So Christmas is coming up and I'd like to get a new keyboard that's actually good. I've tried a friend's mechanical keyboard and it was really nice to type in.

Anyhow, I'm looking for suggestions. I'd like to know the name of the keyboard, the price, and the pros and cons.

Thanks for the help ^^ I'd like to keep it under $100.

    First your going to know what type of switches you would like

    https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Mechanical_keyboards

    ^ is a pretty good guide

    You more common switches are Cherry MX Blues, Reds, and Browns

    Blues - Loud and heavy
    Red - Light and Quiet
    Browns - Something inbetween

    I have blue switches and a buckling spring because I like the clacks

    Also your going to want to look into what % you want

    Here is a comparison between 60 and 100
    https://rhino.im/u/0021/IMG_1302.JPG[/img]

    Most of your $100 +/- 15 boards are "LE HAXOR GAMIN KEYBOARDS" but there are a multitude of decent ones.

    My first mechanical keyboard was the CM Quickfire Storm Blues
    http://www.custompcreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/cm-storm-quickfire-tk-custom-pc-review-16.jpg[/img]

    pros:

    Cheap
    Anti twist cable
    low profile
    metal back board
    media/function keys

    cons:
    keycaps a little cheap
    one of my LEDs failed after 6-7 months
    Build quality could be nicer (I am satisfied with it but some may be picky)

    based on preference:
    Number toggles between the arrow keys and the number pad

    low profile
    Blue LEDS that have multiple settings
    Blue switches

    If you want something less flashy look at this

    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201083

    it's even on sale because of Black Friday.

    Currently typing on a Unicomp Spacesaver M :^)

      What I currently have. People tend to get elitist with their switches, but personally that is completely up to the person using the keyboard. I like blues, and they're wonderful. That keyboard also has Brown, Green and Red variants. Cherry MX Switches, all, excluding Green, are under $100.

        tftp wrote:

        First your going to know what type of switches you would like

        https://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php/Mechanical_keyboards

        ^ is a pretty good guide

        You more common switches are Cherry MX Blues, Reds, and Browns

        Blues - Loud and heavy
        Red - Light and Quiet
        Browns - Something inbetween

        I have blue switches and a buckling spring because I like the clacks

        Also your going to want to look into what % you want

        Here is a comparison between 60 and 100
        https://rhino.im/u/0021/IMG_1302.JPG[/img]

        Most of your $100 +/- 15 boards are "LE HAXOR GAMIN KEYBOARDS" but there are a multitude of decent ones.

        My first mechanical keyboard was the CM Quickfire Storm Blues
        http://www.custompcreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/cm-storm-quickfire-tk-custom-pc-review-16.jpg[/img]

        pros:

        Cheap
        Anti twist cable
        low profile
        metal back board
        media/function keys

        cons:
        keycaps a little cheap
        one of my LEDs failed after 6-7 months
        Build quality could be nicer (I am satisfied with it but some may be picky)

        based on preference:
        Number toggles between the arrow keys and the number pad

        low profile
        Blue LEDS that have multiple settings
        Blue switches

        If you want something less flashy look at this

        http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823201083

        it's even on sale because of Black Friday.

        Currently typing on a Unicomp Spacesaver M :^)

        Thanks! (and also thanks @Lokorfi)

        That last keyboard is the winning for now.

        EDIT: Thanks @[deleted] and @CompaisMyWaifu.
        I think I'll go for the ROCCAT one if the other one is no longer on sale

          tftp wrote:

          My first mechanical keyboard was the CM Quickfire Storm Blues

          This was my first as well, used it for over a year before I got a different one. It's cheap and dependable, so I think this would be your best bet.

            Alright, I think I'll get the CM Quickfire one if Rosewill goes out of sale, then.

              I use the Razer Blackwidow stealth tournament edition.
              I dont want to switch to anything else

                protip do NOT get a Das. Their quality has been slipping recently.

                The following are my opinions.

                MX blue = not for living with people, clicks are nice though.
                MX red = very light with no tactile response; too light, very easy to make mistakes while typing
                MX brown = like an MX red with a piece of sand stuck in it
                MX black = heavy reds
                MX green = heavy blues (I've heard they're louder too)
                MX clear = heavy browns (with a much nicer bump)
                If you want to test them all for yourself, many places (like WASDKeyboards and Max Keyboard) sell switch testers.

                Those are all the main switches. The brands I would recommend are Ducky, Filco, and whoever makes the poker keyboards. I trust these brands because of the quality of their products, as well as their use of genuine Cherry switches. Many keyboards nowadays will use Chinese knockoff switches. The problem is that we don't know about the durability of these. Cherry switches are QC tested for 50 million actuations, while the Chinese ones have no QC at all. We just don't really know yet.

                TL;DR: read the switch thing above, get a Ducky, Filco, or Pok3r with your chosen switches.
                Also I'm a fucking nerd.

                  NekoWeeb wrote:

                  I use the Razer Blackwidow stealth tournament edition.
                  I dont want to switch to anything else

                  switch to anything else
                  hahahahahaha good one

                    nerd wrote:

                    protip do NOT get a Das. Their quality has been slipping recently.

                    The following are my opinions.

                    MX blue = not for living with people, clicks are nice though.
                    MX red = very light with no tactile response; too light, very easy to make mistakes while typing
                    MX brown = like an MX red with a piece of sand stuck in it
                    MX black = heavy reds
                    MX green = heavy blues (I've heard they're louder too)
                    MX clear = heavy browns (with a much nicer bump)
                    If you want to test them all for yourself, many places (like WASDKeyboards and Max Keyboard) sell switch testers.

                    Those are all the main switches. The brands I would recommend are Ducky, Filco, and whoever makes the poker keyboards. I trust these brands because of the quality of their products, as well as their use of genuine Cherry switches. Many keyboards nowadays will use Chinese knockoff switches. The problem is that we don't know about the durability of these. Cherry switches are QC tested for 50 million actuations, while the Chinese ones have no QC at all. We just don't really know yet.

                    TL;DR: read the switch thing above, get a Ducky, Filco, or Pok3r with your chosen switches.
                    Also I'm a fucking nerd.

                    he is looking for sub $100 boards

                      tftp wrote:

                      he is looking for sub $100 boards

                      I found a Ducky in Microcenter for $50.
                      You can also easily find them for sub-$100 at Geekhack or /r/mechmarket

                        16 days later

                        I use both an IBM Model M (1391406 - 1987) and a Filco Majestouch 2 "Click Action" (MX Blue) myself! Prefer the Model M though, nothing beats buckling springs.

                          I plan on getting the K70 somewhere next month, with brown switches.
                          Also RGB, cuz u can never not have RGB.

                            31209
                            I plan on getting the K70 somewhere next month, with brown switches.
                            Also RGB, cuz u can never not have RGB.

                            I got one with red switches. The dumb RGB lighting is just too much fun.

                              my go to keyboard for gaming.
                              should be for everyone

                                I think it is interesting to see how there are so many "Model M" revisions! Mine is a 1987 model so the original design (as I recall) and I use it via PS/2 - as you rightly should. Absolutely love it.

                                  Write a Reply...