Keyboard suggestions, Mechanical vs Traditional

[Salodin]

Yes, and that keyboard looks pretty cool. I know it's no mechanical keyboard, but I don't want to drop over $100 on it, especially on a type of keyboard I'm not familiar with. I'm using a crappy Dell keyboard that came with my old computer eons ago, so that logitech one is already leaps and bounds ahead of this.

[Elesirdur]

Not to necro, but I picked up a Razer Blackwidow (no backlight b/s) last night to take advantage of Best Buy's full refund policy to test it. This is my first mechanical keyboard and I have to say I like it quite a lot. I'm not doing as much writing as I used to (Econ courses don't have that many essays ), so the slightly compressed key layout on the Blackwidow isn't that much of an issue to me. It's not like the more compact layout on my Eee PC netbook, but it is definitely a little smaller than a more standard layout (Das/Steelseries).

However, the typing feel is quite nice, though the cherry blues were a bit louder than I was expecting from watching some videos over on geekhack. I do like having the macro keys on the side for playing WoW, though it's not a deal breaker for sure. I would honestly like a Steelseries, but I just hate that big Enter key they use, moving the backspace and hack key around. If Steelseries offered a more contemporary layout I would consider those, but to each their own.

tl;dr Blackwidow: Good, but key layout feels a bit cramped at first. For a serious typist or someone not looking for extra macro keys (or full NKRO) go with a Das or a Filco. For gamers or more casual typists, I can see it being a decent value for money.

[Boyiee]

tl;dr Blackwidow: Good, but key layout feels a bit cramped at first. For a serious typist or someone not looking for extra macro keys (or full NKRO) go with a Das or a Filco. For gamers or more casual typists, I can see it being a decent value for money.

Pretty much. Now I have a fellow preacher by my side. Speaking of which, this guy can go fuck himself for selling this used for that price

[Elesirdur]

That's some gouging right there, though at least it's still cheaper than the Torpe boards over at elitekeyboards.com

[Boyiee]

There is a pretty good reason that it's cheaper than the topre's. They run for at least $225 US in japan, so to get it here and such you aren't really over paying. You aren't being gouged on elitekeyboards.com.

Topre's are in a class of their own.

[Elesirdur]

Yeah, good point. I worded that poorly, didn't mean to imply that $250 for a Torpe board was gouging.

[Boyiee]

I have yet to get my hands on one. I'm sure they're as godlike as everyone implies they are.

I'd probably only get the chance if I ever get to that keyboard store in akhiabara. The Filco though; I plan on grabbing a tenkeyless soon, real soon. Just waiting for the right one with blue switches to pop up.

[Elesirdur]

So, a bit of an update that changes my view on the Razer BW. I'm going to return it an get a DAS with Cherry Browns. The Cherry Blues do have a nice feel, but the noise is just too much for my house. I will say that my comp is in my living room (with hardwood floors and wood panelling) and it's just too noisy when others are trying to watch TV or read while someone is on the computer.

The layout's getting on my nerves too, though I will say that if you're used to more compressed boards (ie netbooks and laptops) it shouldn't be a problem. For the money I really wanted a nice keyboard with a few extra features - macros and remapping - and the BW just doesn't cut it as a keyboard for me.

Build quality still seems nice, and it does look spiffy, but try before you buy if you can.

[Boyiee]

Browns aren't too much quieter if you bottom out, but please do try out the Das. You might be one of those people who ends up with a Deck Legend with clears ;D

[Elesirdur]

Yeah, I know the bottoming out will create sound and that's okay. Just the 'clickyness' of the Blues was a bit much. I do really like the tactility of the mechanicals, and even typing on my Eee PC now I feel like it's a much less enjoyable experience.

[avelle]

Typing on my work pc makes me cry now after having experienced the glory that is a mechanical keyboard.

[Elesirdur]

My DAS Model S Professional Silent with the Cherry Browns came in the mail today; I am a happy, happy geek. The layout is just right (eg. standard US), and the feel of the Cherry Brown switches is great. There's enough tactile feedback to know when you've got a proper keypress, but with none of the clackyness of the Cherry Blues.

[Boyiee]

Enjoy it! I'm still looking for a reasonably priced filco tenkeyless with blues. Maybe one day!

[Tymon]

I ordered a Model M, it should be coming Saturday.

I just hope I found a good one and not one of the duds that gets passed off as working.

[Tymon]

Sweet, it came a day early.

It's instantly apparent why these keyboards are so highly prized. Everything about it, from the design, to the typing experience, to the audible and tactile feedback is leagues better than anything a membrane or rubber dome keyboard could offer, and I'm no expert on the subject at all.

Zero buyers remorse here, now just to find a Filco with Blues so I can compare the Cherry switches to the old classic Buckling Spring ones in this one.

[jurjur]

Bought a Das keyboard Professional S a while ago (cherry mx brown) and it's the best keyboard I've used!

I had a Razer Blackwidow (cherry mx blue) and Steelseries G6v2 (cherry mx black) and while I liked the way the blackwidow felt, (easy to press, tactile-ish) it was way too loud. The G6v2 had really stiff keys and it felt awkward to use so much force to type but was quieter. Of course if you bottom out while typing it'll all sound loud.

I've yet to try cherry mx clears from the deck keyboards but if they're anything like the browns. They're great.

It's so hard to type on normal keyboards now =(

[Boyiee]

Filco's with browns are easy to get a hold of, what I'm surprised about is that there are more Blacks and Reds out there than Blues.

Soon, soon. Not paying 150 for one on amazon when I can get one for 100-120 with custom keycaps.

[Amastacia]

Sorry for the necro on this, but does anyone have experience with Ducky's keyboards, preferably the 9008? Filcos are increasingly annoying to get a hold of stateside, and the Ducky keyboards look like they're just as good, but easier to find.

[Tymon]

Get a RK-9000. They're a Filco keyboard with a painted motherboard and a rebranded name. They're both the same manufacturer, Costar.

Same shit, literally.

[Boyiee]

Ducky's aren't bad at all