Zuoya - GMK104

Just to touch on the reputation bit, imo its probably the opposite haha. Between the 2, at that price range I would just go off whether you like the knob+screen. I don't own the gmmk2 or any other glorious boards, mostly because of the reputation, but the GMK104 is a solid choice. If you go with the GMK104, I would order it on aliexpress; most of the listings on amazon are resellers and you should be able to pick one up for $40-50, it may just take a little longer to ship. I would definitely consider something from keychron as well, there's a pretty noticeable jump in build quality from either of the 2 you mentioned. If you can find a V-series for around the same price or a bit more, I would just choose that honestly.

Might I recommend going custom with a zuoya gmk104? They're 81 on Amazon in the us right now for the base, akko switches are cheap. I use a linear akko creamy yellow v3 pro switch which works very well for my gaming and regular use. I would recommend the akko fairy switches for linears and the penguins for tactiles but those are their two silent switches price is 18.99 per box of 45 for both you'll need 3 boxes. I have polycarb keycaps here but there are plenty of cheap pbt keycaps out there to chose from. Should be able to get a decent keyboard for about 135-140 us unless you have to buy two sets of keycaps to get a custom color/material combo like me. The keyboard is 5 pin hot swap and will accommodate 3 pin switches too. It's got RGB but I don't use it. I just priced out the akko silent switches with the base board here and with some basic black womier keycaps you're looking at about 155.96 before tax. Not bad for a custom board with silent switches.

Quite frankly, I don't think that most people need a metal keyboard case. Knowing the people around me don't really care about computers in the same way that I do the majority of my friends and family will just go out and buy a cheap keyboard on Amazon. Most wouldn't even be able to appreciate a good $150 custom keyboard with a plastic case let alone a metal one. Casual gamers usually only care about having fun anyway. But if you have the money and want something made of metal all the more power to you. My GMK104 is hefty while still being plastic. And for the weight it is it's great! At the end of the day keyboards are subjective and everyone likes different stuff. Red dragon makes some decent models for not too much in 5 pin hot swap with bf deals coming might want to check out which ones are 5 pin hot swap and when you're ready you can replace those switches with any mechanical switch you like. That's a much deeper rabbit hole though.

Take it from the guy who is currently ranked among the top 3730 players in fortnite on the trn I don't rock hall effect. My keyboard is a custom mechanical zouya 104 with akko creamy yellow v3 pro switches and polycarb keycaps. Unless you are looking for the kinds of advantages that will make you one of the best among the best in a given competitive game you do not need a hall effect keyboard. For casual gaming and such you really don't need it. A cheap red dragon mevhanical will serve you just as well as an expensive he keyboard or the newer tn keebs. I mean, I'm trying to get higher to the top for my game and I probably could use a hall effect keyboard but clearly I've proven I don't need it.

Zouya gkm87 in AliExpress.... I got mine with outemu silent peaches v3... Later i got myself a zouya gkm104 and gifted the gkm87 to my gf.... We are both very happy with it. It is tri-conection Its cheaper than anything else in the comments It's been working super well with me for more than 2 years and i play Fortnite with it ( connected by cable ) so its fast enough for me to win games. Haven't tried the other 2 connection methods.... But its because I have no need for them not because they don't work. The only con i have against it is that they don't truly have a deep red led. If I ONLY like red leds like me that is a con. But i painted mine https://preview.redd.it/xvpkqo9bg3uf1.jpeg?width=4000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c6f1eec77b7e5ff6fd3aa343714ec5d616ef7288 This is the gkm104 it has a mini screen and a volume knob. Same as the gkm87.... Just smaller