Topre Type Heaven 104-key Keyboard

My review is essentially broken into two segments- first the board itself and second the topre switches, which, if we're honest, is what everyone interested in this board would want to know about.First, the body of the board is pretty standard. The keys are quite good for being ABS and have a good rough texture. I feel that the legends won't last all that long, but I haven't had a problem with wear yet. The rubber feet on the underside of the board are a weak point-- there are only two and they're the smallest I've seen on a $100+ board. The other side of the underside has no rubber feet, just little protrusions. The cord management is weak. The cord is not removable and can only be routed directly left or right, not through the center of the rear of the board. Referring to the keys again, they're not chattery but they will make a click, but the strange thing is that the click comes after you release the key. Thus there's a soft thud when you bottom out the key followed by a click on release when the key "tops out". That's why some people say topres have the sound of rain on a tin roof or horse hooves on cobblestone roads.As for the switches themselves, they certainly have a unique feel. There is a smooth tactile bump right when you press the key (not mid-travel like a Cherry MX blue or brown), then much less resistance until you bottom out into a squishy rubber bottom stroke. Thus it is easier to bottom out unless you try hard not to, but when you do bottom out it has less impact on your fingertip than a Cherry switch or rubber dome keyboard. By the way, the switches are silent if you move slowly.The switches are rated at 45g actuation force, but you need significantly more than that to overcome the bump-- 55 to 60g. The keys are uniformly 45g weighted, unlike some comparable Realforce boards.Speaking of Realforce, I don't see what more you would get from one over the Type Heaven other than a different color, rubber feet, and some free keycaps that come with it. Really, I don't think that PBT caps will make a $80+ difference in how much you enjoy your topres on the Type Heaven. So despite my minor niggles, I highly recommend this board to someone wanting the full topre experience!

Great keyboard. I will try to explain to those who never used a Topre in terms of Cherry MX switches.You know how blues and even browns have a sort of clicky actuation force? It seems it is very very thin, and once you go over that bump, it is a very short bump. These keys don't have that type of tactile feel. It definitely has some tactile feel, but a different kind. It feels smoother, and more like a rubber dome (because it partially is). Push on a rubber dome keyboard. The actuation force feels like that.Also you know how reds and browns, the further you push onto the key, the more force you need? (Because its essentially a spring?) Well for the Topre, you need the most force at the top of the keys. The lower you go, the less force needed, so it is very very easy to bottom out.When you bottom out, on cherry mx switches, it is mostly unpleasant. You feel the keycaps hitting the board essentially. The Topre feels like you are supposed to bottom out... the keys are a little cushioned on the bottom out.Another huge difference is that once you bottom out, the force for the keys to go back up is very very strong. Much stronger than any Cherry key I've used.I recommend this keyboard. It's a little pricey, but the feel of it is very satisfying.

Great keyboard. An excellent choice if you want the build quality of a Topre, but aren't willing to shell out for a RealForce.Update (2017/06:Due to a complete lack of self-control, I now own a RealForce as well as this model. While I will use the RealForce for my daily use (b/c holy crap $$$), if I had the option to try both, side-by-side, I would have bought the Type Heaven and not looked back. I can't feel much of a difference in the keys and build quality/weight feels about the same.For my purposes, this keyboard is as good as the RealForce in every way.

As a longtime user of the legendary IBM Model M, I was always curious about Topre boards and their acclaimed switches, quietness and beloved "thock" sound. Finally decided to bite the bullet and snag one. Am I glad I did! I am a news reporter and crank out thousands of words every day, not including notes and dictation from interviews and meetings. This board is a dream to type on.It's nice and weighty, so it won't slide around on the desk. I would have liked to spend an extra $100 and get the Realforce with the higher-quality keys, but these ABS keys are solid enough. I gather I can always buy a kit of the higher quality keys and swap them out, or better yet, buy a Realforce at some point.While I will always love my Model M, I think this Topre will be my daily driver going forward. It seems to be the best of all things for me. I like to imagine it's as if a Model M mated with a Thinkpad keyboard and the end result is the best of both taken to a higher level. The sensation is unique to this type of key switch. It gives me just the right amount of feeback and the sound and feeling when I bottom out is gratifying. I can type quickly, accurately and I actually experience physical and sensory enjoyment from hammering away on this board for hours.

あえて英字モデルを購入。スペースキーとエンターキーが大きいほうが便利という理由のみで購入しましたが特段不便に感じることは少ないです。日本語で記号を入力するときが難点ですが、正直そこまで不便にも感じてないですし、プログラムとか書くときはむしろ英語配列のほうが邪魔しないので好きです。キータッチも東プレらしい安定感のあるタッチで、問題もありません。他のモデルと比べると可もなく付加もないノーマルなモデルだと思います。