Searching for the perfect keyboard...

[losershot]

I've been searching all over for a great slim laptop style keyboard--no number pad--so that I don't have to have my mouse uncomfortably far off to the right.

I bought an EagleTouch/Ortek MCK-88, but has nothing for tactile, it feels like I am typing on mashed potatoes.

So far my most favorite keyboard is the Apple Powerbook Aluminum Series. They have a great layout, excellect tactile feedback, and are quite comfortable for a non-split non-curved.

One keyboard I think I might like a lot is the BenQ Desksaver, but I want to make sure it is good before I make another mistake. There seems to be nothing for reviews on the web. Maybe one of you with my tastes have tried it?

So,
If anyone knows of a desktop keyboard that is just like the Apple Powerbook I would really like to hear about it. Any other reccomendations are encouraged!

 

[Cerb]

If you want feedback, what about the best keybaord ever made?
The IBM Model M.

 

[Googer]

I have an IBM model M that I am typing on and It is the best thing ever! The other Key board that is as highly prized as the model M is a Norhgate OmniKey, they are no longer being manufactured but can be found on ebay for $100-250. They are highly prized and tough to find. My other suggestion is a CVT avant stellar- It uses the same ALPS switches that Northgate used and is rumored that CVT built these from the original blueprint schmatics that were drawn up by northgate before they went out of buisness.
I am a keyboard junkie!
http://cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm
Here are Two articles from PC World
2004
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews...le/0,aid,115892,00.asp
2002
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,97425,00.asp

The best part of these keyboards is they are built to last a lifetime, but if they ever break don't wory because they are easy to fix and I know of one guy on the web who specializes in repairing old Northgate keyboards.

 

[Googer]

http://windowsmarketplace.com/...es.aspx?itemId=1302730

http://www.epinions.com/cmhd-K...35301/display_~reviews

 

[losershot]

I remember those . They might be a little too at night. Have you ever seen the Happy Hacker keyboard?

 

[MGMorden]

I've found that I can't live without a mechanical switch keyboard. The one I'm using now is a Smith Corona 6311. I've got an IBM Model M in the closet. The Model M feels just a little better (this one is still a "clicky" with a nice tactile response though), but the footprint on the Smith Corona is smaller so it doesn't take up as much desk space. I really wish that Logitech or the like would create a nice modern mechanical switch keyboard though. I'd be willing to spend at least $100 on a good one.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: MGMorden
I've found that I can't live without a mechanical switch keyboard. The one I'm using now is a Smith Corona 6311. I've got an IBM Model M in the closet. The Model M feels just a little better (this one is still a "clicky" with a nice tactile response though), but the footprint on the Smith Corona is smaller so it doesn't take up as much desk space. I really wish that Logitech or the like would create a nice modern mechanical switch keyboard though. I'd be willing to spend at least $100 on a good one.

I called IBM as recently as 18 months ago and they are still selling the old clikey keyboards for around $100.
I have heard from several people that the quality of those boards are not quite as good as the older ones. Once IBM sold lexmark they sold the keyboard buisness with it. Old Model M's were origialy made in Scotland and is not a cheap place to make stuff, They really cared more about qualty and craftsmanship back then than they do now. Just look at some old hard ware it was made out of heavy duity PCB and very hard metal back plates. Compaire the back plate of a ISA card to the one of a PCI card of to day and the PCI card will bend but you will bust a knuckle trying to bend -some- of the really old stuff.

Here is a company that custom makes IBM style clikey keyboards to your needs-
http://www.pckeyboard.com/

 

[Googer]

Also Cherry (a german company) makes great keyboards, they have a nice tactile feel, are programmable and fully mappable. Be prepaired to pay $$$$ as cherry keybords are well made but not cheap.

http://www.cherrycorp.com/

 

[Googer]

by the way do your self a favor and get a 101 or 102 key keybord with out the windows key. Once it is gone you will never miss it, That damn thing gets in the way and is unwelcomed. CTRL+ESC does the same thing.

 

[mechBgon]

My IBM M-series keyboards say © IBM Corp. 1984 on the bottom and are still awesome. Hit your local surplus store or Goodwill or whatever, see if you can score one for $1.99. Besides having a wonderful feel/sound, they weigh 5 pounds and can serve as a cutting board or a bludgeon!

 

[Tostada]

There was a computer store in Columbus a few years ago that had a huge box of used M-series keyboards for
$4 each. I like them, but paying $100 is crazy.

Originally posted by: Googer
by the way do your self a favor and get a 101 or 102 key keybord with out the windows key. Once it is gone you will never miss it, That damn thing gets in the way and is unwelcomed. CTRL+ESC does the same thing.

The Windows key is associated with shortcuts besides just opening the Start Menu, such as Win-E opens Windows Explorer, but Ctrl-Esc-E doesn't.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Tostada
There was a computer store in Columbus a few years ago that had a huge box of used M-series keyboards for
$4 each. I like them, but paying $100 is crazy.

Originally posted by: Googer
by the way do your self a favor and get a 101 or 102 key keybord with out the windows key. Once it is gone you will never miss it, That damn thing gets in the way and is unwelcomed. CTRL+ESC does the same thing.

The Windows key is associated with shortcuts besides just opening the Start Menu, such as Win-E opens Windows Explorer, but Ctrl-Esc-E doesn't.

There are other keyboard commands to do those things and you do not nesescarly need windows keys do do them.

 

[Terumo]

Originally posted by: Cerb
If you want feedback, what about the best keybaord ever made?
The IBM Model M.

Here, here!

 

[Penth]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: Tostada
There was a computer store in Columbus a few years ago that had a huge box of used M-series keyboards for
$4 each. I like them, but paying $100 is crazy.

Originally posted by: Googer
by the way do your self a favor and get a 101 or 102 key keybord with out the windows key. Once it is gone you will never miss it, That damn thing gets in the way and is unwelcomed. CTRL+ESC does the same thing.

The Windows key is associated with shortcuts besides just opening the Start Menu, such as Win-E opens Windows Explorer, but Ctrl-Esc-E doesn't.

There are other keyboard commands to do those things and you do not nesescarly need windows keys do do them.

Really? How do you do the Winkey+M for minimizing everything or winkey+pause/break to get the system properties up. I'd love to know for the times I have to work on a keyboard without the windows key.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
My IBM M-series keyboards say © IBM Corp. 1984 on the bottom and are still awesome. Hit your local surplus store or Goodwill or whatever, see if you can score one for $1.99. Besides having a wonderful feel/sound, they weigh 5 pounds and can serve as a cutting board or a bludgeon!

Model M revisions have differant style IBM logos on them. Mine from 1984 has a a grey/black color text with a
khaki or tan back ground with the letters IBM starting from left bottom and the M in the Top right corner pointing north east/south west.. The logo is located in the upper right side of the keyboard.

Some newer keyboars have differant logos. Some IBM letters are in Blue. Others have a variation in the letter style. Some logos can be found on the left side of the top of the keyboard.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Terumo

Originally posted by: Cerb
If you want feedback, what about the best keybaord ever made?
The IBM Model M.

Here, here!

IBM model M is the most well known and widely used of the vintage clickey keyboards, but northgate omnikey is considerd to be the rolls royce or mercedes benz of keyboards and is often preferred over IBM by most Keyboard connoisseurs. It explains the high price of those keyboards, especialy since they have not been manufactured in 10 years. They were not cheap to make in the first place either considerig they had so many tiny mechanical parts that needed to be attached, so $100 is a justifiable price.

Also some of todays logitech wireless keyboards are going for more than $90 and higher but dont cost as much to produce as the old click 'boards did

My pick-
http://cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm.

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Penth

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: Tostada
There was a computer store in Columbus a few years ago that had a huge box of used M-series keyboards for
$4 each. I like them, but paying $100 is crazy.

Originally posted by: Googer
by the way do your self a favor and get a 101 or 102 key keybord with out the windows key. Once it is gone you will never miss it, That damn thing gets in the way and is unwelcomed. CTRL+ESC does the same thing.

The Windows key is associated with shortcuts besides just opening the Start Menu, such as Win-E opens Windows Explorer, but Ctrl-Esc-E doesn't.

There are other keyboard commands to do those things and you do not nesescarly need windows keys do do them.

Really? How do you do the Winkey+M for minimizing everything or winkey+pause/break to get the system properties up. I'd love to know for the times I have to work on a keyboard without the windows key.

I know a few, but cannot remember as many as i once knew. I will have to get out my old books and looks some up when I have more time.


anyways if you cannot live with out a windows key, http://www.pckeyboard.com/ has IBM style clickey 'boards with windows keys on them. They are said to be very close to the original.

http://modelm.org/

http://www.modelm.org/nowindows.png

 

[Terumo]

Originally posted by: Googer

Originally posted by: Terumo

Originally posted by: Cerb
If you want feedback, what about the best keybaord ever made?
The IBM Model M.

Here, here!

IBM model M is the most well known and widely used of the vintage clickey keyboards, but northgate omnikey is considerd to be the rolls royce or mercedes benz of keyboards and is often preferred over IBM by most Keyboard connoisseurs.

It's very good, but not the best -- as the best functionality is defined by user preference. Keyboards are like ball teams, everyone has a favorite.

The IBM Model M keyboard was designed for typists used to the heavy feel of the old Selectrics (one main reason I prefer it too keyboards today, I was used to old manuals). They demanded strong fingers, and the typists needed the tactical feedback. IBM put a lot of research into making that keyboard and took in consideration office workers opinions who made a living on their typing skills.

The overall best keyboard is one that you'll use that is a good value, will withstand abuse, functional and could be found!. lololol

 

[w00t]

the logitech elite is nice. i have been thinking about that and the ms media.

 

[losershot]

How are these heavy keyboards for gaming?

 

[Appledrop]

Originally posted by: Googer
Also Cherry (a german company) makes great keyboards, they have a nice tactile feel, are programmable and fully mappable. Be prepaired to pay $$$$ as cherry keybords are well made but not cheap.

http://www.cherrycorp.com/

LOL at cherry's website :-

POS Keyboards Designed to Meet Your Needs

hehe, anyway i use a black IBM "9910" keyboard, i love it, it cost me £2 online (refurbished) lol, its probably a 'budget' keyboard though, however it feels great, is heavy (doesnt move around in games), and it is sexy

 

[Terumo]

Originally posted by: losershot
How are these heavy keyboards for gaming?

Let's put it this way: you got fragged by a rival clan and you throw the keyboard across the room in disgust. It'll survive probably intact. They weigh a lot and you really have to push them on your keyboard drawer (so they're less likely to move around when using the keys while in a frag fest). If you're the type that does the "KILL, KILL, KILL....HAHAHA!!" firing on a key, it'll survive the abuse too.

Heck, it'll probably even be used as a club too (how's that for realism in RPG gaming).

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: w00t
the logitech elite is nice. i have been thinking about that and the ms media.

You totaly do not get it.......

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: losershot
How are these heavy keyboards for gaming?

I use mine for games, like battlefield and age of empires and i have to say i do not like any thing else.. After switching keyboards for a few days, I used my old logitech internet keyboard (it's my backup ) I found that I could not wait for my old keyboard to dry out(i spilled water on it). I love my old clikey!

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: Terumo

Originally posted by: losershot
How are these heavy keyboards for gaming?

Let's put it this way: you got fragged by a rival clan and you throw the keyboard across the room in disgust. It'll survive probably intact. They weigh a lot and you really have to push them on your keyboard drawer (so they're less likely to move around when using the keys while in a frag fest). If you're the type that does the "KILL, KILL, KILL....HAHAHA!!" firing on a key, it'll survive the abuse too.

Heck, it'll probably even be used as a club too (how's that for realism in RPG gaming).

HAA! thats too darn funny!


It's too bad you cannot say that about modern day keyboards.