Group buys are still used as a business model, but its popularity is dwindling quickly. Why is that, and is that justified?

Thomas Baart (of splitkb.com fame) dives into group buys:

Group buys are still used as a business model, but its popularity is dwindling quickly. Why is that, and is that justified?

Interesting read!

  • sunzu@kbin.run
    0·
    5 months ago

    I got a “gamer” mechanical, it is decent but nothing special. Black Friday 140 bucks tho

    I still don’t get why people rave about them. I do like the “typey” feel but it is just a feel. Cheapo key boards do the job.

    Can someone explain to me how this is not a fad?

    • tankplanker@lemmy.world
      0·
      5 months ago

      What switches does it have? Are they lubed? Are the stabilisers modded? Does it have case foam or other case mods? What type of mount is it? What about the plate? Swing weight and force curve? Linear, clicky or tactile? Silent, oring, ball bearing mod?

      There are so many different variables and that’s before you even get to layout changes it’s perfectly possible to build your own keyboard that is perfect or close to it for you.

      I have keyboards with different layouts and typing feel that I pick for how I want my typing to feel on any given day. It’s no different from a guitarist having multiple different guitars chasing a different feel and sound.

      Not everyone is going to appreciate it and that’s perfectly fine, but there are significant differences with the right changes during a build.

    • Dave.@aussie.zone
      0·
      5 months ago

      There is a certain amount of wank factor in mechanical keyboards. But if you are a high volume typist or heavy keyboard user, a keyboard that suits your typing style (with regards to springiness and feedback) absolutely helps.

      If you primarily just use the WASD keys a few hours a week with a bit of half assed sorta touch typing in between then they’re not really needed.