Keyboard choice, and questions about PChome

[mickd]

I'm thinking about getting a filco majestouch blue or brown from PChome, but since the site is in Chinese, and it will be an international purchase (I live in Australia), I thought I'd ask a few questions to the community, and hopefully some people with previous experience can help me out

(Assuming I'll be getting the brown switch) On PChome, there seems to be 2 links that have a brown switch keyboard (one darker brown than the other, and I think one without the extra keycap gifts as well). Does anyone know the difference?

Links:
http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50475193&c=A05&tm=u#
http://global.pchome.com.tw/?mod=item&func=exhibit&IT_NO=DCAH0X-A50475324&c=A10&tm=u#

Another thing, according to this thread:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=12854
Under step 2 when purchasing the keyboard, there's a drop down menu that lets you change the keyboard layout (Chinese, US, or blank). Is it possible to choose for the filco keyboard as well? If not, will it just come with Chinese characters on the keyset like in the picture? Do they also sell filcos with blank keysets (without buying the blank keyset seperate)?

And lastly, has anyone from Australia purchased one from PChome before? Does the shipping take unexpectedly long? Would i need to worry about warrenty (what if the keyboard comes dead, or stops functioning properly)? Would the conversion from Taiwanese dollars to AUD be significant? I can buy it locally, but it will cost ~$60AUD(~$60USD) more.

P.S. I'll probably get the brown switch, but would anyone that has tried both the brown and blue recommend otherwise? I've only playing Starcraft 2 at the moment. Or another brand altogether?


I think that's all the questions i have for now And thanks to anyone that replies, the post seems like a pretty long read. I've been deciding what keyboard to get for about half a year now... originally was planning to wait for the blackwidow ultimate (which still isn't in stock at msy in Sydney!), but lately I've been thinking maybe a filco will be better.


EDIT: Sorry, another question i wanted to ask was: Is there any difference in build quality if you get it from PChome? The box doesn't seemed to be as detailed, but besides that, anything else?

[manfaux]

The first link is the Chinese version, the layout and everything  is exactly the same, it just has Chinese phonetic characters printed on the keycaps. That also answers your question about the drop-down menu.

I think you will get the gift keycaps and keycap puller regardless of which version you buy but i'm not 100% sure on that.

Yes there are filcos with blank keycaps, haven't seen it on PCHome though, you're outta luck

[db_Iodine]

(Assuming I'll be getting the brown switch) On PChome, there seems to be 2 links that have a brown switch keyboard (one darker brown than the other, and I think one without the extra keycap gifts as well). Does anyone know the difference?

The first one is the Chinese version that I assume has Chinese characters on keycaps. The second one is the English version that has only the English characters on the keycaps.

Another thing, according to this thread:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=12854
Under step 2 when purchasing the keyboard, there's a drop down menu that lets you change the keyboard layout (Chinese, US, or blank). Is it possible to choose for the filco keyboard as well? If not, will it just come with Chinese characters on the keyset like in the picture? Do they also sell filcos with blank keysets (without buying the blank keyset seperate)?

Basically answered this already. Some blank Filcos are available, but I don't think PChome has those at the moment.

And lastly, has anyone from Australia purchased one from PChome before? Does the shipping take unexpectedly long? Would i need to worry about warrenty (what if the keyboard comes dead, or stops functioning properly)? Would the conversion from Taiwanese dollars to AUD be significant? I can buy it locally, but it will cost ~$60AUD(~$60USD) more.

They use EMS for shipping and it's surprisingly fast. My Ducky was delivered in just 4 business days after I ordered it. People have been getting similar delivery times to US and other European countries as well.

I'm not too sure if their warranty is worldwide. I don't think anyone here has had any problems with their keyboards from PChome yet. Perhaps you could try sending PChome an email and ask them about this.

P.S. I'll probably get the brown switch, but would anyone that has tried both the brown and blue recommend otherwise? I've only playing Starcraft 2 at the moment. Or another brand altogether?

This is totally a personal preference question. I myself love the brown switches for gaming, but the blues are not bad at all. Infact I game just as good with them, but the almost non-existent tactile point in browns and the low force is something that I enjoy when gaming.

EDIT: Sorry, another question i wanted to ask was: Is there any difference in build quality if you get it from PChome? The box doesn't seemed to be as detailed, but besides that, anything else?

No. They have the same Filco and Ducky keyboards any other shop has.

[mickd]

Thanks for the replies guys Just about answered everything.

Btw, would anyone happen to know PChome's email? I've been looking around and can't seem to find it... I'd like to ask them about the free gifts that the Chinese keyboard version seems to have

Though it doesn't seem like it will be offered to the US version keyboard.

[db_Iodine]

I tried looking up the email address from their site, but couldn't find it. They list their phone number in a lot of places but they don't seem to have a customer service email account. That seems a little weird.