When comparing Topre Realforce 104UB vs Logitech G910 Orion Spark, the Slant community recommends Topre Realforce 104UB for most people. In the question“What are the best keyboards?” Topre Realforce 104UB is ranked 5th while Logitech G910 Orion Spark is ranked 16th. The most important reason people chose Topre Realforce 104UB is:
Topre switches are a mix between mechanical switches and rubber dome switches. They have mechanical components, however they are covered beneath a rubber dome which protects the switch. They bring a mechanical feel, and mix it with the durability of a rubber dome switch.
Specs
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Pros
Pro Uses Topre key switches
Topre switches are a mix between mechanical switches and rubber dome switches. They have mechanical components, however they are covered beneath a rubber dome which protects the switch. They bring a mechanical feel, and mix it with the durability of a rubber dome switch.
Pro Variable key weights
Variable weights under each specific groups of keys was done in a bid to prevent RSI (repetitive strain injury). For instance, the groups of keys that the pinky finger hits are much lighter/softer than the rest of the groups of keys that are pressed by the rest of the fingers. Variable weights are achieved by having either heavier or lighter rubber domes. Whilst this idea is very useful for normal typing, for gaming it's not so great: for instance, when dealing with First Person Shooter games that requires WASD keys, those sets of keys feel very light when fingers other than the pinky are used to actuate them.
Pro Silenced option are available
Silenced Topre switches are designed for those who do not particularly like the sound of keyboards being tapped on or for those who may be concern over disturbing others when using a noisy keyboard. Silencing is done mainly by placing a material that absorbs the sound of the slider when it makes contact with the slider housing. This thereby prevents excessive noise when the key has been released after it has been actuated. The overall effect of a silenced Topre is quite astounding as it may give the impression one is on a cheap keyboard (obviously, the reality is actually the opposite).
Pro PBT keycaps
PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) keycaps last longer than other keycap materials, and are more durable. They are more expensive than ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), which is why they are less commonly found.
Pro RGB backlighting
Like the Blackwidow Chroma and K95/70/65 RGB keyboards, the G910 supports custom per-key RGB colors.
Pro Almost no LED bleeding
Because the Romer-G switches actually have LEDs inside them, which is impossible with switches like Cherry MX, Kailh or Topre, it's very difficult for any of the light to bleed out. It still happens a bit, but not much.
Pro Windows key locking
Most keyboards support this in one form or another, but the G910 has a nice big button next to the lock LEDs.
Pro Lots of macro keys
G1-G5 are easy to reach, G6-G9 less so. There are also M1, M2, and M3 profiles, which can hold a complete set of G-keys each. LGS can also configure this per-game, so players of multiple MMOs can have three sets of G-keys for each MMO rather than just three in total.
Pro Logitech Gaming Software
The G-keys and lighting have tons of configuration options in LGS. This is also a pro for users of Logitech G-Series mice and headsets, as you only need one software installation to work with all of them.
Pro Arx Dock
Instead of the LCD screen that Logitech put into several previous keyboards, the G910 has a phone dock and iOS/Android app. This has several advantages over the embedded screen, mostly lower cost and the ability to control the screen on its own. Arx Control can monitor system temperatures and clocks and even launch games.
Pro Media keys
Like most large gaming keyboards and unlike smaller, general-purpose keyboards (Ducky, Leopold, Topre, etc.), the G910 has a full set of media keys (play/pause, stop, rewind, fast-forward, mute, and a volume roller).
Pro LUA scripting
LGS has a LUA scripting engine in case its macro capabilities aren't enough. Unfortunately, scripts are wholly separate from macros, so you can't save scripts and then use the GUI to assign them to keys.
Cons
Con Generally not cheap
When the keyboard is not sourced directly from Japan the price may vary (usually higher). At the same time, sourcing directly from Japan may only save one a couple of dollars here and there (after including the forwarding/proxy costs). Ideally, the best solution is to shop around and do one's homework, to see what is more viable in the long run.
Con Lack of customisation available
As is the case with virtually every Topre based keyboard, the 104UB comes with the disadvantage of lacking customisation options. This is mitigated by the fact Realforce generally sells a wide range of coloured keycaps for their keyboards.
Con Keys can occassionally chatter
It's pretty rare (maybe once every 3 months), but Realforce keyboard keys can "chatter" (at least on the Realforce 87u and 103u keyboards). The key is not physically stuck in the keydown position, but nevertheless, the input will continuously and endlessly repeat as if the key was being held down. Further keyboard input is ignored until you unplug the USB cable. It's an uncommon annoyance, however an annoyance nonetheless.
Con Feet are rather short
The G910 is almost completely horizontal with the feet out, and it actually angles backward with them retracted. Longer legs would help a lot.
Con No custom keycaps
There are no custom keycaps for Romer-G switches. Also, since they have completely different stems from all other existing switches, keycaps made for other switches also can't be used.
Con Lighting modes are restrictive
Each key can be set individually, but if you want to create an animation, then it has to be across the whole keyboard. It's no possible, for example, to animate just the number pad.
Con Wrist rest cannot be removed
The G910 has a wrist rest skeleton built onto it. It comes with two covers, one covers the skeleton and the other one extends it, but it cannot be removed.
Con Keycap font
The keycap font is one of those that can be referred to as a stereotypical "edgy gamer" font. Something more discreet, like Arial, would be much better.
Con Takes up much space
The G910 is very large, even for a fullsize keyboard.
Con Long key travel distance
The G910's Romer-G switches have a longer travel distance than most domes.