TEX Shinobi and TEX Shura
I normally don’t write reviews; however, I decided to do it here since these keyboards don’t get the attention they deserve in the community, while offering something no other company is providing.
The shipping was very quick, and customer service was amazing, which is something that is not always expected from manufacturers that offer something unique — I don’t want to mention other names.
I bought both keyboards as DIY kits, and this is a recommended option nowadays. They are both hot-swappable, and you can get any switches you want. The assembly is really straightforward, and anyone would be able to do it. Their proprietary utility for changing the layout is amazing and easy to use. What I didn’t like is that, when assembling the keyboard, you have to screw the screws directly into the plastic, which makes it a weak point if you need to open and close the keyboard multiple times. The plastic can simply break.
The other thing to mention is that, when I had just opened the package, I was disappointed by the quality of the plastic; it felt cheap. However, when I assembled it, everything felt great and pleasant. The plastic is, I would say, very retro and nostalgic, and I wouldn’t like to see different plastic used in these keyboards.
The Tex Shura and Tex Shinobi are designed and manufactured in Taiwan. They both have a TrackPoint, like ThinkPads. However, I was really surprised by how well it was executed. It is smoother and more precise compared to TrackPoints on modern ThinkPads. I didn’t expect this, as it has never been mentioned in any reviews. I am not sure if it is because of the drivers or the actual hardware, but the result is amazing. When I was using my modern ThinkPads, I always found myself reaching for the trackpad, especially for scrolling, which is no longer the case with Tex keyboards. It is more convenient for me to use the TrackPoint than an Apple Trackpad or a mouse.
I bought the Tex Shura with a metal case, and to do this, you have to buy the keyboard with the plastic case and then buy a separate metal case, which is a bit wasteful. It would be nice if the company offered an option with a metal case.
The keycaps are truly amazing. The Shinobi comes with ABS keycaps, and the Shura comes with doubleshot keycaps. Both are great. I have a couple of sets from GMK and 21kb, and these keycaps are on par with them in terms of quality.
I like heavy keyboards. These are heavy enough for my taste, and I don’t feel any discomfort compared to the Evo75, which is heavier. However, it would be nice to see heavier options in the future.
There is an opinion that these keyboards are for ThinkPad users and lovers. I disagree with it. These keyboards are great for anyone. They are unique, well-thought-out products with great prices and an excellent overall experience. For me, it was a 10/10 experience, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.
I hope that if these products get the attention they deserve, we will see more keyboards from TEX, or at least the return of their full-metal options.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with TEX in any way and paid for these with my hard-earned money. They cost me two days of my working time, so it wasn’t a small purchase for me.