Choosing Your Keyboard Layout :
Keyboards come in multiple layouts according to your country or area. What is impacted is the placing of alphas (letters), accents and much more.
ANSI : The most common layout which is used in North America and English speaking countries. Qwerty users are for the most part ANSI layouts.
ISO QWERTY : Qwerty layout but with an ISO (Big) enter key
ISO FR : The layout that French speaking countries use the most. (different from Belgium). For AZERTY users.
Other : A lot of countries have a specific layout they use, especially in Europe so if you don’t use any of the above feel free to share which layout you want to use such as ISO ES, ISO DE, ISO BE, …
Keyboard Size
Not only do keyboards come in different layouts but also in different sizes. What is impacted is mostly the number of keys you have and how some are placed. For example 60% keyboards do not have arrows at bottom right but 65% keyboards do !
Interest In RGB Lighting
I would say most custom mechanical keyboards nowadays do not offer a rgb option so it is important for me to know if RGB is a priority for you or not.
Switches Requested
Linear switch : linear, pleasant to use and most appreciated.
Tactile switch : confirms the entry of a key, therefore pleasant for those who write a lot / the sound is more impactful and serious than most linear switches
Clicky switch : if the tactile switch confirms the entry of a key via a vibration, the switch clicky will emit a high-pitched sound for the most part. The clicky switches are very sensitive and easy to use since all it takes is a slight press for the key to start. No need to press the key all the way down.
Silent switch : they are what I call quiet linear switches.
Additional Mods Would You Like To Include ?
Assembling : this includes disassembling the board if it does not come in parts to make the mods easier and then assembling and finishing the building process.
Switch lubing : I open the switches, lube the bottom housing, springs and stems myself and then close back the switches when done. I use Krytox205g0 for linear switches and Trybosys for tactile switches.
Switch filming : When opening the switches to lube them, I insert a switch film before closing the switch. It allows the switch to be secured and does not allow wobbliness. It also impacts the sound.
Stabs prep : consists in lubing and prepping the stabilizers before they go onto the pcb.
Plate switch : some keyboards already come with a switch plate but the default material is not always to your preferences. For example I like to switch the alu plate on the GMMK PRO keyboard for an FR4 or PC one. This consists in opening the keyboard, unscrewing the different parts necessary to access the plate and pcb. Then re-installing the new plate and screwing back together the keyboard so the switches and keycaps can be installed.
Tape Mod : Consists in putting a Tape (safe tape called Painter tape) on the back of the pcb to reduce hollow sounds and have the effect of thocky, more deeper sound. I usually put 3 layers.
Force Break Mod : this consists in putting strings of tape around the keyboard frame (top and bottom) and helps reduce the pingy sounds. Mostly used on Keychron Q1 keyboards.
Spring/stem swap switches : Consists in swapping out the current spring/stem the switch has for another one. It can be for sound or force purposes.
