I often get asked what mechanical keyboard I recommend, and I’m always like, I don’t
know, what form factor are you after?
So today we’re gonna talk about the main different form factors that are available,
especially in the prebuilt market.
In custom mechanical keyboards it really goes another step further, and there’s a heap
of variations, so we won’t specifically talk about them, but they relate closely to
these anyway.
And for sure the greatest strength in mechanical keyboards is being able to get something that
suits your needs, because everyone is different.
So a really quick rundown.
We have full size 100%.
1800 compact.
96%.
Tenkeyless.
75%.
65%.
60%.
We’ll chuck in 40%.
And mention ortholinear and others.
And these are what I would regard as the main form factors, and the percentages don’t
exactly match the actual percentage relative to a full size, it’s just what they’re
called.
Let’s start off with the classic full size or 100%.
And it’s really simple.
If you absolutely require the numpad, and don’t want an external numpad, don’t want
any changes then this is the one for you.
They’re obviously widely available with every brand offering one, and if you’re
an ISO person, you’ll have no problem finding one for you.
Then we have 1800 layouts.
There’s not a whole lot of these, and there’s some variations.
Probably the most available one would be the Leopold FC980 which is a stunning retail mech.
Honestly one of the best out there.
And again, if you require the numpad, then we have it, BUT in a more compact size, being
about 3ish columns shorter than a full size.
Basically the nav cluster is moved to the top right, which allows us to bring the numpad
closer to the left.
However, depending on the variation, you may end up losing a few of those nav keys.
And our final numpad form factor is the 96%.
As the name suggests, it has about 96% of the keys of a full size, but this time, everything
is squished together.
So it’s like the previous 1800 but without any gaps.
This saves even more space, however the disadvantage is that you don’t have the separation between
the different clusters, and it can be difficult to navigate through, especially when touch
typing, or even trying to hit the other keys in your peripheral vision.
So those 3 are the main ones with a numpad.
Disregarding an external numpad, if you work with numbers, then you probably don’t want
to go any smaller than those.
Alright, now we start getting into the compact keyboards.
I have a video on why using smaller keyboards may be better for you.
But the main gist of it is, is that it saves space on your desk.
Allows more space for your mouse, and brings it closer to to centre for better ergonomics.
And legit, once you go small, you really notice how big full sized boards are.
Keyboards of course have 2 sets of numbers, so if you can live with just the number row,
then I highly suggest you try out one of these.
Starting with the timeless tenkeyless, also called TKL and sometimes 80%.
Simple really, just a normal keyboard with the numpad chopped off.
I personally love the look.
It maintains the clustered design for easy navigation.
And alongside the full sized, it is widely available, and again for ISO users.
But below this size, unfortunately options start to get thin for ISO boards.
Next down, and what I think is the middle ground is the 75%.
Typically this has 84 keys, where a TKL typically has 87.
So we essentially get the primary functionality of TKL, but condensed.
There’s quite a few variations of this as well, some have no gaps, some have clusters.
But the main defining features are that it has dedicated arrow keys, and a function row
on top.
So if you need the F keys, then this is the one for you.
Personally, I think a 75% with gaps is one of the best looking layouts, and functionally
is perfect for me.
But usually in the prebuilt market, they will have no gaps, and some can find it looking
quite cramped.
Below that we come to the massively popular 65%.
And it’s essentially a 75% but the top row is chopped off.
So now we have the base, plus the dedicated arrow keys, and a few nav keys which can vary.
And these usually have 65-70 keys.
What makes this so popular is its very compact form factor, BUT it has the essentials that
many need.
Personally, this is as small as I can comfortably go, because of those dedicated arrow keys.
And they look great.
Being small and very simple looking, it can really give a minimalist look and kind of
like an uncluttered feel at times.
It’s not as tall as the 75%, so it’s a little less squarish looking.
There’s also quite a range to choose from, even in the budget market which is great to
see, from the likes of Drevo with the Calibur, Durgod.
Then you have guys like Ducky, Varmilo, and Leopold.
And of course there’s some great value lower end customs from KBDfans with the TADA68,
and Tofu65.
This is where it starts getting a bit too small for a lot people, and these are the
60% boards.
Still these are massively popular, especially with the Vortex Poker boards in the earlier
days, the Anne Pro’s, and more recently the Ducky One 2 Mini’s.
Also hugely popular in the custom world, as they’re very standardised.
But yeh, the biggest thing missing are the dedicated arrow keys.
As I said, I personally find it difficult to use, and I’m sure it’s the same for
a lot of other people.
And this where using layers comes more into play, so usually to access the arrow keys,
you have to press a function key, along with other keys.
And that will be the case for all the other missing keys.
Sometimes I even program them to be in the bottom right corner, as I don’t use those
keys often.
And again there’s variations that also include arrow keys, but you will always sacrifice
something when trying to squeeze them into such a small space.
But those are the key words.
Small space.
Tiny boards, amazingly portable, and can be really efficient if your use case allows it.
There’s an absolute tonne of these 60% boards available now.
You can get them from like 30 bucks, and the budget end will all nearly be the same thing,
as you can’t vary that much in case design.
The 40% gang.
Yeh.
Bare essentials I would say.
I’ve hardly used them.
I used the Vortex Core just for review, and personally found it difficult to use.
Of course it takes time as you are going to be missing a lot of keys, so a lot of stuff
will be accessible with key combos on the different layers.
But if you can use it, then you get an amazingly tiny keyboard that you could literally put
in your pocket.
You could also argue that you have everything in immediate reach.
Because even with 60%, you have to move a little bit.
A just a few mentions.
There’s ortholinear boards that have keys in a grid, rather than staggered, and those
are available in a range of sizes.
There’s split keyboards which are usually made for ergonomics.
There’s variations with every form factor.
But I’d say the left hand numpad would be the biggest variation in regards to actual
use.
So having a numpad on the left allows you to have more space for your mouse, and basically
get those ergonomic benefits of smaller keyboards.
And it allows you to use the numpad and mouse simultaneously which is amazing in my opinion.
Not too many out there in the prebuilt market, I know Bloody gaming has one.
There’s a few customs, like the EXT65 I built on the channel.
But yeh, that’s just an example of variation.
And those are the main form factors.
As said, if you don’t absolutely require a numpad, honestly, downsizing will make a
massive difference.
It’s just so much better.
And I’m sure a lot of people will say the same thing, because when you go back to using
a full sized, it’s so noticeable.
So, let me know what form factor you run, and possibly if you’re thinking of having
a change.
And hopefully this makes things a little clearer for people just getting into mechs.
Also, if you have any questions, chuck em down below.
I’ll also put a spreadsheet in the description with some of the boards I’ve dealt with.