Keyboard recommendations

[Simononon]

I'm looking at buying a keyboard, coming from using a generic dome-switch keyboard, and am considering a mechanical keyboard as I've used IBM Model M
keyboards in the past and found I could type faster with it's tactile feedback.

I've researched a few keyboards, the Model M, SpaceSaver, Das Keyboard and Majestouch and am currently swaying towards the Majestouch with cherry brown switches for the 104-key layout, black matte finish and reduced noise (in comparison to cherry blue switches).

Is this a good choice of keyboard? If not, what alternatives are there? I use my keyboard for programming and gaming and can type at speeds in excess of 100WPM. Am I likely to need n-key rollover?

Also, where is it cheapest to purchase from Australia? I've looked at Aus PC-Market and EliteKeyboards, but would very much like to know if there's anywhere better (and by better I mean cheaper).

Sorry for the wall of text, it's my first post and I'm a little lost :noidea:

[ch_123]

Plenty of people around here use their brown cherry Filco as their main keyboard. Definitely a sound choice.

NKRO is something whose importance is largely over-exaggerated. I had a NKRO Filco, but I used it with the USB connector most of the time (you need to use it with the USB-PS/2 adapter to get NKRO) and yet I had no problem playing games on it.

I'm quite surprised to see that there's a place in Australia that stocks them... the love must be spreading.

[Simononon]

=1838]http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_image_products.php?input[category_id]=1838
stocks Das Keyboard and Majestouch keyboards for $187 AUD ($171 USD)  including delivery, which is why I'm wondering if I can get from an overseas supplier directly for cheaper.

[ch_123]

Some of the Asian exporters may be slightly cheaper - try BeNippon.com or Geekstuff4u.com There may be others but those are the ones I know of.

[Xede]

It's a good choice, but you should consider getting the 87 key version.

[Simononon]

It's a good choice, but you should consider getting the 87 key version.

Why's that? I tend to make use of the numpad and window keys.

[Rajagra]

Why's that? I tend to make use of the numpad and window keys.

Well there you go. You've considered it and rejected it based on your needs! :smile: (It does have Windows keys though.)

[Xede]

After I got my HHKB Pro 2 and was able to adjust to the top number row every full size keyboard just feels way too big to type on, my customizer and filco just sit on a shelf now because of it. But I mainly game, so it is nice having my right hand closer to the keyboard.

[spolia optima]

Brown cherries are always a good bet. Keep in mind they don't click like the blues, but damn they feel like buttah.

datacal has Cherry-made G80-3000 boards with brown switches. There are a few differences between the G80 and the Filco though:

Cherry uses PCB mounted switches, Filco uses metal plate mounted switches. Metal plates are not "better" by nature, but many prefer the solid feel and weight. I like both. IMHO metal plates mount is best for linear / tactile switches (Black, Brown, Red) and PCB mount is better for Clicking switches (Blue).
 
There are also some crazies out there tellin' folks that Cherry saves its "best" switches for its own keyboards. I'd like to see some sources on this.

Also, filco uses ABS keycaps, Cherry uses PBT which has the advantage of hardness, durability, and wear-resistance. They keycaps on Cherry boards have a REAL advantage over the Filco. Then again, you can get high-quality replacement keys for the Filco in a snap.

In conclusion, buy an IBM Model M or Unicomp Spacesaver. They're just awesome.

[trievalot]

if you want, you can get a separate numpad for the 87U

[Simononon]

I have considered the SpaceSaver too - do pckeyboard.com ship internationally? How does the SpaceSaver compare to the Majestouch?

[ch_123]

They ship worldwide.

They're completely different. They're quite loud and the keys are relatively stiff (although not to the extent whereby they are uncomfortable) but IMHO they produce a much more satisfying tactile feel.

[kw71]

Also, filco uses ABS keycaps, Cherry uses PBT which has the advantage of hardness, durability, and wear-resistance.

sup dawg

The white/grey cherry caps are PBT.  They are durable like M keycaps.

The black cherry caps are POM.  They get shiny fast.  But they seem to be thicker.

They sound different and I like the POM caps better.

Also the relegendable caps with clear tops are ABS on cherry boards.

Aren't Filco's caps printed?  Cherry has the laser.  I can really feel the engraving on my black caps.  It's more pronounced on my kb on the bottom row (zxcv).  On the white/grey caps it's a lot more subtle.

[Simononon]

Just placed an order for the Unicomp SpaceSaver with blank black keys, thanks!

[maxlugar]

if you want, you can get a separate numpad for the 87U

The only numeric keypad that feels right and looks right next to the Realforce 87U is the Realforce 23UB.  Yes, it really is about half the price of the full keyboard.

[itlnstln]

The 23UB is a very nice numpad, indeed, and it is certainly worth a premium.  I'm not sure it's worth the $123, or so, that it commands, but it's nice regardless.

[maxlugar]

The 23UB is a very nice numpad, indeed, and it is certainly worth a premium.  I'm not sure it's worth the $123, or so, that it commands, but it's nice regardless.

Of course it's not worth $128, that's why I got two ( I bought mine from EliteKeyboards.com before the "price rollback")  Brian jacked the Topre keyboard prices and reduced the Topre number pad prices.  

[spremino]

I've got a Cherry brown based Filco and I don't like it. Keys are too light. I'm not an heavy typist, however I can't rest my fingers on the keys without firing a key press.

I think every newcomer should get one IBM Model M (avoid 71Gxxxx part numbers): best value for money and you'll learn what all the fuss is about.

Best wishes.

[maxlugar]

I've got a Cherry brown based Filco and I don't like it. Keys are too light. I'm not an heavy typist, however I can't rest my fingers on the keys without firing a key press.

I think every newcomer should get one IBM Model M (avoid 71Gxxxx part numbers): best value for money and you'll learn what all the fuss is about.

Best wishes.

Agreed.  Cherry MX Brown key switches are OK, certainly better than even the best of the cheap rubber domes.

However, I do not find Brown Cherry key presses satisfying because the tactility is too subtle.  The Topre key switches are far more elegant - very precise and smooth with a soft landing.  The texture of the Topre key caps is also better than the key caps on Brown Cherry boards.

Every touch typist should own at least one Model M keyboard silver, white, blue label , or Unicomp.

[maxlugar]

Brown cherries are always a good bet. Keep in mind they don't click like the blues, but damn they feel like buttah.

datacal has Cherry-made G80-3000 boards with brown switches. There are a few differences between the G80 and the Filco though:

Cherry uses PCB mounted switches, Filco uses metal plate mounted switches. Metal plates are not "better" by nature, but many prefer the solid feel and weight. I like both. IMHO metal plates mount is best for linear / tactile switches (Black, Brown, Red) and PCB mount is better for Clicking switches (Blue).
 
There are also some crazies out there tellin' folks that Cherry saves its "best" switches for its own keyboards. I'd like to see some sources on this.

Also, filco uses ABS keycaps, Cherry uses PBT which has the advantage of hardness, durability, and wear-resistance. They keycaps on Cherry boards have a REAL advantage over the Filco. Then again, you can get high-quality replacement keys for the Filco in a snap.

In conclusion, buy an IBM Model M or Unicomp Spacesaver. They're just awesome.

I thought you had crossed over to the dark side and become an 84-key Model F fan      (you know, those worthless vintage keyboards)

[ch_123]

Depends on the laptop. In my Thinkpad there's a BIOS option that determines whether the inbuilt keyboard's numlock is self contained or global. YMMV for other vendors, but I imagine others would have a similar arrangement.

[kishy]

I have yet to play around in a Dell BIOS that provides that option, so it's likely most Dells don't offer it.

Damned good idea though.

[maxlugar]

Back to this Topre 23UB numpad.  When you guys press the number does Numlock FLASH or go on and STAY STEADY.  

The reason I'm dwelling on this it makes a big difference with Laptop use.  You'd have to hit numlock off everytime you want to type Alpha characters, a real PITA.

The NumLock on the Topre 23UB is independent of the keyboard Numlock for all my laptops:  HP/Compaq 8510W, Dell Latitude D430, Dell Latidude D600 and even my wife's Fujitsu A1220.  When the NumLock of the primary keyboard is switched "OFF" (either the laptop keyboard or the keyboard attached to the docking station) and the NumLock on the 23UB is switched "ON", every time you hit a number on the 23UB, the NumLock LED indicator on the primary keyboard flashes.

On older numeric keypads like the ione Scorpius-32, the NumLock on the key pad cannot be controlled independently from the NumLock on the primary keyboard.  The NumLock will be engaged whether you do it from the primary keyboard or the attached number pad.

This particular nuance is important to me because I always use an attached numeric keypad for cursor control (arrow keys) when using my 84-key PC AT keyboards.

[maxlugar]

Cool.  Thanks for confirming that.  Another member was looking for a numpad that worked independently of the laptop.

The Brown Cherry Filco Majestouch FKB22MB is another excellent number pad that works independently of the laptop and at $42 is about a third the price of the Realforce 23U.

Link here:  http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=filco_keyboards,majestouch_10key&pid=fkb22mb

[Simononon]

Just placed an order for the Unicomp SpaceSaver with blank black keys, thanks!

Keyboard arrived today, I'm in love :love:, now to find out what of the blank black keys are broken :whistle:

[skcheng]

The Brown Cherry Filco Majestouch FKB22MB is another excellent number pad that works independently of the laptop and at $42 is about a third the price of the Realforce 23U.

Link here:  http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=filco_keyboards,majestouch_10key&pid=fkb22mb

You don't need the separate touchpad if you use/like the Space Saving Mini.  And you don't need to move your hand over to the right either......or left  

[skcheng]

Keyboard arrived today, I'm in love :love:, now to find out what of the blank black keys are broken :whistle:

I have a Unicomp Space-Saver that I purchased here on the GH classifieds.  It's a nice board and well worth the $35 + S/H that I paid.   Glad you like the board.  I actually really like the grey keys even though I purchased a set of blank black keys.   Those black keys ended up on the Model M that I purchased from Welly.

[Simononon]

I have a Unicomp Space-Saver that I purchased here on the GH classifieds.  It's a nice board and well worth the $35 + S/H that I paid.   Glad you like the board.  I actually really like the grey keys even though I purchased a set of blank black keys.   Those black keys ended up on the Model M that I purchased from Welly.

$69 + $50 shipping and handling for me, ended up with one broken letter so the escape key is still grey!

Now to wait another week for a replacement.