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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: BrandonSerp on Thu, 23 July 2015, 19:05:21
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I have this Razer Keyboard, "Razer Blackwidow Chroma", and soon after i got it, I regretted wasting my money on a keyboard that focuses on gaming, not typing. I primarily use it for gaming, but I also type on it. I usually type very heavily on it, and when I game, I feel as if I slam on the keys. I know this is my fault, but I need a new keyboard for primarily typing. I need recommendations for a mechanical keyboard with either green, clear, or black switches, (preferably tenkeyless). I have never used a linear switch, but I would like to know if they are good for typing. Since I am growing older, I find myself spending more time typing up essay's for school, and I need to know what kind of switch you type on for essay's and such. Thanks for your help! ~Brandon
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I personally don't think that changing switches will do too much except for heavier switches, but if you're slamming on them, that too wouldn't help too much. The idea that a keyboard is suited towards gaming is just marketing, as they'll be somewhat similar to a 'regular' keyboard. You should also try out keyboards with different switches before buying one.
Razer's green switch that iirc is in the chroma is similar to Cherry's MX Blue, which is slightly more geared towards typing at least in my opinion. I believe that refining your typing technique will give you a better experience in the long run as well.
Anyways, MX Greens may be what you're looking for.
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A Buckling Spring keyboard would be the best choice in my opinion.
Maybe look into an IBM, Lexmark, or new Unicomp keyboard.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
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A Buckling Spring keyboard would be the best choice in my opinion.
Maybe look into an IBM, Lexmark, or new Unicomp keyboard.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
I agree with buckling spring as well, however OP might want a new keyboard, or requires something greater than 2kro (I personally have yet to run into a problem with this for gaming)
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For typing, I'd suggest a buckling spring board, seeing as you don't seem to mind the click as the Razer switches are IIRC a MX Blue clone. The Model Ms will have 2KRO, but I haven't had any issues playing games on it (a mix of various different styles of games) and typing on it is an absolute pleasure. Nice and heavy and tactile and clicky.
If you want one with Windows keys and USB, you can buy new ones from Unicomp. The older ones are built better though. That's not saying much though. The Model M's are built better than just about anything on the market, now and 30 years ago.
There is a reason many consider it to be the greatest keyboard ever made. In fact, if you search that, you will find the Model M.
If you want to go with a modern design and backlighting and all that, I've heard the greens are pretty good, heavier MX switches.
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There is a reason many consider it to be the greatest keyboard ever made. In fact, if you search that, you will find the Model M.
I agree. But John Gruber (http://daringfireball.net/linked/2012/04/16/extended-brand) would like to have a word with you. :))
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Don't mind the fan-boys of various keyboards that will jump and shout that their favourite keyboard is the very best.
Keyboard feel is a very subjective thing.
There is really no "gaming switch" or "typing switch". To find what works for you, you will have to try it to see what is in your preference.
Cherry MX Black is the most common in mechanical gaming keyboards, though, and I think mostly for historical reasons (because of SteelSeries that was one of the first to make mechanical gaming keyboards, and they used Black)
If you go to a store that sells gaming keyboards then it is therefore more possible that you would find a keyboard to try out that has Cherry MX Black than a keyboard with any other mechanical switch.
Razer's green switch that iirc is in the chroma is similar to Cherry's MX Blue, which is slightly more geared towards typing at least in my opinion. I believe that refining your typing technique will give you a better experience in the long run as well.
Yes, the switch was made for typing. The click sound and feel was originally supposed to resemble the sound and feel from typing on a typewriter. But who uses a typewriter today?
Personally, I prefer to use O-rings under the keycaps to dampen the key stroke so that bottoming out does not feel or sound so harsh, or compete with the clicks.
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I have this Razer Keyboard, "Razer Blackwidow Chroma", and soon after i got it, I regretted wasting my money on a keyboard that focuses on gaming, not typing. I primarily use it for gaming, but I also type on it. I usually type very heavily on it, and when I game, I feel as if I slam on the keys. I know this is my fault, but I need a new keyboard for primarily typing. I need recommendations for a mechanical keyboard with either green, clear, or black switches, (preferably tenkeyless). I have never used a linear switch, but I would like to know if they are good for typing. Since I am growing older, I find myself spending more time typing up essay's for school, and I need to know what kind of switch you type on for essay's and such. Thanks for your help! ~Brandon
Typically that switch, and buckling spring are preferred for typing and some of us often wonder wtf they were thinking using that style key in a "gaming" keyboard. It was never meant for that use, it was meant for typing. Not double tapping your enemy.
What has likely happened, granted, everyone is different, is that you are so used to rubber domes that you can't take advantage of the switches you have. It happens to quite a few when they first get one. Or you may just be a masher, which also cold be part of your exposure to rubber domes.
Many gamers (and mashers) prefer a linear switch, which is pretty much a dead drop to activation and may fit you better. Another thing you may find you prefer is Topre, since it would be closer to what you are used to. However, both are at different ends of a spectrum and you don;t want to buy another expensive keyboard before you figure out what you want.
My recommendation though, is to try typing lighter, and feel out the keys, you may find you actually like what you have once you get over the mashing tendency. While doing so, try and figure out what about it you do and don't like. Do you like the tactile feel, or not, do you like where it activates in the travel, or would you prefer it activating higher or lower? Are the springs too soft or too hard? All of this matters and you could very easily buy the wrong keyboard again.
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After owning the Blackwidow ultimate with the green switches and having owned blue switches in the past, the green switches are lousy.
For typing I much prefer clears and topre.
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The actuation point of Razer's switches is slightly higher than those of Cherry, which can be problematic for some when typing. Personally, I have no issues with either of the variants Razer offers and, in fact, I prefer them to any MX when it comes to finding a typing/gaming balance. For pure typing, though, I most like MX greens, though I have a board with MX whites on the way as they're supposed to offer a similar heavy feel but with less noise.
Unfortunately, the nature of keyboards being what they are means you'll probably have to go through some trial and error to find one that works best for you. It might not be a bad idea to invest in a switch tester.
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Thanks guys, and plus, when I try not bottoming out, I fail. I think I am going to get a IBM keyboard, however I have not picked which one, thanks guys!
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You should just bottom out anyway. It's not that bad.
Though that being said I find I still don't like MX Blue (Probably same for Razer Green) for typing.
For typing I go for MX Brown or Topre. :thumb:
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Thanks guys, and plus, when I try not bottoming out, I fail. I think I am going to get a IBM keyboard, however I have not picked which one, thanks guys!
If you habitually bottom out and have a hard time adjusting, I would suggest giving Topre a shot.
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I am going to buy two keyboards, in 2016. For now, I will stick with my blackwidow, and if I save up enough, I will get a Unicomp Ultra classic, and a keyboard with white switches. I am going to sell some things, and I'll post when I get both. :thumb: (Update: I love that you guys are giving me suggestions! I have practiced not bottoming out, but with the way I type, it seems so hard. I've gotten better at not bottoming out a little. <3)
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Hopefully replying to the OP...
In my opinion the black is not a good typing keyboard. ANd does nt solve the problem of bottoming out.
You might like a Cherry blue (However does your current Razer have clicky mechanical blue keys?
Unicomp Ultra Classic Black Buckling Spring USB would be my first choice
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White switches are known to be very inconsistent. I'd probably avoid getting a keyboard with stock white switches.
The Unicomp sounds like a good idea though.
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From your post, I believe that you will love mx green or topre 55g :thumb:
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Your problem might be that Razer uses cheap Cherry MX clones they're sourcing from Kailh instead of Cherry MX switches.
Since you are bottoming out anyway, a tactile switch is probably not for you. If you like your switches to be stiff, I'd recommend the MX Black switch, since they quite common. If you prefer it soft, choose Cherry MX Red. MX Red is dubbed as *the* "gaming switch" by many, but it's simply a linear switch which is very soft and smooth.
Note: arbitrarily changing some metrics like the actuation point, like Razer does, doesn't make a switch a gaming switch. It might make it inferior, though.