To buy, or not to buy?

[mcsnails]

So I recently got a free model M and Apple Extended Keyboard II.  I had been reading these forums for a few weeks prior to the opportunity had arose, and already decided that I was going to buy a Das model S silent around Christmas time.  Now that I have these keyboards, I am questioning whether or not I should still follow through and buy the Das for $100 (student discount).  I have looked at the "What is your favorite switch" poll and saw that many more people preferred some form of Cherry MX switch to buckling springs/Alps.  My question to you is: Do you think I should follow through and buy the Das keyboard (is cherry MX that much better?) or just stick with the Model M and Apple Extended for now?

Note: My primary uses for this keyboard are typing papers and such (hence the student discount) and playing starcraft

[Quarzac]

If your primary uses are typing, I would say get the regular Das. I'd say it's worth it, considering they have a 30 day return policy if you don't like it, I think.

[pitashen]

if you are already happy with the ones you got. I don't see why should you go for another one, unless you insist wanting to spend the 100 bucks.

[J888www]

Everyone have their own preferences, it may take a while before you find the Switches/KBD most suitable, the less Time the better on your wallet.

I have already found mine.......One.

[Thinkpad Fan]

I can't speak to gaming (OK for students - real adults should have better things to do, IMHO) but I'd give both of my new acquisitions a good, complete workout before I spent money on something different.  You might not find the need to spend the money.  I've found it takes a few days up to a couple of weeks  use to actually know how well an individual keyboard "suits" me.  And I stay in the IBM/Unicomp Model M world because that suits me, and although all are Model Ms, there is enough differences to keep you busy exploring them for quite a while.  

Initially, we all are wary of what's new - "it feels funny" - compared to what we are used to.  Give each board a real chance before you discard it - and maybe come back to it a bit later and verify your conclusions after more experiece before you send it down the road.  But if money is no object and you are curious, do as you will!   I think for typing and typing only, you will find the Model M hard to beat, if it is a good one.  Because there are different "feels" within the Model M family due to different production periods, and of course due to how "used" it is, your example may or may not let you know if the M is your cup of tea.  And my one Unicomp is in my "top 3".  

By the way, ClickyKeyboards has good USB adapters, should you need one, as well as extra  keys, springs, etc, and the correct nutdriver for Model M cases, should yours need cleaning.

[mcsnails]

Alright, thanks for the advice, by the sound of things, I'll use my model M until winter time rolls around and make the decision then

[N8N]

I agree with that plan.  The only reason that I left Model M-land was noise.  If you like the feel of the M I think you probably will be looking for a board w/ Cherry Clears in any case, not browns, unless you are specifically looking for something lighter.  Clears are still lighter than the M, and browns are lighter yet.

I do like the clears, but a lot of the reason that Cherries are more popular than BS or Alps is more up to date controllers in the currently available boards and modifiability (aftermarket keycaps etc.) there's nothing wrong with the feel of good old buckling springs, and I even used an Alps switch board (AT101) for years and thought it was OK, although I do like the Model M better.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Clears lighter than M? I'm pretty sure that can't even slightly be right.

I think it's more that if someone finds out what mech boards are and then googles them to find something, they will find cherries. Or if they hear of a specific thing like the blackwidow, it will be a cherry. There are alot more ... brands? not really 'makers' of boards that use cherry switch. There's only a few for simplified alps. And only one unicomp for BS (and I can see how they could be hard to run across). Using a sweeping generalization as to say ' more popular' I would say the controllers have nothing at all to do with that. I think it's more the general marketing and how unicomps don't particularly look sleek at all.