Choosing among keyboard pcbs, cases & plates can be difficult when two aluminum cases serve different build goals. The Desktop Tribe DT60 and New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case put the decision between an extras-included HE-oriented kit and a case-focused ALT option. The useful shortcut is to decide whether included build components or a lower listed price matters more.
Quick verdict
Choose the DT60 if included build components are central to your plan. Choose the DROP ALT if a case-focused ALT purchase and lower price are the priority. The listed prices are $95 and $63, a $32 spread, so the lower price is clear; the harder question is whether the DT60 bundle's extras justify paying more. This is not a one-feature comparison: both are aluminum cases, but the package contents and intended formats differ.
| Product | Listed price | Condition | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desktop Tribe DT60 | $95 | Used | 60% aluminum HE case |
| New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case | $63 | New | 65% low-profile aluminum case |
Where each product wins
- Desktop Tribe DT60 wins on included build pieces. Its package names a strap, FR4 switch plate, matching keycaps, silicone gaskets, stock stabilizers, screws, and a weight. That is a concrete advantage when assembling around a Hall Effect setup.
- New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case wins for a case-focused setup. Its hardware includes angled aluminum feet, magnets, screws, and rubber pads, while the almost-black low-profile ALT direction keeps the purchase centered on the case rather than a broader accessory bundle.
Product notes
Desktop Tribe DT60 Aluminum HE Keyboard Case
At the center of the DT60 package is a Hall Effect use case: it is for Hall Effect builds and was used with the Wooting 60HE. The bundle names a strap, FR4 switch plate, matching pearlescent keycaps, silicone gaskets, stock stabilizers, case-and-strap screws, and a weight. That makes it a concrete choice when build pieces matter as much as the case itself. The limitation is physical wear: the back where the PCB lies is noticeably scratched or damaged, and the weight has minor wear. It is also a used kit, so those marks are part of the buying decision. Choose the DT60 for its included components and HE focus, not for an untouched exterior.
New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case
The New DROP ALT case's reason to choose is its new, sealed condition and case hardware: an anodized aluminum case, two angled aluminum feet, four magnets, case screws, and rubber pads. It is a 65% low-profile case in an almost black finish aimed at ALT customization. The limitation is straightforward: keycaps are not included. An LED diffuser is also identified as required for original Massdrop ALT keyboards, which can affect how complete the purchase is for that specific setup. Choose this case when those exclusions are acceptable and the case itself, along with its included feet hardware, is the priority over a bundle of build accessories.
Final choice by use case
- Choose Desktop Tribe DT60 when the Hall Effect direction and included kit matter more than the lower price. The concrete trade-off is the scratched or damaged PCB-side back and minor wear on the weight.
- Choose New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case when you want an ALT-focused, low-profile case and keycaps not being included is acceptable. Its angled feet hardware supports the case-focused choice.
The deciding question is simple: do you want the DT60's bundled build components, or the DROP ALT's case package at the lower listed price? For a component-rich Hall Effect route, DT60 is the clearer match; for a case-focused route, DROP ALT is the clearer match.
