Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by leshow on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @02:48PM
(#20869798)
You can buy silent switches, they cost about the same as non-silent ones. There's really nothing that special about them.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by kazinator on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @03:28PM
(#20870223)
I want to walk into a store, try some keyboards, and walk out with a silent one.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by leshow on Tuesday September 10, 2019 @09:23PM
(#20935691)
Well that's obviously not going to happen unless you live in a super high population area. There isn't enough people to support a niche market like that. But you can buy them online.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by fuzz4lyfe on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @05:17PM
(#20871274)
Such a store would have so few customers that it would cost $14k for such a keyboard. That same keyboard will go for $100 - $200 online.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by neurotrace on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @02:41PM
(#20869722)
Look in to Cherry MX Silent Red switches. I got a custom board made with those switches for ~$300. You can find cheaper ones but this is a specialty one. The keys are quieter than my mouse buttons and are comfortable to type on.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by kazinator on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @03:31PM
(#20870252)
"I got a custom board made ..."
That's a complete non-starter. I'm not making a custom board for anything not related to guitar. :)
The general market of computer keyboard users is not going to build their own hardware for hundreds of dollars in parts if they just want a silent keyboard; that's practically the same as admitting these things are not available.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by hocuspocus on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @04:00PM
(#20870558)
Just buy a Leopold then. They cost $150-200 shipped from Korea, a bit less if you find a local reseller.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by kevin_thibedeau on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @04:21PM
(#20870766)
The secret is to buy mid-90's NOS IBM keyboards.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by eukaryote31 on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @01:55PM
(#20869182)
Most silent mechanical keyboards are about the same cost as clicky ones.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by kazinator on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @03:54PM
(#20870500)
Great; I'm in Vancouver, Canada; where can I walk into a brick-and-mortar store to try one?
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by billh on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @04:34PM
(#20870877)
Try memoryexpress, it looks like they stock some silent cherry mx switched keyboards.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by PascLeRasc on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @04:29PM
(#20870834)
Memory Express has a pretty good selection, I'd try there.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by kazinator on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @05:28PM
(#20871377)
I was at a ME not long ago; I tried my hands on everything on display; they all make a sound. Some are good about not making a sound when the switch goes down, but the key makes a sound when bouncing back up, if your finger is completely off it. Space bar keys are particularly bad. A keyboard isn't silent if the space bar isn't.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by PascLeRasc on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @06:28PM
(#20871904)
You seem determined to be disappointed so I don't think I can help you. People in the mechanical keyboard community obsess over the sound; what you're asking for is like asking car enthusiasts for a silent car.
Re:Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard
by grp000 on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @06:28PM
(#20871901)
Is there a specific reason you need to buy in person? If you need to get a feel for the switches beforehand, many online retailers have switch samplers for about $15 USD. That being said, those don't cover spacebars.
I've never seen a mechanical keyboard that wasn't loud; let alone silent. (The thread topic is noise, not comfort or usability.)
That doesn't mean they don't exist. Maybe if I rubbed shoulders more with the high society, I might get access to some invitation-only showroom for exotic keyboards where $14K will get you a whisper-silent unit.
I do have one almost absolutely silent keyboard. It's quite awful to type on. Basically it's one of those flexible rubber keyboards for industrial environments, where there are spill and dust hazards. I use it at night, not to disturb anyone. I optimized for sound at the cost of comfort.