Best keyboard for typing (and a little gaming)?

Cromulent · 9 Feb 2013 at 18:43

I'm on the look out for a new keyboard. I do a lot of programming so I want a good one for typing but it would be nice if it also had a few features for gaming as well.

I'm looking for a mechanical keyboard with blue switches so can anyone offer any recommendations at all?

olivier renault · 9 Feb 2013 at 18:53

YOUR BASKET
1 x Logitech G710 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (920-004539) £149.99
1 x Razer Blackwidow Ultimate 2013 Elite Mechanical Keyboard £124.99
1 x Qpad MK-85 Red LED Pro Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - UK Layout - Brown Switches £109.99
1 x Qpad MK-85 Red LED Pro Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - UK Layout - Blue Switches £109.99
1 x Zowie Celeritas Pro Gaming Mechanical Keyboard - UK Layout - Black £109.99
1 x Qpad MK-80 Blue LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard - UK Layout - Brown Switches £99.98
1 x Razer Blackwidow Expert 2013 Mechanical Keyboard £89.99
1 x Cherry G80-3000 Mechanical Keyboard £64.99
Total : £872.52 (includes shipping : £10.50).

MX Brown are nice as well.

The new Razer BlackWidow is suppose to be good. and I can vouch for the QPad MK-85. The Cherry, while not technically a gaming keyboard, is very nice.

Check the layouts as well. Some come with a slim return key.

Morthoseth · 9 Feb 2013 at 19:21

In my humble opinion, you really cannot go wrong with a Filco Majestouch. Best keyboard I have ever used, and backed up by an awful lot of people if you google around.

Litmoose · 9 Feb 2013 at 19:41

I got a qpad 80 with brown switches (best suited for typeing and gaming) and don't have any complaints. Although the brown switch type always seems out of stock on ocuk I had to wait 2 weeks for mine.

linwelin · 9 Feb 2013 at 21:02

what about this one

YOUR BASKET
1 x OcUK Black Gaming Keyboard (5105GU) £10.99
Total : £14.90 (includes shipping : £3.26).

Cromulent · 10 Feb 2013 at 07:05

Morthoseth said:
In my humble opinion, you really cannot go wrong with a Filco Majestouch. Best keyboard I have ever used, and backed up by an awful lot of people if you google around.

That looks like a really nice keyboard.

I think I might get one when I get paid at the end of the month

. Quite pricey though, I guess it'll be a big improvement over my current cheap as chips keyboard that is driving me insane.

davey767 · 10 Feb 2013 at 13:25

Love my Filco keyboard. Expensive but worth it IMO.

r0cky · 11 Feb 2013 at 14:45

davey767 said:
Love my Filco keyboard. Expensive but worth it IMO.

I'd go for a USB Full-Speed keyboard so you get NKRO and 1ms response time.

MatsyLR · 11 Feb 2013 at 15:30

I have a cheap chiclet keyboard (like £10) easily more comfortable than mechanical I've tried.

/prepares for hate

masscrazy · 11 Feb 2013 at 16:16

Yea I have a k90 red switches and i find it terrible to type with.

Should have gone with blue or black trouble is i wouldnt know what is best as theres no place to try them out.

Cromulent · 23 Feb 2013 at 09:04

Morthoseth said:
In my humble opinion, you really cannot go wrong with a Filco Majestouch. Best keyboard I have ever used, and backed up by an awful lot of people if you google around.

I just wanted to say that I got this on Thursday and it is amazing. I doubt I could go back to my old keyboard now even if it does annoy people because of the noise. I love the way that it never slips around on your desk (unlike my previous keyboard).

Ryan-3 · 23 Feb 2013 at 09:09

I too love my Filco, and find it really is made like a tank. I don't expect to need a replacement for many years - and using membrane is now a really horrible experience for me

I found reds a bit off for typing with myself, and if you are into a bit lighter switches, Browns are more suitable with a little tactile bump, or the Blue's for high force and clicky sound. Blacks if you still want Linear though

VIPER258 · 23 Feb 2013 at 09:28

Razer Blackwidow Expert 2013 Mechanical Keyboard

r0cky · 23 Feb 2013 at 10:11

silk300 said:
Razer Blackwidow Expert 2013 Mechanical Keyboard

Have you installed Razer Synapse 2.0, or using without?
I don't really need/want all my settings in the cloud and extra spyware on my PC.

I do have a Razer Goliathus Extended mouse mat, so it would fit in nicely with that!

r0cky · 23 Feb 2013 at 10:14

I nearly bought the G710+ yesterday, but I'm not 100% on the colour scheme!
Also, the Blackwidow has audio pass throughs that I'd never use. Headphones straight into my Asus Xonar Essence STX.

Cromulent · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:36

Ryan-3 said:
I too love my Filco, and find it really is made like a tank. I don't expect to need a replacement for many years - and using membrane is now a really horrible experience for me

I found reds a bit off for typing with myself, and if you are into a bit lighter switches, Browns are more suitable with a little tactile bump, or the Blue's for high force and clicky sound. Blacks if you still want Linear though

I got mine with blue switches. Very nice typing experience.

olivier renault · 23 Feb 2013 at 14:55

MatsyLR said:
I have a cheap chiclet keyboard (like £10) easily more comfortable than mechanical I've tried.

/prepares for hate

Hey, whatever works for you. I like my Logitech UltraX for work.

As for mechanical, MX Black or Brown for me. Nice and versatile.

r0cky · 24 Feb 2013 at 01:50

masscrazy said:
Yea I have a k90 red switches and i find it terrible to type with.

Should have gone with blue or black trouble is i wouldnt know what is best as theres no place to try them out.

I've just ordered a Cherry MX sampler kit, comes with Black, Red, Blue, and Brown switch along with some keycaps. At least I can get a good idea of the differences before buying. Based on what I've read and YouTube clips leads me towards Brown (excluding things like Green, Clear etc).
I will have to wait a while for the sampler pack though, as it's probably coming via boat from the US, airmail express was about the price of a keyboard.