Do you use a mechanical keyboard for coding? Show me your setup!

Publish Date: Oct 19 '19

6 22

I love mechanical keyboards and have loved using my Limited Edition Ducky Shine 3 with MX Browns on my Windows gaming machine, but these days I code on my Macbook. My Ducky has 104 keys and the aluminium frame is large and heavy, making it inconvenient to travel with.

I'm looking for a smaller and lighter keeb that I can use with Mac-friendly keycaps, but I don't want to buy something that has so few keys that it isn't practical for coding.

If you use a mechanical keyboard for coding on Mac, show me pictures of your setup!

Comments 22 total

Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019

Try the Keychron K1 for traveling... They are making a sleeve for it at some point too they say.

I have one and just bought the K4... Pair them with some summit cables and you've got a pretty sweet set-up...I don't have any pics just dreams 😍
- FabianOct 19, 2019
  
  Hi Stephen! Yeah, the Keychron K4 looks beautiful. I found it just after I made this post, it's preorder for now right?
  
  The K1 looks very fragile, which kinda puts me off but I love how tiny it is. Do you have a K1?
  - Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019
    
    Yeah the k4, i think finished up yesterday.
    
    I have the k1 in 108 let set-up which I regret because it's super well made and I wish I had done with the smaller so I could travel with it. Very sturdy thanks to the aluminum body, you can feel some heft in it but not too much.
    - FabianOct 19, 2019
      
      How are your keys faring? As they're ABS I'd imagine you're getting some shiny/smooth keys by now?
      
      IF you wanted something smaller why did you not go for the K2?
      - Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019
        
        They are going just fine... But I don't use it at work so there's that.
        
        K2 didn't exist when I got the k1... And I want to give the k4 optical switches a try.... And I like having a numpad
        
        FabianOct 19, 2019
        
        Cool. I'm interested in the K2 considering I already have a full 104 key mech.
        
        Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019
        
        I don't think you can go wrong with them... I've you buy one you get an invite to their users fb group and some have customized then even further, and they look pretty cool.
        
        Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019
        
        It's not impossible that I might get that one as well and then sell the ones I don't prefer haha.
        
        FabianOct 19, 2019
        
        The K1 is sold out right now. Which version do you have? I've read there were some issues with earlier versions.
        
        Stephen ChiangOct 19, 2019
        
        I have version 2. No issues luckily.
Evaldas BuinauskasOct 19, 2019

I've got a Razer Blackwidow at work but I'd like to replace it with Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate. Would look badass
- FabianOct 19, 2019
  
  The Das keyboards are nice and clean. Are you using mac?
  
  I currently have a full 104 key keeb, looking for something a little smaller.
  - Evaldas BuinauskasOct 19, 2019
    
    No, we don't use Macs at work.
    
    I do like my current keyboard a lot but it's really built for gaming and it doesn't look professional at work.🤔
    - FabianOct 19, 2019
      
      😂 Yeah Razer has that gamer aesthetic for sure. The best thing about having a keyboard for home is you can have nice loud clicky blue switches if you want.
      
      Ideally I'd like something like a Poker or HHKB, because they are quite minimal and can look professional. I'm just struggling to figure out keycaps for them for mac.
      - Evaldas BuinauskasOct 19, 2019
        
        HHKB looks good. I'm unsure about number pad not being there. But maybe it's alright and I don't need it. Thanks for showing that to me !
        
        FabianOct 19, 2019
        
        No worries! The keyboards without the numpad are very popular in mechanical keyboard groups. They're referred to as 'tenkeyless'. They're compact and look really cool, but not for everyone of course.
        
        If you use reddit the subreddit /r/mechanicalkeyboards is a great resource.
Fulton BrowneOct 19, 2019

I just use my laptop keyboard (witch is really nice), but I am looking to get a das sometime soon.
Vladyslav YakovenkoOct 20, 2019

Keychron K2 in the office, fantastic and way better than my previous Logitech G413
- FabianOct 20, 2019
  
  I'm almost certain I'm going to get one now. The mac specific keys are so good!
  - Stephen ChiangOct 25, 2019
    
    Anyone know what the size comparison is between the K2 and the ducky one 2 mini?
    - Stephen ChiangOct 25, 2019
      
      Found it:
      
      Ducky One 2 Mini: 4.25 x 11.89 x 1.57 (inches), 1.31 lbs.
      
      Keychron K2: 5.08 x 12.48 x 1.52, 1.93 lbs.
Rudraksh KanekarOct 21, 2019

Is TKL good enough for programming or full layout would be better. My current keyboard has TKL and I am comfortable using it. I have never used a full layout keyboard completely. A little insight on the benefit of full layout would be helpful for me. Cheers !! :-D

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Fabian @fsuffieldcode

Do you use a mechanical keyboard for coding? Show me your setup!

Comments 22 total