[SOTGO]

The HHKB variants can be nice keyboards, but they're definitely not for everyone. I have a Leopold FC660C that has the same silenced Topre switches as some of the HHKB variants and they're really nice, but the boards that come with them quite expensive for what they provide. The HHKB layout can also be a bit annoying to get used to too, which is why I use the FC660C, since it has arrow keys.

In practice I find modern custom keyboards to have higher upside than Topre keyboards, since you can build one with your preferred layout and switches. If you get a QMK enabled board you can also fully customize the functionality of the keyboard, which I find immensely useful. Unless you specifically want a 60% keyboard with light tactile switches I wouldn't recommend an HHKB, but if that's what you want it's hard to do better.

[D13Fd]

Agreed. I like my Leopold FC660C too but the Topre switches can’t don’t even come close to today’s quiet/lubricated mechanical switches. My custom Python M60 board feels significantly better to type on and is far quieter than the Topre switch board. The Topre switches feel like cheap junk by comparison. I used it for years, but there has just been so much development in this area lately, the Topre switches are outclassed.

On QMK, I disagree. The QMK Bluetooth/USB support still kinda sucks in every recent board I’ve tried, and you can get most of the best QMK functionality on any keyboard using Karabiner anyway.

[squigz]

I've been using an ErgoDox EZ for quite a while now. I will simply never go back to using a non-QMK keyboard.