Why is it so hard to find the right keyboard? I found mine finally and LOVE it.

[natto fire]

Should have just looked around for a better motherboard, but seriously, the IBM model M can fetch $100+ without issue if it's in decent condition, which since they are built like tanks, many still are.

Mine is missing a couple key caps from the right side Ctrl and Alt keys, but it is generally in good condition. I'm still rocking a 1090t, so my motherboard options were limited when the last one died last year from DC. Yeah, if I was in my room and needed to kill someone, that keyboard would easily be the first implement I would consider.

 

[mnewsham]

Cherry MX Blue switches, blue backlight. It's maybe a _wee_ bit more click force than I would like. I could maybe go with the MX Green switches, but as an overall package it's a great, and very well made, keyboard.

Sounds like you'd like Cherry MX Reds, 45 cN actuation with little audible click. Here is a comprehensive guide that explains the differences (and shows the differences) between the different Cherry MX switches.
http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

 

[Puppies04]

Sounds like you'd like Cherry MX Reds, 45 cN actuation with little audible click. Here is a comprehensive guide that explains the differences (and shows the differences) between the different Cherry MX switches.
http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

The tactile ones drive me mad, been thinking about getting some of the "O" rings for my MX red switches to dampen the click clicky but i am worried it will ruin the experience.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-002-TL&groupid=702&catid=2705

That site also sells solid metal key caps which look really cool but they cost a fortune to replace all your keys.

 

[mnewsham]

The tactile ones drive me mad, been thinking about getting some of the "O" rings for my MX red switches to dampen the click clicky but i am worried it will ruin the experience.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-002-TL&groupid=702&catid=2705

That site also sells solid metal key caps which look really cool but they cost a fortune to replace all your keys.

Cherry MX red and Cherry MX browns are both considered quiet switches, the Cherry MX brown was actually introduced as a "soft" switch and is generally considered the best all around switch. If you think reds are loud, i'd hate for you to try Blues or greens.

 

[Markbnj]

If you think reds are loud, i'd hate for you to try Blues or greens.

Yeah the blues are definitely clackety, but I love the precision and the fact that they can take a beating.

 

[Puppies04]

Cherry MX red and Cherry MX browns are both considered quiet switches, the Cherry MX brown was actually introduced as a "soft" switch and is generally considered the best all around switch. If you think reds are loud, i'd hate for you to try Blues or greens.

I know, I know. It isn't that I find them "loud" per se just if I could remove the noise when i'm typing fast and the keys are bottoming out without impacting the overall sensation of a mechaniccal keyboard then I would be interested.

 

[destrekor]

Cherry MX red and Cherry MX browns are both considered quiet switches, the Cherry MX brown was actually introduced as a "soft" switch and is generally considered the best all around switch. If you think reds are loud, i'd hate for you to try Blues or greens.

I love my MX Browns. Just enough tactile feel, no audible click. I do agree I wish mine had dampers for when they bottom out, but I can also type where they don't. That's why I do like the tactile nature of Browns over Reds, you can feel when you have actuation, but it doesn't delay re-actuation like Blues do, which is the second annoying feature about them.

I had tried a Razer mechanical with Blues and returned it immediately. They did have the same kind of board with Browns, and I've had it for a few years and it has been perfect in every way.


The hate for backlight is comical. I haven't met a single backlit keyboard where you could not completely disable the backlight. And personally, I love it in a darkened room.

 

[mnewsham]

I love my MX Browns. Just enough tactile feel, no audible click. I do agree I wish mine had dampers for when they bottom out, but I can also type where they don't. That's why I do like the tactile nature of Browns over Reds, you can feel when you have actuation, but it doesn't delay re-actuation like Blues do, which is the second annoying feature about them.

Yeah, browns are actually my first choice, but I got my reds on sale for $100 whereas browns of the same type were $130 or so. And honestly, the reds are great, while my preference is still on the browns, I have no issues using the reds long term and I dont see myself replacing this keyboard for at least several years.

 

[Puppies04]

I love my MX Browns. Just enough tactile feel, no audible click. I do agree I wish mine had dampers for when they bottom out, but I can also type where they don't. That's why I do like the tactile nature of Browns over Reds, you can feel when you have actuation, but it doesn't delay re-actuation like Blues do, which is the second annoying feature about them.

I had tried a Razer mechanical with Blues and returned it immediately. They did have the same kind of board with Browns, and I've had it for a few years and it has been perfect in every way.


The hate for backlight is comical. I haven't met a single backlit keyboard where you could not completely disable the backlight. And personally, I love it in a darkened room.

I'm pretty sure the really cheap backlit ones are either on or off with nothing in between which can be annoying in a dark room. As you said I have never seen one where there isn't a switch though.

 

[Puppies04]

It was beautiful during the day. But at night... oh my god. My eyes would get distracted from the flow of light coming from bottom of my vision. And those 3 button lights were so bright they would illuminate my entire ceiling, jesus. I had to turn them off.

When I first got my K95 RGB I set it up so each keystroke propagated outwards in rainbow colours, All I can say is i am glad I don't have epilepsy lol.

 

[destrekor]

I'm pretty sure the really cheap backlit ones are either on or off with nothing in between which can be annoying in a dark room. As you said I have never seen one where there isn't a switch though.

Well yeah, a lack of granular settings is annoying, but if you refuse to ever use backlighting, then on/off is perfectly fine, because you'll always stick to off.

I'd recommend one with at least 3 settings, preferably 5 or more, as one might find they actually like a hint of backlighting at night.

 

[Imp]

I used to use a slightly curved keyboard but realized that it made wrists hurt even more because of how I placed the keyboard. Replaced it with the cheapest, smallest keyboard I could find: Logitech K120. No plans to make any changes. I actually wanted an OEM HP keyboard like the one at work because it had a very small border area but pretty standard key layout.

 

[oogabooga]

When I first got my K95 RGB I set it up so each keystroke propagated outwards in rainbow colours, All I can say is i am glad I don't have epilepsy lol.

I think I've seen that in video. I just have a rosewill basic mechanical with MXBlues and I love it. But that tempted me to upgrade for all the shiny colors.

 

[DigDog]

i'm on the CODE tenkeyless (cherry clears)

used to think keys were hard at first, but found out it was because i'd bash them. being used to horrible cheap kbs.
a nice keyboard, but doesnt have quite that feeling that old pc kbs used to have in the 90s.
gonna go for a model m clone next.

 

[soccerballtux]

These laptop-style keys are perfect, MINIMAL effort required to press them. I had to return 3 different keyboards because feedback was too strong and my fingers were getting tired in extended use. These type like smoothly like butter.

after using one for 7 years I have arthritic pain in my knuckles. your cartilage carries the brunt of the force when you key bottom.

now I have a kinesis advantage (mechanical keyboard) with rubber o-rings. once you learn, you stop pushing down before you hit the bottom, ergo no wear on cartilage. Also, minimal stretching to move pointer finger out to the middle keys.

several of the staff at AT have developed pains from typing. considering this is likely how you making a living (computer work), it's probably wise to proactively protect your hands.

here's AT's review

 

[Special K]

I'm currently using a Filco at home and at work (cherry mx blue at home, cherry mx brown at work because they are quieter):

Here's what I like about it:

1. standard layout and minimal footprint
2. built like a tank (except the ABS keycaps with pad-printed legends that will wear off)
3. standard cherry MX switches, which allows you replace the keycaps if you want

I also have an IBM model M. It's nice and also built like a tank, but I find buckling spring keyboards to just be too slow.

Also for more information on keyboards than you ever would have thought existed:

http://geekhack.org
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

 

[Carson Dyle]

Yeah, I couldn't use the OP's keyboard for two minutes without throwing it at the wall. I like that Filco keyboard much better. For myself, a keyboard must have a standard layout, especially the Insert/Delete/Home/End/PageUp/Down pad.

 

[biostud]

It is not. Corsair K70 here:

Cherry reds.

 

[John Connor]

Keyboards??? I use Dragon and a Bluetooth mic!

:awe:

 

[mrjminer]

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Inter...s=logitech+350

I need to get a new one since mine is around 5 years old and is starting to get a little grody, plus the indentation on the J key is worn. The only reason I got it was because the volume controls are in the best location, and are the only additional keys I use. Looks like they stopped making it, though.

Too bad, only cost me like $15 bucks or something and it's the only keyboard I could find that had the volume keys in my preferred location.

 

[sdifox]

Is there a huge market for these? I still have one, built in '86, with a PS/2 cable. It is definitely a piece of machinery most keyboards should look at and hang their heads in shame, but my mobo does not supports PS/2, and a proper converter was $40. I decided to give Rosewill a try, as I got hooked on backlit keyboards, and so far I am liking it.

definitely.

I just use a cheap ps/2 to USB cable.

 

[Nograts]

If you can't beat me in WPM then I don't want to hear your suggestions. I'm at 100-120 depending on how I'm feeling.

 

[mnewsham]

If you can't beat me in WPM then I don't want to hear your suggestions. I'm at 100-120 depending on how I'm feeling.

What is your continuous WPM though? The fastest typist in the world (using simplified Dvorak) can hit 212WPM for short bursts, and 170WPM for a few minutes, but over an hour she averages 150WPM. So you say you are 100-120, but if that's your peak than really you realistically are likely a decent bit below 100WPM over a longer period of time.

 

[chin311]

I've had this logitech backlit keyboard for a few years with no complaints, I don't do a ton of typing but it does the job, I don't think I'd like it as much if I still played games though.

 

[Nograts]

What is your continuous WPM though? The fastest typist in the world (using simplified Dvorak) can hit 212WPM for short bursts, and 170WPM for a few minutes, but over an hour she averages 150WPM. So you say you are 100-120, but if that's your peak than really you realistically are likely a decent bit below 100WPM over a longer period of time.

100 wpm on 5-10 minute tests with 97-99% accuracy (depends if the test let's you backspace). 1 or 2 minute tests about the same. If it's an easy test (no caps, just random words) I can get to like 130ish on a good day. Tests that have numbers, lots of uncommon words and such I'll drop to around 95 or so depending on length.

I've never met anyone IRL who could type faster than me :\