Endgame Full-Size Keyboard? TickType DP104 Blew Me Away
TickType DP 104 Review: The Full-Size Endgame That Finally Exists
I’m going to say it clearly right up front: the TickType DP 104 is probably my favorite mechanical keyboard I tried in 2025, hands down.
And that’s a bold statement when you know how many boards I’ve had on my desk this year. Some were good. A few were great. A lot of them had that one thing that felt off. One stabilizer that ruined the vibe. A case that looked premium but sounded hollow. Software that made me want to close my laptop and go live in the woods.
The DP 104 is the first full-size board I’ve used where I kept waiting for the catch… and it just never showed up.
This is for the people who want a number pad, want real daily-driver productivity, want a board that feels like a tank, and still want that enthusiast sound and feel without immediately opening a shopping cart full of foam, tape, lube, and regret.
Let’s get into it.
⌨️ TickType DP 104: https://unikeyboards.com/products/ticktype-dp104-full-size-keyboard-kit-pre-order?sca_ref=10302321.TbSytvhr1M
Coupon Code TRISTAN For 7% OFF the entire shop!
Unboxing and What You Actually Get
The packaging is clean and premium, and more importantly, they did that rare thing where the included extras do not feel like filler.
Inside, you get:
- Quick guide, warranty card, and a proper user manual
- A braided USB-C cable (USB-C to USB-A)
- Keycap puller
- Extra mounting and dampening pieces (silicone, “brake” style materials, and tuning options)
- Extra switches (because yes, switches break and I love when brands admit reality)
- Alternate keycaps including Mac modifiers (Command/Option) and some fun accent options
A lot of boards toss in one sad novelty cap and call it a day. This kit actually supports the idea that you might customize it.
That said, I genuinely do not think you need to mod this board out of the box. I’ll explain why in the sound section, because it’s kind of ridiculous.
Design and Build: Full-Size, Fully Committed
First impression: this board is beautiful in a way that feels intentional.
You immediately notice:
- A screen at the top
- A clean accent design including the red Tick accent on escape
- Volume rockers (YES. Rockers.)
- A dedicated button to cycle and control the display
- Physical toggles for Mac/Windows and tri-mode connectivity
- A centered USB port (I actually like this a lot)
- A comfortable typing angle that does not require flip-out feet
The case feels like serious metal. It has that cold-to-the-touch “this costs money” feel.
And then there’s the back weight.
They went absolutely wild. It’s reflective, it catches light, and it leans into the dot design language that shows up across the keyboard. It’s one of those boards where you can tell someone cared about the details, not just the spec list.
Also, the little things matter:
- Clean edges
- Tight alignment
- Rubber feet that actually grip
- No weird wobble
- No “cheap seam” energy
It feels complete.
The Screen: Gimmick? Not Here.
I’m usually skeptical of screens on keyboards. Half the time they exist just to say they exist.
The DP 104’s screen is actually fun, and more importantly, it’s usable.
Out of the box, you can cycle through options like:
- Audio visualizer
- Clock
- Animated patterns
- Effects like “explosions” and fireworks that honestly feel perfect for a New Year vibe
Then you can go further.
Because the DP 104 supports VIA/QMK, you can also get into customization, including adding your own pixel-style designs. I tested it, made something hilariously bad, and then immediately deleted it out of self-respect… but the point is, it works.
If you love personalization, you can make this keyboard feel like yours in a way most boards do not even attempt.
VIA/QMK: The Real Power Move
This is still the gold standard for keyboard customization.
VIA is what I want brands to use when they say “customizable,” because it actually means:
- Proper remapping
- Layers
- Lighting control
- Easy configuration without weird, sketchy software installs
When a board supports VIA/QMK, it immediately earns points with me because it means you are not locked into some half-baked program that breaks in six months.
The DP 104 being VIA/QMK compatible is one of the reasons it feels “endgame” to me.
The Big Feature That Made Me Pause: Quick Release Magnetic Top Case
This is the part that made me laugh out loud.
You unplug the cable, and the top comes off with a quick release.
Then it snaps back into place with magnets.
It’s clean, it’s simple, and it makes “opening the board” feel like something normal people can do.
I am not a huge “take apart every keyboard” person. I like reviewing them as they ship, because that’s how most people buy them. But this system is so easy that even if you have never modded a keyboard in your life, you could.
And underneath, you see the butterfly mount system.
Which brings us to the most important part.
Sound and Typing Feel: The Real Reason This Board Wins
This is, in my opinion, the best-sounding full-size keyboard on the market right now, especially for a board with this many features stacked into it.
It has that thick, controlled, tuned sound that people chase.
The switches in my unit sounded fantastic, and the stabilizers were shockingly good. Modifier keys were consistent, the board had that satisfying “compressed” tone without feeling dead, and nothing felt like it was fighting the acoustics.
Here’s the wild part.
This is the only keyboard I used this year where nothing felt wrong.
No rattles that made me flinch.
No harsh ping.
No random hollow keys that ruin the vibe.
If I nitpick, and I mean really nitpick, the spacebar has a slightly different tone than the rest of the board. It is not bad. It is not rattly. It just has a tiny bit more hollow character compared to the rest of the keys.
Some people will never notice it.
Some people will tape mod it and feel proud.
Either way, it’s the only “con” I can even pull out of this experience.
Features That Actually Matter (and Why This Feels Like One-Keyboard-to-Rule-Them-All)
Here’s the feature stack you’re getting in one board:
- Full-size layout with number pad
- Tri-mode connectivity (wired, Bluetooth, 2.4GHz)
- Mac/Windows physical toggles
- VIA/QMK support
- Screen with customizable visuals
- Bright RGB
- Volume rockers
- Quick release magnetic case
- Premium internal build with layered foams and tuning
- Strong brand lineage (same ecosystem as the boards people already trust)
This is the part where I understand the pricing argument.
Because yes, it’s not “cheap.”
But if you were saving for one keyboard, one actual do-it-all board that covers work, play, Mac, Windows, customization, sound, and build quality, this is the first time I’ve touched a full-size keyboard and thought: yeah, this might be it.
Who Should Buy the TickType DP 104
Buy this if:
- You love full-size keyboards and you actually use a number pad
- You want premium sound without modding
- You want VIA/QMK and refuse to deal with weird software
- You want tri-mode and real flexibility for desk setups
- You want something that looks like a flagship keyboard, not a toy
- You want “endgame” vibes without building a custom from scratch
Who Should Skip It
Skip this if:
- You only use compact layouts and hate full-size boards
- You want a super minimal aesthetic with basic colorways only
- You are extremely sensitive to spacebar tone differences and refuse to mod anything, ever
- You just need the cheapest keyboard possible and do not care about VIA/QMK, build, or tuning
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Best-in-class full-size sound for a prebuilt
- Premium aluminum feel and solid build quality
- VIA/QMK support is a huge win
- Screen is actually fun and usable
- Tri-mode connectivity and Mac/Windows toggles
- Quick release magnetic top is stupid-easy and genuinely cool
- Volume rockers are perfect for daily use
- Stock tuning is impressive, no urgent need to mod
Cons
- Colorways might not match every setup without swapping caps
- Spacebar tone is slightly more hollow than the rest (tiny nitpick)
- Not a budget buy, it’s a “save up” board
Final Verdict
The TickType DP 104 is the full-size keyboard I’ve been waiting for.
It’s the first board this year that made me stop thinking about what I would change and just enjoy typing. It sounds incredible, looks premium, has real enthusiast-level software support, and somehow still manages to feel playful with the screen and design details.
If you are a full-size person and you want one keyboard that does everything, this is the one I’d tell you to save for.
