Hello I'm new here, looking at getting a typewriter style keyboard.

[whm1974]

Hell my name is Bill, and I've been lurking for a few weeks now and decided to do my first post. As the subject line says, I'm looking a typewriter style keyboard and it's the AZIO MK-RETRO keyboard:
http://www.aziocorp.com/webe/html/produ ... px?num=139

Anyone have this or at least played with one? I'm plan on getting this as an award to myself for cutting my soda consumption in half for two weeks. If this matters I use Manjaro Linux.

Thanks.

[y11971alex]

This is literally called a typewriter style keyboard.

[whm1974]

Ha Ha, you are funny. I forgot to mention that my current keyboard is the SolidTek ASK-6600C which I've using for about four years now. It's OK for the ~$50 I paid for it, but I'm wanting something with a more tactile feel to it.

[Mattr567]

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/ is your friend.

Model F is the best for feel and sound if you mind the Beamspring size and layout. Model M if you can't afford but not nearly as superior.

[whm1974]

https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/ is your friend.

Model F is the best for feel and sound if you mind the Beamspring size and layout. Model M if you can't afford but not nearly as superior.

Since I game as well, I need something with at least 6 key roll over.

[y11971alex]

Ha Ha, you are funny. I forgot to mention that my current keyboard is the SolidTek ASK-6600C which I've using for about four years now. It's OK for the ~$50 I paid for it, but I'm wanting something with a more tactile feel to it.

I'm not being funny. That thing is actually called a "typewriter style keyboard", verbatim. It is its very name.

And it has NKRO so you can ditch your lowly 6KRO standard.

[whm1974]

Ha Ha, you are funny. I forgot to mention that my current keyboard is the SolidTek ASK-6600C which I've using for about four years now. It's OK for the ~$50 I paid for it, but I'm wanting something with a more tactile feel to it.

I'm not being funny. That thing is actually called a "typewriter style keyboard", verbatim. It is its very name.

And it has NKRO so you can ditch your lowly 6KRO standard.

For a modern PC? For real? Real strange looking.

[y11971alex]

Yes, on a modern PC, for real.

[codemonkeymike]

If a few hundred dollar, a couple dozen hours of free time, are fine with loud clicking, and dont mind the archaic layout then yah its probably the best choice. But its not the best choice because he said he would like to play games using his keyboard and a beamspring is probably one of the worst choices from the sculpted caps to the really long key travel.

[whm1974]

If a few hundred dollar, a couple dozen hours of free time, are fine with loud clicking, and dont mind the archaic layout then yah its probably the best choice. But its not the best choice because he said he would like to play games using his keyboard and a beamspring is probably one of the worst choices from the sculpted caps to the really long key travel.

Yeah and with the strange layout I will find it hard to type. Besides the AZIO is only $100 as well.

[randomist]

You'd be better off getter something like a Ducky or Filco and switching the key caps to some you like the look of. That Azio is just a generic board with a key cap set and what looks like a poor solution for height adjustment. The same one is also sold under the Nanoxia brand. The exact same keycaps are on ebay right now for $30: "Magicforce Retro Typewriter Keycaps Set." They're pad printed ABS that is then chrome plated on the edges, I wouldn't expect the chrome plating to last forever.

[2ZQ]

Reddit advice threads are seeping in. Fuck that keyboard in its stupid ass. It is not typewriter style nor worth the change spent. Buy a cash register.. Buy a typewriter. But dont buy that piece of shit unless you steampunk rave.

Long week.

This was the last safe haven for keyboards...

[Chyros]

There are no keyboards that are like typewriters. When you try them out you realise the only thing they have in common in QWERTY and that's honestly about it xD .

[whm1974]

There are no keyboards that are like typewriters. When you try them out you realise the only thing they have in common in QWERTY and that's honestly about it xD .

Well I like the looks of it and it looks neat. However as always I look for functionality first, looks second. TBH I am think of getting something with Cherry MX Clears. But I'm a noob when it comes to mechanical keyboards.

[Chyros]

There are no keyboards that are like typewriters. When you try them out you realise the only thing they have in common in QWERTY and that's honestly about it xD .

Well I like the looks of it and it looks neat. However as always I look for functionality first, looks second. TBH I am think of getting something with Cherry MX Clears. But I'm a noob when it comes to mechanical keyboards.

MX clears are a very specialist switch, they're not really for mainstream use - although some people swear by them. If you can, find a shop and try out a few different keyboards to get a feel yourself.

Typewriters are so different though. I honestly think operating levers has more in common with writing on a typewriter than typing on a keyboard does.

[whm1974]

I will likely order the AZIO sometime this week. I'll post a review of it if you guys want one. How long should I use it before posting the review?

[Laser]

That keyboard (and the keycaps, especially) is only a commercial gimmick. But, as I see it, you will probably have to spend your own money to find that out.

[just_add_coffee]

Hell my name is Bill, and I've been lurking for a few weeks now and decided to do my first post. As the subject line says, I'm looking a typewriter style keyboard and it's the AZIO MK-RETRO keyboard:
http://www.aziocorp.com/webe/html/produ ... px?num=139

Anyone have this or at least played with one? I'm plan on getting this as an award to myself for cutting my soda consumption in half for two weeks. If this matters I use Manjaro Linux.

Thanks.

My 2 cents ...

Ain't nothing wrong with that keyboard as far as I can tell. The screw-adjustable feet is a nice feature that isn't very common. That said, similar keycaps are available separately (Chinese knockoffs on Ebay, MassDrop from time to time, and elsewhere), so you're not locked into this board.

Speaking of which, I love old keyboards and I'm typing this on a Model F AT. BUT, if you think you might change keycaps from time to time, you'll want to stick with MX Cherry compatible switches. The choices for IBM/Unicomp buckling springs keysets are stock or the mediocre offerings from Unicomp. Dasher/Dancer ... Borealis ... Granite ... that cool Jelly Key you saw somewhere ... shit out of luck.

Finally, take Chyros' advice and go somewhere where you can try typing on several different switch types. Alternatively, you could purchase a pre-made switch tester on Ebay, /r/mechmarket, etc., to get the feel of a single switch. But that's not the same as typing and a single switch probably can't give you a fair assessment of what it's like to type on an entire board of that switch type.

Edit: One last thing ... If you hang around boards like these for a while, this keyboard that you get won't be your last. Four or five months ago, I lurked on a mechanical keyboard forum with my Microsoft Ergonomic 4000 and Unicomp classic. I now own seven boards and sold two others recently. This stuff is contagious!

[Sigmoid]

I really don't think these Enigma machine-style keys are a good idea. That is, unless, if you aren't expecting to actually use them too much.

There's a world of difference between "retro" and "obsolete". This key style was created in a day when people were just starting to figure out what a keyboard even is. It was the next step from having an actual piano keyboard on the telegraph stations, printed with letters and numbers.

Of course, "do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law" (-Aleister Crowley), but I doubt this is the best use of your money, unless you very specifically want this look.

[whm1974]

Yeah I'm kinda worried about starting a keyboard collection as I live in a SRO apartment. But I do want this look.

[randomist]

The look is easy, there are plenty of keycap sets around, especially if you're using an ANSI layout. The exact keycap set that is used on that board is available on ebay, but there are also much better sets with a similar look. They will work on most MX compatible keyboards, including those Cooler Master boards that had Topre switches with MX compatible stems.

The feel and quality of the experience of the keyboard is a completely different matter.

[whm1974]

The look is easy, there are plenty of keycap sets around, especially if you're using an ANSI layout. The exact keycap set that is used on that board is available on ebay, but there are also much better sets with a similar look. They will work on most MX compatible keyboards, including those Cooler Master boards that had Topre switches with MX compatible stems.

The feel and quality of the experience of the keyboard is a completely different matter.

Well I was thinking of buying a set of typewriter keycaps from Datamancer and buying a fairly decent keyboard and swap the caps. However that would be a big chunk of money right now for me. Maybe I'll do that in the future?

[randomist]

My priority would be to get the decent keyboard and wait for the keycaps if that makes it more manageable. It's less of an outlay overall if you can wait a while for the look you want. There are cheaper mech boards that might fit the bill too, without sacrificing too much quality. You could look at the Noppoo Lolita Spyder with Kailh switches, for example.

[whm1974]

My priority would be to get the decent keyboard and wait for the keycaps if that makes it more manageable. It's less of an outlay overall if you can wait a while for the look you want. There are cheaper mech boards that might fit the bill too, without sacrificing too much quality. You could look at the Noppoo Lolita Spyder with Kailh switches, for example.

I'm not sure I want a TKL keyboard, but I was wondering if I could get by without a Numpad.

[Menuhin]

Perhaps save a bit more and get the real creations of this suicide artist, it actually costs similar to a custom Korean keyboard.

Spoiler:

And pair it with a retro mouse

However, reviews of users about the Taiwan Typewriter style key caps said that their fingers got 'stuck' in between the caps quite often.

[Sigmoid]

I'm not sure I want a TKL keyboard, but I was wondering if I could get by without a Numpad.

Yea, TKL is for the birds (and weird gamer types). I never understood the logic behind getting rid of a useful part of the keyboard (the numpad), and yet still leaving on the part that is completely useless, and still takes up the same space (the so-called "nav cluster").

My personal favorites are tenkey boards (ie. no nav cluster) and 60%...

[Menuhin]

I'm not sure I want a TKL keyboard, but I was wondering if I could get by without a Numpad.

Yea, TKL is for the birds (and weird gamer types). I never understood the logic behind getting rid of a useful part of the keyboard (the numpad), and yet still leaving on the part that is completely useless, and still takes up the same space (the so-called "nav cluster").

My personal favorites are tenkey boards (ie. no nav cluster) and 60%...

The mouse was introduced after the GUI had become popular, and before that mainstream keyboard designs already have the nav cluster and the numpad on the RHS - as in the past computer users needed the nav cluster to move around the interface. Nowadays, everyone uses a computer mouse (or a trackball) I presume and usually with their right hand. The added distance between the user and the mouse is not good for the shoulder.
http://leamington-osteopaths.co.uk/inde ... e-shoulder
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonom ... blems.html

Solutions:
1. Use the mouse with the left hand.
2. Use a Trackpoint as pointing device.
3. Use a shorter keyboard (60%-75%) to reduce reaching distance to the mouse.
4. Move the nav cluster / numpad to LHS of the keyboard.

Spoiler:

[shreebles]

5. Use mouse in front of keyboard

^ this is another idea, something I do when forced to use a full-size keyboard ^
Wireless mouse recommended for best results

[Phenix]

Use an Rollermouse and pair it with an F122 or even better kbdfr's somewhat 40x8u battlestation

[randomist]

The numpad I only find useful occassionally when I have a lot of number entry to do at once. Even when writing numerical simulations I've found that getting the mouse closer to my left hand outweighs the numpad's usefulness because its just more comfortable. The arrow keys I could definately dispense with or have on an Fn layer, but I like direct access to Del, Home, and End in the locations I'm used to. I have a Ducky mini, which I like, but it gets swapped with a Filco full size periodically on my 2nd machine, while my Filco TKL lives on my main number cruncher and gets used by far the most. I do want a seperate mechanical numpad that I can put on the right side of my mouse with a TKL or occassional 60% and have the best of all worlds.