A mechanical keyboard for a gamer AND writer?

[Kastor Krieg]

People strongly advertise Steelseries 6Gv2 and 7G to me. I love the design of the 7G, with the wrist rest and the USB/audio hub placement. However, according to this:

http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide

the both Steelseries use Cherry MX Black switches, which are pretty hard to actuate, while the Razer's BlackWidows use Cherry MX Blues, which are said to be the best switches for writing (I'm a professional translator, content designer and writer). However, Razer does not exactly have the best rep for durability of their keyboards...

Please help. By design, I strongly align towards the 7G, but the switches, the most important part, lean me towards Razer. My dream keyboard would have the wristrest design on 7G, the Blue switches of Razer BlackWidow, an audio/USB hub and a Logitech G15/G19/G501 style screenie on top :wub:

Anyone seen my baby?

 

[Broheim]

I don't think such a keyboard exists.

but a good keyboard ressource is http://geekhack.org/.

 

[Kastor Krieg]

I don't think such a keyboard exists.

That much I bet. But any ideas of something durable, with a wristpad and CherryMXs - as a minimum?

but a good keyboard ressource is http://geekhack.org/.

Will take a look, thanks! :thumbsup:

 

[Kastor Krieg]

What I'm getting told over there is to look for a Cherry MX Brown board instead, seems indeed a good idea. Any good ones distributed in Europe, preferably with a nice big wristpad like the 7G?

 

[ethebubbeth]

I just thought that I would chime in since I use a Steelseries 6Gv2. I would not say that the keys are difficult to actuate, but I tend to type pretty hard (for what it's worth). I haven't had any issues typing or gaming with the keyboard. However, since this is something rather subjective, your mileage might vary.

 

[sygyzy]

Great thread. I am looking for something similar so I hope you report back with your findings.

 

[Kastor Krieg]

I'm being recommended Cooler Master Storm Quick Fire and I'm also considering their Storm Trigger, for its macro keys and wrist pad. Both with Cherry MX Brown option switches.

CM Storm Trigger:

SGK-6000-GKCC1 (Black Switch)
SGK-6000-GKCL1 (Blue Switch)
SGK-6000-GKCM1 (Brown Switch)
SGK-6000-GKCR1 (Red Switch)

CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid:

SGK-4000-GKCL1 (Blue Switch)
SGK-4000-GKCC1 (Black Switch)
SGK-4000-GKCM1 (Brown Switch)

I think I will go for the Trigger, I need the numpad and could use the macros (ARMA2 is a PITA ).

 

[sygyzy]

Can you post a Cherry MX switch color guide?

 

[Kastor Krieg]

Can you post a Cherry MX switch color guide?

There's one here:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide

 

[borisvodofsky]

There's one here:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide

Gasp, not the OCN guide, use the Geekhack guide, it's more objective. :\

Also, remember pimping out keyboards is cool. Blank white keys from Ebay. Translate that for me

 

[vbuggy]

It's the nerd equivalent of barbie.

The Filco wrist rest is, if a tad pricey, strikes a good ergonomic balance for me. I use them usually with my Topres. Personally I wouldn't bother with any Cherry mechanical if you spend a long time at a keyboard.

 

[Kastor Krieg]

It's the nerd equivalent of barbie.

The Filco wrist rest is, if a tad pricey, strikes a good ergonomic balance for me. I use them usually with my Topres. Personally I wouldn't bother with any Cherry mechanical if you spend a long time at a keyboard.

Well, since no non-Cherry MX are available without incredibly steep shipment prices, and out of those, almost no non-Black ones either, I made my choice already.

Went with buying the only Blue MX board available in Poland. For the price of ~$80, I got myself a "used" Razer Blackwidow Ultimate. A guy had it for a year, but used another keyboard throughout that time, so it's practically brand spanking new, only with a year less warranty, for the price of a regular Blackwidow.

I instantly fell in love with the typing feel and the responsiveness, the clicky switches and all the jazz. The lightness of the Blues turns out not to be an issue at all when I play Battlefield 3 or ARMA2 either, so it's a win-win

 

[simplynluv]

Corsair K90 maybe?

I did use them for typing, is very light dude

:biggrin:

 

[infoiltrator]

Just read a comparison article, the Rosewill with Cherry Brown switches was rated the top compromise keyboard.

 

[NaOH]

Just read a comparison article, the Rosewill with Cherry Brown switches was rated the top compromise keyboard.

Yup, I got one of those and love it. It was 82 shipped from Newegg during their keyboard sale the other week. My only complaint is that the USB connection on the keyboard itself isn't as secure as I'd like but it's really a non issue. Topnotch quality otherwise.

 

[ripster55]

Quick warning.

Don't click on Geekhack.org for a while. Virus ridden website.

http://deskthority.net/geekhacker-r...khack-trojans-out-of-your-computer-t3050.html

Check here instead...
http://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/

And THIS is what I recommend instead of Cherry Browns.

Cherry REDS FTW!

 

[lehtv]

How about a Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent with a gel wrist rest?

 

[yours truly]

Quick warning.

Don't click on Geekhack.org for a while. Virus ridden website.

http://deskthority.net/geekhacker-r...khack-trojans-out-of-your-computer-t3050.html

Check here instead...
http://www.reddit.com/r/keyboards/

And THIS is what I recommend instead of Cherry Browns.

Cherry REDS FTW!

geekhack seems to get hit fairly regularly. I was so worried I'd gotten something I decided to reinstall windows. MSE and Malwarebytes weren't picking anything up, but I wasn't sure. Doubt I'll ever go back tbh.

I originally had (still have) a Filco Tenkeyless brown switch but changed to a Filco TKL Ninja red switch last week. There's not a great deal between them. I do prefer the reds overall though... just. There's next to no difference between the switches themselves aside from the very subtle tactile bump on the browns but I love the ninja layout. the keys feel slightly better maybe, certainly less noisy and less pingy too. Typing felt better on the browns.

Not sure why I'm telling you this, since you're the keyboard god himself

 

[Raswan]

How about a Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent with a gel wrist rest?

This. I've got the non-silent one, and while it's really not that loud, it does take some getting used to.

 

[moonbogg]

Corsair K90 is the pimpest damn board ever. Cherry reds are MAGIC nice for typing and gaming. Perfect keyboard for every damn thing.

 

[Conditioned]

Im using the Topre Realforce. Expensive but its great. I type really fast and you can see my gamingacumen @ twitch.tv/conditioned

 

[WojtekGee]

Can anyone expand on the Razer mechanical keyboards? I can get one at cost, and 40 for bux it seems appealing, but not if it will be a waste of money down the road.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Razer for $40 is alright for a Cherry MX Blue KBD. I paid $109 for my Leopold with MX blue

http://elitekeyboards.com/

You can get leopold with Red, brown, blue, or black switches. $100 and will outlast you.

I find reds way too light. Lots of miss typed words. Blacks are too hard. Blues are clicky and browns are like blues with no click. I don't mind the click and have learned to drown it out.

Also don't be afraid to use browns or blues for gaming. I do with no issues.

 

[Kambz]

I used browns and blues. I enjoy blues way more. I think its up to the person what they enjoy more.

 

[destrekor]

Can anyone expand on the Razer mechanical keyboards? I can get one at cost, and 40 for bux it seems appealing, but not if it will be a waste of money down the road.

I have the Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth (Cherry MX Browns), and absolutely love this KB. I tried the regular BWU (Blue switches), but was not fond of the clicking.

There is a little bit of feedback halfway through the keystroke, which, if you so desire, you can type without a full "bottom-out" of keys, much like the Blue switches.

IMHO, the Cherry MX Browns are a great compromise between gaming application and typing. And the keyboard design is all around better on the BWU Stealth as opposed to the standard BWU - matte as opposed to glossy finish, and it has a true NKRO (n-key rollover), while the standard BWU was limited to certain key combinations. With USB it still has a limit of how many characters can be depressed, and I have no need for full NKRO, but the BWU Stealth does have a PS/2 connector if so desired, and that features unlimited character recognition.

And I was one to be quite wary of Razer products... I haven't had a good experience with build quality. But I've owned this one for 7 or 8 months now, and it has been wonderful. It is quite sturdy and well-built, and backlit keys are awesome (though, anything beyond the first level of lighting is eye-searing bright in the dark - the first level is perfect imho, though lighter would be nice too).