Hardware Need a new keyboard

Hells Malice · Sep 8, 2013

I searched for QUITE a while earlier today for a keyboard.
I've been happy with my stock keyboard but I feel like some of my typos are due to my keyboard getting on in years (it came with my old computer...this was probably around 8 years ago now).

I've been looking for a somewhat cheap keyboard, preferably with a focus on gaming. But I don't need all the bells and baubles if it's going to cost me tons extra.

I'm lost though. I know mice, headsets, headphones, most things except keyboards because I always just use whatever comes with my PC.

Steelseries is a favorite brand of mine, but their keyboard selection is skimpy at best for my pricerange.
I'm looking for a keyboard that is below $100.

I found the Steelseries Merc Stealth, which looks neat and I love setup on the left side of it...however I hear a lot of reviews about sticky keys.
Sticky keys are really something I cannot stand. No idea how true it is of course, but yeah.

I like a nice feeling key that I KNOW i'm hitting. One major problem I have with most laptops is how there's no real feel for hitting the keys.

Macros aren't a big deal for me. I wont use many even if the keyboard has 'em.

TL;DR
I need a keyboard.
Under $100
Very good response times
Preferably a gaming keyboard.

Halp?

LoloLakitu · Sep 8, 2013

I just got the Logitech G105 today from my walmart for CAD $60 and I'm typing on it right now!

YayMii · Sep 8, 2013

Since you're looking for one that feels nice, I'd say to go for a mechanical keyboard. The tactile feedback is more solid than any non-mechanical keyboard you can get, and it'll last you a lot longer too. The only issue I'd see people having with one is the excess sound that the keys make when pressed (compared to non-mechanical keyboards), but that's purely personal preference as some people somewhat enjoy the sound. Also, mechanical keys actuate in the middle of the keypress instead of at the bottom, so once you're used to one you won't use as much force pressing each key down, allowing you to potentially type faster.

If you decide to get a mechanical keyboard, then you should know about the different types of switches. Most mechanical keyboards use keyswitches made by a company called Cherry, who color-codes their different kinds of MX switches, each of these have different feels. For the most part, you can find out what type of switch a mechanical keyboard uses by looking at the box (or at the specs if you're shopping online).

I'll give a quick rundown of the most common types of switches to help you decide:
Blue: Has a tactile bump at the actuating point that makes a click sound. Often preferred for typing.
Black: Slightly stiffer keys that have no tactile click or bump at the actuating point (the key presses down smoothly and you still get solid feedback by bottoming out the key). Often preferred for gaming.
Red: Super-light versions of Black switches. Often preferred for gaming, but the lightness may cause more mistakes when typing.
Brown: A crossbreed between Blue and Red. Very light, but has a tactile bump. Not as loud as Blues, and not as typo-prone as Reds.
Green: Stiffer versions of Blues. For people who like the feel of the old-school IBM keyboards. Not as common as the previous four.
Although certain switches are recommended for certain uses, at the end of the day the switches are still personal preference. So it's always better if you're able to try before buying.

If you can find somewhere in-person where you can feel different mechanical keyboards, then it should help you immensely with your purchase. If you can't, then maybe find somewhere that has a Razer BlackWidow for sale. It's out of your price-range, but the box has a little window for you to feel the keys (which use Cherry MX Blue switches), so you know what you're getting into when buying a mechanical keyboard.

That being said, I'd suggest getting one of the CM Storm QuickFire keyboards. They're generally at the cheaper end of mechanical keyboards, and they usually have several versions of the same keyboard with the different types of switches. They also have a few compact/tenkeyless options (which sacrifice the numpad for a cheaper pricetag and slightly better portability). Some of their keyboards also have PS/2 support, which is better than USB for gaming as it provides a lower latency and allows for n-key rollover (aka the ability for your computer to recognize every key you press no matter how many you're pressing at once, USB is limited to 6-key rollover), although there are a few USB keyboards that have higher polling rates and use tricks to achieve n-key rollover.

tl;dr:
1. Mechanical feels better and lasts longer than non-mechanical
2. there are different kinds of mechanical keyswitches, color coded
3. feeling different mech-keyboards IRL will help you decide what switch you like
4. CM Storm = cheaper mechanical keyboards
5. PS/2 > USB for gaming, generally

Hells Malice · Sep 8, 2013

The Logitech G105 is quite pretty... but a bitch to find.

Mechanical keyboards are interesting...I had no idea what the crap they were.
I'm starting to lean towards a mechanical keyboard with brown switches (since I do a lot of general typing other than gaming, but still want solid gaming).
I also like the fact they're basically just stock-looking keyboards in every instance I can find really.

The CM Quickfire Pro looks quite appealing...frankly I didn't want to spend THAT much on a keyboard, but I might as well get something good that'll last me ages and perform super well.

I'll keep looking around, but I think you've turned me to the mechanical side of things at least. They seem much better than all the fancy crap that I keep seeing.

FireSeel · Sep 8, 2013

Das Keyboard are meant to be good, but they are more expensive than what you are looking for.

Niksy · Sep 8, 2013

As YayMii said - get a mechanical keyboard, especially since you seem to want a basic looking keyboard.

I also agree with YayMii that a Cooler Master keyboard is a good choice. They make good keyboard for a good price and they offer all main-stream Cherry MX switches. They also have different layouts for you to choose from - you can get a compact keyboard or a full-sized one. You could always go for a Filco/Leopold/Das/Ducky keyboard but if it's going to be your first mech than go with CM - you won't regret it.

Steelseries also offers a mechanical keyboard - the 6Gv2. They have it with Black Cherry MX switches or Red ones (although the Red ones are harder to find I think).

Just don't get a Razer keyboard. Please.

Hells Malice · Sep 8, 2013

Das keyboards are quite nice and sleek looking, sadly out of my pricerange though.
Even $100 is pushing it, but I need a reliable keyboard darn it.

Niksy said:
Just don't get a Razer keyboard. Please.

I don't find chronic vomiting to be too appealing so i'll never be buying a Razer product again.
Fool me once...

Depravo · Sep 8, 2013

I've been using this one since the beginning of the year and I have no complaints so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-JQD-00006-Sidewinder-X4-Keyboard/dp/B0037KLSS8

Niksy · Sep 8, 2013

This keyboard might interest you. It's a Ducky 9008 G2 Pro and it's being sold for 99.99(+19.99 shipping to Canada) instead of 120(+ shipping). Ducky make solid keyboards and this one is pretty good - it has black lighting (only in the WASD region though) and other features. Only downside is it is available in Black and Red switches and you said you'd like Brown ones.

Hells Malice · Sep 8, 2013

Random rant but I hate how 'gaming' keyboards emphasize easy return to WASD with lights and bells and bumps and baubles and signposts.
How many gamers actually have trouble finding WASD? When my left hand is idle it literally sits on or floats above wasd. I can find WASD blindfolded and backwards in a hurricane.

The QuickFire Pro is actually $99+20 shipping as well to my location.
I don't think I like that one (Ducky) as much.

YayMii · Sep 8, 2013

Ducky is actually a highly regarded keyboard company, as they're very well-built and have a couple of features I've haven't seen on other keyboards (DIP switches for swapping certain key functions, reactive backlighting, etc), but they're usually much more expensive than most other mechanical keyboards. The Ducky 9008 G2 Pro that Niksy mentioned isn't as flashy as the Ducky Shine, and they also have a Ducky Zero which is their cheaper, more basic keyboard.

Where have you checked for prices? The QuickFire Pro and QuickFire XT both sell for $90 at a local store where I live, and I think Newegg and Amazon have them at $90 too (and you might be able to get better prices on their US websites if the shipping isn't too much). And maybe look into the numpad-less ones if you don't want to pay as much; I've seen the QuickFire Rapid sell for $70 so that might be an option.

Niksy · Sep 8, 2013

You can also check out this. The shipping to Canada is $10 and the keyboards range from basic (~$75) to more premium (~$130).

Hells Malice · Sep 9, 2013

YayMii said:
Ducky is actually a highly regarded keyboard company, as they're very well-built and have a couple of features I've haven't seen on other keyboards (DIP switches for swapping certain key functions, reactive backlighting, etc), but they're usually much more expensive than most other mechanical keyboards. The Ducky 9008 G2 Pro that Niksy mentioned isn't as flashy as the Ducky Shine, and they also have a Ducky Zero which is their cheaper, more basic keyboard.

Where have you checked for prices? The QuickFire Pro and QuickFire XT both sell for $90 at a local store where I live, and I think Newegg and Amazon have them at $90 too (and you might be able to get better prices on their US websites if the shipping isn't too much). And maybe look into the numpad-less ones if you don't want to pay as much; I've seen the QuickFire Rapid sell for $70 so that might be an option.

I have it up on Newegg right now, $99 + 10 shipping. (I can maths. I was looking at price after tax for shipping cost, whoops)
Amazon was 97 + $17 or so shipping for the most basic shipping.
Shipping for any electronics always makes up for the difference in price to Canada, from what i've seen. Could be $50 less, they'll charge you $50 more for shipping. God knows why, but i've seen it before. Checked a few sites for this keyboard and the price difference isn't much anyway though, and yeah shipping made up for it.

Niksy said:
You can also check out this. The shipping to Canada is $10 and the keyboards range from basic (~$75) to more premium (~$130).

Hmmm. I'll take a look.
Thanks.

p1ngpong · Sep 9, 2013

Mechanical keyboards are for ponces are useless for gaming and are overpriced.

I have a merc stealth and it kicks ass, get that, once you start gaming with the dedicated left panel you will wonder how you ever gamed without it.

Don't listen to any of these fools.

Chhotu uttam · Sep 9, 2013

Most important thing in mechs are the switches.Rest all of the money goes to quality,LED,X-KRO,10-keyless,etc.
So if you want a cheap Keyboard, get those 10-key less version( they seem to priced lower).
I've only used(and using) black switches.They're good, hard/stiff and linear.
The default cherry keyboards and cheap and reliable. Since the OP wants brown switches, here --> http://www.ncix.ca/products/?sku=75700&vpn=G80-3800LXBEU-2&manufacture=Cherry

p1ngpong, pls 2 use mech keyboard first, I was the same too until now

YayMii · Sep 9, 2013

Mechanical keyboards are one of those things you don't understand why it's better until you try one yourself. Sure, it might not necessarily improve your game, but even then it really depends on the games you play (if it wasn't already obvious, I play a lot of rhythm games, and a mechanical keyboard makes a noticeable difference when it comes to consistency in those games). And you can't really argue that a rubber-dome keyboard is better for typing.
The OP asked for a nice feeling keyboard, and that's exactly what a mechanical keyboard is designed to be. Hence the recommendation.

And no, they're not overpriced. Unlike rubber-dome keyboards (which generally are internally made up of a rubber sheet sitting on top of a PCB), a mechanical keyboard is made up of more expensive materials (each key is an individual switch, each with gold-plated metal internals, all mounted on a metal backplate). "Overpriced" would imply that the price is more than its worth. You're paying for what you're getting.

Hells Malice · Sep 9, 2013

Thanks p1ng for a very...insightful... opinion.

NCIX ended up having both the Merc Stealth and CM Storm QF Pro for cheap ($49 and $77 respectively) and since their warehouse is literally about 3 hours away, I just got cheap shipping and it'll be here in 1 day after processing.
Not really swayed by p1ngy's take on things, but I had been debating the darn thing this whole time. I'm curious to try it.

The end cost for both was $145. Originally I was looking at about $120-125 on most sites after taxes for JUST for the CM keyboard. For $145 after taxes (a fair bit more than I ever wanted to spend...but meh) I just got both.
I'll try both and sell the one i'm less satisfied with. Pretty sure my friend could use the Merc Stealth, and my Dad seems veeery interested in the CM keyboard, so no problems there.

Thanks for all the help guys.
I never would have thought to buy a mechanical keyboard, but based on all i've read it'll probably be the one I keep.
But hell I had to TRY the merc stealth. Seems neat.
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