German Topre Realforce 105UB 45g Light Gold on Black Keyboard

Easily the most comfortable yet satisfying typing experience I have had in my life - took a little bit of adjustment coming from my Zowie Celeritas (MX Browns) but once you adjust to the way the topres bottom out, snap back and how the linearity works, there's no way back, and cherry switches feel incredibly spongy and unsatisfying to use ever since. I'd say if you're looking for high-speed rhythm gaming, go with cherries, but for any other purpose, topres outclass them in feeling and accuracy - they just don't snap back quite as fast, but that really doesn't matter unless you click the same button 8 times a second.

For years, I've been using Keytronic Ergoforce keyboards. Alas, they've stopped making them in 105-key layouts now because of the WEEE regulations. So I couldn't buy another. After a lot of research, I decided to try a Topre Realforce - the only other high-end keyboard with variable force. It's very nice indeed: well weighted, accurate, consistent, responsive. It's not quiet, but the sound isn't clicky or obtrusive. I type faster on it than on a Keytronic Ergoforce, though this does have the slight drawback that I have to be a little more careful of RSI. The more major drawback is the price: five times as high! Ouch! On the other hand, good luck finding anything better for less money these days. In that sense, I guess it's good value. A note to British customers: assuming you can touch-type, I strongly recommend buying this rather than the UK-layout one that lacks a numeric keypad. You won't notice peculiar key caps nearly as much as the missing numeric keypad! That I'm still sore about the price a month after purchase is the only reason I've given this four stars rather than five.