Keyboard suggestions, Mechanical vs Traditional

[avelle]

So I've been reading a lot lately on how nice mechanical keyboards are to type on, but I don't really know anyone that uses one. I'm looking for a high quality keyboard, doesn't have to be mechanical, but I thought I would throw it out there for consideration. I've been looking at the Razer BlackWidow, but there seems to be complaints on youtube about build quality. What are people using these days?

[Jintu]

I was going to get a mechanical but then thought the sound would be annoying after a while of using it. Also, I knew it would suck using one at home and then having to use a shitty one at work, lame reason but oh well. This is what I've been using for the past weeks: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...ogitech%20g110

[Boyiee]

I use mechanical. Do not buy a razer blackwidow, they are pieces of shit. If you get blues they might be a little louder, but the keys really aren't that loud. I switched from logitech backlit keyboards to mechanical, I'll never go back.

Research your shit at geekhack, take a look around, read guides, learn which cherry's are best for you. I use a Deck Legend frost tactile, it has cheery clears which are a good all-around key for both gaming and typing (I post alot, write reports, and game a TON, I need something that does both). They are more expensive, but build great, worth every penny. Filco's are awesome, Das keyboards are awesome, really just go to geekhack and learn.

Most people on this forum are going to recommend logitechs or other keyboards, but really there is no comparison between mechanical and shitty rubber domes. They are awesome, I won't be going back. I made a post about this recently in another thread, i'll try to find it even though it says mostly the same shit.

edit: here is the post I made saying mostly the same shit but more informative----

Spoiler: show

Deck if you want LED's, but then you are spending money. Each key is individually back lit, so it's expensive.

Otherwise the imports are amazing, Filco's are awesome, topre, das.

Check out geekhack.com they are some of the most dedicated mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, will recommend things for you, have guides for you, etc.

In fact, here is their guide on mechanicals, and for people who know nothing about them

And here is their main keyboard forum

My issue was that I'm an ex competitive pc gamer, who plays a lot of FPS and actually used his gkeys and LOVES backlighting. They pointed me in the right direction as far as what to get, as well as showed me there are a fairly large number of pro gamers using mechanical... Lots of people told me originally that mechanicals are too loud, or terrible for gaming, that they are specifically for typing. Boy, were they wrong. It may actually be the opposite, although they were right about them being amazing for typing.

[Senji]

Not all mechanicals click.

Razer stuff kinda blows outside of the naga for mmos.

G keys aside, I prefer the typing feel of the G11/15 V1 but some peoples feel like shit, some quality control issues idk. All the other newer logitech boards feel like shit. Though I have not tried the G19.

In some other thread someone posted a good info link on mech boards..

it was Boyiee^^

[Amastacia]

There's a site that refurbishes old IBM keyboards, might even convert them to USB. If you want a bitchin' mechanical keyboard, it's worth a look. I don't remember the URL off the top of my head, and we're both equally able to use Google.

[Omniyoji]

pckeyboards.com?

[izembo]

i use a g110 which has a lot of the functionality of the extra keys of the other g keyboards, but i dont have the extra cost of a screen.

[Amastacia]

pckeyboards.com?

Yes, that.

Friend/co-worker of mine got one and loves it. I don't know that I'd get one myself, but they are the keyboard equivalent of a cockroach... on May 22, there'll be some cockroaches, Keith Richards, and old IBM keyboards still plugging away.

Edit: Friend bought one of these: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/customizer.html

[Slott]

i have a razer blackwidow ultimate and like it, despite all the negative feedback about it in this thread...

[Boyiee]

The problem with it is there are better, WAY BETTER mechanicals for that price, or for a few dollars more. The only thing it has are the macro keys on the side, which are worthless to most people.

I'll admit, I used to use a ton of my gkeys on my logitech boards. They were invaluable for battlefield2142 and when I was pushing glad in wow. Then one day I started using them less, and less, and less, till I only used 2. One for PTT in vent, one for my mount macro. Then I got this keyboard, mapped that mount macro to my mouse and disabled my capslock key, making that my PTT, and blam - no need for them any more.

It isn't a bad keyboard, but if you want a mechanical one, especially for gaming, then it really isn't the best choice. Especially since it has cherry blues. It is a nice inbetween I guess, and I understand it is a more appealing mechanical for gamers... idk I wouldn't want to be gaming on cherry blues and that is one of my biggest gripes. I want to call it an 'introductory mechanical' but it isn't due to it being so over priced.

[nitsuj]

www.daskeyboard.com

<3 them. Ordering my 2nd one soon.

[Pikarya]

www.daskeyboard.com

<3 them. Ordering my 2nd one soon.

http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/e...JPG?1300314474

[Boyiee]

Yeah they are good which is why I recommended them as well. They offer student discounts too I believe of like 10-20%, check their support for info on that.

I was all set to buy one, but I wanted a backlit keyboard... and nothing compares to Deck in that area. Nothing.

Also Deck provides the option to use Cherry Clears, which if you type alot and game alot I feel are one of the best options out there. The browns are awesome though, I just wish both brands offered more options (wtb blacks).

[Omniyoji]

www.daskeyboard.com

<3 them. Ordering my 2nd one soon.

OMG that looks sexy!

[Boyiee]

I never linked deck I don't think.

http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

Best backlighting on the market, and they offer cherry clears and cherry browns.

[Tymon]

Glad I saw this thread, almost started my own.

Been looking to get a Model M for a little while, having a hard time finding one that isn't overpriced or in horrid condition. Went to a couple thrift stores, they all have me on speed dial if they ever get one in stock.

I do know that I'll definitely get a MX Blue board if I decide not to pursue the Model M anymore.

Any particular MX Blue boards that stand out, that aren't >$200?

[Boyiee]

Blue: click, Actuation Force 50cN, MX1A-E (Filco Majestouch, Rosewill RK-9000, Razer Black Widow, XArmor U9BL, DAS S, Adesso MKB-125b, some G80-3000, DSI Modular Mac, Ione Scorpius M10, Dolch PAC network analyzers.)

from the wiki on geekhack

The ones that stand out to me would be the Filco (godlike), and Das. After those, Xarmor razer/rosewill.

[avelle]

I've been reading around on geekhack for the better part of last week and I still can't make up my mind on what I want. I did really like the Razer keyboard, mostly because of it's aesthetics, but seeing how bad the keys wear down after use is a serious turn off. The main problem I'm having is that there are so many different types of switches. I have no clue which Cherry switch would be best suited for my needs. What do you have against blues for gaming Boyiee? Is it that they require too much force to press or something else?

Basically my situation is this:
I game a shit load, mostly MMO's/RPG's and that kind of stuff. I occasionally play RTS and FPS but MMO's are the vast majority. I do chat a lot on aim, post on forums, and most importantly I do programming, so I type quite a bit. So what color is ideal in this situation? Boyiee, you seem to favor clears and browns, can you elaborate a bit more on why? I know the browns require less force to actuate than the blues(45g vs 50g), but I have no idea what the whites require(didn't see them listed for comparison in that FAQ on geekhack).

I've never actually had an LED backlit keyboard and I'm not entirely sure it's necessary. I don't have any problem finding keys in the dark, so it's more of just a flavor thing. I really like the idea of the Deck board, but I'm not a fan of the look of it. I know that probably sounds ridiculous but I can't help it. I'd be more inclined to go with a DAS or Filco based on appearance, but again I have no idea which switch to use. This might be better to post on geekhack but I figure I'd post here first. Any thoughts guys?

[Tymon]

LED backlit keyboards are a gimmick for people that can't touch type.

I have one, but it serves literally no purpose whatsoever. I don't even need to have the letters on the keys.

I'm almost positive I'm going to get a keyboard with Blues. The main reason people get Browns or other options is mostly the noise, not the tactile feedback.

Everything I've read from people on geekhack is that blues are great for gaming. There's people on there that do hardcore SC2 gaming with them, and that takes a LOT of very fast key clicking.

[Amastacia]

Glad I saw this thread, almost started my own.

Been looking to get a Model M for a little while, having a hard time finding one that isn't overpriced or in horrid condition. Went to a couple thrift stores, they all have me on speed dial if they ever get one in stock.

I do know that I'll definitely get a MX Blue board if I decide not to pursue the Model M anymore.

Any particular MX Blue boards that stand out, that aren't >$200?

The link earlier in the thread to pckeyboards.com is to the rather lame online store of the company that has the IP rights to build new Model M keyboards. Their Customizer is, for all intents and purposes, a new Model M for ~$80. Buckling spring, built like a tank, the whole shebang.

A friend bought one, and despite the crappiness of the site, their response was quick, he got his keyboard quickly, and absolutely loves it. Buckling spring keyboards are hard to argue with if you want the best tactile feedback for typing.