Alright, so I gotta tell you guys about my latest obsession: keycaps! I’ve been diving deep into the world of custom keyboards, and honestly, it’s a rabbit hole. But a really cool rabbit hole!
It all started when I saw this one keyboard online. It had these crazy, colorful keycaps, and I was like, “I need that in my life!” So, I started researching. I watched a bunch of YouTube videos, read a ton of articles, and basically became a keycap encyclopedia in my own mind.
First thing I did was figure out what kind of keyboard I had. Turns out, it’s a pretty standard mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX style switches. That’s important, because not all keycaps fit all switches. Do your homework, people!
Then came the fun part: browsing for keycaps! I started on sites like Amazon and AliExpress. There’s a crazy amount of options out there – different materials, profiles, colors, legends… It’s overwhelming, but in a good way. I spent hours just scrolling and adding stuff to my cart, knowing I’d have to narrow it down later.
I was initially drawn to the super flashy stuff – you know, the neon colors, the artisan keycaps shaped like tiny creatures. But then I realized that I actually wanted something that looked good and felt good to type on. So, I started looking at more “serious” options.
I stumbled upon this one set of PBT keycaps with a retro color scheme – think beige and brown with some subtle pops of color. They were a little pricier than the cheap ABS keycaps I had been looking at, but everyone online was raving about how PBT plastic feels nicer and lasts longer. Sold!
When the keycaps finally arrived, I was so excited to swap them out. It’s actually a pretty easy process. You just need a keycap puller (which usually comes with the keycaps or your keyboard) and a little bit of patience. I popped off all the old keycaps, one by one, and then carefully pressed the new ones into place.
Let me tell you, the difference was night and day! The PBT plastic felt so much more solid and textured than the cheap ABS keycaps I had before. And the retro color scheme just looked so damn good on my keyboard. It was like I had a brand new keyboard, just by swapping out the keycaps!
Of course, I couldn’t stop there. Now I’m planning my next keycap purchase. I’m thinking about getting a set of doubleshot PBT keycaps, which are even more durable and have legends that won’t fade over time. This is becoming a serious addiction, I tell ya!
So yeah, that’s my keycap journey so far. If you’re looking for a way to spice up your keyboard and improve your typing experience, I highly recommend checking out custom keycaps. Just be warned: it’s a slippery slope!
- Figure out what kind of switches you have.
- Browse online retailers for keycaps.
- Consider the material (ABS vs. PBT).
- Use a keycap puller to swap out the keycaps.
- Enjoy your new and improved keyboard!