is 70 switches enough for a 65 percent keyboard
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Hey guys, u/koduh here! I am attempting to compile all the available information on 65% keyboards in one place! Though, I need your help, please suggest edits/changes where you see fit.
BIG UPDATE 2017-10-12: I have created a cleaner (& updated) version of this list on KeyboardCatalog.com
My History
My introduction to mechanical keyboards started in the Summer of 2014, my first keyboard was a Ducky Zero with Cherry MX Browns. Once I received that board I was hooked.
On my quest to find the perfect layout I stumbled upon this photo and fell in love. It was a custom made by Apollos (u/22kbd). I set out on a quest to find all the information I could on this elusive layout.
Here I am nearly a year later; I hand wired my first 65%, a Neutrino, jumped on the WhiteFox drop, worked out how to make Nantucket Selectric look good on a 65%, and pre-ordered the recently released Clueboard PCB v2.
My 65% obsession will continue, and my collection won't be complete for a while. This is the journey I have chosen.
Imgur album for the pretty pictures.
65% Keyboards
What are they and where do I get one?
65% Keyboards are mini layout keyboards with arrow keys. They typically have 66-68 keys in total.
| Manufacturer | Model | Switch Brand & Type | ~ # of Switches | LEDs | Stabilizers | Non-Standard Keycaps | Case Options | Layouts | Sources & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leopold | FC660m | Cherry MX | 66 | N | R.Shift = 2.25u & Spacebar - Stems | Stock, Aluminum | |||
| Leopold | FC660m (2015+) | Cherry MX | 66 | N | R.Shift = 2.25u | Stock, Aluminum | |||
| Leopold | FC660c | Topre | 66 | N | R.Shift = 2.25u | Stock | |||
| Varmilo | VB660m | Cherry MX | 66 | Y | R.Shift = 2.25u | Stock | Like a unicorn, these are very rare as they come standard with Bluetooth integration. | ||
| Varmilo | VA68m | Cherry MX, Gateron | 68 | Y | Cherry | n/a | Aluminum | Massdrop Listing | |
| Qisan | MagicForce68 | Cherry MX, Gateron, Kaihl, Outemu | 68 | O | Cherry | n/a | Stock | ||
| GeekHack Groupbuy | Smart 68 | Cherry MX | 68 | Y | Cherry - Plate Mount | R.Shift = 1.75u | Aluminum | https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/2durqu/the_smart_68_keyboard/ - Featuring hot swappable switches and LEDs! | |
| Ortholinear Keyboards | Neutrino | Cherry MX or ALPS compatible | 68 | O | Cherry - Plate Mount | โข R.Shift = 1.75u โข RAlt = 1u โข Fn = 1u โข RCtrl = 1u | Sandwich Plates | Discontinued: No longer available for purchase: Top Plate Source - Bottom Plate Source | |
| Ortholinear Keyboards | Atomic | Cherry MX or ALPS compatible | 66-75 | O | Cherry - PCB Mount | Grid layout causes most modifier keys to be non-standard. | Sandwich Plates | ||
| Red Scarf II | RSII-68 | Cherry MX or ??? | 66-68 | O | Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 1.75u | Frosted Acrylic, Aluminum | Layout Options | Geekhack Thread, Buying - Taobao: Plate, Buying - Taobao: Case/PCB/Plate | |
| Clueboard from u/skullydazed | Clueboard | Cherry MX or ALPS compatible | 66-72 | O | Costar - Plate Mount | Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 2.25u | Sandwich Plates, Aluminum | ANSI, ISO, JP, Split Spacebar | Clueboard.co, /r/Clueboard, Photo Album: Birth of the Cluboard, |
| u/Matt3o & Input Club? | WhiteFox | Cherry MX, Gateron, Zealios | 66-69 | O | Costar - Plate Mount | Depends on Layout Choice - Right Shift = 1.75u | Aluminum | Vanilla, ISO, Aria, Winkeyless, The True Fox, Jack of All Trades | Massdrop - Original Sale Listing, Firmware and future updates - Input.club |
| Apollos' Custom | 22mini | Cherry MX | 67 | O | Cherry PCB-Mount | R.Shift = 1.75u | Sandwich Plates, Aluminum | Layout Options | http://22kbd.com/173 |
60% Keyboards + Arrow Keys
These keyboards fit into the traditional 60% cases and have a slightly smaller footprint at the expense of less standard layouts.
| Manufacturer | Model | Switch Brand & Type | ~ # of Switches | LEDs | Stabilizers | Non-Standard Keycaps | Case Options | Layouts | Sources & Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Filco | Minila | Cherry MX | 67 | N | Costar | R.Ctrl = 1.75u / Spacebar = 3u / R.Shift = 1u / R.Ctrl=1u | Stock | Layout Options, DIP Switch Options | Filco's Site, Built-in USB Hub, |
| Filco | Minila Air | Cherry MX | 67 | N | Costar | R.Ctrl = 1.75u / Spacebar = 3u / R.Shift = 1u / R.Ctrl=1u | Stock | Layout Options, DIP Switch Options | Wireless: Bluetooth, Filco's Site, |
| Tex | Beetle | Cherry MX | 66 | N | ??? | L.Winkey = 1u / L.Fn = 1u / R.Fn = 1u / R.Alt = 1u / R.Ctrl = 1u / R.Shift = 1u | Stock | Dip Switch Options | Buying - MechanicalKeyboards.com |
| KBTalking | KBT Pure Pro | Cherry MX | 67 | Y | Space = 4.5u (w/ stabs) / RAlt = 1u / RFn = 1u / RCtrl = 1u / '' = 1u / Del = 1.5u / LFn = 1u / LWin = 1u / Backspace = 1u | Stock | |||
| HHKB | Pro JP | Topre | 69 | N | Topre Stabs | Complete bottom row, R.Shift, ISO | Stock | Buying - Amazon |
Edits:
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Moved KBTalking PurePro to the 60% w/ Arrow Keys section.