EliteKeyboards new Cherry MX switch-based keyboards[Leopold] Pre-Order Price $99

[weovpac]

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless

 

[gorcorps]

Is this an HD? Just curious as they don't mention this being a sale or anything. Products being a normal price is not hot, especially when there's no stock.

 

[sgrinavi]

I think it's a special pre-order price. Don't quality tactile / mechanical switch keyboards run a couple hundred bucks?

 

[SininStyle]

Yeah, add a "Deck" name to any of these and they will run ya $150+. The browns make good keys for gaming and typing. Dont come with sound that aggravates everyone around you lol. They are also allot like the cheap plastic domes most people have in feel.

I actually have a cherry blacks next to me which are touch stiffer but still dont have sound.

 

[gorcorps]

I think it's a special pre-order price. Don't quality tactile / mechanical switch keyboards run a couple hundred bucks?

That's why I was asking, because the other keyboards on that site are more expensive. I was curious as to whether this was actually a sale price on this or if this was an "entry model" and priced as such. I didn't see any mention of how much you're saving on the pre-order though so it's hard to tell.

 

[CosmosRewind]

Interesting, but the lack of a number pad is a bit odd. Don't exactly use it much, but not sure if I want to give that up.

Been wanting a cherry brown keyboard for awhile now. Tempting.

 

[ivan2]

if you haven't used ALPS switches at all, this might not be the time to try yet. I have an original Northgate and it isn't that good when comparing to model M, such a big let down.

 

[weovpac]

That's why I was asking, because the other keyboards on that site are more expensive. I was curious as to whether this was actually a sale price on this or if this was an "entry model" and priced as such. I didn't see any mention of how much you're saving on the pre-order though so it's hard to tell.

These keyboards are MX based switches, the others on the site[Realforce and HHKB2] use Topre Capacitive switch; which is a more expensive switch.

At amazon they are now selling Filco's which are similar to the Leopold and they go for ~139. http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&sear...oard%20Company

Interesting, but the lack of a number pad is a bit odd. Don't exactly use it much, but not sure if I want to give that up.

Been wanting a cherry brown keyboard for awhile now. Tempting.

Since you do not use the number pad much, you are not giving anything up. It will be better since you will have more desk space and not have to reach as much for the mouse.

EDIT: To learn more on these keyboards visit: http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31

 

[CosmosRewind]

Since you do not use the number pad much, you are not giving anything up. It will be better since you will have more desk space and not have to reach as much for the mouse.

My mouse is on the left side so there is no advantage there

The plus configuration of the arrow keys still feels better than the upside down T. Never understood why they didn't use a plus configuration for the second set of arrow keys, there is plenty of room to do it.

Decisions decisions

 

[Chris123]

I wish they lit up at night though.

 

[deepinya]

If you want a number pad and cherry blacks this is the keyboard I have and love it

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-64...0&sr=8-2-spell

I only wish it was backlit ..then it would be perfect.

 

[hansmuff]

That's why I was asking, because the other keyboards on that site are more expensive. I was curious as to whether this was actually a sale price on this or if this was an "entry model" and priced as such. I didn't see any mention of how much you're saving on the pre-order though so it's hard to tell.

The quality is up there with Filco, if not higher, according to information from the geekhack forums. Look at how much Filco tenkeyless go for, and that'll probably be the neighborhood for the Leopolds after the pre-orders. I would guess you're saving $30-$40.

It isn't an entry-model by any means. It's full-featured and of high quality, again, from what I gather off the geekhack forums where the storefront owner of EK has given significant feedback on the build quality of the Leopolds.

 

[NaOH]

So these are just high quality keyboards? They register your key presses, better?

 

[ZGrip]

For anyone wondering there is a pretty comprehensive overview of mechanical keyboards over on overclock.net.

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

I just got a mechanical keyboard with cherry MX browns and it is amazing. It is a bit louder than a normal membrane keyboard but the feel to it is crisp and tactile. My old logitech g15 feels like a bucket of mush in comparison.

 

[gorcorps]

So these are just high quality keyboards? They register your key presses, better?

Yeah I don't really get it either. Then again some people don't get why I spend so much money on premium headphones. Some things are important to some when others just don't see/feel/hear the difference. No need to knock it though just because you don't find it important.

 

[killster1]

wow wanted a mechanical for a while but no ten key ;/ You can prob type faster with this kind of keyboard but i have no idea as i never have used one hahah.. i have 10 G15 v1 and a g19

 

[SininStyle]

I think the best part of mechanical keyboards is they feel great and register like half press you dont have to bottom out to get it to register. after you use a cheap dome for as little as 6 months they turn to mush. Well with mechanicals they feel crisp like they are new for years and years and years. they either feel like new or are broken.

 

[ivan2]

not all mechanical keyboards are the same. 2 major side are alps/cherry and buckle spring. if you can stand the noise, buckle spring is both better and cheaper (experience from owning an original northgate and ibm model m). otherwise you are stuck with cherry blue/brown.

 

[gevorg]

I tried one of these before... loud as hell! Tactile feedback was nice, but the noise outweighs all the pros. To each their own I guess.

 

[bigboxes]

I've had a Cherry G80 keyboard for a couple of years and I love it. It's an actual Cherry board, not just the switches. There's nothing fancy about it. No backlighting or multi-media keys. I would miss the number pad if it was missing, although I am not a data entry junkie. The thing has the MX-blue switches. I wasn't sure if I'd like the noise at first, but they are really not that loud (quieter than the buckling spring ones). Why have a mechanical switch keyboard? Because you can type faster with less fatigue. The best thing was that I got my board for $32. It was $65 on barcodespot, but it has chinese characters to the right of the letters and I complained since it was not mentioned or shown in the pictures of the product. They offered half off if I would keep it. I've grown used to it and simply love the board.

 

[weovpac]

I received the following email today for EK:

Greetings EK Subscribers!

What's New:

Leopold Tenkeyless Cherry MX Keyboards are finally available for
Pre-Order at a GREAT introductory price!

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless

This first batch includes 3 varieties which we expect to begin shipping in
the last week of March. Quantities in this first run are limited, so this is
first come first serve.

** Additionally, due to many recent inquiries; we've compiled a FAQ
regarding Leopold keyboards below!

Also, new lower prices on Clack Factory keycaps for both Cherry MX:
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,cherrymxkeys

and Topre switch-based keyboards (plus 2 new colors!):
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,toprekeys


** Leopold FAQ **

Q1: Are the Leopold Tenkeyless available with switch A, color B, non-printed, etc?
A1: What you see on our website is what's in the first batch. All other
options are being or have been considered, but are at the least 8 weeks
out. E-mails to this tune will be regarded as suggestions; rhetorical
questions

Q2: Will there be a Full-Size Leopold with numberpad?
A2: A full-size Leopold keyboard is currently under production and
samples are being evaluated, but we have no solid estimate on it's
availability state-side.

Q3: Are there plans for ISO layout Leopold keyboards with legends for my language?
A3: ISO layout boards are in the works, but no commitments have been
made so far as to what languages will be available or the timeline for
availability.

Please see our general FAQ for questions on shipping, etc:
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/support.php?lang=en

******************

http://elitekeyboards.com

 

[CosmosRewind]

If you want a number pad and cherry blacks this is the keyboard I have and love it

http://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-64...0&sr=8-2-spell

I only wish it was backlit ..then it would be perfect.

I picked one up during the blizzard sale and I am pretty pleased with the cherry blacks. My only complaint is the position of the backslash key. I'd have preferring a larger right shift and a smaller enter key to move it back where most other keyboards place it.

 

[Martimus]

They all have those wothless windows keys. I wish that someone still made the old style 101 key keyboard. I hate those Windows keys with a pashion as they just get in the way.

 

[hansmuff]

They all have those wothless windows keys. I wish that someone still made the old style 101 key keyboard. I hate those Windows keys with a pashion as they just get in the way.

Your wish is their command:
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/cus101usenon.html

 

[deepinya]

I picked one up during the blizzard sale and I am pretty pleased with the cherry blacks. My only complaint is the position of the backslash key. I'd have preferring a larger right shift and a smaller enter key to move it back where most other keyboards place it.

Yeah I dont know what they were thinking with that key layout but gaming on it is soooo nice.

I just wish it was backlit.