Overall and Final Verdict
Okay, now that we have taken an in depth look at the Code Keyboards and also put them to the test, let’s take stock. I really couldn’t even fit all of the great features of the Code Keyboards in our Pro’s section. I love the clean styling. That includes the bright white backlighting, stealth media/function keys, blacked out design, lack of branding, and the 1mm small status indicators. The went with a classic font rather than an aggressive gaming style font. By using dip switches they were able to pack in features that no other keyboards have like the ability to be able to switch to alternative key layouts, turning the OS key off using the scroll lock button, and even turning the Caps Lock button into another Control key. You can do all of this without having to install any software and the onboard memory will also remember your backlighting settings. To go along with the alternative layouts and to help support Macs and Linux better they left the OS keys black rather than using a Windows logo.
On the back of the keyboard they added additional feet, this combined with the weight of the keyboard makes it nearly impossible for the Code Keyboards to move around on your desk. Both keyboards have removable cords that come with free Velcro wire ties to keep things packed up nicely when you are transporting your keyboard to and from events/work. They went with rarer keyswitch options as well although I wouldn’t mind seeing a few standard options in the future.
So are they prefect? No, there are a few issues here and there. The biggest issue for me was the lack of lubrication on the stabilizers, making them rattle and noisy when typing. The stabilizers are a pain to work with, more than normal at least. I also had a loose area on the case of our full sized model that was a little annoying as well. However, let’s be honest, a little lubrication on the stabilizers and these keyboards would be damn near perfect. The pricing ranges from 150 to 170 depending on what keyswitches you are looking for as well as the size of the keyboard itself (full or TKL). Would I recommend picking one up? Well let’s put it this way, for the first time in a few years I have officially put away my main keyboard and swapped it with a Code Keyboard. Its clean styling goes perfectly with my new desk layout with a more minimalistic design. Unless you are looking for macro keys, RGB lighting, or software these would be up at the top of my list alongside of the Rapid-I and the Novatouch.
