Ortholinear keyboards
There are a plethora of keyboards to choose from and below are our recommendations on getting started. It can be a fun DIY project to assemble your own ortho keyboard, add your own switches, and program your own keymappings.
KPrepublic CSTC40
The KPrepublic CSTC40 a 40% ortholinear layout similar to the Planck keyboard. It has a hot-swap pcb, rgb lighting, and more. A great budget Planck alternative. Configurable through VIA software.
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OLKB Planck
The latest version of the Planck keyboard supports hot swappable switches, LEDs, a small speaker and even rotary encoders. There are several offerings for baseplates: EOTW (easy on the wallet), hi-pro and low-pro. These keyboards usually come in as a kit with some light assembly required.
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OLKB Preonic
The Preonic keyboard is the Planck's big brother with an extra row of keys for those really missing the number row or want more keys to customize. The newest version of the Preonic is almost identical the Planck in terms of features.
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Idobao x YMDK ID75
The ID75 has a hotswappable PCB and connects via USB Type C with 75 keys. In addition, the case is CNC milled anodized aluminum with several color options including an acrylic bottom to allow the underglow led to shine through.
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KPrepublic BM40
The KPrepublic BM40 is a 40% ortholinear layout with VIA/QMK compatability, hot-swap sockets, full RGB LED switches, and a type-c port. You can also purchase a case and plate seperately.
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KPrepublic DNA59
The DNA59 is designed with a 2u spacebar and 58 1u keys referencing the Preonic layout. It has an acrylic case, hot-swap pcb, rgb lighting and more. A great budget Preonic alternative. It does not support VIA or QMK and uses their own software.
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Inland 47
A budget ortholinear from MicroCenter that features hot-swappable switches and a rgb lighting.
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MechDIY 59
The MechDIY 59-Key ortholinear keyboard has an acrylic case, hotswap PCB, RGB backlit, and is fully customizable through VIA software.
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Work Louder: Creator Board
The Work Louder: Creator Board is geared towards creatives. The board features a original and unique modular design to attach different key layouts or knobs. It also comes with low-profile custom choc keycaps. The PCB is not hotswap, however.
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KBDFans Solar Keyboard
KBDFans discontinued their NIU 40 but has created an interest page for a new ortholinear kit called the Solar. From the specs, it will have 50 keys, hotswap PCB, aluminium case, gasket mount, replaceable OLED and RGB modules, and 4 knobs.
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Gizmo Engineering GK6
The Gizmo Engineering GK6 is a 50% keyboard editable with QMK firmware, hot-swap PCB, multiple bottom-row layouts, and aluminum case with ceramic coating.
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Kinesis Advantage2
The Kenesis Advantage 2 is a an ergonomic split keyboard with orthogonal layout, Cherry MX Brown switches, 20 degrees of tenting, integrated palm supports, and more.
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Finally picked out your ortholinear keyboard? You'll need some keycaps! Read our articles on the best keycaps you can get for your ortholienar or see our page on ortholinear specific keycap sets available now.
Design your own keycaps with FKcaps
Use our link to get a special 10% off affordable customizable keycaps at FKcaps. They offer cherry, DSA, MDA, choc-style caps, and much more. Choose from different layouts to fit your needs, pick custom fonts, and more with their awesome customizer.
