I built the coziest keyboard ever.
You might remember that earlier I was looking for a better keyboard. Whenever I searched for a keyboard, I always ended up with the gaming keyboards. HyperX. Razer. Black, lots of RGB, that type of thing. I’ve tried ergonomic keyboards, I’ve tried unorthodox keyboards, I’ve tried a lot of things.
Then, as I was browsing Instagram, I stumbled on to a video showcasing “the coziest keycaps ever.”
Computer keyboards consist of 3 main parts:
- The keyboard case and the electronic guts inside it
- The switches, which are small chunks of electronic in a plastic housing with a couple of contacts sticking out and a spring. When you press the keyboard key, that’s what you actually feel.
- The keycaps, the little pieces of plastic that your fingers make contact with when you are typing
The keycaps are supposed to be removable but I’ve never messed with them. However, it occurred to me that I would like the cute keycaps. And these weren’t just cute, they were cozy.
There is an entire genre of games, like Stardew Valley, that specializes in creating a cozy, comforting feel. These games are usually farm-based, but sometimes you make potions or run a magical bakery.
These keycaps were objectively cozy. I googled “changing keycaps” and promptly fell down the rabbit hole.
Modern keyboards are modable. Meaning, you can mix and match keyboard base, switches, and keycaps. You can add or remove foam to change the sound. And if the keyboard is marked as hot-swappable, the switches just pop right in. No soldering required.
The volume of information about modding keyboards is staggering. I was aware of different switches before. Red switches were tactile, meaning they had a little bump when you press them, and they were loud. Brown switches were linear and quiet. Or was it the other way around? Blue switches were ….. something eh? What the hell is a holy panda switch? What is a creamy switch? What does thocky mean?
I have watched a ridiculous amount of instructional videos, and I’ve learned that it’s all about preference. Some people love silent keyboards; others want ASMR sound. Some want tactile switches with a bump; others want smooth linears. Some people want specific features like volume knobs or certain features like weightier keyboards. Some want full layout with the number pad, other like TKL without it, or 75 or 65 keyboards. The whole point of this exercise is to customize your typing experience.
I decided that I like keyboards that made comforting sounds, loud, but not too loud, and not that clacky. The jury was still out on switches at that point. I also wanted a volume control and at least 75 layout. I consulted with Gordon, who pointed out that keyboards are our primary work tool so I might as well get the keyboard I want. Thus emboldened, I bought all the things.
I started with the keycaps. But I also needed to put those keycaps into something. My first keyboard purchase was a Keychron, which is kind of a good starting point to learn about modable keyboards. It is a decent keyboard, no amazing, but it felt a lot better than my previous keyboards. In retrospect, I shouldn’t have bought it, but it gave me a baseline.
Finny thing – I do not recall making this purchase. I was online late at night and although I must’ve bought it, I have zero recollection of it. This is a TKL layout, meaning everything except for the number pad, which I do not use. It is programmable, it has a bit of rgb, and the volume knob – which I really love – and it came with Gateron Jupiter banana switches. These are tactile switches that give you a little bump to let you know the key has been pressed.
Here the sound of Keychron in action as I’m writing this post. Not super amazing. The sound on all of the videos is up. The keyboard and all others are not quite that loud.
But I ordered my cozy keycaps and I wanted a proper keyboard for it. Also I didn’t want to spend a butt ton of money on it because this adventure can get expensive fast. I started looking around at “budget” modable keyboards and came across this one from Akko.
It is wood. It is very elegant, too, but I didn’t care about the elegance. I was all about the cuteness.
Not only this wood go beautifully with my keycaps, but I suspected that it would also match my sound preferences. The entire point of modding a keyboard is to make it exactly the way you like it and sound is a big part of that. I like a little bit more resistance in my switches and I wanted a pleasant typing sound. Keychron wasn’t doing it.
As an aside, people get super-serious about this. Keyboards can sound clicky, or creamy, or thockky, or clacky. Some switches have longer travel distance, some shorter. Some have to be pressed harder. Some are silent. I will have some links for you down below.
Anyway, I ordered the Akko.
Here it is on my desk.
It is a lovely keyboard. It is solid, and heavy, and I love everything about it. It came with rosewood switches, which have a deeper typing sound. I listened to them and promptly yanked them out to try all the other stuff I ordered. There was a slight learning curve, but after some trial and error, success was achieved. I swap switches like a champ now.
I tried Asura switches. I tried Akko creamy blue and lavender. I tried Gateron Bananas. I tried a lot of things. So far the best switch I’ve tried is HMX Butter. It is surprisingly a linear switch and I seem to prefer tactile because I type with some force, but it is just a very nice switch. It is smooth, and it feels very nice to type on.
Full disclosure: I have more switches coming. There is no hope for me. The Pandora’s box has been opened. I have also modded a keyboard for Kid 2.
And then, yesterday, my keycaps arrived. They arrived in a beautiful box with a handy keycap removal tool, so switching them was a breeze.
Behold, the coziest keyboard known to man.
I love it, I love it, I love it!
But what does it sound like? Please keep in mind that half of it is still rosewood switches and half HMX butter. I’m still deciding. (Link for email readers.)
I want this!
I’ve got you:
- Link to the Youtube channel where I got my education: Hipyo Tech and in particular this video is good to start: 50 keyboards
- Akko wood keyboard available from Amazon.
- KiiBOOM Cozydiaries Rainy Froggy Day Keycap set
Now, please excuse me. I have some typing to do.
I love this, didn’t realize there are so many keyboard options! I feel educated now, thank you!
Sooo cool!
Looks pretty cool, sadly mine is ergonomical type, so it won’t work. This is what happens when your wrists are meowing at you, you end up using split type keyboards that can’t be upgraded to look as cool as yours does!
P.s. there is a saying British use: if you got nothing nice to say..don’t then. That’s towards the partypoopers who don’t get that you are not AI computer sitting at PC all day long. People need life and experiences in order to write good books. And yours are best!
Wow, that was a deep and twisty rabbit hole you went down. But it’s good you found what you wanted. The keyboards illustrated around the edges are beautiful.
This really is SO cute and when at last my old Microsoft Natural keyboard dies… Well, I’ll probably still try and figure out something else that puts my hands in the same configuration, but I hope someone figures out cute keys for that system at some point!
Meanwhile, speaking of cozy games – Mineko’s Night Market is all making crafts (with a saw and a sewing machine and folding paper), petting cats, and avoiding men in black whilst trying to get a giant magical cat home. I love it far more than Stardew, because the relationships aren’t quite as blatantly transactional. If anyone is looking for another cozy game, it really is…
I do not need to do this but I sure want to. I stare at that keyboard 9 hrs a day and having something cute would be less crabby about life
that is so awesome. I am absolutely jealous.
and bad sheep yarn rocks. I knit a lot of socks and it’s my new favorite sock yarn.
love reading anything you post. it’s the highlight of my anxiety filed days.
thank you both for all you do. I hate that people can be so mean.
I LOVE THIS SO MUCH! Seriously, this I had no idea this existed and now I must decide how best to use this information.
My daughter is obsessed with her keyboards. I immediately forwarded your email with the note: this is YOU! 🙂
I’m sorry that you had to make the stupid rubbish post but hope you know that comment is an outlier and can find a way to ignore it.
I don’t knit or game or watch k-dramas but I find reading all the posts and comments entertaining and informative.
Certainly anything that gives you joy and helps with your process for writing the amazing books that you do is priceless and I hope you continue to treat yourself well (Gordon is a gem for encouraging you to do so). ::hugs::
K-dramas are a rabbit hole on a whole ‘nother level, but man, once you get sucked into them you can’t climb back up. If you give them a try, you might just discover your new cup of tea.
I am glad you are finding joy down this rabbit hole. I see too many options for my decision overloaded brain.
I LOVE this and am fascinated!
I didn’t know keyboards could be so cute. I’m glad it makes you happy and hope it is long term comfy.
I love the froggies! it is so cute 😍
Oh, nooo. I had no idea this existed. I must watch videos and learn more. My work is 90% computer based. This would give me such joy. I’m about to fall down the rabbit hole.
I’m old. I still think the best typing experience ever was the IBM Selectric 2 with built-in correction tape. I could do 110 wpm on that baby. Sigh
The distance a key needs to travel to register that you’ve pressed it can vary widely, and is called the ‘throw’. It can b designed to require almost no force or a fair amount of force(think old style typewriters). Pretty cool that a pretty big range of options is out there. Hmmm, I wonder if my brother knows this? And has my sister-in-law been sufficiently irritating lately that I should get my revenge by directing him to this particular rabbit hole? (Blinks innocently)
I’m not sure who was a jerk, but I hope Ilona, Gordon and Mod. R know that they r much beloved by the BDH. Doubtless whatever it was said more about the poster than the recipients. Sending ((hugs)) to all.
Wow! Best thing in the world for an author. So happy you found a way to make your life so much better when you are working. And having fun getting it done! Happy typing ⌨️😎
For myself, I’m a Macbook keyboard fan. It’s easiest on my wrists, as it’s so low-profile and requires only minimal effort to press a key. I can keep my hands close to horizontal while typing. I’m surprised you prefer a high-profile keyboard, since you type so much more than me, but to each their own.
But I really love the caps in your photos, both the original wooden ones, and the froggy ones you bought. It must put a smile on your face just seeing them. Can’t wait to read what you’re gonna write on your happy keyboard.
So cute! I almost went down the keycap rabbit hole the other week, and now you’re making me wish I had!
I know I can’t comment on the next post, so I will post here instead. I didn’t see the original rubbish post, but I got the drift of it from comments here.
I too love your posts Ilona. They are so entertaining, witty, educational, and just a really, really bright and cozy refuge in a world that seems to have gone crazy…it makes me very sad that someone complained about them.
When little petty and selfish people upset you, please remember the REST of the BDH. HA (and Mod R too!) is much beloved!!!💕💕💕💕💕💕
(Sending virtual hugs…use sone now and save the rest for whenever you may need them!) 😁
This is how to ABSOLUTELY win the author Olympics for cat hoovering!
(Cat hoovering, n.: work-adjacent activity engaged in by a writer to avoid the necessity of actually writing, as in, “I’ll get round to it right away, just as soon as I finish hoovering the cat.” Like, me commenting on this blog is cat hoovering.)
OMG! I live this and am now consumed by the impulse to make myself a custom keyboard. Luckily, I have a short attention span, so will not, as I don’t have the funds to do so. Love yours, though!
congratulations for finding some happy for your fingers,ears ,eyes and mind💐🫶🤝💃🎉
happy happy typing for you( and happy happy reading for us hopefully 🤓🤓🤓)
I love your posts, Ilona!
knitting, crochet, life in Texas, pets,keyboards, as well as writing, etc – I’m here for it all. 💖
I’m a big fan of your work but it’s nice to hear about other things in life, too. Theres something relaxing/comforting about it.
Also I learn a ton of stuff (had no idea keyboard mods were a thing – very interesting) as I don’t read any other blogs. Just news, and seriously, we all need a break from that!
Also I greatly enjoy Mod-Rs posts. please keep on doing what you’re doing!
I’d love to do this, but my Very Drastically Ergonomic keyboard has weird shaped keys that I’ve not been able to find caps for -.-
I just got my sister some Cinnamaroll (a Hello Kitty/Melody character) keycaps. Until I saw those, I had no idea you could replace keycaps!
This is the most ADORABLE keyboard ever. I had no idea I wanted an adorable keyboard. You have opened my mind to a whole new world, and I am very happy you’ve found (made) such a beloved tool! Best of luck deciding on your switches!
Oh my God… I can see myself falling into that rabbit hole… hello Alice me!!! I so want one!
Whoa! I want one! Yours is adorable and actually seems to fit you, from what I’ve observed on your Blog. LOL! Although a yarn-themed one might have been a better fit! 🙂
Thanks so much for sharing this amazing keyboard! I hope they have a mermaid undersea or forest fairy themed option.
I watched a post on IG that showed a shop in Japan where you can go and try the different options and they’ll help you get it together. Might be a place to visit if you ever get to Japan.
Yah know, green is the bestest color.
But the wood keyboard is also very pretty…
I love it all! Thanks for sharing!
I never knew I needed to know about all this! I love the information and now I can hop down the rabbit hole, too. I’m hopeful there are mods for laptop keyboards 🙂
Gosh this is so cute. I’ve been avoiding the keymodding scene so far because my keyboards at home and work are the same. When one of them breaks I’ll get started.
How are your wrists handling the keyboard?
“Thus emboldened, I bought all the things. Do you wish to discuss?”
I know I’m late to comment, but in response to the rubbish comment:
What in the world?! I’m a HUGE IA fan, y’all are my favorite authors, and I cannot wait for more content, always….but it would never occur to me in a million, trillion years to ever think something like what this person posted, let alone *post* it online, knowing the author would likely see it. This commenter is clearly very unhappy and has a lot of misplaced anger.
I love reading IA blog posts, *especially* “slice of life” type posts like the keyboard one, which I really enjoyed. I hope that IA isn’t put off of posting similar blogs in future because of that sadly misguided commenter, and I hope that y’all aren’t too badly affected by their unkind words. Y’all are such kind and generous people, and have made such a difference in my life through your work—I re-read the Innkeeper Chronicles every time I’m going through a hard time, and they never fail to bring me comfort. They are my very favorite books.
Love you, IA! Please never stop being exactly who you are.
I’m a bit late to this post but I LOVE your build! Thank you for posting the videos and especially the super helpful switch sound tests.
I’m in the process of modifying my keyboard and went down the same rabbit hole – soooo many sample switches (16!?) everywhere. There are currently 3 different switches installed on the same keyboard because I am having trouble deciding which one I like the most. 😂
Did you decide to go with the Rosewood, HMX Butter, or something else?
If you are still undecided and/or would like sound tests of the switches I’m trying out, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
I love the Rosewood sound the best, but there is just not enough resistance in the switch. so now I am on a quest to find a rosewood-like sound with the right resistance. I still love the butters, but right now half of my keyboard is MMD Princess Tactile Switch 62g x90. I am still on the fence. I have more switches coming this Friday.
What switches did you install?
The rosewood sounds were so good! Bummer that they were too light for you.
My keyboard (Aula F99 Pro) came with stock linear switches which sounded great, creamy and thocky, but were just way too mushy feel-wise. I couldn’t even rest my fingers on the keys without them starting to press down – no good. I’m looking for a creamy and thocky sound, and I want some noise when typing, but nothing that’s too clicky clacky or high pitched.
So I tried to focus my search on linear and tactile switches with a medium to medium-heavy actuation force. The 3 switches on the keyboard right now are Gazzew U4T (62g), Gazzew U4 (62g), and Gateron Oil King. The Gazzew are both tactile switches, the U4T gives off a nice deeper thocky sound, while the U4 is almost completely silent – it gives off a pleasant but muted thud. The tactile bump feels really good on both of them. If you like the rosewood sounds but want something with a little more resistance, you may enjoy the U4T. There is also a U4Tx which combines features and sound profiles from the U4 and the U4T but I did not order that sample (I’m kicking myself a little).
The Oil King is a linear switch buthas a 65g bottoming out force. It feels nice to type on, but I think 65g might be too heavy for the entire keyboard, and the sound isn’t quite what I’m looking for. I have the Oil King on the spacebar right now because I (apparently) bang my left thumb into the spacebar with much enthusiasm, and on the stock switch it would give off a loud hollow ping when the key bottomed out. The heavier spring weight takes the enthusiastic key presses like a champ and deadens the noise just enough.
Ultimately I think I will end up with the U4T on most keys, and put the silent U4 on the more pingy keys like the spacebar, backspace, control, enter keys, etc. My husband and I both liked the feel of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo, but it is a bit louder, and the sample switch I received is kind of scratchy and there is an intermittent twangy ping. Not sure if I just got a bad switch, or if they need lubing and filming, but I prefer the Gazzew switches anyway. I’m not home today but can try to take a short video of the sound test and post it tomorrow.
Sorry for the longwinded reply!
Dear House Andrews,
Here is a very quick video of the switches sound test. The switches used are in the description, if you would like any other sample switches sound tested, or have any other questions, let me know!
https://youtu.be/WqscsxtHOQE
Goodness, great tech and beauty. Didn’t know that the kb niceties were so vast. Have fun girl.