Keyboard choices??

[DampDog]

My current keyboard (Microsoft, digital media keyboard) has to be over 10 years old now, although it still works OK, it is starting to look shabby (plastic is now shiny through use.) Also it's a little bit on the large side, though I like it having a numeric pad. I'm sure there are better designed layouts.

So what is the general consensus do I just buy another cheapo and run with it for another 10 years or spend a bit more? Can you really feel the difference between say a £30 and £100 keyboard? £100 would be my absolute spending limit, less if there is something that jumps out as decent and well priced.

What is your weapon of choice??

 

[DampDog]

A good quality mechanical is better, with switches to suit your style. However choice is limited at the moment,

You're not wrong there. I thought it was limited to GPU's & CPU's. But lot's of the "Ducky" keyboard variants appear scarce. Plus on choosing a mechanical key that suits, it's difficult to get out and try one to get a feel for the difference.

It's not urgent, I am basically nosey and wondered what folk are using as I'm about 10 years out of date

 

[DampDog]

What's the model you have currently?

Really old (at least 10 years old) Microsoft, Digital media 3000, nothing special in any way. Can't even remember what I paid for it. I'll probably end up getting something in the £50-75 ish bracket. Plus not sure if I'd get used to tactile or clicky, having never used one. I guess at what I want to pay it will end up being a membrane rather than a cheap-end mechanical.

I'll spend some time later today and see if anything obvious pops up in my self imposed price bracket.

 

[DampDog]

Unless you need gaming features or a mechanical i don't think there's any shame in another budget end MS keyboard personally, they're not what they use to be, but for the price it doesn't matter if you're chucking it in the bin after a few years anyway. A fancy mech is nice, but it's not all that imho (the old boy has an xtrfy mech and i don't find it world changing compared to my budget gaming Corsair jobby, he says different but he primarily uses the PC for shopping, so pinch of salt, he'd justify a chocolate teapot).

That echoes my own view really. I'm not a gamer or a "power-user" whatever that might be? Current keyboard does everything I need, just looks its age now, a bit like me.
I think there's an element of lock-down fatigue creeping in, and I just fancy a treat. My thoughts were if I am going to get something I would get something with a little more quality to it. That said, my current cheapo is 10 years in and never missed a beat so spending a lot more may be a fools errand. When I thought about it the only features I'd really like to see are perhaps a smaller footprint on the desk (while keeping numeric pad) and some simple backlight for the keys.

Had a look yesterday and the Keychron K1 caught my eye. It's a slim format mechanical that is pretty compact. That comes in at $90 ish. So I guess £90 over here. (if and when they come back into stock) But that is right at the top end of what I want to spend. Over the next few days I will see if there is anything similar at less money. Some of the problem when looking is there is too much choice and when you do find one it's never in stock at the moment.

 

[DampDog]

Absolutely worth getting a good mechanical keyboard.
I like the Ducky One2 with Cherry Red switches.

The Ducky One2 with Cherry red switches is on my possible choices list. Price is against it though. For a One2, White backlit - Red Cherry MX keys you are north of £110. Don't think I can justify over £100 on a keyboard to myself. Plus at the moment you can't get out and try one in the flesh anywhere.

 

[DampDog]

*edit

Just found some stock here

The Keyboard Company | Keyboards & Mice Sales Distribution

Ordered a Keychron K8 Tenkeyless with gateron brown switches!

They also seem to have stock of the K1 you were interested in.

Thanks. For whatever reason I've not come across that site. Cheers.