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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Sintpinty on Sun, 17 November 2019, 20:03:54

Title: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Sun, 17 November 2019, 20:03:54
Just wondering what were y'alls first keyboard you've purchased?

My Antek (i forgot the brands name) RGB membrane bluetooth gaming keyboard was my first purchase. Then, i bought the K63 in which i have today.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 18 November 2019, 06:44:10
Honestly I don't remember what switch it was, but it was an enhanced layout branded "PCs Limited" keyboard (precursor to Dell).

In 1986 a keyboard was a peripheral that was an extra-price line item when you ordered your computer. That PCs Ltd 80286 system with 1 MB of RAM and a 10 MB hard drive cost me around $2800, not including a printer.
 
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: yui on Mon, 18 November 2019, 06:50:40
i guess the 1st keyboard i ever bought was a Logitech K120 and for my 1st(s) real keyboards were a lot of broken ibm and unicomp 122. Still got 2/4 to fix.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: shadowku on Mon, 18 November 2019, 07:59:24
I used whatever keyboard my dad gave me when I was in high school. During my internship while in university I became really interested in PC hardware and got a Logitech G110. This was in 2010 when the coolest keyboard in stores was the G19.
I discovered "mechanical" keyboards about a month later and got a Das Keyboard with browns.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Trmi8120 on Mon, 18 November 2019, 10:07:02
Think it was a thinkpad. It could have been something different, but I remember a red nipple.

In terms of non-laptop keyboards it’s most likely a cheap rubber dome board.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Riverman on Mon, 18 November 2019, 11:44:16
My first one was an Apple Extended Keyboard II, way back in 1990 or so.  I still have it!
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:07:36
Quote from: Trmi8120 on Mon, 18 November 2019, 10:07:02
Think it was a thinkpad. It could have been something different, but I remember a red nipple.

In terms of non-laptop keyboards it’s most likely a cheap rubber dome board.

Nipple mouse  :blank:

Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:14:25
First keyboard: Tomy's Tutor Typer
First I bought: Amiga 500, with Mitsumi KPR type (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Commodore_Amiga_500#Mitsumi_KPR_Type) (conductive rubber foot on single membrane sheet)
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:23:42
Quote from: Findecanor on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:14:25
First keyboard: Tomy's Tutor Typer
First I bought: Amiga 500, with Mitsumi KPR type (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Commodore_Amiga_500#Mitsumi_KPR_Type) (conductive rubber foot on single membrane sheet)

Can you show me what that looks like
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 18 November 2019, 13:02:57
Quote from: Sintpinty on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:23:42
Can you show me what that looks like
Your so funny. The link goes to pictures of my keyboard taken apart.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 18 November 2019, 15:21:12
Quote from: Findecanor on Mon, 18 November 2019, 13:02:57
Quote from: Sintpinty on Mon, 18 November 2019, 12:23:42
Can you show me what that looks like
Your so funny. The link goes to pictures of my keyboard taken apart.

D:
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: rora on Mon, 18 November 2019, 15:43:11
Pok3r with mx browns and hhkb

bought them around 2015 when i sold csgo skins
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: unstellar on Mon, 18 November 2019, 23:17:35
Motospeed CK104 with outemu blues that I got in 2016. For $50 it was really good and served me well for years
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: egstad on Mon, 18 November 2019, 23:47:14
My first keeb was a TADA68 with Cherry MX Browns with a low profile aluminum case. Loved that keeb!
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: wmcbrine on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:11:01
The first keyboard I ever bought was this masterpiece:

(http://xahlee.info/kbd/i/Sinclair_ZX81_keyboard_6.jpg)

But the first keyboard I ever used was one of these:

(http://www.vintage-computer.com/images/trs80mod1.jpg)
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: funderburker on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:44:30
My first board was this hand-wired MA42.

(https://i.imgur.com/kCtJKUa.jpg)

Here's a build log (https://imgur.com/a/F87fQ). Brings back memories.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: vegs on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:56:04
Corsair K60 :)) That membrane function row was terrible
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: mr.squishy on Fri, 22 November 2019, 04:57:57
The first keyboard I purchased was a wireless Logitech K400. (Lame, but I wanted a wireless keyboard for my first computer I built) My first mech was a super dirty Apple M0116 with orange Alps, but that was gifted to me. My first mech that I purchased was a Rev 3 Plank I think? I built it with harvested razer greens that I got for super cheap here. I still have that board!
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Leslieann on Fri, 22 November 2019, 05:11:23
Quote from: wmcbrine on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:11:01
The first keyboard I ever bought was this masterpiece:

Sinclair_ZX81_keyboard
Wow, those were bad, like world renowned as one of the worst keyboards ever made kind of bad.
On the other hand, the only way to go was up.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Fri, 22 November 2019, 07:21:11
Quote from: wmcbrine on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:11:01
The first keyboard I ever bought was this masterpiece:

Show Image
(http://xahlee.info/kbd/i/Sinclair_ZX81_keyboard_6.jpg)


But the first keyboard I ever used was one of these:

[img width=600 height=256]http://www.vintage-computer.com/images/trs80mod1.jpg[/img

ZX81 keyboard? I salute you sir. That must be painful to type on.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: 4sStylZ on Fri, 22 November 2019, 10:26:36
My first keyboard was a Apple G3 Bondy blue when I was kid.

(http://i0.wp.com/www.applerescueofdenver.com/wp-content/uploads/imac-kybd-graphite-1.jpg?fit=450%2C337)
I still find the layout interesting with arrows clusters on the bottom of Return etc. But this keyboard died in like 2 years, some rubber dome was cutted on important keys and I replaced it with a Macally.
I still have the keyboard, I have washed the keycaps that I find pretty cool but don’t know how to adapt on a mech. Also the keys are very sticky if you don’t push them on the center and I hate to type on it.

After my Alienware M17xR2 notebook keyboard that I really love, I got a real keyboard : The typematrix 2030.
(https://i.imgur.com/2lWCjCY.jpg)

After 4 years of use I still find that this is the best layout that I have used with Centered Return and Backspace key.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Fri, 22 November 2019, 11:56:31
Quote from: 4sStylZ on Fri, 22 November 2019, 10:26:36
My first keyboard was a Apple G3 Bondy blue when I was kid.

Show Image
(http://i0.wp.com/www.applerescueofdenver.com/wp-content/uploads/imac-kybd-graphite-1.jpg?fit=450%2C337)

I still find the layout interesting with arrows clusters on the bottom of Return etc. But this keyboard died in like 2 years, some rubber dome was cutted on important keys and I replaced it with a Macally.
I still have the keyboard, I have washed the keycaps that I find pretty cool but don’t know how to adapt on a mech. Also the keys are very sticky if you don’t push them on the center and I hate to type on it.

After my Alienware M17xR2 notebook keyboard that I really love, I got a real keyboard : The typematrix 2030.
Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/2lWCjCY.jpg)


After 4 years of use I still find that this is the best layout that I have used with Centered Return and Backspace key.

Edit: i have now recieved a new keyboard for my ipad. It feels awful to type on but it will work for now. Its soft too and will tackle any spills.

I think it has the same mechanism as LGR's peanut butter proof keyboard, because i'm pretty sure you can clean it off of this thing.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: suicidal_orange on Fri, 22 November 2019, 12:50:05
I got a rubber dome with my first computer, that died when I rage quit a game and thumped it popping the stem through the spacebar showering myself in keys.  It was replaced by a brushed aluminium scissor switch board which saw me through uni but I was pleased to replace it with a nice Cherry rubber dome with Tux keys (a Christmas present)  When the printed legends faded I found myself here looking for replacement keycaps and instead bought my first mech, a broken Ducky, which I fixed and still use.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: cheetodust on Fri, 22 November 2019, 13:20:04
I think the very first standalone keyboard I ever bought was a terrible Brookstone silicone thing I bought for my 2nd gen iPad.  Before that I had a standard issue Dell keeb that came with the comp I used in college, but I didn't buy that one.

My first mechanical board was a Tada 68 with aluminum case and Gateron blacks. 
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: audiosl4ve on Fri, 22 November 2019, 14:04:40
Niz Plum 87. Still use it and i still love it like in the first days
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 22 November 2019, 15:52:46
First mech board I got as an adult was a Filco Yellow Edition w/ browns.

Yellow and brown hehe poopoo peepee, nah but it was a good board.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Lanrefni on Fri, 22 November 2019, 18:45:08
First keyboard ever used was what ever Apple supplied to schools back around '86 when I had typing classes in First Grade,first owned keyboard was the one in the Apple ][e I got from my cousin,first keyboard I ever built was a Levinson from Keeb.io,it was way too small,so second board was my current BFO-9000.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Sat, 23 November 2019, 07:45:15
Quote from: Lanrefni on Fri, 22 November 2019, 18:45:08
First keyboard ever used was what ever Apple supplied to schools back around '86 when I had typing classes in First Grade,first owned keyboard was the one in the Apple ][e I got from my cousin,first keyboard I ever built was a Levinson from Keeb.io,it was way too small,so second board was my current BFO-9000.

Grade kids don't understand alps, but alps are glorious!
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: NewbieOneKenobi on Mon, 25 November 2019, 15:49:37
Model F or clone.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: carlanthony on Tue, 26 November 2019, 02:08:22
My first keyboard was a Razer Black Widow Stealth. I got it when I was gifted my first PC - a Frankenstein, jury-rigged HP work station with a gtx770. Within a year, that keyboard broke down and Razer generously replaced it with their latest flag ship at the time which has since been relegated to my office keyboard.

Now I am using a Ducky One 2 Mini with Cherry MX Browns. I had just ordered my KBDfans KBD67 MKii last week, so just waiting on that to really get my feet wet in this hobby :).

Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 26 November 2019, 09:02:53
Quote from: carlanthony on Tue, 26 November 2019, 02:08:22
My first keyboard was a Razer Black Widow Stealth. I got it when I was gifted my first PC - a Frankenstein, jury-rigged HP work station with a gtx770. Within a year, that keyboard broke down and Razer generously replaced it with their latest flag ship at the time which has since been relegated to my office keyboard.

Now I am using a Ducky One 2 Mini with Cherry MX Browns. I had just ordered my KBDfans KBD67 MKii last week, so just waiting on that to really get my feet wet in this hobby :).

Wow, cool story
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: jacethesaltsculptor on Mon, 30 December 2019, 12:28:22
My very first keyboard I remember using was a gigantic monstrosity, that at the time I thought all keyboards were like, as this was the early 90's. looking at pictures of myself from that age, I found out that it was a Model M on a PS/2 30. I remember using it to play Zone 66 a dos game that I was able to ask my parents for from Walmart, I thought it's cover art on the box looked so cool.

My father installed it, and me with my 4 year old brain knew that if I pressed the right keys in the right order, I'd get a game out of it, since I didn't yet know how to read.

I've since come back to them as the best keyboards, and the nostalgia helps that feeling out alot too.

My very first keyboard I bought was a Ducky Shine 3 yellow around 2015, I loved it from the moment I plugged it in, and still type on it when I can. (It's currently in my closet, as I'm out of computers to connect it to.)

It's got Cherry MX blues, and now that I know what I do about my childhood, I learned to love the click because the keyboard back then clicked, I'm certain of it. So to this day, for me, the clickier the keyboard the better.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: pobx on Thu, 02 January 2020, 06:54:20
 My first computer was a Tatung Einstein a Z80 based machine with a lovely clacky keyboard.
According to deskthority it had these bad boys in which were quite like Alps apparently
https://deskthority.net/wiki/General_Instrument_Series_S950

Then Amiga with mitsumis
https://deskthority.net/wiki/Mitsumi_KPR_Type

Then when I bought my own PC I got the Microsoft Natural Pro which is just rubber dome, but the stems and housings for the keycaps gave it a very nice thock sound for a dome keyboard.

Then a Logitech DiNovo Edge which has lasted well over ten years, but is still a low profile scissor/dome board.

I recently just got an Alt with Kailh Speed Silvers and Samurai Redsun keycaps
And I'm in a groupbuy for the MelGeek Ember....
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: maurov on Thu, 02 January 2020, 10:14:42
My first mech was a razer blackwidow 2014. i used that for around two years. Since then i have moved on to a gmmk with khail box pale blues and am now in the process of looking for a kb with blue alps that is in good condition
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Ledtithe on Fri, 03 January 2020, 00:19:23
A dell keyboard my dad got me for Christmas...
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: DALExSNAIL on Fri, 03 January 2020, 07:39:35
First mech was a Quickfire Rapid with MX browns that I got for $40 brand new. Lasted me 4 years before I even got into the hobby. Great boards.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: digitvoid on Fri, 03 January 2020, 09:30:46
Logitech Wave keyboard, then the gaming one with the screen in it, then a g710+ with browns.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: mkkeyboardvigilante on Fri, 03 January 2020, 10:26:01
It might have been one of those Compaq branded keyboards back in the day and this one I remember using from Gateway back when that company was still producing desktops and other peripherals en masse. I still remember the days of using Windows 98 and Windows XP respectively. After that, it was whatever stock keyboard that came with those desktops, like with HP and Dell, and then eventually laptop keyboards. In middle school, I did also get to use some of the IBM ThinkPads as well and their keyboards, but can't exactly remember what they felt like.

As with first mechanical keyboard, that's easy. It was the Corsair Strafe that I couldn't stand at the time that my old boss gave me at work. It failed within 8-9 months after I handed it over to my coworker then. Yeah, took me a while to warm up to mechanical keyboards after that experience but I'm glad that I kept an open mind and have been converted since.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: bbqkimchi on Fri, 03 January 2020, 12:52:35
White HHKB Pro 2 w/ blank keycaps. The backspace location got me looking for more boards... now I have ten mechs with extra keycaps, cables and deskmats to match. The addiction is real.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: MMKB on Fri, 03 January 2020, 16:24:20
Poker 2 in a low profile aluminum case in 2013. It was a pretty big deal for me then. You don't see ANSI 60%, exposed switches, DCS keycaps, funky font, or unclipped stabilizers very often now.

[attachimg=1][attachimg=2]
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Sat, 04 January 2020, 07:13:03
Quote from: Leslieann on Fri, 22 November 2019, 05:11:23
Quote from: wmcbrine on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:11:01
The first keyboard I ever bought was this masterpiece:

Sinclair_ZX81_keyboard
Wow, those were bad, like world renowned as one of the worst keyboards ever made kind of bad.
On the other hand, the only way to go was up.

the devils keeb i guess?
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 07 January 2020, 12:06:06
Quote from: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.

I wish for MX blues. What happened to it. :(
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: mode on Tue, 07 January 2020, 12:33:25
Amstrad pcw spring over membrane.

The ping and rattle was unforgettably ****.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Maledicted on Tue, 07 January 2020, 13:33:17
Quote from: DALExSNAIL on Fri, 03 January 2020, 07:39:35
First mech was a Quickfire Rapid with MX browns that I got for $40 brand new. Lasted me 4 years before I even got into the hobby. Great boards.

Quote from: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.

Those Quickfires are nice boards for what they are. I have one with MX Blues.

The first KB I purchased was probably some random garbage dome at Goodwill for a few bucks.

The first KB we owned was whatever came with our old Mac Performa, which was a hand-me-down. Probably had domes.

No idea what my first mechanical KB was. I used to get a lot of old keyboards for free once I got into computers but was still keyboard agnostic/ignorant/oblivious. My parents made me donate most of them before that ever changed, so I may have given away some treasures.

The first mechanical keyboard I ever purchased was a Corsair K70 Vengeance with Cherry MX Red switches. I still use that keyboard with my gaming rig.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: snozberries on Tue, 07 January 2020, 15:31:18
Quote from: Sintpinty on Tue, 07 January 2020, 12:06:06
Quote from: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.

I wish for MX blues. What happened to it. :(

They are satisfying to type on, that's for sure. I sold it when I got a new board. Definitely wish I kept it - it was the grey/black one.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: jacethesaltsculptor on Tue, 07 January 2020, 21:19:25
Quote from: snozberries on Tue, 07 January 2020, 15:31:18
They are satisfying to type on, that's for sure. I sold it when I got a new board. Definitely wish I kept it - it was the grey/black one.

I've been weighing whether or not to sell my Ducky, but I've decided after reading this, it was my first adult Mechanical keyboard, I'm going to keep it and find a use for it. Even if it sits for awhile.

Too much nostalgia in it, and it really still is a joy to type on, it has Cherry blues too.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: wmcbrine on Tue, 07 January 2020, 23:02:17
Quote from: Leslieann on Fri, 22 November 2019, 05:11:23
Quote from: wmcbrine on Fri, 22 November 2019, 03:11:01
The first keyboard I ever bought was this masterpiece:

Sinclair_ZX81_keyboard
Wow, those were bad, like world renowned as one of the worst keyboards ever made kind of bad.
On the other hand, the only way to go was up.
It did give one an appreciation for the importance of keyboards. Unfortunately, I ended up trying to replace it on the cheap (replacement keyboards were a popular accessory for the ZX81, but a bit expensive for me as a kid), using a TI-99/4A keyboard that I got at Radio Shack (they sold the keyboards, alone, for a brief period after TI pulled out of the home computer market) and an article in a magazine. I got the keyboard wired up, but accidentally killed the computer in the process.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Maledicted on Wed, 08 January 2020, 12:08:06
Quote from: Sintpinty on Tue, 07 January 2020, 12:06:06
Quote from: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.

I wish for MX blues. What happened to it. :(

What switches are in your K63? Reds? My best friend's got one with Cherry MX Reds, his first mechanical I believe. He got the Corsair itch from me. I recently modded a K65 with Kailh Box Navies, and replaced the wimpy mini usb connector with a GX12 aviator connector and custom cable, if you want to see my thread about it.

Once I replace the switches in any of my Cherry MX Blue boards with box thick clicks (maybe my Quickfire Rapid, coincidentally), I could maybe send you a set of MX Blues. I already have a bag full of reds, and one of blacks.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Ld1993 on Mon, 27 January 2020, 14:55:53
Ducky shine 3 tkl with white LEDs. Got it back in 2013. Only a few LEDs have burned out over its lifespan but all in all it still works like a charm.
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 27 January 2020, 15:58:36
Quote from: Maledicted on Wed, 08 January 2020, 12:08:06
Quote from: Sintpinty on Tue, 07 January 2020, 12:06:06
Quote from: snozberries on Mon, 06 January 2020, 09:51:06
My first board was a Quickfire Rapid with MX Blues. I still miss that board, honestly.

I wish for MX blues. What happened to it. :(

What switches are in your K63? Reds? My best friend's got one with Cherry MX Reds, his first mechanical I believe. He got the Corsair itch from me. I recently modded a K65 with Kailh Box Navies, and replaced the wimpy mini usb connector with a GX12 aviator connector and custom cable, if you want to see my thread about it.

Once I replace the switches in any of my Cherry MX Blue boards with box thick clicks (maybe my Quickfire Rapid, coincidentally), I could maybe send you a set of MX Blues. I already have a bag full of reds, and one of blacks.

Yeah reds ):
Title: Re: What was your first keyboard?
Post by: Maledicted on Tue, 28 January 2020, 11:05:01
Quote from: Sintpinty on Mon, 27 January 2020, 15:58:36
Yeah reds ):

I have done a few more boards since then. I have at least one full-sized board worth of spare Cherry MX Blues, one 75% worth of brand new (2001-ish vintage) Cherry MX Blacks, and at least one TKL's worth of reds. I have some vintage blacks, but those literally have rust inside from the diodes that fell apart, and I may want to try to clean them and see if they're actually any smoother. If you ever want to gut a board with switches you don't prefer, such as reds, I could send a set.