charkett t1_ivr1llr wrote on November 9, 2022 at 11:49 PM

A classic for a reason, function keys look great. I wish I could take a buckling spring keyboard to the office but my co-workers would kill me.

Jesusgonza342 t1_ivu5s63 wrote on November 10, 2022 at 5:08 PM

If you haven’t before you should look into building a mechanical keyboard, specifically with Kalih Box switches. If you look up reviews for the switches online you’ll see that they have a similar snap to them that buckling springs do, definitely the closest you’ll get to that in the modern age that’s still acceptable in the office. I have them in my current keyboard and I couldn’t live without them.

SarcasticOptimist t1_ivs40xi wrote on November 10, 2022 at 4:57 AM

There are silent tactile keyboards out there. Topres sadly don't feel that good in spite of using the springs and being expensive AF.

https://switchandclick.com/top-5-most-quiet-mechanical-keyboard-switches/

blunderduffin t1_ivsvbvv wrote on November 10, 2022 at 10:52 AM

Brown keys should be a good compromise. They are a lot less noisy than the blue-ones or the ibm springs. Also still feel very tactile. I would try those in the office.

scribblemacher t1_ivsxuty wrote on November 10, 2022 at 11:24 AM

I use browns at work and love it (but it's still much noiser than all my coworkers with baked-potato keyboards.)

SurrealEstate t1_ivtiot9 wrote on November 10, 2022 at 2:33 PM

Gateron has a "silent" line that includes a brown switch. It's really, really quiet for the tactility you get.

I guess it's subjective, but I'd call them office-safe.

suppaboy228 t1_ivv6346 wrote on November 10, 2022 at 9:05 PM

None of the browns that I've tried were even remotely comparable in tactility to the springs.

And I would much prefer the linear switches anyway (speaking of cherry-style switches), so I wouldn't bother with them at all.

YMMV but yeah, it was very underwhelming but seemed like a good idea at first.