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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: WhipeeDip on Wed, 26 September 2012, 23:53:03

Title: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: WhipeeDip on Wed, 26 September 2012, 23:53:03: I want a good rubber dome keyboard recommendation. I don't have the money to shell out for a mechanical, so I'd like some recommendations for rubber domes. Preferably with a nice standard layout (I hate keyboards with messed up layouts) and the best tactile feel a rubber dome keyboard can get.

I heard the Dell Quiet Key was good for a rubber dome, found one new for $15 on eBay (RT7D5JTW). Any other recommendations?

My current WPM is about 70-90.

I probably do like 75% typing and 25% gaming.
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 27 September 2012, 04:18:12: You probably won't be doing too much wrong with a RT7D5JTW, given their reputation. (I'm guessing you've gone through past "what's a good rubber dome" threads.) Do keep in mind that nice and tactile rubber domes typically won't be super light. Speaking of NMB, their mechanical boards ("space invader" switches) should also be rather good if you can find one.

I also liked my BTC-made Packard Bell rubber dome board back in the day, before I moved to Model Ms. Maybe you can find one of these cheap without too much use on it (5131C and similar - older versions without Windows keys also exist).
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 27 September 2012, 06:53:38: The Dell you mentioned is a very good one, also the IBM KB8923.

I have seen at least a dozen of each in second-hand shops for $5 or less in the past year, but look for ones that are not worn out.

The Compaq SK2800 is another very good one if you don't mind a slightly odd shape and media keys at the top.
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Thu, 27 September 2012, 07:05:47: If you're super-pressed for cash, you can still get a mechanical, if you're willing to try a D07-135 (http://store.microconnectors.com/servlet/-strse-1104/iMAC-Flavored-USB-Keyboard/Detail). It's ALPS and not exactly the best-made keyboard, but personally, I'd take it over a rubber dome for sure.
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 27 September 2012, 08:42:10: That is interesting - a ridiculously cheap price for a mechanical with USB flexibility.

What Alps does it use, and have you used it?
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: dorkvader on Thu, 27 September 2012, 08:54:30: You can get a proper mechanical keyboard for pretty cheap if you look. I recently got some TG3 BL82's for $10 shipped. Access-IS routinely go for under $20 on the UK ebay (and sometimes in the USA) and even cherry G80-1800's (and others in that line) go for pretty cheap.
Title: Re: Need a good keyboard recommendation
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Thu, 27 September 2012, 11:00:52: Quote from: fohat.digs on Thu, 27 September 2012, 08:42:10
That is interesting - a ridiculously cheap price for a mechanical with USB flexibility.

What Alps does it use, and have you used it?

I owned one!

(http://i.imgur.com/bXxbi.jpg)

Mine had tactile, non-clicky black ALPS:

(http://i.imgur.com/TqyQF.jpg)

The switches have ALPS branding, which is almost (but not quite) visible in this image:

(http://i.imgur.com/kn79j.jpg)

I've heard from searching around on the 'net that some of them have white StrongMan switches instead of the black ALPS (might vary by color). The black ALPS were quite nice...definitely preferable to the green XMs in the Ducky 1008XM I had previously. Eventually, though, I got tired of the D07's 2KRO and killed it in a failed attempt to swap its switches into the remains of the Ducky.