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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: kolektador on Fri, 23 June 2023, 00:02:27
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Are vintage keyboards better than modern ones in terms of build quality and durability?
I have never tried a vintage keyboard and I am afraid that buying one (which are often overpriced) would be a waste of money if I did not like it and would be harder for me to resell if I did not like it. I have tried(not owned) some modern mechanical keyboards (Razer, Steelseries, Corsair etc.. and other brands) and I don't know what is worth investing my money on, a high end modern keyboard or a vintage keyboard? I would like for it to last my lifetime. What is the best course of action? I do some programming, some gaming (FPS, GW2, MOBA), some photo/video editting
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Not really, this is kind of a broad question. However, since you are new to the keyboard scene and have only tried a few keyboards, I would suggest getting a hotswap keyboard. From there, you can determine which switch suits you best for comfortable and prolonged typing sessions by swapping switches until you find out what fits you the best.
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Yes and no, depends on your wants and needs.
Older boards (that survived) were usually built to last but often had limited or odd layouts. These days the grease is old and the boards are often used and customization is difficult. Newer boards may not survive, but they're easier to customize and have tons and tons of options.
Do you really care if your new keyboard lasts 40 years or will you be bored of it in 3 or 4 years and replace it anyhow? If so, does it really matter if it lasts 10 years or 50?
On that same note, will that 20-40 year old board last another 30-40 years?
Get what makes you happy.
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Are vintage keyboards better than modern ones in terms of build quality and durability?
I have never tried a vintage keyboard and I am afraid that buying one (which are often overpriced) would be a waste of money if I did not like it and would be harder for me to resell if I did not like it. I have tried(not owned) some modern mechanical keyboards (Razer, Steelseries, Corsair etc.. and other brands) and I don't know what is worth investing my money on, a high end modern keyboard or a vintage keyboard? I would like for it to last my lifetime. What is the best course of action? I do some programming, some gaming (FPS, GW2, MOBA), some photo/video editting
As everyone has said here, it depends on a variety of factors, but mostly it's on a case by case basis. Like things like old cheap rubber domes are going to have far less build quality than something like a model f for example. It's the same with modern keyboards, a custom with a full alu constrution with some dustproof waterproof switches is going to have a better lifespan than a plastic oem with some otemeu switches or something.
Of course none of this matters if you don't take care of the boards and minimize damage, both damage externally and internally with pcbs and such. Most Customs (And even some vintage stuff) can be refurbished or entirely rebuilt to fix some or all of the issues so that's also a consideration.
If you want to try something, you should try and go to a meetup, especially if you live near a large city, there should some vintage stuff to try there (I know there was some at the Australian meetups at least) then you can know what your preferences are when you are coming to make a purchase. But I know that's not for everyone, so as someone else said, try experimenting with different switches to know what you like and don't like. Hope this helps somewhat.
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On average, when they were new, I would very much say so, yes.
Just remember that vintage boards have lived a whole life already by now ;) .
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On average, when they were new, I would very much say so, yes.
Just remember that vintage boards have lived a whole life already by now ;) .
Yes, but don't forget those are the boards that survived, and the good ones usually have had favorable situations.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G986B met Tapatalk
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On average, when they were new, I would very much say so, yes.
Just remember that vintage boards have lived a whole life already by now ;) .
Yes, but don't forget those are the boards that survived, and the good ones usually have had favorable situations.
Verstuurd vanaf mijn SM-G986B met Tapatalk
Yeah that's kind of what I mean.
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I think the difference is that the further back you go, the more expensive the boards were. So you can't compare an IBM board from the early 80s with a $15 dollar board you get free with your PC. But if you compare them with enthousiast boards, modern boards are better in a lot of ways. We don't know yet how long they will last, but a lot of them are easier to service than the old boards.