When comparing Planck vs Vortex Core, the Slant community recommends Planck for most people. In the question“What are the best mechanical keyboards?” Planck is ranked 17th while Vortex Core is ranked 27th. The most important reason people chose Planck is:
You can throw this thing in your backpack. You can take it with you everywhere. If you don't have a lot of space on your desk, this will probably fit. Don't confuse this for a netbook keyboard though. All the keys are the full size and are as far apart as a normal, regular keyboard. But there are fewer keys. The keys you can't access directly can be found via the "raise" and "lower" keys.
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Pros
Pro Tiny layout
You can throw this thing in your backpack. You can take it with you everywhere. If you don't have a lot of space on your desk, this will probably fit.
Don't confuse this for a netbook keyboard though. All the keys are the full size and are as far apart as a normal, regular keyboard. But there are fewer keys. The keys you can't access directly can be found via the "raise" and "lower" keys.
Pro DIY
You get to pick your switches. You get to choose your key caps. You get to select your case. You get to pick your layout. You get to reprogram your board. You even get to pick your firmware! This keyboard will be really and truly yours!
Pro Ortholinear key layout
This layout is different from a regular staggered layout. Some people really like this change in layout.
Pro Mass market 40% keyboard
unlike most 40% keyboards, you can just buy this one. That's right! You don't need to assemble it! You don't need to solder anything!
Cons
Con Tiny layout
You have to build this thing. The keys are laid out weird. And now you don't even get numeric keys? WHERE DOES THE MADNESS END!?
Con Ortholinear key layout
You just went through all the work to solder this together and now you need to relearn how to type? Where does it all end?!
Con DIY
You have to pick your switches. You have to choose your key caps. You have to select your case. And then you have to build it.
Con Mass Market keyboard
Odds are that if you're willing to go through the effort to get used to a 40% keyboard, you're already pretty excited about mechanical keyboards. You might be happier with a DIY solution
Con 40% Keyboard
Most users will probably have trouble starting out with this keyboard. You need to use function keys to access most of the symbols that you're used to being directly available.