Fujitsu Realforce R2 Keyboard (Full, Black, 55G)

Product Information

The APC models come with moulded key spacer inserts for main alphanumeric cluster of keys that reduce the travel of the switches to 2mm and 3mm. For this reason, they also come with a keycap puller. Topre has also replaced their folded steel "tweezer" keycap puller with a more common wire loop design. The key spacer inserts are also sold separately, and include moulded sets for the alphanumeric cluster and WASD keys, and 10 individual spacers that can be used on any single-unit keycaps. APC models also have 4 additional keys in the top-right corner, similar to the Realforce RGB. These keys have the same function as they do on the Realforce RGB: 'Mute', 'Volume Up', 'Volume Down', and 'APC'. The 'APC' key switches between the three adjustable actuation points (1.5, 2.2, or 3.0mm).

While the design of the keyboard is not quite as sophisticated at the Realforce R2, it still comes with PBT keycaps and fixes a lot of the issues.Although subtle, Topre use two font sizes for their printed legends. The smaller size was used on some of their older keyboards and keyboards that have two language character sets (e.g. English + Hiragana or English + Hangul). The easiest way to tell is to observe the distance between the top of the keycap and the top of the printed legend. The larger font will be much closer to the top edge of the keycap than the small font. The 101, 103U, 104U and 106U make up Topre’s line of ANSI layout Realforce keyboards. The 101 is basically a copy of the IBM Enhanced Keyboard layout. It probably has the same 30 grams / 45 grams weighting as the 86U. The 103U adds a single Windows key between Ctrl and Alt on the left, and a Menu key on the right between Alt and Ctrl. The 103U is also the only known Realforce model that has Chinese Zhuyin characters. The 104U is perhaps the most popular full sized Realforce keyboard in the west. Unlike the 101 and 103U, it exists in popular uniform 45 grams weighting. The 104U, along with the 106U, are the only full size ANSI Realforce variants with models that have DIP switches. The 104U is also the only Realforce variant that has models with high profile spherical keycaps. The 106U, not to be confused with the JIS layout 106, is an ANSI keyboard produced for the Korean market. The addition of the left 한자 (Chinese character) and right 한/영 (Korean-English) keys is the only layout difference between the 106U and 104U keyboards. The 106U is the only known full size ANSI keyboard with a red mounting plate. In September, 2011, Topre celebrated their 10th Anniversary by releasing a line of 87U keyboards in Korea [3]. The 106, 106U and 108U are the Japanese full size Realforce variants. The 108U adds a Windows key and a Menu key. Modern 108U keyboards (as well as the modern 89/91U tenkeyless boards) replace the 無変換 (Muhenkan), 変換 (Henkan) and カタカナ/ひらがな (Katakana/Hiragana) with much simpler circular legends for the Muhenkan and Henkan keys and a ‘KANA’ key for Hiragana/Katakana. A simple ‘E / J’ key takes the place of 半角/全角 (Hankaku/Zenkaku) on these keyboards, too. Interestingly, there are quite a few Japanese full size keyboards that employ uniform 30 grams switches. There are currently seven known uniform 30 grams full size JIS Realforce models, compared to only one available in ANSI layout, and no option for ISO users. The only known 45 grams silenced Realforce keyboard is also a full size JIS model.

Actuation Point Change (APC) technology, allowing the user to select from 3 different actuation points (1.5, 2.2, or 3.0mm)Not all invoices are formatted or in a condition to return any, some or all data points accurately using this technology Now that I am finally able to try out the Topre Realforce R2, I have to say, I’m pretty disappointed. The Verdict ★ ★ ★ Both the RF/Topre R2 and the Leopold R2 suffer from some stabilizer rattle in the other wide keys. Fortunately, the only wide keys I use frequently other than the spacebar are the Right Shift and Return/Enter keys. I notice the rattle mostly form the Right Shift. This is an interesting contrast with my Northgate Omnikey 101 keyboard with SKCM white Alps switches. The Northgate has wire stabilizers on all the wide keys and they do not rattle.

I am using 87U and I have tried R2 PFU limited edition (TKL version), so this is a short personal comparison between the TKL models, but should be the same for full size models. So these are the differences that I have noticed myself:Perhaps I built up the idea of Topre too much inside my head before purchasing, but the expectations of an amazing product did not get met by the real deal.

has a pleasant 3 degrees angle. I am not sure what exactly is the angel of R2 but it feels slightly bigger/steeper. I am not fan of steep angles, I prefer flat or small angle keyboards, so that’s a negative for me. But the difference is very small, some people might not even realize it. The Realforce R2 RGB also lights up all of the secondary functions on keys. However, only the main key sections (letters, numbers, punctuation) get the best lighting, because the secondary functions are positioned beside the primary functions instead of below. The F-key row see the brightness taper off lower on the keycap, where the secondary functions are, making them harder to see and kind of shoddy looking. Spacebar on 87U is ABS plastic, while on R2 is PBT. R2 spacebar sounds nicer but also feels nicer due to the fact that spacebar on 87U has a sharp edge (which is one of the reasons some people flip it) that can be felt if your thumb finger is not high enough when typing. Fortunately on R2 the edge feels smoother, maybe due to the different plastic material. Please note that if the elevating feet are used on 87U, this issue is much less noticeable. I popped off a keycap to see what was going on underneath, and while not the exact same setup you’d see on many Cherry MX keyswitches, it seems the Realforce R2 RGB can have Cherry keycaps installed. REALFORCE keyboards include Fujitsu Computer Products of America’s industry leading technical support, a 2 year advanced exchange warranty and U.S. certifications.For the uninitiated, Topre is a sort-of hybrid switch, one that’s long invited debate. I’m not going to wade too deep into that void, but: The primary mechanism for a Topre’s key resistance is a rubber dome, the oft-maligned foundation of most budget membrane keyboards. The activation and feel, though, are similar to a mechanical keyboard’s, and the result is a unique switch that diehard fans swear by. The Realforce RGB marks the most drastic departure from the traditional Realforce design, which has remained largely unchanged since its introduction in 2001. It is clearly aimed at the more contemporary gamer crowd and as such, has a number of features that appeal to this crowd. Milestone features for the Realforce brand that are present on the RGB include: Other noteworthy milestones include their first US ANSI layout keyboard, the Realforce 101 (Model ML0100) released in April, 2003 and their first USB keyboard, the Realforce 89U (Model NF0100) released in December, 2003. Korean Realforce keyboards in ANSI layout with Hangul printed characters were likely introduced around 2007, although there are some Hangul keyboards without confirmed release dates. The first ISO layout keyboard was probably the Realforce 105UFW (Model WE1100), a Finnish layout keyboard released in December, 2009. The standalone Realforce 23U and 23UB numpads were released in August, 2009. Both numpads were discontinued in early 2014, but were re-introduced in September, 2014. The build quality of the Topre Realforce TKL is quite excellent. The case is made entirely of a plastic construction with a stainless steel plate which makes the keyboard extra rigid.