MelkieOArda

MelkieOArda OP t1_j5trv8o wrote

He’s a tech-enthusiast, and introduced me to all things tech throughout my life: early Macintosh computers, audiophile setups, DSLR’s when they first gained consumer adoption, etc.

He’s still firmly planted in front of his computers these days, and had a nice pre-built mechanical keyboard for years (a Matias). This gift was partly to give him a nice mech keyboard again, and partly as a gesture for y’know … raising me! Hence the $400+ keyboard.

Last note: he’s 73, but I think most people would guess he’s 60-65. Very active, plays tennis, god-tier musician with multiple instruments, etc. Definitely not in the ‘elderly person watching TV all day’ category.

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MelkieOArda OP t1_j5pdgp8 wrote

Specs:

  • Keychron Q6 (Gray, barebones)
  • 62g V2 Zilents - Lubed and filmed
  • NicePBT Black-on-Gray caps
  • Custom cable from Mechcables

A couple months ago my tech-nerd dad told me that his old Matias keyboard had died, and that he'd just been using a chiclet board from Apple. Well that wasn't going to stand on my watch, so I took a literal stack of keyboards over to his house and we had a 45-min testing session: Linears (MX Reds, Black Inks, Silent Alpacas, etc) tactiles (Zilents x2, MX Browns), clickies (MX Blues); TKL, 65%, Alice layouts; GMK and PBT keycaps; DSA profile, Cherry profile; etc, etc.

He liked the Zilents a lot, and wanted another full-size board. He chose the Gray aluminum case for the Q6, and wanted Black-on-Gray caps. I'm not a huge fan of the mismatched grays between the caps the case, but it's alright.

Super fun building this as a gift!

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MelkieOArda t1_j2a8cor wrote

Reply to comment by _Shin_ in Purple build by bchn

I bought an Alice style board not knowing if I'd like it (KBDFans Maja), but it's great. 10/10 for me. I prefer TKL or 65% layouts, and the 'Alice + arrow keys' layout works perfectly for me.

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MelkieOArda t1_j2a7wmz wrote

Reply to comment by Dakota347 in Purple build by bchn

I have an Alice-style board that I've used as my daily driver for a year-ish, and it's wonderful. The slightly-canted layout makes for a much more natural wrist position, and now I notice that my wrists are awkwardly turned inwards when I use a 'normal' board.

Pair an Alice board with an MX Vertical Mouse from Logitech for ergonomic bliss!

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