Looking for a new keyboard

FastGunna · Oct 3, 2013

I'm not entirely sure what I am looking for in a keyboard, so hopefully someone has a couple good suggestions

I'm currently using some 6-unknown year old USB keyboard that has no unique features of any kind, the only identifying mark it has are the letters mi or ni. I have no idea where it came from or why I have it but its what I've been using for the last month. It functions just fine, but I'm thinking its time to get something new. Here's what I dislike about my current keyboard:
Long Key travel distance
Keys sometimes catch or don't go straight down, requiring extra force to fully press. Probably because I don't always push the straight down.
Keys sometimes don't register, not a daily thing but still existing.

Before using this keyboard I had been using laptops for 6 years and I do like the feel of a laptop keyboard. I think I might like higher profile keys than the ones that where on my Dell XPS M1530 and Inspiron 17r.

I am also interested having a backlit keyboard because I am gaming in low light for around an hour every day. But I've managed for this long, I can live without it.

What would a good starting point for me be based on disliking long travel, high resistance keys?

I'm mostly posting this as a research thread, for now I'll just say $100 at the most. Backlit preferably, but open to non backlit.

DarkSable · Oct 3, 2013

Here's what you want in your keyboard. You want a mechanical keyboard.

Two things:

1) You might like the feel of laptop keyboards, but mechanicals feel WORLDS better.

2) Don't get a backlight. You'll just find it annoying, especially in low light. You want to be looking at the game, not your keyboard.

So when I say mechanical keyboard, what I mean is a keyboard that has a mechanical switch for every key, instead of just a plastic membrane that completes a mass circuit in each direction. This has a whole bunch of benefits, but you can read about those anywhere.

I suggest you get a keyboard (NOT a gaming keyboard, which will fall apart in months [real mechanical keyboards are built like tanks]) that has Cherry MX Blue switches. They're light-actuation, and have a clicky, tactile trigger about halfway down the keystroke that lets you know you've made the connection.

FastGunna · Oct 3, 2013

DarkSable :

I will look Into all this in a few hours when I'm less occupied, but do you have any specific recommendations? Brands you like/dislike?

Genzo · Oct 3, 2013

Check CMStorm.com

It is Cooler Master's Gaming Lineup.

Some Mechanical Keyboards are meant for typing. but they are also for gaming.

Some of the top of the line M. KB. are from Cooler Master, Corsair, Ducky, DAS, Filco

Find what switches you like. (Most gamers use RED and Black switches.)
What are the aesthetics that suits you.

DarkSable · Oct 3, 2013

Das Keyboard, Leopold, Ducky. (And WSAD keyboards, but they're more expensive than everyone but Ducky.) All very good brands.

I personally am using a Leopold with MX Blacks, which I love to death, but you wouldn't care for them - they have a high actuation force and aren't tactical, meaning they fall all the way to bottoming out before you know they've pressed.

Genzo · Oct 3, 2013

For Budget Mechanical Keyboards.

CM Storm would be the best.

Getting myself some Corsair K95 :3

DarkSable · Oct 3, 2013

^True, but do they have MX Blues?

That would be the best fit for the OP, sounds like.

Genzo · Oct 3, 2013

They have. They also have MX Greens :O which is almost they same with Blues.

Genzo · Oct 3, 2013

http://www.cmstorm.com/en/products/keyboards/QuickFireUltimate/

This KB would be the best fit for alot of people. With Tenkey and Backlight and No Macros.

FastGunna · Oct 3, 2013

Good info, I'll start looking into all of it now. It would be a little funny if I got a CM Storm keyboard after getting my Storm Scout 2 case lol. I almost got the mouse as well but it was more convenient to overpay for a death adder at Walmart haha. One thing I am noticing though is that a lot of mechs seem to not have palm rests, is this an issue? I've always had keyboards that had them and can't remember using one without. Seems like the sharp angle would be a comfort issue, or do they not make much of a difference?

DarkSable · Oct 3, 2013

There are a whole bunch of rests out there that you can get - I personally am a fan of the fabric ones with jelly underneath, though I don't normally use one. It bothers me more than it gives me relief, and I'm typing a lot.

Genzo · Oct 3, 2013

For a wrist rest. You can buy a comfy foam one for a few bucks. Because of my experience from Wrist rest came from a keyboard (my g510)

It is NOT comfortable to use. Im trying to buy a Mechanical Keyboard for my 1st Upcoming build somewhere in Nov. when i arrive from Philippines to Dubai.

And comparing prices from PH to Dubai is alot of money saving. If you are in US. I envy you :'(

But Dubai has a STRONG Customer Support.

ewok93 · Oct 3, 2013

I have a TT Esports Meka G-unit cherry black keyboard, and I love it. There is also a cherry red you would probably prefer of you like low resistance keys, and they have just a few backlit keys so you know where your fingers are, wasd, left control and shift, arrow keys, and 8642 on the numpad. I have not had a single problem with it.

FastGunna · Oct 4, 2013

After looking through switch types and it seems (as suggested) blues and possibly reds would be best for me. I'm not sure if I would want a noisy keyboard or not I may look into that or I might just leave that as a non factor. I should specify that Im a gamer and the most typing I do is messaging friends. I mainly play FPS and plan to get a controller for when I start adding racing games to my collection. Unfortunately I live right in the middle of a Fry's and micro center... and by in the middle I mean 2 hours south to Fry's and 2 hours North to MC so I won't really have anyway to try the different types before I buy.

How long do mechanical keyboards last? Can I expect to get 5+ years assuming I go with a good quality model?

DarkSable · Oct 4, 2013

Hahaha, very, very, very easily.

There are old IBM models floating around that have been in daily use for twenty, thirty years without maintenance and still perform as good as new.

FastGunna · Oct 4, 2013

Well its a bit easier to drop $100+ on a keyboard knowing it will be a life long companion haha.

DarkSable · Oct 4, 2013

Mhmm. I was worried about it too, but I've had my mechanical keyboard for well over a year now, and some of the keycaps are JUST barely beginning to get shiny.

Genzo · Oct 4, 2013

DarkSable :

Paint it

xD

If you dont have a backlit MKB.

You can paint the keycaps. And that is some advantage of MKB from RDKB.

Customization and Few paint Mods.

Looking for a new keyboard

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