96%-98% Keyboard Recommendations

[5ubsonic]

I'm currently using an old Dell QuietKey full size keyboard, which is fine, but it's a bit too big so I'm looking for something smaller.

I use the numerical keypad all the time so I've been looking at 96% keyboards, which sometimes seem to be called 98%. I think they'd be ideal as they look like they're about three keys narrower than a full size, which is all the extra room I need.

Can anyone recommend a decent ~96% keyboard with a UK ISO layout? Ideally sub-£100. I've found a few options but they are either very expensive or have a US keyboard layout. For example, the EPOMAKER x AULA F99 would be perfect but it only seems to come in a US layout.

How do swappable keys work on keyboards? I don't suppose it's possible to swap the keys on a US layout board for UK keys is it? Will the switches beneath not line up (the larger enter key for example)?

 

[jms198]

I found out that epomaker has been banned from Reddit. Bots and not caring about their customers.

You need to look at the maps UK is ISO and US is ansi (?). Basically US has no pound sign and the backslash is ontop of the return which is smaller and the left shift is bigger, pretty sure you cannot swap them.

I would decide on switch type, linear or tactile and go from there. There may be some nice reductions in the sale. Black Friday was ok.

 

[5ubsonic]

I found out that epomaker has been banned from Reddit. Bots and not caring about their customers.

Thanks, that's good to know. I'll avoid them!

You need to look at the maps UK is ISO and US is ansi (?). Basically US has no pound sign and the backslash is ontop of the return which is smaller and the left shift is bigger, pretty sure you cannot swap them.

I've been searching for UK ISO but haven't found a lot in this size. A few no-name keyboards on Aliexpress, a few that get terrible reviews etc. Keychron has a few, some very expensive, a couple sub-£100. Any idea what Keychron are like? What other brands should I be looking at?

I would decide on switch type, linear or tactile and go from there. There may be some nice reductions in the sale. Black Friday was ok.

I'm willing to try anything, but maybe I'd get on best with something similar to a Cherry MX Brown as this seems to be a tactile switch that gets compared to the keys used by the old Dell. Also, I'm willing to wait a bit if there's likely to be sales after Christmas.

 

[kaku]

96% is really not a very popular layout, so that coupled with UK-ISO layout will be niche of a niche.

Not sure if it's still in production, but check out the CoolerMaster QuickFire TK. I really like this board's layout; it does a great job at being compact without compromising numpad or cursor key usage (it's a modified layout on the numpad keys).

Keychron are reasonable for the price, but I would recommend getting something VIA-compatible so you're not relying on them for customisation software.

 

[jms198]

It was too late for me but they had a 60% epomaker for £16 so I got one for a present. The quality control looks atrocious on reddit so it may go back.

There is a couple of glorious boards on here for £120, over budget though.

Keychron does look good, they have sales sometimes but never on UK keyboards that you want! I am no expert but I suspect as the gentleman has said you may need to compromise. Would a separate number pad and a 60% work? Gateron browns need to be the oiled version, my son has the non oiled and they are a bit scratchy. Pc world has quite a poor selection of keyboards these days. No one else on the high street stocks them.