Low-Profile Keyboards Are Pretty Good

thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 19:55
Last edited 21/11/2020 - 01:10

I researched & found a Acer all-in-one computer for my mother a few years ago.
And it came with a Acer Low-Profile Keyboard (thin keyboard and thin flat keys).
(I have also tried the Apple keyboard before at the shop but the keys on that are too thin and it was bad)

After typing on it recently I was amazed how good typing was compared to a full+size (normal) keyboard. It was quieter, felt so light and much faster to type on.
I think the low-travel but bumpiness of the keys was great.

I currently have a old Logitech Full-size keyboard (well actually it broke recently after 7+ years but I had an identical spare), and typing feels slow compared to the Low-Profile one.

I think low-profile is the way to go if your keyboard breaks and you are looking for a new one (at least for the average person).
Just find a cheap one by Dell or Acer etc.

Anyone else try / own a low-profile keyboard?

Computing Computer Peripheral Keyboard

Comments

  • ascorbic on 20/11/2020 - 20:00

    I've tried (but don't own; a friend does) the Logitech MX Keys. Quite expensive at ~$200 but a pleasure to type on. I guess the price isn't too bad compared to what people will spend on mechanical keyboards (which I find bulky and noisy).

    • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:06

      Quite expensive at ~$200 but a pleasure to type on.

      I previously came across a Dell one for $10.
      https://www.amazon.com.au/Wired-Multimedia-Keyboard-Black-58…

      I think this is it, I thought about posting it as a deal, but someone already posted it.
      I had a spare, but I would have bought this Dell one if I needed it.

      Its also available in white for those who a cares about it looks (for double the price):
      https://www.amazon.com.au/Wired-Multimedia-Keyboard-White-58…

      • thebadmachine on 21/11/2020 - 01:21

        I found the deal for the Dell: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/570566

        A comment says the keys are a little small. Going to pass on this one.

        • jetblack on 21/11/2020 - 07:44
          +1

          I have one. It's fine as a backup, but I found the keys often got stuck out didn't press fully if you don't tap them bang on centre, which for me typically happens on the outer edges of the board.
          Does the job, but if you're doing a lot of typing look elsewhere.

          • thebadmachine on 21/11/2020 - 12:45

            @jetblack:

            the keys often got stuck out didn't press fully if you don't tap them bang on centre

            if you're doing a lot of typing look elsewhere.

            Thanks for sharing, those are definitely issues.

            Going to try and find the wireless Acer Low-profile then.

  • Hybroid on 20/11/2020 - 20:01
    +1

    Got one on Surface Pro, iPad keyboard and cheap work Dell one and dislike them a lot. Much prefer my K70.

    • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:04

      Maybe it is just personal preference.
      What is it you dislike?

      I found it to be more accurate (barely any mistypes) and just overall much less effort required to type. Also much faster to type which I already mentioned.

      I dislike laptop keyboard, and also tried the Apple ‘magic’ keyboard which was just as horrible.
      But I liked the low-profile Acer one, a lot.
      Maybe the ones you have are too thin as well (keys & keyboard).

      • Whisper Quiet on 21/11/2020 - 08:20

        I've got a Corsair K70 MK2 White SE and that has low profile keys and MX speed switches. So for a mechanical keyboard that's as good as you'll get for typing, but still so many errors and nowhere near the speed of a membrane keyboard for me. Mechanical is for gaming really. Keyboard is still noisy and it's supposed to be basically the best for noise, just dulls the sound out a bit. Can't imagine using any noisier switch. Would probably snap it in half

    • Caped Baldy on 20/11/2020 - 20:48

      Only thing that sucks is the non standard key size.

      • thebadmachine on 21/11/2020 - 01:21

        I found the deal for the Dell: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/570566

        A comment says: “Got it today. Keys are a little small. Don't know if I should return it. I have a similar looking dell what came with my XPS but that feels better built.”

        I understand your comment now.

  • bdl on 20/11/2020 - 20:15
    +1

    ModelM4lyfe

    • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:16

      https://www.google.com.au/search?client=safari&hl=en-au&ei=N…

      Oh I was probably a tadpole when that was being sold.

      • bdl on 20/11/2020 - 20:38

        The one I have was made in 1987 and still going strong :)

        • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 22:07

          made in 1987 and still going strong :)

          Good to hear about well made products.

          And I was thinking the el cheapo Wireless Logitech Keyboard + Mouse that lasted 7+ years was impressive..

          What part actually failed was difficult to diagnose. First the mouse stopped working, changing battery and resyncing to receiver failed. Then the keyboard stopped a few weeks later same story.

          It could be the receiver failed or individually the mouse / keyboard, I think it is individual since they both failed one after the other.

    • suzley on 21/11/2020 - 09:05

      I've got three of those. They are the best, great - if you can get one.

  • iridiumstem on 20/11/2020 - 20:15

    I think it really depends on the keyboard. I think at the place I volunteer they have something that's low profile from Dell, which I found surprisingly good.
    The keyboard on Galaxy Tab S7 was OK as well. Microsoft's bluetooth keyboard from aeons ago was low profile that I found reasonably nice to use.

    That said there are ones that I would not touch, Apple's butterfly keyboard was so bad that it made me go, nah.

    I do enjoy mechanical keyboards at home. That said, I think it's really personal preference (like the Dell one I talked about before was surprisingly good). There are mechanical keyboards that are low profile as well nowadays, but I haven't really delved into them.

    • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:18

      low profile from Dell, which I found surprisingly good.

      See my links in comment above. was it that one?

      • iridiumstem on 20/11/2020 - 20:22

        Yeah, I think it was that one. That one was surprisingly good.

        I still prefer my keyboards at home which I have spend fair bit tweaking and adjusting to suit my need (like lubing etc etc), but I did find that one nice to use. I was genuinely surprised that it didn't make me feel like I am working against it.

        • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:23

          didn't make me feel like I am working against it.

          Yes you said it very well. I agree with you 100% that is how it was on the cheap wireless Acer low-profile (I assume it is cheap because it came with the computer).

          The keys are on the thin side, but a bit thicker and more travel than Apple ‘magic’ keyboard etc. They stick out more from memory.
          Also the keys actually have a ‘bump’ to them, so it is short travel but actually feels like you are typing (when the keyboard & keys are too thin it feels like just pressing a hard surface, like just tapping on the table etc).

          • iridiumstem on 20/11/2020 - 20:28

            @thebadmachine: Like the Apple one that made me feel like I was constantly bashing the table, since it had so little travel and so little feedback. Ugh.

            I do enjoy mechanical keyboards because I can just type without fully pressing on the keyboard. Typing light is possible without completely compressing the key (the key actuates at around 2mm, the key can travel 4mm for a lot of the Cherry MX type switches, which do vary from switches to switches of course).

            Anyways, yeah, I think that Dell keyboard made me go, yay, I can work with this.

            • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:34

              @iridiumstem:

              I think that Dell keyboard made me go, yay, I can work with this.

              I am considering getting the black wired $10 dell now.
              Did you look at both links (colours)? Are you sure it is the same one? (With the blue function / multimedia keys at the top).

              • iridiumstem on 20/11/2020 - 20:41

                @thebadmachine: I think it was the black one.

                Though I cannot say for certain whether you'd get same experience since the keyboard i used could've been used for awhile making it more smoother from wear etc

                • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 20:48

                  @iridiumstem: Ok thanks.
                  I was hoping you would be confused, so it gives me an excuse to pass on it since I have a spare that is working, although it does have mould under the keys (I checked by taking a key off, and it does bother me since I need to flip it upside down to change the AAA batteries).

                  You seem pretty confident though. If I get a targeted $10 credit from Cashrewards I will order the Dell (hopefully Personal computing is still accepted category).

  • ChipsChicky on 20/11/2020 - 21:54

    Been using Vaio Flip with low profile. Much faster to type than with key travel … would prefer low profile anyday.

    • thebadmachine on 20/11/2020 - 22:01

      Had a look, more low-profile than I would like but you are happy that’s what matters.
      Also never tried a Vaio keyboard so reality might be better than I think.

      Another bonus, typing is also quieter on low-profile.

  • Oofy Doofy on 20/11/2020 - 22:26

    Cougar Vantar

    budget Microsoft Keyboards are usually low profile (probably the quietest boards I have ever tested)

    Target Keyboards (before they stopped making them, I have a few)

    I'm a one or the other type of guy. I have mechanical with black switches and low profile (or LP & scissor switch)

  • Findo on 20/11/2020 - 22:58

    I quite like the Lenovo professional wireless keyboard. I use them at home and at work. The thinkpad trackpoint II wireless keyboard is pretty good too.

  • ozbargainsam on 20/11/2020 - 23:58

    I swear by my Apple Magic Keyboard (with Numpad). I swear by the very similar Magic Keyboard for iPad. I originally moved to flat keyboard for the ergonomics and haven't looked back.

    The butterfly keyboards are awful, though. No one will dispute that.

    • Ahyao17 on 21/11/2020 - 09:45

      We have apple magic keyboard (and at one stage magic mouse) at one of my work places. By far the worst keyboard and mouse I ever used.
      The enter key almost always need to be hit several times to actually work, typing feels worse than typing on a laptop. We had several spares and all of them have the same issue. The letter keys are okay but the bigger keys like enter and space bar are annoying.

      The magic mouse on the other hand… have to be careful putting my hand on the mouse or it register a click… scrolling is great when it works… and ergonomics well… let's just say this word does not exist for apple products (form over function imho). Lucky we have spare normal mouses, I am just not used to the magic mouse.

      • ozbargainsam on 21/11/2020 - 13:43

        I don't understand people who use the Magic Mouse. I guess if they didn't know better.

        I trust you're referring to the current Magic Keyboard. That sounds very unusual compared to my experience, which is to say I have had absolutely zero issues with my Magic Keyboards.

  • Kraise on 21/11/2020 - 08:46

    I bought a Havit low profile mechanical keyboard with Blue Kailh switches from Amazon AU for $60, thought it was pretty cheap.

    I liked typing on it but it was a tenkeyless which was not preference, just couldn't get used to it.
    If I bought the full 104 keys, I would've been very happy with it.

  • OzHunterNSW on 21/11/2020 - 12:09

    I love my iMac keyboard. The best anthroprometrically designed pad ever.

  • OpayuOnam on 21/11/2020 - 12:11

    If you haven't tried yet, I highly suggest trying the ThinkPad keyboard. It will change your perception of keyboards…

    ThinkPad Compact Keyboard wired/wireless

    They are not cheap, but they are really good. If you can find the old Gen 1 they are $90 for wired and $120ish for Bluetooth. The new one is around $190 kit has better F key separation and battery life as well as being able to use it wired or wireless).

    • thebadmachine on 21/11/2020 - 12:43

      Thanks for sharing.

      This one I assume: https://www.amazon.com.au/LENOVO-THINKPAD-Compact-Keyboard-T…

      Reddit comments say:
      “The experience of typing on this keyboard is like beating a wood. But still better than other not ThinkPad keyboard.”

      “It is essentially the same as the laptop's keyboard”

      I will probably pass.

      • OpayuOnam on 21/11/2020 - 12:44
        +1

        That's the one, the essentially same as laptop's keyboard is a positive imo…

        • iridiumstem on 21/11/2020 - 13:32

          Yeah, I think Thinkpad keyboards are widely regarded as one of the better ones (older generation ones especially, newer models, still decent but less so at least from what I've been reading)

      • ozbargainsam on 21/11/2020 - 13:47

        I have a work T480s and I assume based on how similar it looks that is the same keyboard. It's mushy AF. I can feel my wrists ageing with every keystroke.

        Granted, people coming from mushy keyboard will hate low-profile keyboards. And probably vice versa. But the mushy KB users need to be shown the light.

  • M27 on 22/11/2020 - 22:47

    I am a big fan of low profile keyboards and have been constantly looking for any new products. Here are the ones I have tried in the past 15 years:

    2005: Logitech UltraX Keyboard - Cheap, short key travel distance, but only available in US market. Build quanlity is average, keys become slightly loose after 1 year of heavy use.

    2007: Logitech DiNovo Edge - Almost the same feeling as laptop keyboard, solid build, very expensive. I am still using it daily (it has been 14 years!)

    2007: Apple Aluminum Keyboard - the version before magic keyboard. Excellent keyboard, though you need to remap(swap) alt and command keys to make it work better on Windows. I am writing this post on this keyboard.

    2009: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard K740 - It claims to have the scissor switch but actually has long key travel distance, not recommended.

    2017: Dell Premier Wireless Keyboard - I reckon it is a true successor to DiNovo Edge. Stylish, very good keystroke feeling. Unfortunately it has some quality control issues, I RMA-ed twice in a year. Also tried other cheaper low profile Del keyboards, the keystroke feeling is pretty average (or below).

    2018: Matias keyboard - They really look like Apple's Aluminum keyboard but the keystroke feeling is more close to those cheap Dell ones. Also has quality issue, mine broke after 2 months of usage.

    2019: Apple Magic Keyboard - the key is too shallow/stiff, it feels like pressing my finger on a hard surface.

    Also tried MS Surface KB in the shop, it was not bad but I don't like the function key between "CTRL" and "Win".

    Overall, for the best keystroke feeling to reassemble typing on a laptop, I will recommend: Apple Aluminum, Logitech DiNovo Edge, UltraX and Dell Premier Wireless.

    • iridiumstem on 22/11/2020 - 23:12

      Just curious, have you tried using those low profile mechanical keyboards? There have been a few LP switches that came out (Kailh released a few, Cherry I think did as well) I always wanted to give them a shot as well but never got around to it. Any opinion on them?

      • M27 on 22/11/2020 - 23:26

        I almost pulled the trigger on them last year but after doing some research I noticed the "low profile" switch actually is still 70% of the standard switch, so they are low profile but still significantly taller than scissor switch. No go… :)

      • thebadmachine on 25/11/2020 - 21:15

        low profile mechanical keyboards?

        I have recently been doing a lot of reading / watching on mechanical keyboards and also found low-profile mechs interesting.

        Just thought I should share with you is many of these advertised “Low-Profile” keyboards can have very tall boards / switches and they end up giving the same amount of strain etc as with normal keyboards.

        Here is a YouTube video which sums up two models nicely.
        I would always find the measurements and compare them to the Keychron K1 or K3.
        K3 is 17mm tall at the rear, while I have read measurements from Logitech (22mm) to other brands (30mm+) claiming to be low-profile.
        (Keychron even made their own low-profile switch which is 1mm shorter than Gateron low-profile switch)

    • thebadmachine on 22/11/2020 - 23:33

      Thanks for your comment.

      I discovered something about the Acer Low-Profile Wireless Keyboard I mentioned in the OP.
      Both Keyboard & Mouse connect to the computer directly through wireless, and is missing the USB wireless dongle (receiver is inside the computer).
      So it seems the only way to get it (and maybe only way to use it) is to purchase a Acer All-in-one desktop computer.
      The model was: Acer SK-9662.

      2007: Apple Aluminum Keyboard - the version before magic keyboard.

      I assume you mean the Apple USB A1243 keyboard I found the name in reviews.

      I found this brand-new option made by Matias.
      Matias Wired Aluminum Keyboard for Mac - Silver (FK318S)
      Also available in Tenkeyless version (FK308S).
      (Interesting review on the second one)

      2018: Matias keyboard - They really look like Apple's Aluminum keyboard but the keystroke feeling is more close to those cheap Dell ones. Also has quality issue, mine broke after 2 months of usage.

      Just realized you already mentioned the Matias. There is Matias and Macally, Matias seemed to have better reviews but maybe they are both cheaply made.

      2019: Apple Magic Keyboard - the key is too shallow/stiff, it feels like pressing my finger on a hard surface.

      Yes I mentioned the same thing in this comment (I was referring to the Mac which is too thin)
      "(when the keyboard & keys are too thin it feels like just pressing a hard surface, like just tapping on the table etc)."

      best keystroke feeling to reassemble typing on a laptop

      I assume you mean resemble typing on a laptop.
      I actually disliked laptop keyboards from memory. I remember Laptop keyboards to be low-travel but also mushy & slow feeling at the same time.
      The Acer Low-Profile was quite different, still low-travel but responsive and soft-clicky like full-size (but quiet).
      After typing on it it is a "wow this is a great keyboard" experience.

      • M27 on 23/11/2020 - 00:44

        Never tried the Acer one, but from the photos it looks more like an ordinary keyboard. :P

        The Matias one I have got was a TKL variant (https://matias.store/products/fk308pcbb), not good.

        Another one you can consider is Logitech Wireless Solar Powered K750.

  • donnot on 23/11/2020 - 17:58

    Love my Apple Magic keyboard (latest). Took a few days of typeracer/constant typing to get used to, but my hands are much, much less strained than my old Mech with browns and even a Logitech (standard generic). Definitely not for everyone though and I almost gave up on it initially.

    • thebadmachine on 23/11/2020 - 18:00

      Love my Apple Magic keyboard (latest).

      Took a few days of typeracer/constant typing to get used to

      I almost gave up on it initially.

      Thanks for sharing. Good to know.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join