Dad looking to buy new keyboard, want him to pick the right thing

[colinstu]

I've been using an IBM Model M keyboard for years now, and he's been using the most terrible wireless keyboards.

His keyboard seems to be having wireless problems now and is looking to buy a wired USB keyboard now, but instead of him buying some garbage $50 Microsoft keyboard, I'd like him to get one with real mechanical switches in it.

So:
-needs to be USB
-would probably sell to him a lot better if it has multimedia keys (volume, play/stop)
-mechanical switches of course

I think that's it? What do you guys think I should get? Is there like a "list" of choices I can see and research? Thanks.

[ch_123]

The multimedia keys issue is a rather limiting thing in the mechanical keyboard world. Only the Das has them (unless your Dad has a Mac, as there are few more options available). There are other PC ones, but they are mainly obscure Asian keyboards, or ones that are unreliable.

Are there any further requirements? Is noise an issue? Do you want a full size keyboard, or is a numpad required? What sort of things does your Dad use his computer for?

[bhtooefr]

What about the Scorpius M10 Plus? Although I don't think it was ever sold in the US. Granted, that could be an RMA-fest, but once you get a good one, it should stay good.

[Morning Song]

If you decide on Das, you may have to do it quick. They seem to be discontinuing the model with the Fn key in favor of two winkeys.

[colinstu]

We use Windows, noise is not a huge issue--he can deal with it, if the keyboard is not beige it would probably sell for him nicer too.

Yeah, arrow keys, numpad, needs all that stuff.

[ch_123]

I'd go for the Das while they still have the Multimedia versions.

If it wasn't for the multimedia keys requirement, I'd get the Filco Tactile Click model from elitekeyboards.com

[clickclack]

I would NOT recoment the Crapius Mcrap! I mean Scorpius M10 =(
I think this is the only product I have used in recent years that is just pure greedy EVIL!
Sure it's cheap (realatively) "if" and its a big "IF" you get a good one. Their construction quality is soooooo horrible and unreliable that they should be ashamed! I have multiple keys that have died on me,  I would fix one and another one would die in short order. This is a KNOWN and consistent issue with this board that has NOT changed! I just use it as a test board for styles and such. I don't hate anyone enough to sell it or GIVE it to them! (although I did love the space bar one mine...heehee)

Indeed it looks like the Das multimedia version is discontinued, so if you were looking in that diretion I would without a doubt go with elitekeyboards and pick up a Filco or Realforce. They look the buisness and are handsome boards. Some of the best around! A Filco 104 keys sounds like it could be a good fit =)

[Rajagra]

Well, look at that.  It looks like Das discontinued the whole multimedia line.  Programmers really care about their Windows key placement I guess.

They should have used the menu key as the Fn key. And used Fn-Windows to bring up the context menu. Everyone would be happy.

Or did it turn out to be buggy after all?

[colinstu]

Do you know if it's possible to make my own shortcuts for media functions? Like, remapping the left Windows key in combination with function keys to emulate the media functions?

[izzypizzy]

The Steelseries 7g, and upcoming 6gv2 have media keys, but they only use cherry blacks which, unless your pop is a gamer, probably isn't the best bet. Worth mentioning though.

[colinstu]

Okay, I've narrowed it down to the Majestouch Tactile Click and DAS III. Which one has better build quality?

And what can be said with the Tactile Click vs. the touch? I'd like to stick with the click as it seems to require more force to push the key, similar to a Cherry Clear board I have, but the touch is quiet like the clear switches. Apparently Deck is the only one selling boards with the clear switches? Not too interested in the browns as they require the least amount of force?

[Brodie337]

You can use AutoHotkey to make media shortcuts. I have Shift+F10-F12 for volume and mute, and Shift+PrintScreen, Scrollock and Pause/Break as play/pause, next and previous.

[EverythingIBM]

Okay, I've narrowed it down to the Majestouch Tactile Click and DAS III. Which one has better build quality?

And what can be said with the Tactile Click vs. the touch? I'd like to stick with the click as it seems to require more force to push the key, similar to a Cherry Clear board I have, but the touch is quiet like the clear switches. Apparently Deck is the only one selling boards with the clear switches? Not too interested in the browns as they require the least amount of force?

The majestouch keyboards have more resilient labels; the DAS keyboards wear out easily and get shiny (so I'm told).
So if the labels and key cap wear is an issue to your father, get the majestouch one.

[muchadoaboutnothing]

You can use AutoHotkey to make media shortcuts. I have Shift+F10-F12 for volume and mute, and Shift+PrintScreen, Scrollock and Pause/Break as play/pause, next and previous.

Is there a tutorial on that or simple directions? I have AHK installed.

I'm using SharpKeys for simple key remapping right now (one key -> other key function via registry, it's basically applying a GUI to some registry editing)

[colinstu]

I did a Das versus Filco head to head here.  If you are coming from Cherry Clears I'd go Blues.  The Cherry Browns may feel too light.  Depends on how noise sensitive you are as well so listen to lots of sound samples.

So, from cherry clears, go blue, check.
Filco is better build quality, check.
Software can take care of the multimedia things, check.

Looks like my work here is done! Thanks guys.

Coming from a Model M, I couldn't imagine the blues being much worse in terms of loudness. Looking at some movies of people using the blue switches, some sound really noisy, while others sound very nice... might be caused by the way they type/hit the keys or something, or the microphone.

[bhtooefr]

My Scorpius M10 is SIGNIFICANTLY quieter than any of my BS boards.

[Otterclock]

Coming from a Model M, I couldn't imagine the blues being much worse in terms of loudness.

Is this for you, or your dad? What keyboard is he coming from? Did he like his previous one, aside from the wireless failure? Just makin sure this isn't a bowling ball that says "Homer" on it type incident. "Well Dad, if you don't like it, I guess I'll just take it myself!"