Keyboard Recommendation

Cristian

Cristian

Cristian

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Joined
2 Jan 2009
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Location
London
My good ol' Microsoft keyboard is getting a bit noisy and annoying, although it still serves its purpose.

I DO NOT want one of those G15 G bla gaming keyboards with a bajilion extra buttons and lcd displays.

I want something with keys that feel nice to the touch and don't make a clunking noise.
Simple and elegant design is a good bonus.

For example we have an Asus EEE top at work and the keyboard is exactly what I want. It looks like this: http://asus-web.co.uk/images/04G104000905.jpg
The keys feel great when you press them, it's nice and elegant.

But you can only get it from Asus as a replacement part and it costs £59 !! which I am definately not paying as I still have my mental sanity.

From what I've looked online, I found the Microsoft Arc Keyboards, but I am not exactly excited about the Wireless and that little controller for the arrows.

So, to sum up, I want something that:

-has keys that do not clunk like there is no tomorrow
-keys feel nice to the touch
-has simple elegant design
-does not cost a fortune
- is preferably wired.

Open to any suggestions :)
 
Has keys that don't clunk? Keys clunk because you're being to heavy and bottoming out.
Keys feel nice to the touch? You want a mechanical switch keyboard then.

You could always go for a keyboard using Cherry black switches. They're linear so don't have any tactile feedback or audible (clunk, click) feedback. As for simple design, you can't really get more simple than a standard 104/105 key 'board. Unless you go for a tenkeyless without the numpad.
 
The Sidewinder X4 looks ok but seems a bit too gaming centered for my needs. I don't care that I can press 26 different keys at the same time, I won't really need that.

As for the clunking, this is probably true but it's a bit hard to change the way you type. Plus I can type on my N510 keyboard without the disturbing noise, I just probably have an old keyboard on my desktop.

Design wise, I wouldn't mind losing the keypad as the two keyboards I've used as examples are both missing the keypad which I never use anyway.

I'm not sure what kind of switches the EEE top kebboard that I mentioned earlier uses, but it's exactly what I want to be fair.

By the way, does this keboard use the Cherry switches you mentioned? Any other models that you would recommend?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-007-CH&tool=3
 
Cristian said:
The Sidewinder X4 looks ok but seems a bit too gaming centered for my needs. I don't care that I can press 26 different keys at the same time, I won't really need that.
Click to expand...

If you do any sort of gaming, you'll want a keyboard with the best key rollover feature possible. The sidewinder X4 is NKRO over USB which is impressive since most only manage 4-6 key rollover over USB before you get blocking.

Cristian said:
As for the clunking, this is probably true but it's a bit hard to change the way you type. Plus I can type on my N510 keyboard without the disturbing noise, I just probably have an old keyboard on my desktop.
Click to expand...

Changing your keyboard and switch type can help improve the way you type. With things like audible and tactile feedback you learn that the keystroke has been registered before you bottom the key out. Of course, it won't happen overnight, but people who've converted to mechanical switches rarely ever go back to rubber dome.

Cristian said:
Design wise, I wouldn't mind losing the keypad as the two keyboards I've used as examples are both missing the keypad which I never use anyway.
Click to expand...

In that case you will be looking for a "tenkeyless" style keyboard. The Chinese refer to them as "percenters" as in the KBC 40%.

Cristian said:
I'm not sure what kind of switches the EEE top kebboard that I mentioned earlier uses, but it's exactly what I want to be fair.
Click to expand...

That EEE keyboard probably uses scissor switches, like most ultra thin and laptop keyboards.

Cristian said:
By the way, does this keboard use the Cherry switches you mentioned? Any other models that you would recommend?
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-007-CH&tool=3
Click to expand...

No. It's a standard rubber membrane keyboard. The cheapest Cherry keyboard using mechanical switches is the G80-3000. The G80-3000 was also rebranded and sold as the Das Keyboard II (they're onto the Das Keyboard III now, which is OEM'd by Costar (I think) who OEM the majority of mechanical switch keyboards now using Cherry switches (such as Filco)).
 
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I have one of those, the keys are kind of between the low profile laptop keys and the super clicky mechanical keys. Plus, its nice and small and although its a "gamers" keyboard, doesn't have all the stupid buttons, lights and extra keys.
 
Emprex 6310U chiclet keyboard. Love them. Dirt cheap too so you wont lose out if you find they're not for you.
 
anuraj, the first one doesn't inspire too much confidence as I have to use different keyboards at work and uni nearly every day as well, so I don't think I'll get used to it.
the second keyboard again has a bit more features than I need, and it's wireless which again I'm not a big fan of.

Dave0w, that doesn't look bad, I'll look into some reviews :)

Brian8bit, I do a bit of gaming but it's not that much nowdays and the only time I've had the issue with too many keys pressed was in the good old days of Mortal Kombat 3 when we were sharing a keyboard between two people. I don't do that many combos, I mean not enough to ever feel that I'm missing some.

The mechanical switch keyboards sound like it's what I need, but to be fair the scissor switches on the Eee keyboard from which I'm typing right now seem very nice as well.
If the G80-3000 is the cheapest one then these are definately not for me. I'm not a professional typewritter or anything like that so I am simply not prepared to spend that much.

MikeHiow it's an Asus, not an Acer and since my case, monitor, mouse, webcam and speakers are all black it wouldn't look too good on white lol.
Hzza that looks nice but looks a bit pricey for what I want
BIGBC Now that's what I'm talking about! I'm going to wait a while just to read some more reviews, but for a tenner if I can type on it then it's full of win.
 
Seriously cant recommend them enough. I bought several when they were only £5 a pop.

Only downside I've found - when you poor a pint of milk into them they tend to break :(

Oh yeah, had no issues with multiple key presses in games.
 
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