Interesting, do you have any examples of the latter two categories? Looking for a replacement for my Cherry-Keyboard.

In this case, I'm talking specifically about the switches. There are various options from Gateron, Kailh and Outemu (including switches made by these companies but sold under different brands) which are widely regarded as superior to Cherry's options.

In terms of keyboards, a good all-rounder suggestion is to take a look at some options from Keychron.

I found a mini-keyboard from dealnews.com for $20 with multicolor LEDs, that seems reliable.

I found another at Best Buy with red LEDs, but otherwise similar, and I gave it to my coworker. He wore all the letters off the keycaps before he retired and took it home, but it was otherwise reliable.

I think these were both blue switch-based.

Several genuine Cherry keyboards were in the e-waste pile at work, so I rescued them. I am using one on a test PC with rhel8.

https://www.dealnews.com/Redragon-S107-BA-Gaming-Keyboard-an...

https://www.dealnews.com/Aula-F75-Gaming-Mechanical-Keyboard...

https://www.dealnews.com/K4-RGB-Tenkeyless-Mechanical-Gaming...

I wish that Cherry could get a cut of these.

I think magnetic hall-effect switches in standard keyboard are interesting innovation. Basically allows you to tune at what point of key press they activate.

Well, there's Gateron and Keychron.. But from what I gather Cherry still are considered the choice if you want longevity.

IMO Outemu blues are better than Cherry's. They're actually clickier.