Bit-tech Forums! I require your aid! My ancient and dying Razer Tarantula has finally given up the ghost and after 4 hours of looking at possible replacements my brain is entirely addled. The problem is that I'm very particular about the feel of my keys, so I was hoping you lovely people could give me a solid recommendation . I'm looking for a keyboard at least similar to a laptop keyboard, by which I mean firm (no waggling keycaps), fairly shallow actuation (3-4mm fully pressed seems about right but I don't really mind deeper) and springy as all hell. I've been looking at mechanicals but from what I've heard they can be a strain for long gaming sessions. If anyone has experience with them I'd love to know how they are. I'm willing to put a fair amount of cash behind this so don't restrict yourself on price too much. I plan on using it for both games and general typing so build quality is important. Some other things that are nice but not necessarily essential: A wrist rest would be great (I have lazy arms) Macro-ability of buttons Media keys are useful, I find USB/Audio jacks are nice Pretty lights make me happy I've been looking interestedly at the Razer Lycosa, but haven't been able to test one so if anyone knows could they give a little info on how it is to live with. Thanks
Dont go for laptop type keyboards - I use a mechanical keyboard from steelseries (the 7G) and I play around 5 hours a day (minecraft, cod4, css etc) They dont give me any strain whatsoever and the keyboard is sturdy as hell. unfortunately there are no flashy lights on the 7G but I really like that nothing is shining at me when i am playing, hurts my eyes tbh. I dont like razer at all so I wont recommend it for you - only ever had problems with that brand (im not saying its bad, i just dont think razer is any good )
For typing the best I've used is the Logitech DiNovo Edge http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/keyboards/keyboard/devices/192 let down by the fact it doesn't have a numeric pad. A very close second is the Enermax Aurora http://www.enermax.co.uk/produkte/peripherie/aurora-premium.html However this doesn't have any media keys at all but does have a couple of unpowered USB 2.0 ports, it's the one I use daily. It has a low action similar to an old IBM Thinkpad. Edit: Thanks for the heads up, link updated.
Just a heads-up - your two links go to the same place, and the Aurora is end of life with this as the suggested replacement.
When the things are about keyboards and mice I always believes in Logitech, the are one of the specialists of these things.
Mechanicals are actually lighter than your average rubberdomes. Even the stiffest mechanical switches MX black, are on the lighter side. If you want a really soft switch you can go for MX brown or red switch. Do you want a full 104 keyboard, or something smaller like an 87 key without a numpad, or even smaller than that exist. I personally currently have a Leopold FC200RT with brown switch and KBC Poker with red switch. Not all mechanical keyboard is expensive either. There are some available for as little as $55US. I know you are looking for a new keyboard right now, but if you could wait a few weeks the Ducky Shine should be available and it would match most of your wantlist. It dosen't have audio jacks or usb hub but will come in the brown and red switch which is best for gaming. Right now the best reccomendation for you is probably Mionix zibal 60 which has black switch.
I use the Aurora and love it but it probably isn't what you're looking for. How about this? Qpad MK-80 LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Qpad has poor quality on comparison to other options like Mionix, and Deck. It is also overpriced there, it is a $75 keyboard in US.
id recommend the l ogitech illuminated keyboard, but it doesnt check all of the items on your list: pretty lights, check quality laptop feel? check media keys? check macros? nope usb/audio jack? nope having said that, i find it very solid (although not perfect) for gaming. i have played a lot of bfbc2, portal 2, supcom, l4d2 etc and not too many problems... id love to go for a mechanical someday but i dont think i could live with the noise of the clacks after my logi illuminati those with mechs do you find the noise intrusive?
Only one common current mechanical switch makes noise, the MX blue. None of the other ones are any louder than any other keyboard, and if you don't bottom out they are actually quieter. Since rubberdomes pretty much require bottom out to reach the activation point. People still think its like an old IBM model M, and they are not.
I've got a Filco Tenkeyless Majestouch 2 with brown switches. The keys are very light to press and actually register before you've pushed the key down all the way. Even though it's a quality board, it has no extras I.e no macro or media keys etc. Despite this, I like it and use it to game and type. I understand that brown switches are best for a balance between gaming / typing. Black keys take more pressure to actuate so are suited for gaming. Blues have clicky sound feedback (though my browns still make some noise) and reds are similar to the browns minus the small tactile bump. If you want a mechanical kb with macros and more then try checking out the Razer BlackWidow.
saitek eclipse 2, has soft to touch keys, lights (some) media buttons. no macro keys or headphone/Usb jacks. The saitek eclipse 3 might but i cant remember.
