Most responsive (fastest) keyboard for gaming

[kishy]

an external keyboard should work fine, as long as it scans its keys quickly enough.  but then that might somewhat defeat the purpose of using a small, portable laptop...

Indeed, externals are fine (unless I use the cheapo USB conveeeerrrrteeeerrrs, one of mine seems to transpose some characters sometimes).

630m was, for its time, a "full laptop"...now, by specs, it's closer to a netbook but still superior. I do like it for portability because it's not too heavy and not too chunky. Strapping my M13 to my back is something I'd be willing to do if it weren't so inconvenient.

[elbowglue]

When I got the pink keyboard for my wife she was like "Wow cool is this benifiting breast cancer research?" I was like uhhhhh.. yeah! thats it!

Anyhow, I tried some double-taps on the D key using my left index finger, trying to see if the keyboard itself makes a difference in how quickly I can do double-taps.  It is always about 100ms to do a doubletap regardless of the keyboard, except the Lenovo S10 sucks it's like 250-300ms which is odd given it's a scissor switch board. Blue cherry double taps about as fast as as a brown cherry.  It's not at all scientific.  Might be different with a heavier spring underneath it, would rebound it quicker possibly, I don't have any black cherry boards to test.  (by the way I'm right handed.  I can double tap D quicker than I can doubletap A also I guess my left index finger is quicker than my left right finger)

[itlnstln]

I can double tap D quicker than I can doubletap A

I would tap some double Ds... oh, wait.
 
That said, As look nicer than double Ds unless the Ds are fake like some XM ALPS (usually).

[elbowglue]

I would tap some double Ds... oh, wait.
 
That said, As look nicer than double Ds unless the Ds are fake like some XM ALPS (usually).

Man this is getting off course really quick.  I would say something witty about double-shots right about now but... I can't think of it atm.

[alpslover]

Anyhow, I tried some double-taps on the D key using my left index finger, trying to see if the keyboard itself makes a difference in how quickly I can do double-taps.  It is always about 100ms to do a doubletap regardless of the keyboard, except the Lenovo S10 sucks it's like 250-300ms which is odd given it's a scissor switch board. Blue cherry double taps about as fast as as a brown cherry.

that is what i've found as well, except in my tests, i did repeated key hits over a period of time (to test the claim that certain switches are better than others for this kind of actuation) instead of double taps.  the conclusion i came to was that of the switch types i tested, and with the key striking method i used (fully bottoming the keys rather than finessing around the actuation points), there were no significant differences in how quickly i could repeatedly hit the keys.  the switch type simply didn't matter to me.

that horrendous 250-300ms response of your lenovo wouldn't be due to the switch type per se, but more likely the slow key scan rate, or possibly something running that was affecting the key response.

[elbowglue]

More results, Keyboardtest 3.0 q9550 at approx 4ghz

SMK-88 via USB on USB port clocked to 500hz: simultaneous = 2ms, shortest press = 23ms  (no transpositions)

SMK-88 without USB port overclocked: Simultaneous = 2ms, shortest press = 23ms (no tranpositions)

Minitouch 1903 (montereys) on ps2 via AT to ps2 adapter: simultaneous = 2ms.  Shortest press 12ms (left to right), 15ms right to left. (that is, I can do W-E in 12ms, but E-W in 15ms)   ?polling from left to right?  (no transpositions)

Ricercar SPOS on USB: Simultaenous = 2ms. shortest press = 7ms (no transpositions)

More test results - Passmark Keyboardtest 3.0 - Using Q9550 PC at 4.0ghz running windows XP


MX11800 Via PS2 - No transpositions, simlutaneous press = 2ms, Shortest press = 14ms

Microsoft comfort curve 2000 (rubber dome) via USB - No transpositions, simultaneous = 7ms, Shortest press = 15ms

Topre 86uk via USB - No transpositions, simultaneous press =2ms or 7ms depending on which key combination, shortest press = 7ms

Ricecar SPOS G86 via usb - No transpositions, simultaneous press=2ms, shortest press = 14ms

MX11800 via USB adapter - No transpositions, simultaneous press=2ms, shortest press =  15ms

Filco Pink (non NKRO) Blue cherry vis usb - No transpositions, simultaneous press=2ms, shortest press = 7ms

Lenovo S10 Laptop KB on Intel Atom 1.6ghz running at "max processor speed" - TRANSPOSITION ERRORS - simultaneous press=6ms, shortest press = 36ms

Method - Test for transpositions using credit card rolls using multiple combinations (from left to right, from right to left, up to down, down to up).  Then hit 2 buttons simultaneously for "simultaneous press speed".  Then hit two buttons in very close succession for "shortest press" speed.  The "shortest press" speed must be reversible (thus if you do W-E with 7ms, you must do E-W with 7ms.  If you can't do in the reverse, you're doing it simultaneously).

And yes, my lenovo S10 laptop keyboard still transposes when I use a credit card too.  Good thing is it's laptop KB is so hard to type on it already.  I havent noticed transposition errors in real world typing on my S10, but I haven't been paying attention to it either.  It's like now I know there is something wrong so I'm gonna pick at it until I find it

[Ghibli]

http://steelseries.com/blog/press/worlds-fastest-gaming-keyboard-the-steelseries-apex-is-available-now --- fastest keyboard confirmed

feature=youtu.be

[trizkut]

http://steelseries.com/blog/press/worlds-fastest-gaming-keyboard-the-steelseries-apex-is-available-now --- fastest keyboard confirmed

feature=youtu.be

Sweet 5 year necro.

[Ghibli]

http://steelseries.com/blog/press/worlds-fastest-gaming-keyboard-the-steelseries-apex-is-available-now --- fastest keyboard confirmed

feature=youtu.be

http://www.empirisoft.com/directinkb.aspx --- Thoughts (besides being overpriced)?

All I know for sure is the "most responsive keyboard" is going to require a 1ms matrix scan rate. It would also need to have the lowest debouncing time, no? Full list of topres: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Topre_Realforce / Perhaps CM NovaTouch's hybrid switches fits the bill - http://tinyurl.com/okjlfbw ? How about dem optical switches?: http://www.bloody.tw/cn/ProductsKEY.php?pid=11 - https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bloody-b640?mode=guest_open

The Consensus for 1000Hz USB vs PS/2 (2.7ms at best, can vary) is USB wins out by a few ms: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61607.0 - http://www.overclock.net/t/1550666/usb-polling-precision

http://forums.blurbusters.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1836&start=10 --- I contacted Sparky from this forum and he had this to say after commenting a bit about PS/2 vs USB:

But all this is just getting data between the keyboard and the computer. Unless someone actually tests how long it takes a particular keyboard to decide the key is pressed, you might be worrying about 1ms here or there when there's 20ms just sitting on your desk. It's hard to say without actually testing it.

And his comment on this latency not caused by matrix scan time/low polling rate:

The mystery latency is most likely due to a poorly coded debounce algorithm, waiting until the switch stops bouncing before registering the keypress. There's no need for faster hardware, like a 32 bit ARM, or multiple chips to get the lower latency, you just need an array to hold a timestamp for each key, so you can latch on switch closed, and release the key if it stays open for X time (you can characterize your keyswitch to get the release latency low, but for most games it's the timing of the press that's importantt). This would reduce processing and debounce time for a keypress to something negligible, a few microseconds. To improve from there, you could use a microcontroller with more IO pins, so you can sample each key more frequently. (with a 12x12 matrix you can sample 144 keys, but with a 6x24 matrix you can sample each key twice as often, at the cost of 6 more IO pins).

[Ghibli]

I contacted A4Tech about their response times and got this reply:


Also uses 1.2mm actuation over the standard 2mm... another ~half a ms saved there probly, lel.

This guy that measured mouse lag (http://utmalesoldiers.blogspot.com/2013/02/114.html) was also asked in the comments about keyboard reaction times and mentioned the B640. A4tech also offered to send him one. I just contacted him by email and will update if I get a reply back about him testing the timings.

Assuming this answers the OPs question until someone proves otherwise.

B640 Buy Links: http://item.jd.com/1256945.html  - http://www.bloody.tw/en/productsKEY.php?pid=11 - http://www.lightinthebox.com/shuangfeiyan-bloody-b640-gaming-mechanical-keyboard_p2190064.html

http://www.bloody.tw/cn/ProductsKEY.php?pid=11 - https://www.massdrop.com/buy/bloody-b640?mode=guest_open

B641 Buy Link: http://tinyurl.com/oezjdac

[Elrick]

This guy that measured mouse lag (http://utmalesoldiers.blogspot.com/2013/02/114.html) was also asked in the comments about keyboard reaction times and mentioned the B640. A4tech also offered to send him one. I just contacted him by email and will update if I get a reply back about him testing the timings.

Very interesting concept of using optical lasers for actuation instead of the ancient mechanical method.  Also like that it takes standard MX keys hence you could customize this keyboard easily BUT the spacer key is the headache here......

[Ghibli]

Contacted the guys at JD and got them to add the B640 to their English site: http://overseas.jd.com/product/%E5%8F%8C%E9%A3%9E%E7%87%95%EF%BC%88a4tech%EF%BC%89%E8%A1%80%E6%89%8B%E5%B9%BD%E7%81%B5%EF%BC%88bloody%EF%BC%89b640-%E5%85%89%E8%BD%B4%E6%9E%81%E9%80%9F%E7%82%AB%E5%85%89-%E6%9C%BA%E6%A2%B0%E9%94%AE%E7%9B%98/1256945.html

I plan on buying one once it's in stock. I'll let you guys know about the feel

[taylordcraig]

This is an impressive necro.

[metalliqaz]

Im sure this nonsense will make you a better gamer

[Ghibli]

Im sure this nonsense will make you a better gamer

A competitor is only as good as his tools allow.
---

I just got a reply back from Steelseries support about the apex specs for those interested:

Apex:
scan time 200 us
3mm throw
4ms debounce (not 100% sure that one is accurate)

It was marketed as the fastest due to the whole package. It has a low debounce time, low throw distance, high polling rate, and good ergonomics that all come together to create a fast keyboard.

That marketing message is a few years old though. Our new mechanical keyboard, the Apex M800, was designed with a similar goal. The QS1 switches that we designed with Kailh have a 3mm throw distance and 1.5mm actuation distance, which is shorter than Cherry MX switches which are 4mm/2mm. It also has full n-key rollover---

Someone care to explain throw distance?

[user 18]

Throw distance is full travel distance (distance to bottom out).

[Ghibli]

Contacted the guys at JD and got them to add the B640 to their English site: http://overseas.jd.com/product/%E5%8F%8C%E9%A3%9E%E7%87%95%EF%BC%88a4tech%EF%BC%89%E8%A1%80%E6%89%8B%E5%B9%BD%E7%81%B5%EF%BC%88bloody%EF%BC%89b640-%E5%85%89%E8%BD%B4%E6%9E%81%E9%80%9F%E7%82%AB%E5%85%89-%E6%9C%BA%E6%A2%B0%E9%94%AE%E7%9B%98/1256945.html

In stock, have at it. $30 shipping - $700 off orders over $5k tho +saving on shipping in bulk if you want to try to resale on ebay... still no NA sellers.

[Elrick]

Contacted the guys at JD and got them to add the B640 to their English site: http://overseas.jd.com/product/%E5%8F%8C%E9%A3%9E%E7%87%95%EF%BC%88a4tech%EF%BC%89%E8%A1%80%E6%89%8B%E5%B9%BD%E7%81%B5%EF%BC%88bloody%EF%BC%89b640-%E5%85%89%E8%BD%B4%E6%9E%81%E9%80%9F%E7%82%AB%E5%85%89-%E6%9C%BA%E6%A2%B0%E9%94%AE%E7%9B%98/1256945.html

In stock, have at it. $30 shipping - $700 off orders over $5k tho +saving on shipping in bulk if you want to try to resale on ebay... still no NA sellers.

Just placed an order for this particular keyboard that was mentioned.  Shall see when this gets shipped to my address here in Convict Town  .

[Ghibli]

Internal Testing Results (B740):



A4Tech answers Cherry's Realkey (RK) with Lightstrike (LK); Promotional Video:

Cherry's Promotional Video:

Original B640 ad: http://www.sponsorizzaconfacebook.com/store/product/A4TECH-BLOODY-B640-optical-axis-speed-dazzle-light-Mechanical-keyboard-gaming-keyboard/732533_32364236250.html


B740 @ Computex:

[Elrick]

Yep the B640 arrived today at my place, the Mrs signed for it  .

She says it's heavy so that may be a good thing since I like heavy keyboards.  Just need to use the switches to see if they truly are non-mechanical meaning nothing gets in their way whilst they're pressed down severely.

According to all their literature, it's suppose to be the FIRST all light activated switches so no rubbing or chaffing against any part of the switch casing so technically it might mean that these switches should last forever with no wear down.

I'll be back in town in another week so shall formally connect it up to the PC and test run it.  Looking forward to seeing what key-set to replace their cheapo version (every keyboard manufacturer uses rock bottom quality keys, except Realforce).

[wafflepc]

I guess the fastest keyboard would be a custom with Gateron Clears. That smoothness on gaterons + 35G would be something, and whack some o rings on there and thats a darn fast keyboard. A teenst 2.0 programmed with NKRO would be fine. Whatever case, w/o or with a wrist wrest. Just optimize the rest of your setup for maximum comfort and spacing between mouse and KB.