I think you have to commit to a bit more. Mechanical keyboards aren't cheap for a reason. Though i can recommend you a certain keyboard. That would be the K60 from Corsair. It's a pretty good keyboard with brown cherry key's (non click, silent). I got it for 80 euros wich is a fair price if you ask me. I like the desighn of it. Quite minimalistic with a brushed aluminium finish and some media keys. Good luck finding your new keyboard!
Those keyboards are expensive for a few reasons. They used to be common on older computers before they designed the more modern keyboard. Most new keyboards use rubber nipples that push keys up that are held on by hinges (membrane). Mechanical keyboards use metal parts rather than plastic and are harder to manufacture, they're louder, and plus other keyboards are much easier to type with for the typical user. Here and here are good resources for keyboard types.
Reminds me when I pulled out an ancient IBM Infowindow II from a contract I was working a year or two ago. I was mad that the keyboard didn't meet any modern keyboard standards (some weird Ethernet plug type). I was completely in giggles when I saw it, thinking I could take it back to the office and use it as my work keyboard just to drive everyone nuts. Kinda regret not keeping it and hacking it together to work.
If you want a good mechanical keyboard, check a local peddlers mall or flea market. You'll find a ton of legacy hardware for cheap, at least where I live in the states. I make it a habit to check them every so often as I can find some really good stuff like cases or some useful parts, I picked up a Dell XPS 630 a few months ago for $15 that said 'parts only' on top in a miscellaneous booth store at a peddlers mall. Poor bastard tried using the wrong dell restore disc and gave up on it since it caused it to BSOD, I put in a Windows 7 disc with a new hard drive and it booted right up. Also found a massive heat sink once with a crazy fan out of some really old Compaq computer. I put it on an old motherboard I had laying on a table, it literally shifted it across the table a bit and caused my roommate to run out of his bedroom laughing from the insane jet noise it made. It sounded like a damn vacuum cleaner and you could hear it clear across the house when it was at full blast. I actually pulled the power when I first powered it on thinking it had gone rouge on me.
I'd suggest learning about the switches, and take a few test drives on different keyboards until you know what switch feels right for you. Unlike regular keyboards, mechanical keyboards have a type of feedback they give on down-strokes. Depending on the type of switch you get, you might love or hate this feedback.
Don't jump straight into getting a mechanical keyboard just because they're "better" or "last longer", you might find that it lasts much longer, but you absolutely hate the responsiveness or feedback it gives, and then you'll be stuck trying to get used to something you don't want to.
I'd suggest learning about the switches, and take a few test drives on different keyboards until you know what switch feels right for you. Unlike regular keyboards, mechanical keyboards have a type of feedback they give on down-strokes. Depending on the type of switch you get, you might love or hate this feedback.
Don't jump straight into getting a mechanical keyboard just because they're "better" or "last longer", you might find that it lasts much longer, but you absolutely hate the responsiveness or feedback it gives, and then you'll be stuck trying to get used to something you don't want to.
Good luck!
What he said!
But where can you actually try the different switches?
The Blackwidow, Logitech and Steelseries are *probably* available for testing in a shop but I've never seen Filco, Topre or Das keyboards in shops.
Were they ever this expensive back when they were new/modern?
Pretty much. However, when you're putting down something like $2000 for a personal computer back in the 90s, you could afford dropping $100-200 for the keyboard.
I bought the G710+ aswell a couple of months ago. It's a bit pricey, but I haven't regretted my purchase, though I can't for the life of me figure out a good use for the macro buttons. Media keys with a volume roller, backlighting, tactile switches - what's not to like?
So the thing was that I've never had a mechanical keyboard, I never touched one and wasn't able to do it in a shop or anywhere else I just ordered Razer Blackwidow Tournament Edition and I will probably love the clicky keys (blue switches). Thanks for your input guys
I hate mechanical switches, especially the clicky ones.
I type very lightly, so I guess I have a preference for laptop-style low profile keys (I work in an open-space).
As for gaming, I don't play seriously enough to spend 60+€ for what will probably be a minimal performance gain. Is there even one ? Or is it just a fad ?
ducky has a model 1087 with green alps switches, they are basically the same thing as cherry mx blues that the razer uses. 45$ USD is what i got mine for, try and find an online retailer, highly reccomend.
I hate mechanical switches, especially the clicky ones.
I type very lightly, so I guess I have a preference for laptop-style low profile keys (I work in an open-space).
As for gaming, I don't play seriously enough to spend 60+€ for what will probably be a minimal performance gain. Is there even one ? Or is it just a fad ?
There is. Im using a standard kboard on this particular machine. Regular keyboards just feel mushy and now i can notice little tiny moments when i go to push a key but the action doesnt quite register so i'll either have to push it again or push down harder. Never noticed it till after i had used mechanicals for a while.
I want a mechanical gamepad, but the only one available is the Orbweaver, and uses the blue switches. Instead of red switches. And it comes with the awful Synapse DRM nonsense.
Stupid that they made the Nostromo with only 3 rows of keys, it's really starting to grate on me now.
Comments
http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/article.php?storyid=238
Think I spent £70 on it. Had to get some sandpaper to remove the lady-repelling "WE LOVE GAMING" decals on the wrist rest and above the arrow cluster
Reminds me when I pulled out an ancient IBM Infowindow II from a contract I was working a year or two ago. I was mad that the keyboard didn't meet any modern keyboard standards (some weird Ethernet plug type). I was completely in giggles when I saw it, thinking I could take it back to the office and use it as my work keyboard just to drive everyone nuts. Kinda regret not keeping it and hacking it together to work.
If you want a good mechanical keyboard, check a local peddlers mall or flea market. You'll find a ton of legacy hardware for cheap, at least where I live in the states. I make it a habit to check them every so often as I can find some really good stuff like cases or some useful parts, I picked up a Dell XPS 630 a few months ago for $15 that said 'parts only' on top in a miscellaneous booth store at a peddlers mall. Poor bastard tried using the wrong dell restore disc and gave up on it since it caused it to BSOD, I put in a Windows 7 disc with a new hard drive and it booted right up. Also found a massive heat sink once with a crazy fan out of some really old Compaq computer. I put it on an old motherboard I had laying on a table, it literally shifted it across the table a bit and caused my roommate to run out of his bedroom laughing from the insane jet noise it made. It sounded like a damn vacuum cleaner and you could hear it clear across the house when it was at full blast. I actually pulled the power when I first powered it on thinking it had gone rouge on me.
What do you think? It has these blue switches which I wanted
The older Blackwidow keyboards reportedly had a lot of issues, haven't read much about the 2013 version.
I'm a fan of this Filco: http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=757
Places to get a mechanical keyboard, stolen from http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_messages/1492723
Inside EU:
http://www.getdigital.de
http://www.keyboardco.com
http://www.gamegear.be
http://www.amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.de
http://www.scan.co.uk/
http://www.cmstore.eu/peripherals/
http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/news/index.php?storytopic=11
http://www.mechanicalkeyboards.nl/
Outside EU:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com
http://elitekeyboards.com/
http://tigerimports.net/
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/
http://www.amazon.com
http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/cateogry1-name/catId=4172320
http://global.pchome.com.tw/english/?m=area&f=style_show&RG_NO=SBAE&tm=e
http://pckeyboard.com/
Don't jump straight into getting a mechanical keyboard just because they're "better" or "last longer", you might find that it lasts much longer, but you absolutely hate the responsiveness or feedback it gives, and then you'll be stuck trying to get used to something you don't want to.
Good luck!
What he said!
But where can you actually try the different switches?
The Blackwidow, Logitech and Steelseries are *probably* available for testing in a shop but I've never seen Filco, Topre or Das keyboards in shops.
As for guides:
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide
http://wiki.geekhack.org/index.php?title=Mechanical_Keyboards
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mechanical-switch-keyboard,2955.html
http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/mechanical_keyboard_overviews
http://translate.google.com/translate?sl=nl&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&eotf=1&u=http://gathering.tweakers.net/forum/list_messages/1492723&act=url
Definitely worth the 120 bucks I spent on it. Hands down.
I type very lightly, so I guess I have a preference for laptop-style low profile keys (I work in an open-space).
As for gaming, I don't play seriously enough to spend 60+€ for what will probably be a minimal performance gain. Is there even one ? Or is it just a fad ?
There is. Im using a standard kboard on this particular machine. Regular keyboards just feel mushy and now i can notice little tiny moments when i go to push a key but the action doesnt quite register so i'll either have to push it again or push down harder. Never noticed it till after i had used mechanicals for a while.
http://www.daskeyboard.com/
If you are pro; get the ultimate edition.
Stupid that they made the Nostromo with only 3 rows of keys, it's really starting to grate on me now.