole.
    - kw71 9y ago
      Before the backlit keyboards became a thing, the hole was meant for a lamp to shine through a window in the keycap, like caps lock. The first Alps keyboard (Zenith SuperSport) I had actually had a lamp and window on the caps lock key!
jmull 9y ago
I loved my Matias keyboards, but they just did not last. After a while I’d start getting dead keys and double-characters. Pulling the key caps, blowing some air, and putting them back on helps... for a while. Ultimately, it was too frustrating and now I’m back to an un-clacky keyboard :( oh, well.
- sleepybrett 9y ago
  Yeah the Matias Alps clone switches are notorious for accumulating crap inside the switch causing them to need to be cleaned to maintain working order.
jonloldrup 9y ago
Having tendon issues in my wrists, I would love a linear keyboard with gentle push down force. Or at least just gentle push down force. Any suggestions?
- Luc 9y ago
  Kinesis Advantage 2 LF: https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/partners/health-safety/ergonomic-benefits/mechanical-key-switch-comparison/ https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/partners/health-safety/ergonomi...
  - sleepybrett 9y ago
    Has Cherry Red switches. I've been using an advantage for probably going on 20 years at this point, but I'm not going to lie, it took a fair amount of time to adjust to it's non staggered layout (the wells and thumb clusters are easy to get used to, but you have a lot of staggered muscle memory if you touchtype). So if you aren't ready to take the "crazy layout" plunge but want low force switches, MX Reds are really light and really linear. You can even go further and try Cherry Silvers, I believe they are essentially the same (same spring weight, same linear stem) but the actuate at 1mm instead of 2mm (most cherry switches have 4mm of total travel).
- jdietrich 9y ago
  The Gateron Clear switch is the lightest linear switch currently available, with an actuation force of about 30g - half that of a typical membrane key switch and 50% less than the Cherry MX Red linear switch. It's not a particularly popular switch, because it's so light that the weight of your fingers tends to cause accidental keypresses on the home row. Nonetheless, you can buy a KBParadise V60 keyboard with Gateron clears. The Qisan Magicforce 68 is occasionally available with Gateron clear switches. Alternatively, you could buy the keyswitches and build a keyboard to your own specifications using a bare keyboard PCB. http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=248 http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateron-Clear-switch-3-pin-for-mechanical-keyboard-65-90-110-200-pcs-/253338042226 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateron-Clear-switch-3-pin-for-mech... https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=536 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_det...
bovermyer 9y ago
I have two mechanical keyboards. One is a Corsair K70 with Cherry reds that I use for gaming at home. The other is a Velocifire T11 with brown (non-Cherry) switches that I bought for $37 on Amazon, which I use at work. The K70 I've had for at least 5 years now, and it still works flawlessly. The T11 I've had for about a year and a half, and it also works flawlessly.
- ssebastianj 9y ago
  My first (and current) mechanical keyboard was a Corsair K70 non-RGB with Cherry MX Browns. I don't game so I use it mostly for work-related tasks: programming, writing docs, books. I'm quite happy with it so far.
amelius 9y ago
Halfbaked idea: somebody should start a service where you upload a 3d design of a keyboard, including a mapping of keys to keycodes, and they will build the keyboard for you.
- nicwest 9y ago
  so while it's not exactly the all in one service you describe, you can do something similar already: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ to design your layout, then http://builder.swillkb.com/ http://builder.swillkb.com/ to design a layer case, files go to a laser cutting service, then you would need a controller of some sort (commonly something like a https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/), switches, diodes, usb ports, etc. then hand wire everything together. tmk/qmk is more or less a defacto standard in custom keyboard firmware: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware here are some examples of people generating firmware with webtools, I don't know what they use on the backend. https://www.massdrop.com/configurator/ergodox https://www.massdrop.com/configurator/ergodox http://qmk.thevankeyboards.com/ http://qmk.thevankeyboards.com/
- sleepybrett 9y ago
  https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware
rlonstein 9y ago
I've gone through a lot of keyboards. IBM, Unicomp, Sun Type 4 and 5, Apple ALPS with ADB converter, a bunch with various Cherry switches including Filco, Leupold, etc. I had two Matias keyboards, the tactile pro (I think original) and the 2, and while the switches are okay neither held up to daily use with keys that wobbled, cracked plastic, and both suffered from keybounce and had poor NKRO (enough that I noticed it in Emacs). No thanks. I settled on a KUL tenkeyless board with Cherry Green key switches[1] which feel similar to buckling spring and it takes up less deskspace. The caps have worn slick and the printing nearly gone but the feel is still good. [1] https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green
- yla92 9y ago
  Did you manage to try HHKB Topre ?
  - b5 9y ago
    +1 for the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro. I use one. Relatively expensive, but brilliant -- very much my favourite ever switch and keyboard.
    - sleepybrett 9y ago
      Just fancy rubber domes.
  - rlonstein 9y ago
    > Did you manage to try HHKB Topre ? I used a colleague's for part of a day. I didn't like it-- key feel or layout-- which saved me a few hundred dollars. As a bit of a collector, I'll probably get a Realforce eventually.
    - yla92 9y ago
      The layout is a bit awkward at first, mainly due to no arrow keys. I switched to HHKB from Poker 3 (another keyboard with 40% layout). Even then I had a brief amount of hard times adjusting to HHKB. Nowadays, I use both of them at home and office and love them. I heard Realforce are pretty good too!
sleepybrett 9y ago
Matias switches are knockoffs of the classic Alps switches you might find in an older apple, dell or SGI board. However their tacticle is nowhere near as good as classic brown alps. They also have a reputation for collecting dirt, causing them to need to be cleaned to stay in good working order. My suggestion, just go with cherry or their knockoffs unless you really really want to use a classic set of alps keycaps.
tuananh 9y ago
anyone participated in their 60% groupbuy? it's been 4 years but nothing is concrete yet :( https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0 http://matias.ca/60/pc/ http://matias.ca/60/pc/

46 points by arm 9y ago

I love matias switches, however my experience with them is terrible. i got replacement twice (3 boards), however, none of them work properly.

mseidl 9y ago
I have a keyboard with a mathias silent switches, but I'm replacing it with a Pok3r with browns. I like the browns better.

sz4kerto 9y ago

I have a Matias Ergo Pro. It's a brilliant split keyboard. Great quiet but tactile switches, tenting, etc. But the QC is terrible. The interconnect cable had connection issues, keys are often 'stuck' (not physically, just keeps repeating until I press it again), etc. And the internet is full with complaints. It's a pity, but I would not recommend them right now. (I've sent it back then got a new one with exactly the same issues, then I didn't bother in the end even though I paid more than 200 Euros for it.)

tuananh 9y ago
for me, the problem is the key (pressing 1 time resulting in 2 chars, not sure what's the proper term for that)
- tincholio 9y ago
  key chatter is the term you're looking for. You can usually fix it in your OS keyboard settings (increasing a bit the repeat delay)
  - arm 9y ago
    Yep, also known as key bounce (happens when a key bottoms out and bounces up slightly which results in an unwanted key repeat).
  - userbinator 9y ago
    If it's insufficient debouncing in the hardware, then something like https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FilterKeys https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FilterKeys might help as a workaround, but it's ultimately a hardware problem.
  - tuananh 9y ago
    but it just happens to a single key. i think it's defect rather than os settings
    - swampangel 9y ago
      It is a physical problem with the key. You can fix it by disassembling the key and cleaning the contacts: Original guide - https://imgur.com/a/elAFF#0 https://imgur.com/a/elAFF#0 Thread with context - https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2hjct6/help_opening_a_matias_switch/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2hjct6... However, this is really Matias's problem to resolve. Supposedly the switch or the assembly process has been redesigned to prevent this problem in the newest batch, but I don't know if it's a proven success.
      - tuananh 9y ago
        thanks for the tip but i have moved on to other boards. this was a few years back.
    - tincholio 9y ago
      It is a defect, but you can work around it by using those settings.
monsieurbanana 9y ago
Paid 150 euros for mine (matias silent something), was faulty (some keys would either not record a press, or record twice), asked for a replacement. Replacement had the same problem. 150 euros thrown. Otherwise an awesome keyboard, that I'll never recommend to anyone.
kgtm 9y ago
I echo this. When my TKL KBParadise with Matias Quiet Click switches started misbehaving I was quite disappointed to find out that chatter is a common defect of Matias switches. Don't like the stabilizers either. Should have stuck with Cherry MX Browns, by far my favorite switch.
FranOntanaya 9y ago
Same here. Even soldering and replacing switches couldn't keep it going. The switches had a thin metal contact that has to bend to close the circuit and it'd just break after little use.
arnvald 9y ago
Unfortunately I've had the same experience. 1st keyboard: connectivity issues after 2 months, got replacement 2nd keyboard: some keys (4-5 letters) detected two presses when I pressed a button, got replacement 3rd keyboard: same issue as 2nd one, with different keys. Then I gave up and switched back to my old keyboard.
Nexxxeh 9y ago
There's very possible still some value in the keyboard. Someone over at /r/Mechanicalkeyboards would certainly take a look. It might be a matter of removing the current controller chip and putting in something custom. Or removing the switches and using them in a new design. They've put more effort into less.
jseliger 9y ago
But the QC is terrible. The interconnect cable had connection issues, keys are often 'stuck' (not physically, just keeps repeating until I press it again), etc. Ages ago I had a Matias keyboard: https://jakeseliger.com/2007/10/18/product-review-matias-tactile-pro-2 https://jakeseliger.com/2007/10/18/product-review-matias-tac... Never again.
castillar76 9y ago
I had exactly the same problem with the Ergo Pro, with exactly the same resolution: within a year, it was simply untenable to continue using it due to repetitive key issues. It's a shame, because I actually liked the feel of their keyswitches, but it was starting to drive me nuts the number of times I'd have to correct something, to say nothing of the number of mangled vi and zsh commands that resulted from a stuck "r" or "t". I really liked the split layout, though, and going back to a tenkeyless non-split keyboard started to bug my wrists. Fortunately, Kinesis now has a split keyboard that uses genuine CherryMX switches, and it's been terrific: the combination of a split, adjustable keyboard with actual mechanical switches has finally made my wrists and fingers happy.

Pingk 9y ago

I have a Matias Quiet Pro Mini (2016) and it's by far the most comfortable mech I've tried (Cherry brown, red, blue and black. Would like to try clear and green). From what I've heard their QC has improved over the past couple of years, and I've not had any problems with mine. They're also working on PBT keycaps which should arrive in a few months. The dream would be a Planck or Preonic with Matias switches...

zaarn 9y ago
I do recommend trying Clears. I have a natural heavy typing, I do hammer keys with extreme force if they have any more way than cheap rubberdome keyboards. The clears are very nice to type on though I wish I would have had a chance to try the superblacks. I'm looking into ways to increase the force on the switches for a while now, springs have been suggested at some point.

tylerjwilk00 9y ago

This article is lying or perhaps I am misunderstanding. The article states: "Cherry switches are linear — by definition, not tactile. They lack a click leaf, which is required for tactile feedback." I have used and built several mechanical keyboards with Cherry MX Blue switches. They _are_ non-linear and _do_ include a click leaf which gives the Cherry MX Blue [1] its characteristic "bump" feel and click. [1] https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/keyswitches https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/keyswitches

trampypizza 9y ago
As a blues-user myself I agree with you. They are both non-linear and include the click leaf. I've found quite a good gif [1] that demonstrates the difference between switches and shows the mechanism in the blue switch. Whilst I don't know if this diagram was produced by Cherry, or another authoritative source, I know that within the Mech community it has been recognised as being entirely accurate. [1] https://i.imgur.com/WWH2M96.gif https://i.imgur.com/WWH2M96.gif
kw71 9y ago
They are also not very honest about "Cherry copied our backlighting idea" - all the MX I ever saw have a hole for a 3mm LED, and I'm sure I saw other vendors selling backlit keyboards with MX switches even if Cherry itself was late to this game. I think it's all retarded, and it's not very innovative by itself to replace blue diodes or whatever with multicolor diodes. Whatever will sell to kids eh?
- orev 9y ago
  Cherry has been around for decades, far longer than the idea of backlit keyboards existed. Obviously at some point that became a thing so they would have added the hole.
  - kw71 9y ago
    Before the backlit keyboards became a thing, the hole was meant for a lamp to shine through a window in the keycap, like caps lock. The first Alps keyboard (Zenith SuperSport) I had actually had a lamp and window on the caps lock key!

jmull 9y ago

I loved my Matias keyboards, but they just did not last. After a while I’d start getting dead keys and double-characters. Pulling the key caps, blowing some air, and putting them back on helps... for a while. Ultimately, it was too frustrating and now I’m back to an un-clacky keyboard :( oh, well.

sleepybrett 9y ago
Yeah the Matias Alps clone switches are notorious for accumulating crap inside the switch causing them to need to be cleaned to maintain working order.

jonloldrup 9y ago

Having tendon issues in my wrists, I would love a linear keyboard with gentle push down force. Or at least just gentle push down force. Any suggestions?

Luc 9y ago
Kinesis Advantage 2 LF: https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/partners/health-safety/ergonomic-benefits/mechanical-key-switch-comparison/ https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/partners/health-safety/ergonomi...
- sleepybrett 9y ago
  Has Cherry Red switches. I've been using an advantage for probably going on 20 years at this point, but I'm not going to lie, it took a fair amount of time to adjust to it's non staggered layout (the wells and thumb clusters are easy to get used to, but you have a lot of staggered muscle memory if you touchtype). So if you aren't ready to take the "crazy layout" plunge but want low force switches, MX Reds are really light and really linear. You can even go further and try Cherry Silvers, I believe they are essentially the same (same spring weight, same linear stem) but the actuate at 1mm instead of 2mm (most cherry switches have 4mm of total travel).
jdietrich 9y ago
The Gateron Clear switch is the lightest linear switch currently available, with an actuation force of about 30g - half that of a typical membrane key switch and 50% less than the Cherry MX Red linear switch. It's not a particularly popular switch, because it's so light that the weight of your fingers tends to cause accidental keypresses on the home row. Nonetheless, you can buy a KBParadise V60 keyboard with Gateron clears. The Qisan Magicforce 68 is occasionally available with Gateron clear switches. Alternatively, you could buy the keyswitches and build a keyboard to your own specifications using a bare keyboard PCB. http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=248 http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateron-Clear-switch-3-pin-for-mechanical-keyboard-65-90-110-200-pcs-/253338042226 https://www.ebay.com/itm/Gateron-Clear-switch-3-pin-for-mech... https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=536 https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_det...

bovermyer 9y ago

I have two mechanical keyboards. One is a Corsair K70 with Cherry reds that I use for gaming at home. The other is a Velocifire T11 with brown (non-Cherry) switches that I bought for $37 on Amazon, which I use at work. The K70 I've had for at least 5 years now, and it still works flawlessly. The T11 I've had for about a year and a half, and it also works flawlessly.

ssebastianj 9y ago
My first (and current) mechanical keyboard was a Corsair K70 non-RGB with Cherry MX Browns. I don't game so I use it mostly for work-related tasks: programming, writing docs, books. I'm quite happy with it so far.

amelius 9y ago

Halfbaked idea: somebody should start a service where you upload a 3d design of a keyboard, including a mapping of keys to keycodes, and they will build the keyboard for you.

nicwest 9y ago
so while it's not exactly the all in one service you describe, you can do something similar already: http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/ to design your layout, then http://builder.swillkb.com/ http://builder.swillkb.com/ to design a layer case, files go to a laser cutting service, then you would need a controller of some sort (commonly something like a https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/ https://www.pjrc.com/teensy/), switches, diodes, usb ports, etc. then hand wire everything together. tmk/qmk is more or less a defacto standard in custom keyboard firmware: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware here are some examples of people generating firmware with webtools, I don't know what they use on the backend. https://www.massdrop.com/configurator/ergodox https://www.massdrop.com/configurator/ergodox http://qmk.thevankeyboards.com/ http://qmk.thevankeyboards.com/
sleepybrett 9y ago
https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware

rlonstein 9y ago

I've gone through a lot of keyboards. IBM, Unicomp, Sun Type 4 and 5, Apple ALPS with ADB converter, a bunch with various Cherry switches including Filco, Leupold, etc. I had two Matias keyboards, the tactile pro (I think original) and the 2, and while the switches are okay neither held up to daily use with keys that wobbled, cracked plastic, and both suffered from keybounce and had poor NKRO (enough that I noticed it in Emacs). No thanks. I settled on a KUL tenkeyless board with Cherry Green key switches[1] which feel similar to buckling spring and it takes up less deskspace. The caps have worn slick and the printing nearly gone but the feel is still good. [1] https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green https://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green

yla92 9y ago
Did you manage to try HHKB Topre ?
- b5 9y ago
  +1 for the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro. I use one. Relatively expensive, but brilliant -- very much my favourite ever switch and keyboard.
  - sleepybrett 9y ago
    Just fancy rubber domes.
- rlonstein 9y ago
  > Did you manage to try HHKB Topre ? I used a colleague's for part of a day. I didn't like it-- key feel or layout-- which saved me a few hundred dollars. As a bit of a collector, I'll probably get a Realforce eventually.
  - yla92 9y ago
    The layout is a bit awkward at first, mainly due to no arrow keys. I switched to HHKB from Poker 3 (another keyboard with 40% layout). Even then I had a brief amount of hard times adjusting to HHKB. Nowadays, I use both of them at home and office and love them. I heard Realforce are pretty good too!

sleepybrett 9y ago

Matias switches are knockoffs of the classic Alps switches you might find in an older apple, dell or SGI board. However their tacticle is nowhere near as good as classic brown alps. They also have a reputation for collecting dirt, causing them to need to be cleaned to stay in good working order. My suggestion, just go with cherry or their knockoffs unless you really really want to use a classic set of alps keycaps.

tuananh 9y ago

anyone participated in their 60% groupbuy? it's been 4 years but nothing is concrete yet :( https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65528.0 http://matias.ca/60/pc/ http://matias.ca/60/pc/