which mechanical keyboard?

[Special K]

For as long as I have owned a computer (1997 or so), I have always used the basic, plain keyboards that come packaged with pre-built systems such as Dell, Gateway, etc. Right now I am using a basic 4-year old Dell PS/2 keyboard that came with my system. I use my PC for gaming, and the one aspect of this keyboard that bugs me the most is that some of the keys get stuck unless you hit them dead-center. Do all keyboards behave this way, or just the cheap ones? I believe the technical term for the type of keyboard I have is "bubble-dome"? I took it apart for cleaning once and saw a rubber mat with domes in it. Also, it seems to take an unnecessarily high amount of pressure to press the keys. I feel like there should be something with "faster" keys out there.

I also used a Dell "clackey key" keyboard at a job once, although the noise was kind of irritating, plus I'm not sure if these would be a good choice for gaming.

Here is a summary of what I am looking for in a keyboard:

1. ability to hit keys slightly off-center without them sticking
2. quick key response for gaming
3. n-key rollover (I'm not sure what number to substitute for 'n'; I mainly play FPS games if it helps any)
4. a "standard" layout - no "ergonomic" alterations or drastically re-arranged key layouts
5. I am indifferent toward backlighting - if the keyboard has it, then great; if not, it's not a big deal to me; I don't need to look at the keyboard to type, and I live alone, so I can't think of any situation in which I would have to type in the dark anyway
6. I'd rather not have one of the loud clackey keyboards, as I think that would get annoying after awhile. Plus, wouldn't these have a relatively slow response, and not be ideal for gaming?
7. I don't think I would use lots of macro/multimedia keys, but they would always be nice to have if possible

I posted this question on the geekhack forums and received many replies, but I thought I'd also post the question here on AT in case any mechanical keyboard users here don't happen to visit geekhack. Here is what was recommended to me on the geekhack forums:

ABS M1 - $59.99 right now @ Newegg
Deck Legend - $159 - can backlighting be disabled/turned down?
Steel Series 7G - $123.85 @ Amazon - giant palm rest
Filco *ML model - $115 - n-key rollover only when used w/ PS/2 adapter (not USB)
Filco *M Tactile - $129
Das Keyboard Pro - 12-key rollover - $129
Compaq MX-11800 - the main purpose of this would be to get a feel for the cherry brown keys
Scorpius M10 - $50 on Amazon, but poor reviews complaining about poor quality

Can anyone recommend any of these keyboards based on my stated requirements?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Most any KB will suit your needs. Best thing you can do is head over to a local retailer. They should have floor models available for you to try and see which one feels the best too you.

After 2 years of use on a cheap KB its no wonder you where having problems.

I'm surprised you don't have any Logitechs listed there. They make some of the best KBs available. I'm typing on an older S510 Wireless KB right now.

 

[dawza]

I have used the black Alps on the old Dell AT-101s, blue Cherries on the M10, black Cherries on the 7G (or at least I think the 7G still uses black Cherries- the 6G certainly did), and buckling springs on a number of Model Ms. As far as hitting keys off-center is concerned, the black Alps were by far the most annoying, followed distantly by the blue Cherries. I hated the feel of the black Cherries so much that I do not even remember how they were with respect to off-center strikes. Buckling springs feel uniform at all strike angles.

I am a buckling spring fan, and use them for everything. These days, my gaming is limited to L4D, but I never felt that I was at any disadvantage with buckling springs. That said, they do make quite the racket, and I can see how some would prefer lighter switches for long gaming sessions. Black Cherries might actually be ideal for gaming- they are just (IMO) horrible for everything else.

Can't speak for n-key rollover, although I have never had any issues relating to multiple simultaneous keystrokes. I can say that the M10 started to flake out (power issues) after a few months of light use, so be aware of that (the soldering on the PCB leaves much to be desired). It is a real pity too, because the blue Cherries are the only keyswitch I would consider other than BS. The light click of the blues sounds like the pitter-patter of raindrops next to the machine-gun fire of buckling springs.

 

[nerp]

Get a unicomp or a Topre or HHKB2 if you can't deal with the sound of BS keys. I know that the clickety clack of a BS board makes me smile.

And logitech doesn't make the best keyboards! OMG. They're still cheap rubber dome boards. A quality keyboard should last for a decade minimum.

 

[Special K]

Many on geekhack recommended a keyboard with the brown cherry keys. I think I might try one of those first. Apparently there is a cheap Compaq MX-11800 that could give me an idea for the feel of the brown cherry keys before I would buy one of the more expensive filco models.

 

[dunkster]

I just replaced a Unicomp Customizer (stuck space key) with an ABS M1 mechanical keyboard.

The ABS M1 has nice feedback, full key layout and very efficient small desktop footprint.

I like it better than the Unicomp keyboard.

 

[looper]

I have a few IBM model M's, but day-to-day, use the DAS III Professional keyboard....very pleased.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: looper
I have a few IBM model M's, but day-to-day, use the DAS III Professional keyboard....very pleased.

I've read that the Das III has some serious issues with the way it implements it's n-key rollover:

link

Basically, that thread says the keyboard will automatically reorder keys that are pressed simultaneously or within some small time interval into some predefined order. For example, if you press 'dasf', 'fasd', 'adfs', etc. together or within a very short period of time, the result will always come out as "asdf". You can read the thread for more details, and try the experiment for yourself.

I also don't like how the surface of the keyboard is glossy. That means it will attract lots of fingerprints and dust.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
Most any KB will suit your needs. Best thing you can do is head over to a local retailer. They should have floor models available for you to try and see which one feels the best too you.

After 2 years of use on a cheap KB its no wonder you where having problems.

I'm surprised you don't have any Logitechs listed there. They make some of the best KBs available. I'm typing on an older S510 Wireless KB right now.

Most any KB will NOT provide fastest response (note: there is perceived difference between different models), and certainly not n-key rollover.

Brown vs black vs blue axis is just a personal preference, I feel totally at home with my brownies. The sad thing is, the brown axis isn't widely used in the US for whatever reason.

Before anyone brings up elitekeyboards, I am saddened to find out they only offer the black axis version albeit their competitive pricing.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: konakona
Before anyone brings up elitekeyboards, I am saddened to find out they only offer the black axis version albeit their competitive pricing.

Incorrect, this Filco keyboard uses the cherry brown switches:

FKBN104M/EB

I just ordered a Compaq MX 11800 (cherry brown MX switches) and a Dell AT101W (black alps switches) from a geekhack member earlier this week. I should get a chance to try both of them out this weekend.

 

[skriefal]

The 87-key FKBN87M/EB also uses Cherry brown switches.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: dawza
I have used the black Alps on the old Dell AT-101s, blue Cherries on the M10, black Cherries on the 7G (or at least I think the 7G still uses black Cherries- the 6G certainly did), and buckling springs on a number of Model Ms. As far as hitting keys off-center is concerned, the black Alps were by far the most annoying, followed distantly by the blue Cherries. I hated the feel of the black Cherries so much that I do not even remember how they were with respect to off-center strikes. Buckling springs feel uniform at all strike angles.

I am a buckling spring fan, and use them for everything. These days, my gaming is limited to L4D, but I never felt that I was at any disadvantage with buckling springs. That said, they do make quite the racket, and I can see how some would prefer lighter switches for long gaming sessions. Black Cherries might actually be ideal for gaming- they are just (IMO) horrible for everything else.

Can't speak for n-key rollover, although I have never had any issues relating to multiple simultaneous keystrokes. I can say that the M10 started to flake out (power issues) after a few months of light use, so be aware of that (the soldering on the PCB leaves much to be desired). It is a real pity too, because the blue Cherries are the only keyswitch I would consider other than BS. The light click of the blues sounds like the pitter-patter of raindrops next to the machine-gun fire of buckling springs.

So what buckling spring keyboard do you use? The only 2 I can think of are the vintage IBM Model M, and the Unicomp Customizer 104, although I have read that the Customizer 104 has build quality issues.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: Special K

Originally posted by: konakona
Before anyone brings up elitekeyboards, I am saddened to find out they only offer the black axis version albeit their competitive pricing.

Incorrect, this Filco keyboard uses the cherry brown switches:

FKBN104M/EB

I just ordered a Compaq MX 11800 (cherry brown MX switches) and a Dell AT101W (black alps switches) from a geekhack member earlier this week. I should get a chance to try both of them out this weekend.

NVM, I stand corrected. I guess I got a bit confused cuz they said "black" as in the keyboard itself being black.

 

[dawza]

So what buckling spring keyboard do you use? The only 2 I can think of are the vintage IBM Model M, and the Unicomp Customizer 104, although I have read that the Customizer 104 has build quality issues.

I have a classic 1391401, an M5-1, M5-2, and a Customizer Spacesaver.

I can't speak for the Customizer 104, but I have no build quality issues with the Spacesaver. I know some die-hard M fanatics groan about the differences in injection molding and the plastics used. To some extent, that is true- I do prefer the plastic used in the old IBM and Lexmark Ms, but the plastic found in the Spacesaver is by no means cheap; it is, in fact, far better than that found in >95% of keyboards on the market. If I were looking a for brand-new BS keyboard, I would not hesitate to get another Unicomp.

Each keyboard does have its own feel- this probably has as much to do with age and degree of wear as it does with batch-to-batch variances in the springs themselves (and I am sure the housing has some effect as well). Still, after a few minutes of use, I settle into the board and feel right at home.

 

[Special K]

Originally posted by: dawza
I hated the feel of the black Cherries so much that I do not even remember how they were with respect to off-center strikes.

What exactly did you hate about the black cherries? I read that they are non-tactile and non-clicky. Does that mean they are very similar to the rubber membrane boards, which are all non-tactile and non-clicky?

 

[konakona]

from my brief encounter with black axis version of the same keyboard, it felt much easier to bottom out with those. I wouldn't say they felt the same as the rubber membranes but the browns were the definite favorite for me.

 

[dawza]

Pretty much what konakona stated above. I need tactility in a keyboard, and the blacks provided none. The only thing I felt was increasing resistance until I bottomed out; with a tactile keyswitch, I can type much more efficiently (once I get used to the board) because I can avoid bottoming out. To be honest, there are membrane keyboards I like better than the blacks; in fact, I would take a low-profile scissor switch over a linear switch any day of the week.

I never used the browns, although from what I have read, I would probably be happy with them after an adjustment period.