I Know Nothing About Keyboards!

[notsonerd]

But I'm here to learn! I've always considered myself a typist, but that was solely based on my typing speed using cheap membrane/scissor-switch keyboards. That's changed. I know not what separates a true typist from a keyboard enthusiast, or if they're one and the same. What I do know is that I'm interested in knowing the differences. I don't own a keyboard other than the integrated keyboard in my laptop, but I've been doing a lot of research on mechanical keyboards and it's the one peripheral for my new computer I'm most looking forward to getting my hands on. Literally.

I've recently ordered a Cherry MX Switch Sampler off of Amazon to test out the most common switches before I make a purchase. I initially wanted to get the blues for that tactile sensation I've read and heard so much about, but while I do type a lot, I also game and want to stream with in-game audio and commentary. What seemed like the best solution is the compromising browns. Supposedly not as tactile-y or clicky as the blues? Correct me if I'm wrong. I've said no to reds and blacks, but I can't really say no until I've tried them out.

That said, I'm a backlight freak and have been eyeing the Corsair Gaming K70 RGB with brown switches. This forum hasn't exactly given it rave reviews, though. I'm curious to know more about why.

If you have any recommendations for a gamer and typist that's just getting started with mechanical keyboards, please do share. I'm open to any advice and criticism towards my choices. I've loved reading posts on the forums so far and would love to be a part of this community.

Best,

Notsonerd

[mogo]

Open to learn, open to admitting you're uninformed - this is great! I'm very far from the clicky elites here, but I can say that if you want to do streaming and you'll be on mic a lot, blues are loud man. Blues and greens make a ton of noise. I've got Whites on my KBT Pure and they're not as loud, but they still have the click and it is still audible sometimes to my teammates over skype or mumble. Brown/clear is definitely worth looking into and I'm going to make my next purchase along those lines I think.

Anyways, hello! And welcome (from someone also terribly new)!

[NotAPrune]

Welcome!

I would also advise taking your microphone setup into consideration. I have a Leopold FC200R with blue swithces and have a Blue-Yeti microhpone sitting on my desk. I plan to get a boom for it oneday, but have not gotten around to doing so. My brother did an interesting test though as you can very clearly hear every keystroke as an impact through the desk even without blue switches. He made a small shockmount with some old K'nex we had lieing around and made a suspended platform with string to absorb impact and it greatly improved the audio quality. Blues, while audible sound quiet and nice in the background.

[Elocutive]

^

I would also recommend topre or cherry mx clears if you are solely a typist. Clears are alike browns, but are slightly heavier and have a more distinguished tactile bump. This message was brought to you by my clears 

[asdfjkl36]

You're already ahead of the game.

I've been around for a bit, yet have learned nothing.

Glad to have you on board.

This is the place you want to be to learn everything you need to know, and to teach others along the way. 

As for a recommendation, I also believe you should check out clears. Once you receive your sample kit, you should be able to find out if you like clears or browns.

Best of luck!

[Puddsy]

Welcome to GH!

If you want a recommendation, I really like red switches. They're probably my favorite switch for both typing and gaming. Blues are my 2nd favorite.

[notsonerd]

Aw, thanks for the warm welcome. Odd, I never considered clears before. I'll have to give that one a bit more attention when my sampler kit arrives.

@TacticalStache: From what I've read, there's quite a contrast between reds and blues in feel. I have seen some people like yourself who prefer reds above all else for all their typing needs. I wonder if they also fit the bill for me.

[NotAPrune]

Aw, thanks for the warm welcome. Odd, I never considered clears before. I'll have to give that one a bit more attention when my sampler kit arrives.

@TacticalStache: From what I've read, there's quite a contrast between reds and blues in feel. I have seen some people like yourself who prefer reds above all else for all their typing needs. I wonder if they also fit the bill for me.

Reds and Blues feel very different, but personally they are my 2 favourite switches to type on. I use blues at home because I don't care about noise, but I work in an open plan office and so for the sake of my colleagues I stayed away from blues. I ended up with black switches, because I had a gift voucher to burn at a store here and that's all they had in stock. I am going to be pulling apart my spare Ducky DK9008 with blues though and putting the black stems into them for ghetto reds at some point.

[kitsun8]

Open to learn, open to admitting you're uninformed - this is great! I'm very far from the clicky elites here, but I can say that if you want to do streaming and you'll be on mic a lot, blues are loud man. Blues and greens make a ton of noise. I've got Whites on my KBT Pure and they're not as loud, but they still have the click and it is still audible sometimes to my teammates over skype or mumble. Brown/clear is definitely worth looking into and I'm going to make my next purchase along those lines I think.

Anyways, hello! And welcome (from someone also terribly new)!

My friends used to hate me for using blues... now i'm on reds and life is great

[ADFX_Pixy]

I saw Linus' video on the RGB K70 as I was curious. But after watching that the keyboard software is complicated and it's not even fully accessible, I lost interest. My Ducky Shine 3 is known for its backlighting features along with a solid build and I don't regret it at all. The keyboard only uses one color of light for all the keys (not including the 2 RGB LED's on both sides of the spacebar) but there are many choices. Oh and the new "Corsair Gaming" logo is a bit of a turnoff imo. Seems like one of those cheap "gaming keyboards" that you can find on Amazon for less than $50. You are definitely going to enjoy your time here, as there are many entertaining and informative posts in these boards.

[strict]

I saw Linus' video on the RGB K70 as I was curious. But after watching that the keyboard software is complicated and it's not even fully accessible, I lost interest. My Ducky Shine 3 is known for its backlighting features along with a solid build and I don't regret it at all. The keyboard only uses one color of light for all the keys (not including the 2 RGB LED's on both sides of the spacebar) but there are many choices. Oh and the new "Corsair Gaming" logo is a bit of a turnoff imo. Seems like one of those cheap "gaming keyboards" that you can find on Amazon for less than $50. You are definitely going to enjoy your time here, as there are many entertaining and informative posts in these boards.

I'm not sure if you saw the announcement but Corsair abandoned the new logo and is sticking with their old ship sails logo.

[notsonerd]

I saw Linus' video on the RGB K70 as I was curious. But after watching that the keyboard software is complicated and it's not even fully accessible, I lost interest. My Ducky Shine 3 is known for its backlighting features along with a solid build and I don't regret it at all. The keyboard only uses one color of light for all the keys (not including the 2 RGB LED's on both sides of the spacebar) but there are many choices. Oh and the new "Corsair Gaming" logo is a bit of a turnoff imo. Seems like one of those cheap "gaming keyboards" that you can find on Amazon for less than $50. You are definitely going to enjoy your time here, as there are many entertaining and informative posts in these boards.

I actually don't mind the gaming logo. As for the software, it's something I'm willing to take the time to learn, but I'm honestly pretty happy with plain presets. I'd just like to have different color schemes across my peripherals. And that volume rocker xD Kinda wish the Ducky Shine 4 would release already, though.

I'm not sure if you saw the announcement but Corsair abandoned the new logo and is sticking with their old ship sails logo.

They actually haven't given the logo the axe. They've simply announced that they'll still produce the Vengeance K70 and K70 RGB with Cherry MX Red switches using the original logo. Not really a response, in my opinion. Read it here.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I didn't know Max did an 8 switch tester!  Do be aware, though, that the tester will give you a vague idea what each switch feels like, but it really doesn't compare to typing on a whole board of the same switch.  If you can find a local retailer who will let you try a couple of different keyboards, is much better.

Whichever keyboard you get, if you find it makes too much noise there are a few things you can do to quieten it down a bit.

[notsonerd]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I didn't know Max did an 8 switch tester!  Do be aware, though, that the tester will give you a vague idea what each switch feels like, but it really doesn't compare to typing on a whole board of the same switch.  If you can find a local retailer who will let you try a couple of different keyboards, is much better.

Whichever keyboard you get, if you find it makes too much noise there are a few things you can do to quieten it down a bit.

The sampler helped me determine which switches I'm not so interested in getting in my first mechanical keyboard, which was nice. However, down to my three preferred switches, it hasn't helped much. Unfortunately, I don't know any local places that could let me demo a mechanical keyboard.

I've been getting advice from another thread I started and I like the idea of customizing to reduce sound and increase comfort. I don't want to sacrifice tactility and satisfactory audible feedback just to mute blues, though. I guess I need some more input.

[sunshine]

 
Hi mate,I am new here too.Wish to learn and make friend.What is more,as the keyboar is very common use in the work and life,I wish to buy and search good quailty one for myself

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

I didn't know Max did an 8 switch tester!  Do be aware, though, that the tester will give you a vague idea what each switch feels like, but it really doesn't compare to typing on a whole board of the same switch.  If you can find a local retailer who will let you try a couple of different keyboards, is much better.

Whichever keyboard you get, if you find it makes too much noise there are a few things you can do to quieten it down a bit.

The sampler helped me determine which switches I'm not so interested in getting in my first mechanical keyboard, which was nice. However, down to my three preferred switches, it hasn't helped much. Unfortunately, I don't know any local places that could let me demo a mechanical keyboard.

I've been getting advice from another thread I started and I like the idea of customizing to reduce sound and increase comfort. I don't want to sacrifice tactility and satisfactory audible feedback just to mute blues, though. I guess I need some more input.

You're not going to be able to mute blues much - they will still have the high-pitched tic-tick-tick sound, which is due to the internal mechanism of the switch.

Personally I quite like it