Keyboards: does what I want exist?

[spacein_vader]

My ancient Saitek Eclipse 2 is finally dying so I need to replace it. Over the past couple of years I was suffering with wrist pain in my right (mouse) hand from long periods at a computer, partially mitigated when my work pc became a laptop. It has been suggested to me that this is because a laptop is ten keyless (no numpads) and so my mouse arm is closer to the left arm.

Given that I thought I'd try a ten keyless keyboard at home but want to keep my Eclipse back lighting. Unfortunately the only things that seem to offer this are mechanical keyboards which tend to be:

1. noisier than membranes (I don't want to be murdered by my better half for a noisy keyboard,)
2. More expensive (I'm not paying more than a 6c/12t processor for a keyboard)
3. Non UK ISO (usually American with the undersized enter key,)
4. Some combo of the above.

Anyone aware of any ten keyless, UK layout keyboards with a back light (doesn't need to be RGB, Led or anything fancy) for £60 or less?

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

There are quieter mechanical keys called MX Silent.

[kalniel]

Tricky. Do you really need the backlight? There are lots of non-backlight membrane keyboards available - the official rasbery pi one for starters.

Otherwise the more quiet of the mechanical small keyboards are things like the CORSAIR K63, ASUS ROG Claymore, Razer BlackWidow Lite, K4 TKL etc. which all are just a smidge above your budget at around £70.

Or play your chances with a no-brand at Amazon - there are plenty.

[MrJim]

There's this one...not cheap, but then it's a Razer...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Razer-Bla...477030&sr=8-16

Description says UK layout, but the picture is not UK, sooo....

[ik9000]

can anyone explain to me wtf the fuss is with mechanical keyboards? my old saitek is going well, albeit losing some of the print on a few of the keys. I'm fairly sure it's not regarded as mechanical, at it seems fine to me. I got it for something like £6-10 off ebuyer back in the day. How on earth do keyboards cost so much these days?

it was one of these (ableit the UK English version) Saitek ACK-201U:



If anyone knows where to get similar these days let me know! (with the 3 sleep, wake, power keys).

[ik9000]

My ancient Saitek Eclipse 2 is finally dying so I need to replace it. Over the past couple of years I was suffering with wrist pain in my right (mouse) hand from long periods at a computer, partially mitigated when my work pc became a laptop. It has been suggested to me that this is because a laptop is ten keyless (no numpads) and so my mouse arm is closer to the left arm.

Given that I thought I'd try a ten keyless keyboard at home but want to keep my Eclipse back lighting. Unfortunately the only things that seem to offer this are mechanical keyboards which tend to be:

1. noisier than membranes (I don't want to be murdered by my better half for a noisy keyboard,)
2. More expensive (I'm not paying more than a 6c/12t processor for a keyboard)
3. Non UK ISO (usually American with the undersized enter key,)
4. Some combo of the above.

Anyone aware of any ten keyless, UK layout keyboards with a back light (doesn't need to be RGB, Led or anything fancy) for £60 or less?

re the wrist pain - do you:
1) have arms on your desk chair - it made a massive difference for me
2) use a mousepad with a wrist support?
3) use a keyboard with similar?
4) have the keyboard flat (don't use the silly lugs to raise the pitch) to reduce stress on the wrists. This was the first thing the OT at work made sure we all did.
5) have the keyboard well-into the desk so it's not on the edge leaving your wrists unsupported.
6) use a mouse of a decent size such that your hand isn't contorting to operate it? Mini mice are fine for the odd on-the-road occasion but should not be your day-to-day workhorse (or workmouse)

In short, are your arms at a normal angle and the hands+wrists supported?

I really doubt the size of keyboard is a factor.

[kalniel]

If anyone knows where to get similar these days let me know! (with the 3 sleep, wake, power keys).

Your task is much easier than the OPs.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sumvision-N.../dp/B00K1DV7US
or cheaper:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sumvision...k/162955692200

Though that has just reminded me. spacein_vader, I may have a saitek eclipse II in my old loft. Once lock down ends I can have a look.

[ik9000]

Your task is much easier than the OPs.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sumvision-N.../dp/B00K1DV7US
or cheaper:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sumvision...k/162955692200

Though that has just reminded me. spacein_vader, I may have a saitek eclipse II in my old loft. Once lock down ends I can have a look.

oh it's almost perfect, but that enter and backspace arrangement is just not going to cut it. I'd ideally have a full size backspace, and the hash in it's proper place!

[spacein_vader]

Wow, so many helpful suggestions and questions, thank you all! I can spend up to around £100 its just convincing myself its not a waste that's tricky. Looks like I may have to then as backlit TKL membrane boards just don't seem to exist.

There are quieter mechanical keys called MX Silent.

I'm looking at those, cheapest that isn't a Chinese no-name (who are mostly out of stock as production in and supply chain from China is challenging at present,) that fits the bill is a Fnatic MiniStreak at £90. It also comes with a quite well reviewed wrist rest which appeals. It's a

Tricky. Do you really need the backlight? There are lots of non-backlight membrane keyboards available - the official rasbery pi one for starters.

Otherwise the more quiet of the mechanical small keyboards are things like the CORSAIR K63, ASUS ROG Claymore, Razer BlackWidow Lite, K4 TKL etc. which all are just a smidge above your budget at around £70.

Or play your chances with a no-brand at Amazon - there are plenty.

Debating a K63 with reds but reviews say they're pretty loud for reds. The ROG Claymore I hadn't seen before, detachable numpads is interesting so I'll definitely do a bit more research into that one and the K4.

Backlight is essential. My gaming 'office' is a mini room through an archway from the main living room. I'm about 8ft behind the living room TV with no door in between. My other half is a TV/movie buff and likes to enjoy them of an evening with the lights off, so me having a light on in here would be counterproductive and I need to see the keys. That positioning is also why I'm looking for quiet.

There's this one...not cheap, but then it's a Razer...

https://smile.amazon.co.uk/Razer-Bla...477030&sr=8-16

Description says UK layout, but the picture is not UK, sooo....

Everyone I know who has bought Razer never has good things to say about durability unfortunately.

re the wrist pain - do you:
1) have arms on your desk chair - it made a massive difference for me
2) use a mousepad with a wrist support?
3) use a keyboard with similar?
4) have the keyboard flat (don't use the silly lugs to raise the pitch) to reduce stress on the wrists. This was the first thing the OT at work made sure we all did.
5) have the keyboard well-into the desk so it's not on the edge leaving your wrists unsupported.
6) use a mouse of a decent size such that your hand isn't contorting to operate it? Mini mice are fine for the odd on-the-road occasion but should not be your day-to-day workhorse (or workmouse)

In short, are your arms at a normal angle and the hands+wrists supported?

I really doubt the size of keyboard is a factor.

1. At work my arms both sit on my chair arms. At home if my left hand is on WASD keys and my right on the mouse one of my arms has to be canted outwards from the arm rest. If I move my mouse hand to where the mouse would be without the numpad both arms are able to rest on the chair without twisting. That's why I want a TKL.
2. No, but I'm looking into those too. Suggestions greatfully received.
3. Yes, the Saitek has one built in and if its replacement doesn't I'll get a standalone.
4. No, but I do now.
5. Yes.
6. Yes, it's a full size mouse.

So far my list is:

Fnatic MiniStreak Pros -wrist rest and MX silent caps, Cons - price,
K63 Pros - cheaper, Cons - No wrist rest, silent caps unavailable, reviews suggest noisy
ROG Claymore Pros - Detachable numpad!, Cons - detachable numpad? Needs more research
K4 - research needed

[ik9000]

1. At work my arms both sit on my chair arms. At home if my left hand is on WASD keys and my right on the mouse one of my arms has to be canted outwards from the arm rest. If I move my mouse hand to where the mouse would be without the numpad both arms are able to rest on the chair without twisting. That's why I want a TKL.
2. No, but I'm looking into those too. Suggestions greatfully received.
3. Yes, the Saitek has one built in and if its replacement doesn't I'll get a standalone.
4. No, but I do now.
5. Yes.
6. Yes, it's a full size mouse.

re 2 an office grade gel pad is what you're looking for.
re 6 does it fill your hand so is supported and the finger tips rest on the buttons naturally? Standard oem cheapies are relatively flat and don't actually lift the palm, the fingers either overshoot the buttons, or you have to pull the hand back, and the wrist drops as a result.

[Spreadie]

My ancient Saitek Eclipse 2 is finally dying so I need to replace it. Over the past couple of years I was suffering with wrist pain in my right (mouse) hand from long periods at a computer, partially mitigated when my work pc became a laptop. It has been suggested to me that this is because a laptop is ten keyless (no numpads) and so my mouse arm is closer to the left arm.

Given that I thought I'd try a ten keyless keyboard at home but want to keep my Eclipse back lighting. Unfortunately the only things that seem to offer this are mechanical keyboards which tend to be:

1. noisier than membranes (I don't want to be murdered by my better half for a noisy keyboard,)
2. More expensive (I'm not paying more than a 6c/12t processor for a keyboard)
3. Non UK ISO (usually American with the undersized enter key,)
4. Some combo of the above.

Anyone aware of any ten keyless, UK layout keyboards with a back light (doesn't need to be RGB, Led or anything fancy) for £60 or less?

1. You can go for Silent key switches, or install o rings and or landing pads on a standard mech board/kepcaps. These do reduce noise, but the switches are still louder than typing on membranes because they don't address the return clack of each key. Topre boards are quiet - they're like posh rubber dome/membrane boards, but they are expensive.

2. Then just buy another rubber dome and live with it?

3. The layout with the undersized entry key is ANSI.

Cheap backlit TKL but ISO not ANSI

This one is ANSI but with a "mechanical feel" - its also waterproof so it likely has a membrane, which usually means quieter operation.

Failing that - Aliexpress is loaded with backlit tenkeyless boards, but you'll have to sift through them to find non-menchanical boards.

[spacein_vader]

re 2 an office grade gel pad is what you're looking for.
re 6 does it fill your hand so is supported and the finger tips rest on the buttons naturally? Standard oem cheapies are relatively flat and don't actually lift the palm, the fingers either overshoot the buttons, or you have to pull the hand back, and the wrist drops as a result.

Thanks for the tip on the gel pad. The mouse is a Steelseries Sensei 310 I won from this fine site. It does support my palm but I suspect a wrist rest will help further.

1. You can go for Silent key switches, or install o rings and or landing pads on a standard mech board/kepcaps. These do reduce noise, but the switches are still louder than typing on membranes because they don't address the return clack of each key. Topre boards are quiet - they're like posh rubber dome/membrane boards, but they are expensive.

2. Then just buy another rubber dome and live with it?

3. The layout with the undersized entry key is ANSI.

Cheap backlit TKL but ISO not ANSI

This one is ANSI but with a "mechanical feel" - its also waterproof so it likely has a membrane, which usually means quieter operation.

Failing that - Aliexpress is loaded with backlit tenkeyless boards, but you'll have to sift through them to find non-menchanical boards.

2 is what I was trying to find, but couldn't find a backlit TKL one. Your first link may have solved my problem!

EDIT: Perhaps not. It only does the rainbow effect lighting, can't set to single colour and that might get on my wick. Proves they exist though!

[kalniel]

oh it's almost perfect, but that enter and backspace arrangement is just not going to cut it. I'd ideally have a full size backspace, and the hash in it's proper place!

The Ebay one should be that - it's UK layout. But yeah, I don't know how you'd prove they got it right (the pictures certainly aren't).