Help me pick a keyboard and mouse, please!

[Markbnj]

Well, after a little over a year my Logitech Cordless Click Plus mouse received its wireless "warranty expired" signal from Logitech's secret satellite, orbiting high above the Rocky Mountains, and promptly died. A stupid $15 attempted NiMH battery replacement behind me, I am still using my backup mouse, a 1991 Dell "Stickyball II." The good news is: my mouse pad is somewhat cleaner and shinier.

As the mouse and keyboard were a set, and both use the same transmitter/charger stand, and given that the keyboard sort of sucks, I am going out to replace both this afternoon.

I have more or less decided on a corded mouse, either the MX-518 or the G5 from the owners of aforementioned secret satellite. I found after getting the set that then-current generation cordless mice pretty much sucked for everything requiring more precision than stabbing blindly in the middle of a Word document. The keyboard was mushy and led to numerous typing errors... well it could have been the scotch, but the keyboard was still mushy.

Keyboard could be corded or not. Think I may prefer cordless but don't feel very strongly about it. I like a nice keyboard. I don't like bent keyboards, because the damn things are not supposed to be bent, regardless of what Microsoft says. I used to use exclusively IBM/Lexmark keyboards, and went through gyrations to locate them, because if you wanted to you could hunt-n-peck on them with a ball peen hammer, and that says something.

So, what is the best keyboard out there right now? Solid feel, tactile key response, doesn't need lots of silver "media" buttons that I never use. Etc.

Thanks!

 

[imported_Tick]

Bam

 

[Markbnj]

Heh, looks like a very well built keyboard, but although I have been typing for over twenty years, I am not sure I have the courage to forgo markings on the keys completely.

 

[trueimage]

That keyboard would be awesome - if it had the letters on it! why wouldn't they make 2 versions.

I have the logitech mx518 mouse and that rocks. I'm looking for a corded keyboard too... i'm done with wireless kb/mouse - my old ones messed up too much and i dont move my keyboard so its not worth it.

 

[Sqube]

Markbnj, if you've been typing for 20 years I'm pretty sure you can forego the lettering entirely; you're not still a hunt-and-peck typist after two decades, are you? Besides, it'll improve your speed and keep n00blets off of your computer since they won't be able to figure anything out.

That said, everything I've seen suggests that the Logitech G5 is teh hawtness when it comes to the mouse game. The Logitech G15 has potential, but it's mostly untapped at this point. I use a Logitech Elite keyboard and it works perfectly fine for me.

 

[Markbnj]

Sqube, what I am is a _very_ fast hunt-n-peck typist. Actually, I just peck, the hunt part pretty much faded away years ago. My fingers know where the keys are, but I don't do that five-finger thing.

I am definitely done with cordless mice, for two main reasons: 1) the lower precision; and 2) forgetting to charge the damn thing and having it start to go out when I am in the middle of something. I like not having wires trailing across the desk, but I don't like it that much.

Like trueimage, I also never moved my keyboard. Again, I like the lack of wires, but don't like the having to reenter the encryption code whenever Logitech decides I need to. I could see going wireless, just on the off-chance that I will want to sit on my couch and surf. A wireless keyboard with a little mini-trackball might be cool for that purpose.

My main needs/wants in a keyboard are: a) full size, I don't like when designers change the layout of the cursor keys, etc.; and b) sturdy. I should also mention c) black.

 

[AceTKK]

I'm of the opinion that one keyboard is just as good as the next. Media buttons, F-lock buttons, etc. add so little value to my computing experience that I would rather they be left off entirely. I would check out the usual online PC vendors and try to catch something on sale. The Dell 'QuietKey' series has done fine for me for the last few years; I use them because people always have them lying around for free.

-Ace-

 

[daniel49]

I think my next keyboard is going to be illuminated but still trying to decide which one i want.

 

[KayKay]

g5+g15 for the win

 

[Markbnj]

Thanks for the rec. KayKay. I just went out and picked up the G5, so it's nice to see someone recommend it after the fact . I waffled a bit between that and the 518, but decided for $20 I might as well get the newer one with +400 dpi over the 518. We'll see how it goes.

Haven't looked at the G15, but I will. Like daniel49 I sort of like the idea of an illuminated keyboard, but the only ones I have looked at are the Saiteks. I don't like when designers alter the overall layout, and unlike AceTKK I am pretty picky about keyboards. For a programmer and writer that is where the rubber meets the road. I don't like 'em mushy, or imprecise. It's been a lot harder for the last few years to find a good one.

 

[Markbnj]

Update: picked up the G5 mouse this afternoon and just plugged it in. I may not even bother with the Logitech drivers, since the only thing it will buy me, I think, is mapping for the side button. Otherwise it works fine on the standard drivers.

Overall... very nice. I like the solid feel, especially with some of the weights installed. Very smooth on the teflon feet, and very precise. Almost too sensitive on the highest setting, but I cranked back the pointer speed in windows, and I will get used to it. Can't wait to try it in BF2 tonight.

Someone else mentioned the texture of the housing grip surface in another post (on the G7). It _is_ a little wierd. Kind of bumpy and slippery at the same time. I think I prefer the old rubberized style, but not enough to make a difference.