As far as matching, Corsair makes really solid gaming mice, I'm using their M95 and it's perfect in weight. It also has plenty of easily-accessible macros/dps profiles, which is nice. It was $75 for mine, so probably a bit under 50 pounds?
Also, Corsair makes the K70 keyboard which is sans-macros, comes in gunmetal/brushed aluminum, and more importantly, multiple switches.
But in terms of size, if you want something backlit and small, the Shine 3 TKL that just came out is perfect. All the backlighting options of the Shine 2 and more in a smaller size. It's under 85 pounds, I believe.
I play League mainly as well, and because there really is not any double tapping that I can think of and you do lots of typing, I would recommend Blue switches. Brown is a better compromise, more smooth of a bump than Blues and quieter.
By the way, the APEX is pretty cool, but remember that it doesn't have mechanical switches! The multi-light boards are almost never available on mechanicals, because there is a drilled slot for an LED in each individual switch which, unless some wizardry occured, would not be able to change colors.
I am guessing I might be a bit late coming into this sort of thread. I read what you wanted and you have also shown some examples of what nice gaming keyboards should more or less be. I personally have not tried all that much gaming on my mechanical keyboard all that much (besides I'm on a completely different platform anyway :)) )
The keyboard that I am about to suggest may not be deemed suitable to your liking (I read that you are particularly fond of interchangeable LED lights). Although recently I stumbled upon a gaming keyboard which I thought was quite cool. The keyboard itself has 512kb of memory (which supposedly stores up to 10 profiles and unlimited on-the-fly macros and all), Cherry MX blues (which one can choose to go full loud or more silent, and that can be done whenever you want, it is set as silenced by default from the manufacturer) and the keyboard has around 13 or so more extra keys compared to a standard keyboard (yes just your average £5 (or less) keyboard). Also the palm rest doubles as the keyboard roof (albeit it doesn't cover the six extra keys on the bottom, bit of a shame). There's plenty more features with this keyboard so I won't go into talking about them here as that will probably sound like I am more of a salesman. Besides I don't have that keyboard anyway. :p
The only real downsides imo is that it has only red coloured backlighting (for the keys only) and that adjusting the brightness levels only turns either more red or less red. In other words there's no alternative LED colours available. Apart from that I thought the keyboard seems to be well thought out, there's loads of leeways to satisfy most gamers and the price in GBP is around what your budget for just a keyboard to be.Show Image(http://benchmarkreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Gamdias_Hermes_TopWwristrest.jpg)
Anyway I'll leave you with three links:
- The keyboard specifications from the manufacturer itself. (http://www.gamdias.com/en/p/hermesgkb2010/)
- Amazon.co.uk selling the actual keyboard. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMDIAS-Hermes-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00F6WJBM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384199564&sr=8-2&keywords=GAMDIAS) (There are a few more other sellers based in the U.K.)
- The keyboard review. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STF4WMRuWR8) (Youtube link)
I am guessing I might be a bit late coming into this sort of thread. I read what you wanted and you have also shown some examples of what nice gaming keyboards should more or less be. I personally have not tried all that much gaming on my mechanical keyboard all that much (besides I'm on a completely different platform anyway :)) )
The keyboard that I am about to suggest may not be deemed suitable to your liking (I read that you are particularly fond of interchangeable LED lights). Although recently I stumbled upon a gaming keyboard which I thought was quite cool. The keyboard itself has 512kb of memory (which supposedly stores up to 10 profiles and unlimited on-the-fly macros and all), Cherry MX blues (which one can choose to go full loud or more silent, and that can be done whenever you want, it is set as silenced by default from the manufacturer) and the keyboard has around 13 or so more extra keys compared to a standard keyboard (yes just your average £5 (or less) keyboard). Also the palm rest doubles as the keyboard roof (albeit it doesn't cover the six extra keys on the bottom, bit of a shame). There's plenty more features with this keyboard so I won't go into talking about them here as that will probably sound like I am more of a salesman. Besides I don't have that keyboard anyway. :p
The only real downsides imo is that it has only red coloured backlighting (for the keys only) and that adjusting the brightness levels only turns either more red or less red. In other words there's no alternative LED colours available. Apart from that I thought the keyboard seems to be well thought out, there's loads of leeways to satisfy most gamers and the price in GBP is around what your budget for just a keyboard to be.Show Image(http://benchmarkreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Gamdias_Hermes_TopWwristrest.jpg)
Anyway I'll leave you with three links:
- The keyboard specifications from the manufacturer itself. (http://www.gamdias.com/en/p/hermesgkb2010/)
- Amazon.co.uk selling the actual keyboard. (http://www.amazon.co.uk/GAMDIAS-Hermes-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard/dp/B00F6WJBM0/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1384199564&sr=8-2&keywords=GAMDIAS) (There are a few more other sellers based in the U.K.)
- The keyboard review. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STF4WMRuWR8) (Youtube link)
You are not too late at all. I won't be making my purchase until the 25th of this month (PAYDAY :D ). It seems that my fondness of different coloured LED's will have to be left out. As another user has informed me that it is not possible to have such lighting on a mechanical keyboard. I'll probably be settling for red or orange, depending on availability.
The keyboard you've shown me looks nice, but it doesn't really appeal to me. Unfortunately I've got my heart set on a Ducky Shine now. I appreciate your input though. Thank you!
Enjoy your Shine! I'm getting one of the blank TKL yellow edition Shines, because I'm just that sorta person I guess.
@tuxsavvy
That keyboard looks really nice. It reminds me of a Logitech, just more affordable and more gamer-looking, and if it comes silenced with o-rings like the Logitech does, that would be cool to check out.
Thanks, hadn't heard of it before.
Maybe the quickfire tk will be good for you.
just one thing which killed me inside - why you did even ask us about mechanical keyboards if you placed apex inside for one of propo??????
Something like this?Show Image(http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/images/products/large_291_78version_main.JPG)
Something like this?Show Image(http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/images/products/large_291_78version_main.JPG)