What is REALLY the Benefit of me Getting a Good Keyboard/Mouse?

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

I'm running an $18 Logitech keyboard and mouse combo. One thing I never understood is what those high-end keyboard really do. Mechanical and all. Is there really any benefit? I do game some indeed, though not really the FPS genre. What is the purpose of buying an expensive keyboard and mouse, because I was considering it but don't know what benefits it really has.

Eximo · Jul 8, 2016

10 keyless setups are probably the biggest advantage. Being able to depress up to ten keys without the keyboard ignoring some of them. I think there are 20 keyless setups as well. Mechanical keyboards come with different style keys, you can change the pressure required to activate to a level that is comfortable, or at least smoother. Programmable keyboards allow you to set up physical macros or map additional keys to in-game functions.

With mice, mostly about ergonomics, DPI, and on the fly sensitivity adjustments, and more buttons. Some have sophisticated profiling setups so that you can have settings for individual games. As you increase mouse sensitivity in Windows you lose precision, higher DPI lets you keep the sensitivity low while maintaining precision.

jossrik · Jul 8, 2016

general benefits include quality and feature sets, comfort and feel are important, but what you're asking is kinda like asking what's the real benefit of owning a Ferrari? It gets you to McBurger Town just as fast as a toyota, I see no difference.

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

What do you mean by keyless setups?

Jester Maroc · Jul 8, 2016

I do not have an expensive keyboard, but have worked/played on some. The tactile feel is a lot better, with the keys pushing in with a much more quality feel to it.

I do have an expensive mouse (Mionix Castor), and the precision is simply amazing compared to cheaper mice. I had a Logitech g200 before and it could go to 2500dpi. The Mionix can go up to 10,000dpi. I find 5000 to be most comfortable. Another noticeable difference is that the higher DPI makes multi-monitor use much easier as I can now quickly move my pointer from one monitor to the other.

My in game performance has also gone up as the mouse is way more reliable at higher DPI than cheaper mice, like my g200.

CelicaGT · Jul 8, 2016

Depends on what you play. If you are into MMO or RPG then a good keyboard and mouse combo is extremely beneficial. I have 24 programmable keys on my keyboard, plus 12 on my mouse which includes a shift key for a total of 24. This allows me to run absolute circles around someone without a similar setup. If you don't play games such as those, or not at a high level, you can enjoy the pretty lights (seriously lighting just comes along for the ride on this stuff).

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

Well I mostly play more casual stuff: Assassin's Creed, Roller Coaster Tycoon. But I do play some real-time strategy, Age of Empires 3, Ashes of the Singularity. Once in a while I play some FPS, Call of Duty or CSGO.

Jester Maroc · Jul 8, 2016

A good mouse and keyboard will absolutely enhance your gaming experience. It has the same effect as a good set of headphones, or a good monitor, etc. It simply adds value to the whole experience.

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

So do you think for under $100 I could purchase a keyboard and mouse that would be a big improvement over my current cheap ones? Or would I have to really look into higher-end territory above $100?

why_wolf · Jul 8, 2016

Frankly I feel the difference between a good enough keyboard and a high end one is really only beneficial to someone who is very serious about their games. Though you could also get one just for the colors to show off. From what you said though it sounds like you'd be perfectly happy with a good enough $50-75 keyboard as opposed to the $100+ models.

My recommendation is always to get the keyboard that feels best to you and fits your primary use case. For instance if you are writing all day on the keyboard I strongly recommend looking into one of the ergonomic keyboards over any mechanical keyboard.

Jester Maroc · Jul 8, 2016

I think sub-$100 is good enough. Basically its all about budget and diminishing returns. Any $40-80 mouse and keyboard will be a massive upgrade over your current Logitech combo.

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

why_wolf :

I do type a lot and a I think a fast typer by nature. But those ergonomic ones just look too weird to me, I can't type on a curved keyboard. What I might really want is a mouse that is more comfortable. Mine's just hard. I'm thinking $50 for a keyboard and $30 for a mouse, perhaps.

I type with 2 fingers.

Jester Maroc · Jul 8, 2016

Thats all good, remember the most important thing is what your preferences are. I mean I hate many buttons on my mouse, and other people love it. The same goes for keyboards. I would recommend upping your budget just a tad for the mouse. $50-70 is a sweat spot IMO.

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

Well, I'll think about upgrading. Thanks for all your guys' help!

CelicaGT · Jul 8, 2016

Jester Maroc :

This^
All about preference, go try the stuff at the store if you can. At least for the aesthetics. Function is up to you, I bought a MS Sidewinder years ago, macro functions went unused for ages, till I started healing in FF14. Then on the suggestion of another player I tried some remaps and keyboard macro's, changed the whole experience for me. But again, it's all about personal preference and customization, and that's what makes PC gaming awesome^^

mjslakeridge · Jul 8, 2016

I had a nice wireless Microsoft mouse. When I upgraded from XP a few years ago, I could not find Windows 7 or 8 drivers for it, so I gave it to a friend who was still on Vista. Replacement was a $5 Inland mouse from Microcenter. (I don't play games, so it doesn't matter to me if it has fancy features or not).

why_wolf · Jul 8, 2016

yeah mice are hard, I've yet to find one I love.

For ergo boards if you ever start to feel pain in your hands/wrists definitely switch to one. They are larger due to their different shape but the hand positioning on them is way better than on the standard straight keyboards. It does take some getting used to but you'll adapt in a week. Surprisingly Microsoft makes the best ergo keyboards.

turkey3_scratch · Jul 8, 2016

I'll probably put my money into a GPU and other upgrades instead honestly.

Jester Maroc · Jul 8, 2016

turkey3_scratch :

why_wolf :

Agreed, Microsoft keyboards are surprisingly good, punching way above their price point.

JackNaylorPE · Jul 8, 2016

Like anything that "costs more", the quality and workmanship is better. After that three things come into play.

1. Is the performance increase worth the cost ?

2. Does the task warrant the better quality and performance ?

3. Is your skill able to take advantage of the better quality performance ?

Yes, a Pickup truck gets you to BurgerTown as fast as a Ferrari, assuming your subject to speed limits .... but is that the only criteria ? Certainly not in the same comfort.... and if ya going in the Ferrari, 1) Burger Town is not your likely destination and 2) your date is likely to be a bit more discerning about the places she eats.

I find a $19 mouse just about useless ... it doesn't have the precision and features I need for CAD and in gaming, I will die a lot more. A $95 mouse sits better in the hand, has a heft to it and lets ya get in a good days work w/ o fatigue. OTOH a $35 mouse does almost as well.

As for KB,s one of the features which I find useful are the LCD displays which I use to monitor system information. Tactile feel can significantly increase typing speed and accuracy which brings real cash returns in a business setting. Having extra sets of keys for game macros is a benefit many gamers wouldn't give up.

And while, I prefer the feature set of a $140 one, I am perfectly comfy working on a $45 one. A $19 one however costs me money and I find it cumbersome and unproductive.

There are many things in life that don't impress from where you are sitting. At 18, a $2 bottle of wine got me the same buzz as a $12 one. But, as you gain experience with better components or better anything, you gain the knowledge and ability to discern the difference.

Of course there is a point of diminishing returns.... the more money you throw at something, the lesser the amount of improvement that can be gained. No sense spending more than ya need if your task needs and ability are not capable of taking advantage of it.

madmatt30 · Jul 8, 2016

Honestly I don't think Logitech actually make a truly bad keyboard or mouse , even the $20 combo sets are far better than you'd imagine.

I'd argue that a decent mouse is far far more important than the keyboard unless you really are suffering from rsi or carpel tunnel.

I Still miss my old mx518 which lasted me 7 good years.

JackNaylorPE · Jul 8, 2016

The MX series is a fine set of hardware. What is more important depends on the task at hand.

In CAD, I find them equally important and the in an MMO, while I use the mouse more, its the Macro keys that are mouse useful

Eximo · Jul 8, 2016

keyless may just be a common term I have heard over the years. It is actually known technically as N-Key Rollover (N stands for any number) So 10-Key rollover allows the simultaneous action of up to 10 keys.

Most membrane keyboards are arranged so that likely combinations do not overlap. Essentially every key is on a path and the resistance/distance to the keys lets the keyboards controller know which you have pressed. Mechanical keyboards have more complex circuitry, and why they are so expensive.

Eximo · Jul 8, 2016

I just want logitech to make some of their classic mice again. They can change the guts (actually that would be great), I just want the shape.

Logitech media-play or the logitech made Dell bluetooth mouse. Most comfortable I have ever had.

Yikes, $300 new old stock... https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-MediaPlay-Cordless-Mouse-Blue/dp/B0002SAF3C

http://s1163.photobucket.com/user/amrytaa/media/dell-5-button-travel-mouse-matte-black-bluetooth-1_zpsa189b223.jpg.html

What is REALLY the Benefit of me Getting a Good Keyboard/Mouse?

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