Mechanical Keyboard prices...

[oleguy]

So, I recently purchased myself a Corsair K70 with reds, and I've enjoyed it quite a bit. The problem, other than wondering if browns might have been preferable, is now I have a work laptop with decent keyboard, and a cheap HP keyboard for when it's docked. The former is tolerable, the latter is driving me nuts.

Has anyone here watched the price trajectory of mechanical keyboards long enough to know if the current $100 price point is something to continue to expect in the future, or have things been dropping steadily for a while now? I might want to get a brown for work (blue would probably be too noisy, especially with the new low-walled cubes we're moving too in a few months) and when I feel especially prone to typing vs. trolling forums in between gaming.

Alternatively, are the cheaper brands, like Rosewill, actually comfortable to use? The K70 has a nice slope, multiple feet, and wrist pad that work well.

 

[Cerb]

The prices haven't changed much. They have to buy switches and caps, and put it all together, so it's rather costly. Cherry has very little in the way of competition for those kinds of switches. It might be cheaper, with enough units, to make custom keyboard, with switch housings integrated into the chassis, but that is a risk that niche part makers likely want to avoid (much higher R&D cost to make up).

As a compromise, though, check out your local thrift shops. Around here, there's always an old Keytronic or Quietkey, if not several, that just need a little cleaning. Yeah, they're domes, but the Dell Quietkeys, up until they went notebook-style, were pretty good dome types, as were the millenium-era Keytronics. Then get a PS/2 to USB adapter.

Not at my main PC, right now (it kind of died on me), I'm currently using a late 90s or early 00s Quietkey, and it's quite acceptable.

 

[Ben90]

Check out the Monoprice keyboards.

 

[Puffnstuff]

With the increase in popularity I wouldn't look for substantial price drops until more kb's enter the market. I prefer a mechanical kb myself and I plug my razer blackwidow ultimate into my laptop when I use it if I don't want to use the regular kb which on my alienware m17 is full size.

 

[CloudGray]

I don't own one myself, but CoolerMaster QuickFire Rapids are well praised among mechanical keyboards, especially when they can be frequently found for $70 to $100, which is pretty damn good for mechanicals.

CoolerMaster QuickFire Rapids also use Costar (last I checked) as an OEM which is pretty good.

 

[ejjpi]

you can also find steelseries 6Gv2 with red cherry switches at less than 100$

 

[DigDog]

CM has finally made a tenkeyless with GREENS!!
http://www.amazon.com/Storm-QuickFir.../dp/B00C2MBG2U
clicky, tactile, stiff. a dream come true.