Tommy’s English name is TOM, and he has been deeply involved with peripherals for many years. His earliest gaming experiences include classic PC games like Red Alert and CS1.5. Later, he became captivated by Warcraft 3, which sparked his ongoing interest in peripherals. Over the years, he has tested countless peripherals, and now he wants to document his journey with these devices. Writing about them not only helps preserve memories of his hobbies but also allows him to share his experiences with others. Previously, he wrote many standalone pieces about peripherals, but this time, he hopes to compile them into a cohesive series.
In 2017, the mechanical keyboard market saw a surge in popularity for green-themed keyboards. I vaguely recall that Amilo was one of the first to release a green keyboard with matching keycaps, and this trend quickly caught on, making green the go-to color for mechanical keyboards that year. Following Amilo, brands like Leopold, GASS (Gaussian), and Akko Ducky also embraced the green trend.
Amilo and Leopold's green keyboards were quite pricey—both were 87-key models priced at over 700 and 1200 yuan, respectively. The GK87 Grass Green from GASS was similarly an 87-key model but more affordable at around 400 yuan, making it more accessible. Akko Ducky’s green keycaps were released for their ONE keyboard, which had 108 keys and a competitive price of around 650 yuan.
When it comes to the relationship between Ducky, Akko, and Magic Duck, things get interesting. Ducky is a brand under Taiwan-based Chuangjie International, and they were once the agent for Magic Duck in China. Products from both brands were often marketed interchangeably, which led to some confusion among consumers. However, the partnership between Ducky and Magic Duck ended last year, and Ducky subsequently teamed up with another domestic brand, AKKO (Aiku), forming what we now know as Akko Ducky. Meanwhile, Magic Duck continues to compete in the market with their M1 and M2 keyboards and older models like the 2108/2087. AKKO and Ducky have reintroduced their 3108 series and Shine series to the domestic market, marking a new chapter for the brand.
One standout feature of the Akko Ducky One green PBT sublimation keycaps is their vibrant grass green color. These keycaps are available for purchase at 199 yuan, offering a cost-effective way to refresh your keyboard setup. In addition to the grass green, they come in retro, pink, blue, and black options, but the grass green has clearly become the most sought-after choice this year.
Ducky's green keycaps are a quick response to the current trend, but they fall short in one area: unlike other brands that offer full green versions of their keyboards, Ducky only changed the keycaps while keeping the rest of the design unchanged. This limitation detracts slightly from the overall appeal.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the Ducky brand is its unique key puller design. While it incorporates Ducky's iconic duck motif, it isn’t as practical as a standard steel wire key puller. Many users have noted issues with the design, but despite feedback, Ducky remains steadfast in maintaining its distinctive style.
To compare keycaps, I've tried several sets. From left to right: 1) Cooler Master Mocha keycap (sublimation characters), bought recently and still in mint condition; 2) FILCO's original ABS keycap, part of my FILCO keyboard for a long time; 3) TaiHao’s PBT two-color keycap, replacing the FILCO keyboard's original caps, used for about two years; 4) AKKO Ducky's grass green PBT sublimation keycap, a recent acquisition.
In terms of craftsmanship, the Mocha and Akko Ducky green keycaps both use the sublimation process, whereas FILCO uses laser engraving, and TaiHao employs two-color molding. The injection ports vary as well—Mocha, FILCO, and TaiHao have small dots on the back, while Akko Ducky’s sublimation caps have longer internal injection ports, making them less noticeable.
Each keycap set has its charm, with Mocha being the original height and the others following the common OEM height. Prices differ significantly: the Mocha keycap costs 499 yuan, FILCO’s is 299 yuan, and both TaiHao and Akko Ducky’s sublimation caps are under 200 yuan. Used keycaps can often be found for even less.
I decided to pair the green keycaps with a white Gass keyboard, and the result was fantastic. The color combination added a refreshing touch to the keyboard. Such changes in aesthetics can genuinely enhance one’s mood while working, studying, or gaming.
With the introduction of the Akko Ducky One green PBT sublimation mechanical keyboard and a discussion on the popularity of grass green, I’ve also shed light on the relationships between Ducky, Magic Duck, and AKKO. As this is the first installment of my series, I apologize for any confusion caused. I hope you enjoyed reading it and look forward to your thoughts and feedback.
This is just the beginning of my journey into the world of peripherals, and I’m excited to explore more trends and innovations ahead.
Guangzhou Winson Information Technology Co., Ltd. , https://www.barcodescanner-2d.com