Question Keychron keyboard recommendation ?

[Macif]

I've been using a windows Microsoft 600 keyboard for many years now, but I wanna give mechanical ones a try. There is a sale where I live for the Keychron V6 at 84 USD (converted). But I have also been looking at the Keychron K5 Pro at 174 USD (converted).

Thing is, the V6 is a bit taller than my current one, but I feel it is easier to customize. While the K5 Pro may be more ideal, since I tend to lean on my desk when I type. Though I am often all over the place. I worry about the sound of the keys on the K5 Pro. While I believe it is possible to change the switches on the V6 to silent ones. So it is a hard to decide which one to buy.

Any tips to settle my thought process on this one? User case is gonna be a combination of gaming and regular use.

 

[Crowii]

Thing is, the V6 is a bit taller than my current one, but I feel it is easier to customize. While the K5 Pro may be more ideal, since I tend to lean on my desk when I type. Though I am often all over the place. I worry about the sound of the keys on the K5 Pro. While I believe it is possible to change the switches on the V6 to silent ones. So it is a hard to decide which one to buy.

The core of the discussion here isn't really Keychron, it's just full size MX-style switches vs low profile switches.

I'd say most people won't have a problem adjusting to the taller size of mechanical keyboards with MX-style switches, but it is an adjustment. Normal to not be immediately wow'ed from having to change your muscle memory. But kinda like 60hz monitor -> 144hz, I'd say it feels worse to go back than it felt good to change at all.

Wrist rests exist, you can look up grabbing one, generally out of wood, epoxy, foam, or gel. Gets your posture more similar to resting your hand on your desk with a short keyboard. Foam or gel would be the cheapest.

I personally use a wrist rest and just made my own since commercial ones tall+deep enough for what I like just doesn't exist in wood. Just sawed some hardwood to length, hand plane a profile, sand and oil.

I've tried low profile keyboards and definitely didn't need my wrist rest, so I'd call that a smoother transition from low profile membrane. Some people find it's easier to make typos from the lower travel distance.

I'm a silent switch enjoyer, and low profile silent switches simply don't exist, so that narrows it down. Done right and they're more quiet than standard issue membrane. You may stumble on o-ring preachers, but the up-stroke is still loud; they're for "can be heard less the next room over", not quiet in the same room.
Usually coming from membrane you will be a heavy handed typer for a while, that exacerbates the loudness.

Any tips to settle my thought process on this one? User case is gonna be a combination of gaming and regular use.

My biggest tip is find a local store that has keyboards on display to put your grubby hands on and get a first impression. You have no reference to what mechanical keyboards are like, so go get some. Doesn't have to be Keychron. First in-store brand that comes to mind where you might get to touch a low profile keyboard would be the CoolerMaster SK--- lineup such as the SK620. Otherwise just some no-name OEM brands.

If low profile isn't present, just feel out MX-style keyboards, preferably at demo pc setups where you can actually sit down. Feels like something you're willing to get used to? Get the Keychron V6.

Also a bit of reassurance to just bite the bullet is that name brand mechanical keyboards are pretty easy to resell second-hand unless you live on Antarctica and unwilling to ship it. Lose some cash doing so, but at least it narrows down your wants without holding on to an unused brick.