Looking for a durable keyboard
- Thread starter Tythus
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Mechanical switches for key action longevity. The key caps are a whole other kettle of fish altogether...
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=All+About+Keys
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?ti...specifications+for+various+manufacturers+keys
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=All+About+Keys
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?ti...specifications+for+various+manufacturers+keys
My head did the same when I first got into mechanical keyboards. Ultimately, you want something using Cherry switches. Each key is good for 50 million keystrokes. The only way you'll kill one is by spilling something in it or getting a duff board/faulty switch. They also weigh a ton (Filcos). So if you keyboard warrior and hit someone with one, you'll probably do some damage. Hurray for steel plates in your keyboard. For key caps, you want double shot moulded. Filco's as far as I'm aware are pad printed key caps, so they will get shiny and wear much quicker than say the DAS keyboard keycaps which are laser printed. However, over on geekhack there's usually a mass order for replacement keycaps every once in a while in different colours and things like that. Usually double shots.
There's a supplier of mechanical keyboards based in the UK who have quite large range but the boards are expensive (not that they overcharge - the product is itself expensive) - but you're looking at around £100 for a decent mechanical keyboard.
I bought a Filco tenkeykeyless and have been very happy with it. If you are ever going to the east (hong kong especially) it's possible to pick up a very similar keyboard for less than half the price.
I bought a Filco tenkeykeyless and have been very happy with it. If you are ever going to the east (hong kong especially) it's possible to pick up a very similar keyboard for less than half the price.
For Cherry switches; Several of Cherry's own branded boards. But you need exact unit codes to know exactly what model board and type switch you're getting. Cherry's number convention is also considered a complete cluster****. Cherry G80-3000, Cherry G80-3494 and G80-3600LYCEU-2 (have Cherry red switches which are currently a hot sought after switch, only appear to be available in the Asian markets so would require buying and importing from there), ABS M1, Filco, Das Keyboard II (a rebranded Cherry G80-3000) Das Keyboard III, Rosewill, Deck Keyboards, iOne Scorpius M10, iOne Xarmor (their website appears to be down at the minute and a chap on another forum has a pre-production unit he was testing for them which was wireless (2.4Ghz)), Steelseries 7G and 6Gv2, Adesso MKB-135B Pro, Razer Blackwidows, DSI SMK-88, DSI Modular Mac Keyboard, a couple other DSI boards I can't remember the names of, Creative Vision Technologies, Kinesis for ergonomic keyboards, Maltron for really weird ergo and just plain WTF keyboards, Datacomp DCK100
For Buckling Spring; Original IBM Model M and Unicomp.
Topre Capactive switches; Topre Realforce, Happy Hacking Keyboard
Alps switches; Matias Tactile Pro 3, Datacomp Taiwan do a lot of Alps boards
There's more but I'd be here all day.
For Buckling Spring; Original IBM Model M and Unicomp.
Topre Capactive switches; Topre Realforce, Happy Hacking Keyboard
Alps switches; Matias Tactile Pro 3, Datacomp Taiwan do a lot of Alps boards
There's more but I'd be here all day.
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Logitech K800 illuminated wireless keyboard has laser etched keys.
Been using one for 6 months or so now and it's the best keyboard I've owned.
The wired version is cheaper and has a nicer keystroke action but if you're a gamer it doesn't allow 3 simultaneous keystrokes ie shift/W/ Space for running and jumping.
The K800 does though.
The MX performance mouse uses the same tiny USB dongle and it's great for switching between laptop and desktop use (in my case anyway)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-190-LG&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=
Been using one for 6 months or so now and it's the best keyboard I've owned.
The wired version is cheaper and has a nicer keystroke action but if you're a gamer it doesn't allow 3 simultaneous keystrokes ie shift/W/ Space for running and jumping.
The K800 does though.
The MX performance mouse uses the same tiny USB dongle and it's great for switching between laptop and desktop use (in my case anyway)
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-190-LG&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=
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I think we have come along way in terms of keyboard design for you to really need to worry about that for an X amount of years. Any high end keyboard you get nowadays will last a good long time, heck some people are still using the old G15s bought when they first come out.
So don't worry and just pick the keyboard you like the most : )
So don't worry and just pick the keyboard you like the most : )
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I think you have no idea.
This is relevant to keyboards how?
And I bet they're horrible to type on. Considering rubber membranes life span is drastically less than 50 million keystrokes.
If I said that about a CPU or motherboard, people would tear me a new ****hole about not knowing anything about what I was talking about.
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Ok first of all, I was mean't to say KEYBOARD not motherboard...obviously. Second of all, I was only trying to help, and I have had keyboards in my house that have lasted 3-4 years. Third of all, the G15 is relevant as its a damn keyboard which is what you wanted, and if a keyboard like that which is as you guess "horrible to type on" imagine how much longer the really good ones to type on are. and lastly, why you acting like a dick? You have no idea if I have any idea what I'm talking about so why not chill out and just accept the posts that are made, if they are not as HELPFUL, ignore them, don't insult the replier.
Thanks.
Fine.
Well you didn't.
I have a ten year old microwave....
I didn't want it. The OP wanted keyboard recommendations.
This makes absolutely no sense at all. Rubber membrane keyboards are horrible to type on. Their life span is considerably less than mechanical switches. They warp, rip and tear. The key actuation becomes even more spongey than what new rubber domes are. Look at any review on the mechanical switch keyboards on Overclockers store. People prefer mechanical switch action. So do people all over the internet who have switched.
Because you gave horrible advice. I don't know a damn thing about home audio and cinema. So I don't go into that section and tell people in there that "I think we've come a long way in terms of home audio, so just pick what you like". Like I said, people would chew me out if I gave bad advice on anything. So I don't in regards to anything I know nothing about.
You don't have any idea. Your advice was "pick what you like". It was useless and dumb. I'm sorry. But it was.
Your welcome.
I would expect my keyboard to last >10 years. Buy cheap buy twice is not even relevant because the G15 is not cheap, but in my opinion (only opinion here so don't jump down my throat) is a cheap keyboard dressed up to look expensive with a high price tag.
It depends what you're looking for - I wouldn't recommend my keyboard if you were buying it solely for gaming as the switches are quite clicky and it has no additional fucntionality like a G15 or Razer. In that instance you may well be better with a keyboard like that - but I don't know because I've never looked into it.
So you really have to consider what you're going to be using it for - if you are a high volume user (typist, programmer etc) the investment in a mechanical keyboard is worth the high initial outlay.
edit: maybe I was a bit too hasty - it looks like the G15 is one of the better non-mechanical keyboards. Nevertheless I stick by my original recommendation and advice. Make your decision based on what you'll be using the keyboard for. The geekhack forum is your friend.
It depends what you're looking for - I wouldn't recommend my keyboard if you were buying it solely for gaming as the switches are quite clicky and it has no additional fucntionality like a G15 or Razer. In that instance you may well be better with a keyboard like that - but I don't know because I've never looked into it.
So you really have to consider what you're going to be using it for - if you are a high volume user (typist, programmer etc) the investment in a mechanical keyboard is worth the high initial outlay.
edit: maybe I was a bit too hasty - it looks like the G15 is one of the better non-mechanical keyboards. Nevertheless I stick by my original recommendation and advice. Make your decision based on what you'll be using the keyboard for. The geekhack forum is your friend.
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My advice was given on past experiences, nuff said. Again, your being a dick : )
Looking at the stuff I prefer cherry switches but I need to know out of all of those which has the most non-fade keys.
And my budget is £100-£150 but I will pay more for quality and I don't need wireless as its a PC keyboard not a sit on the sofa one.
Double shots are rare on modern OEM boards because the process is so expensive. That's why there's usually group buys on geekhack for double shot lots from the manufacturers.
The more common high wearing method is laser etched or dye sublimation (dye sub is high cost as well). Laser printing looks better on white keys because burnt stuff is black. Whereas laser printed on black they have to fill with white paint.
The Das Keyboard with characters on the keys is laser printed. Though the chassis has a tendency to collect fingerprints with that glossy finish.
Deck Keyboards use a mixture of double shot and dye. Dye is pretty rugged as it seeps into the keys.
iOne Scorpius is laser etched.
The Steelseries 6Gv2 and 7G are laser etched.
Cherry G80-3000 is laser etched (I think the majority of Cherry keycaps for mech switch boards are laser printed, older ones from the mid 90s downwards are double shots).
Razers black widows use a weird paint and then lasering method.
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http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-054-RA&groupid=702&catid=23&subcat=1258
Looking at this atm but how long until it is released?
Looking at this atm but how long until it is released?
Haven't a baldy. Some places are saying they're getting stock at the end of this month, other places say March and others in April. And I can't find anything on Razer's blog or press releases either.
But here's a pretty in-depth review of the American version at geekhack: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:13224
Give that a good read before you make a decision.