geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Squiddles on Fri, 14 October 2011, 21:58:30
-
Hey all, I'm unsure if this is the right place to post this, but I've been looking for a new keyboard and I can't seem to find a good one. I just need a wired keyboard with a slim design, numpad, at least 3 keys are able to be simultaneously pressed (for the gaming that I do), and maybe some scissor-switches.
Have any good affordable (I'd like to keep this under $50) ideas?
-
Look into the HHKB killer. Ripster seems to love it, and it's only 18 bucks.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/78-key-compact-slim-usb-keyboard-black-160cm-cable-44378 (http://www.dealextreme.com/p/78-key-compact-slim-usb-keyboard-black-160cm-cable-44378)
-
If you like scissor switches - most people here prefer individual mechanical switches, but there's nothing wrong with personal preference - there's always the Apple aluminum keyboard
http://www.amazon.com/Apple-Keyboard-with-Numeric-Keypad/dp/B005DLDTAE
there's also a wireless version and also look for the thread on the "HHKB killer" if you might be interested in a smaller format.
I don't know if either of them are NKRO or not however. (nothing will be over USB, but they will be 6KRO plus modifiers which should be sufficient.)
-
Thank you for the response. I have liked typing on the Apple keyboards in the store in town, I'm not sure if I could get use to the "Command" key though, haha. I also really like the the HHKB Killer (it is the DealeXtreme one right? I think I've seen it on the forums here), the only problem is its lack of numpad. I must be vain because I prefer the color (or non-color, ha) black for my keyboard, but I am considering that Apple aluminum keyboard.
As for NKRO, we are discussing "n-key rollover", correct? I understand that, but I don't understand "nothing will be over USB, but they will be 6KRO plus modifiers". I'm quite new here, so excuse my lack of knowledge.
In my internetting, I have found the A4Tech KV-300H [I'm unsure of a trusty seller], a generic chicklet keyboard [only found on amazon and sold out], and an Irocks [are they an awful brand?] keyboard with similar format. The problem? There's little information on them!
I'll take any suggestion that can manage to loosely fit my ideal outlined in my first post.
-
In brief searching, I found this (http://www.dutchvalleyfoods.com/images/products/detail/pic1/532124.jpg). It's an i-rocks like you mentioned, and is cheap enough that if it doesn't fit the bill, you try something different. There's a bunch (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107006) of similar keyboards (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823334008) too, so just take a look through the newegg slim keyboard section, I guess.
-
I would recommend the HHKB and an external numpad, but that's just me...
Anyways, I believe "nothing will be over USB, but they will be 6KRO plus modifiers" refers to the inability to get NKRO over USB (well, at least without some drawbacks, such as incompatibility with Macs). USB boards tend to be either 2KRO or 6KRO (usually gaming-oriented boards).
-
Alrighty, so I go the chance to try out some keyboards and return all but one. I found an i-rocks, not the same as above, but the KR-6402-BK. It works great and fits all my needs, the only thing that it does that bugs me is some minor bleeding under the numlock and the 'E' key squeaks on occasion, but they're easily ignorable.
-
I tried some generic keyboard from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Slim-Chocolate-Style-Keyboard/dp/B005DMFDKW/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1317019061&sr=1-3), Rosewill RIKB-11001, and the KR-6401. I also went out to the local Apple retailer and tried out Apples aluminum keyboard again.
The KR-6402-BK ended up being the most resilient in key responsiveness, sturdiness and features. It fit the needs in the first post, and went above that with scissor-switches, media keys, 2xUSB ports and (according to the box) is spill resistant.
-
If your primary concern is cheapness, there are mechanical keyboards you can get for the same price as a rubber dome or scissor switch.
I am suprised ripster did not point you to his sig, because he has a lot of stuff on scissor switches there.
-
logitech