I think the Keychron V6 Max might be right up your alley.

It meets all of your requirements (100% layout, back light, quiet depending on your switches).

It’s also hotswapable so very beginner friendly when you’re trying to find switches you like. Here’s a sound test of all 3 switch options for the Keychron V6. There’s not a huge difference to me but I’m also just on mobile right now. With your budget you can also choose to try other switches too. You can use the stock switches as a starting point to see what type of switch best fits your needs. For example, note the force used to actuate (activate) the switch. If it feels too light, find a switch that has a higher force. Videos can help to identify which sound nice but keep in mind that the keyboard will also impact the sound.

Lastly the V6 can be used via Bluetooth or wireless USB for a cleaner look. I didn’t see gaming as a requirement so the lower latency over wireless connection should be fine.

There are other Keychron keyboards too if you want other options. The Q6 is very similar but is entirely made of metal, thus increasing the cost to $205 for a fully assembled board. Hippyo has an informative video on building and modding a custom keyboard using the Keychron Q6 as a base model.

Is there a nonpaywall link?

I’d agree with the exception of artists who sell their printed work (ex: photographers, graphic designers). They’re not only making money from their prints but also printing in color frequently enough that the cartridge doesn’t dry out.

The Iris Rev 8 might be just what you’re looking for. In any case, I think the term you’re looking for is “hotswapable” since you want DIY without soldering.

Personally, I have the Ergodox EZ and I love it. It almost meets all of your requirements but I think it’s more than 40%.

Open box stuff is nice. I also like buying bigger items like TVs or appliances from them since it’s easier to return if I don’t like it.

Also it’s nice to demo stuff before buying if I’m not sure about the size, weight, screen etc.

And as some users have mentioned, Amazon has become kind of a lottery for actually getting new items

For the lazy:

The California High-Speed Rail took another important step toward becoming reality Thursday after the governing body’s board of directors began the process of obtaining possible vendors for the state’s most ambitious transit project in history.

The High-Speed Rail Authority’s Board approved the release of a Request for Qualifications, which clears the way for the Authority to obtain and screen vendors as well as establish a pool of possible manufacturers for the project’s trainsets.

Interested companies will need to submit a statement of qualification to the Authority to attest they can meet the demands of the project if ultimately selected as the winning bid.

Statements of Qualification will be due by November and the total pool of vendors will be whittled down by the first quarter of 2024, the Authority said.

“Our action today allows us to deliver on our commitment to meet our federal grant timelines to start testing,” said Board Chair Tom Richards. “This is an important milestone for us to deliver high-speed rail service in the Central Valley and eventually into Northern and Southern California.”

The Authority is looking to obtain six trainsets that are capable of operating at speeds of 220 mph and tested at speeds as high as 242 mph. Two prototypes will need to be delivered by 2028 to allow for testing and trial runs and the additional four will need to be delivered by 2030.

“These trainsets ensure that we are procuring the latest generation of high-speed trains for this first-in-the-nation project,” said Authority CEO Brian Kelly. “We look forward to working with members of the industry as we strive to develop a market for high-speed trains in the United States.”

The manufacturer who is chosen to receive the High-Speed Rail contract will be be responsible for designing, building, integrating and commissioning the trainsets, as well as maintaining them and their spare parts for 30 years. The manufacturer will also be responsible for testing and maintaining a driving simulator.

The California High-Speed Rail is tentatively planned to open in 2030, operating in the large middle section of the Central Valley which and connecting Merced to Bakersfield along a 171-mile track.

Construction on the project officially began in Fresno in 2015 after decades of discussion and voter approval for initial funding in 2008.

The Authority said it hopes to have service going by 2030, but transportation advocates and supporters of the project have urged the governing body to accelerate that timeline, possibly having the entire track from the Bay Area to Los Angeles up and running by 2028.

Despite clamoring from advocates and overall enthusiasm for the project, the Authority stresses that there’s simply not enough funding to get the project completed any sooner.

Still, Thursday’s procedural step is an important one and continues to solidify the Authority’s confidence that the project is past the “point of no return” and will be completed in the next decade.

Construction is currently underway along 119 miles of the proposed 171-mile track across the Central Valley. There are more than 30 active construction sites in the state, and the 422 miles of the program’s design has received environmental clearance.