I used a Vortex POK3R RGB v2 for a while and realized I was missing arrow keys and QMK firmware for more flexible key configuration. So I settled on a 75% mechanical keyboard, the GMMK PRO from Glorious Gaming.
Reviews back then called it a game changer, since for a relatively low price it landed in the premium segment of mechanical keyboards. The case, CNC-machined from a single block of aluminum in the best Apple tradition, hinted at that.
For switches, I decided to try Gateron Cap Teal. They turned out pretty good, especially coming from MX Cherry Red. They’re made together with the folks at Dark Project and come factory-lubed. Usually you’d put the same switch across the whole board, but I wanted to mix in some Gateron Cap Milky too.
The GMMK PRO ships with an aluminum plate, but I decided to swap it for a polycarbonate one for a quieter typing sound.
Since the case was aluminum, I got some Apple-style keycaps so the whole keyboard would resemble a Magic Keyboard. Later the folks at Awekeys sent me their metal keycaps, and I switched to those.
The build itself was pretty simple: took the keyboard apart, taped the PCB, swapped the aluminum plate for the polycarbonate one, put it back together, and installed the switches and keycaps.
Because of the aluminum case, the keyboard is pretty hefty, and with metal keycaps the weight went up even more.
