First keyboard: MX blue or MX brown

[Lalaland]

I am looking into buying a mechanical keyboard for the first time.

The only main problem is that I cannot decide between getting one with MX blue keys or one with MX brown keys.


I plan to use this keyboard primarily for typing.
I will not be around other people.
I already know how to touch type well.

[itlnstln]

Do you like noise?  That will be the main determining factor.  I vote browns, but most people (according to our switch poll that closed today) prefer blues.

[Admiral Mudkipz]

One of the toughest choices I had to make too. I went with blue even though I game and type 50/50. I decided that eventually in the future, I will probably do more typing than gaming anyway. Plus, I can always get used to blue switches for gaming...I decided it can't be that bad.

[ch_123]

Blues aren't as good for gaming, but at least you won't die of boredom like you would using a brown switch keyboard...

[spremino]

I have bought a MX brown based keyboard and I wouldn't recommend it. They are too light.

If you look at this poll:

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6626

blues win over browns.

[Admiral Mudkipz]

Blues aren't as good for gaming, but at least you won't die of boredom like you would using a brown switch keyboard...

Exactly. To me, I might as well have a better typing experience/average gaming experience than a mediocre typing experience/better gaming experience.

[Lalaland]

Thank you for the advice.
I think I will go for the MX Blues.

[keyboardlover]

Thank you for the advice.
I think I will go for the MX Blues.

Which keyboard are you going for? I have been researching cherry blue keyboards myself lately...

[Lalaland]

I think I will get the Das for ~100$ with the discount.
From the reviews I read and the sound clips I heard, it seems like a solid buy.

The cheaper option, the Scorpius M10, seems to have quality problems.

[EverythingIBM]

The DAS keyboards are notorious for bad key lettering (which wears off, gets dirty) and their unecessary glossiness (which collects dust, scratches easily etc -- same problem with the Razer Lycosa).

But it doubles as an otaku keyboard I guess... just would have to sandblast the keys after they get shiny losing their labels.

[ch_123]

Current Das keys are lasered.

[itlnstln]

Blues aren't as good for gaming, but at least you won't die of boredom like you would using a brown switch keyboard...

Well done, sir.

F you, but well done.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[paardvark]

You know, I tried browns but wasn't really impressed. I guess the tactile bump was a bit to subtle for me. Plus, the switches themselves don't make much sound, so the sound of the keys rubbing together becomes more pronounced. I guess i didn't like that frictiony sound. It was too much like rubbing to marbles together for me to be comfortable. I've never tried blues, but if you want to, go for them.

[ch_123]

Yeah, the browns are a really mediocre switch design. Some people get used to them and like them, but when you compare them with clicky Cherries, Alps, IBMs, or even Topres, that lack of sharp tactility is a let down. "Rubbing marbles" is a very apt description.

[aegrotatio]

That was sure a good poll.

Oh, look, welcome back!!

[patrickgeekhack]

The DAS keyboards are notorious for bad key lettering (which wears off, gets dirty) and their unecessary glossiness (which collects dust, scratches easily etc -- same problem with the Razer Lycosa).

But it doubles as an otaku keyboard I guess... just would have to sandblast the keys after they get shiny losing their labels.

I have not heard bad things about the Model S Das.

Deciding between blue Cherry and brown Cherry is a very hard thing to do. They are completely different from each other. I like to say that the brown Cherry is not (blue Cherry - click). I prefer the blue Cherry, but the brown Cherry can be nice sometimes too. I think the brown Cherry is better for typing than gaming. They are very light. The tactile bump is not very pronounced, but if you are someone who have a very light touch, then they are suited for you.

[Admiral Mudkipz]

Now for the real question. Do any of you guys actually game on blues and find them comfortable?

[Minskleip]

Now for the real question. Do any of you guys actually game on blues and find them comfortable?

If you mean 'gaming' as in having fun with single player first person shooters and bossing, then yes. With buckling springs 'even'. Unless you're playing for big money you're just creating a problem. 'It's only a keyboard'.

[typo]

blue cherry das s. very happy with it. i do not see the legend issues mentioned all around here. they look great. not fuzzy or scratchy at all. i dig the font,overall look and seems to be great quality. make sure you get the "s" and make sure you ask the seller if it has a left windows key or fn key. the one with the fn key was recalled.

[Zensuji]

Now for the real question. Do any of you guys actually game on blues and find them comfortable?

I gotta Filco blue and brown. While the blue is great for gaming the brown feels better to me (Only play FPS games). I actually prefer typing on the brown as well, but the blue is just great fun. I love the clicky blues for typing but even though I wear headphones while gaming I dont like hearing the clicky sound while playing FPS.

You wont make a mistake if you buy either TBH. I bought both to make sure

[Admiral Mudkipz]

I play a lot of FPS games too. I'll learn to get used to it. I have former teammates on my TF2 team who use blue cherry keyboards perfectly fine. It was all just getting used to it.

[Zensuji]

I play a lot of FPS games too. I'll learn to get used to it. I have former teammates on my TF2 team who use blue cherry keyboards perfectly fine. It was all just getting used to it.

Yeah for sure....In no way would playing on blues hold you back one bit. It really is just preference. I've seen SK-gaming CS team win countless tournament on $10 rubber dome boards.

[Tony]

When you type fast you will press hard and quick. The lightness of brown switches are less important then, 45g or 60g are quite the same, you're pressed down bottom anyway.

I got a secondhand mx brown Compaq 11800 keyboard and my typing error rate increased by 1% immediately. It is harder to perform key combos than before in a membrane keyboard, and the keys are a bit sticky. Perhaps I can adapt to it in a week, but that's my first impression.

Guess that brown is fine for gaming and normal typing but for typists buckling spring and mx blue switch are the best.

Trouble is these switches create much noise and may annoy others.

On the other hand, some people use the sounds of these keyboards as the lullaby to sleep better. Perhaps their parents got a IBM model M keyboard near their bedroom in the past.

[nocturn4l3030]

i thought browns were a little boring myself.. lookin to get a blue switch soon

[squarebox]

After using the red/black/brown/blue,
my preference are blue=brown>black>red

Blue are a touch ahead. Red are terrible for me, they are too light and I made alot of mistakes on them.

[duq]

One of the toughest choices I had to make too. I went with blue even though I game and type 50/50. I decided that eventually in the future, I will probably do more typing than gaming anyway. Plus, I can always get used to blue switches for gaming...I decided it can't be that bad.

I follow the same sentiment as the quote above. Any mechanical keyboard you get though will be much better than the standard dome ones you will find at the store...

[bigpook]

I like the  browns over the blues. Some  may find them boring and I suppose that is  because they don't seem to stand out versus other types of switches. They  are light on the fingers and not as noisy ( unless you are constantly bottoming out, and even then I don't think that is  such a bad thing).

The brown switches are sublime, it just takes awhile to get to that conclusion. Maybe a month or so. Especially if you are coming off of a BS or Alps keyboard.

Sometimes its not the loudest, flashiest, 'ooh ooh look at me' type of thing that you end up settling down with. The brown cherries are pretty sweet, the blue cherries are what you bring to the party.

[ricercar]

Consider:

• Browns are solid and unlikely to be disappointing AS A FIRST MECHANICAL. When you compare to a second mechanical, you may find browns too subtle.
• Since you're likely to end up with both brown and blue before long, keep your eye open for deals on both fronts.
• Blues have many commercial options, so a quality unused brown board may be more difficult to find.

[Bern]

Hey everyone,
I've been wondering where the best place to go play around with both switch types.  I'm sure somewhere easy carries the Razer Blackwidow so I can try out blues.  But what about browns?