Finding a the perfect keyboard for work is hard...

[m00nshake]

I've been beating myself up trying to find the perfect keyboard for work. I've got a Filco Ninja w/ Blue MX for home, which I love, but I don't want to leave a $150 keyboard at work. I've got a Monoprice keyboard I got on the 10-year anniversary sale, but it's a Ione keyboard and for some reason if I try to switch out the spacebar w/ a spacebar from WASD, the Alt keys won't fit back on. So I'm probably going to return it because I want to swap out all the keys to PBT.

These are the different things I'm looking for:

1> made by Costar
2> doesn't cost over $100
3> has a numeric keypad

I ordered and received a Cooler Master QF Pro, thinking it would have the same build quality of the QF Rapid, but when it arrived it screamed Ione, not Costar. When I tried to replace the stock space bar with a Costar spacebar to test, it had the same problem as the Monoprice (which is an Xarmor rebrand), if you fit it on, the alt keys won't fit. So that one is going back...

I was looking at the Rosewill keyboards, which met all of the things I wanted, Costar built, inexpensive, numpad....

Found one with brown switches for 79.99 on Newegg, tried to order it, when low and behold, I found out that they do not ship them them to the state I live in.  If I try to order the same keyboard from amazon.com, the price is around $120.

So right now I'm right back to the drawing board. I'm wondering if anyone has any input or suggestions, I would really appreciate it.

[swagpiratex]

You're worried that someone's gonna jack your keyboard at work? Might be time to switch employers, lol.

Have you taken a look at the Leopold Keyboards?

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize&pid=fc500rtab

[m00nshake]

You're worried that someone's gonna jack your keyboard at work? Might be time to switch employers, lol.

Have you taken a look at the Leopold Keyboards?

http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize&pid=fc500rtab

Ha... it's been time to switch jobs for months now. Do you know anyone hiring?

But seriously, I really don't think anybody'll jack my keyboard,  but there's always a possibility, so I'd like to have one that's just a tad cheaper lying around work. Maybe I'm just paranoid...but I don't think I'm all alone in this line of thinking.

[SmallFry]

I can be a via for you if you want to get that Rosewill from NewEgg.

[m00nshake]

I can be a via for you if you want to get that Rosewill from NewEgg.

Thanks for the offer, Smallfry. I will keep that in mind over the next few days before making my decision. Just out of curiosity, in your sig I see you have a Leopold. Is the Leopold made by Costar? I've heard that the spacebar is not easy to replace, otherwise I would have probably purchased it.

[fohat.digs]

Leopold is a nice board, I had one with blues that I really liked, and the new ones should be even better.

And really, how often do you replace your spacebar?

Except for a Model M/F what board is permanent (decades of use) anyway?

[SmallFry]

M00nshake: The spacebar on the F500's (the board linked in Swagpiratex's post) is non-replaceable without some modding which I know there is a member here by the name of TheProfosist who will mod the spacebar to fit if you really want one. Then, you can buy a full set from WASD if you'd like and he'd mod the space bar for you.
Fohat.digs: I'm not sure what other boards are permanent, since they haven't been "alive" that long. Though, I wouldn't doubt with proper care and a little tinkering here and there, just like with an M or F, they will last quite a long time as well.

[m00nshake]

Leopold is a nice board, I had one with blues that I really liked, and the new ones should be even better.

And really, how often do you replace your spacebar?

Except for a Model M/F what board is permanent (decades of use) anyway?

I guess my beginning with modern mechanical keyboards might be part of the reason for my thinking. My first modern mech was a Das. The space bar started showing signs of wear in a couple of weeks. I then started reading up about the difference in key caps, and I guess I am wary of a keyboard with abs key caps, especially if I can't change the space bar. Maybe I just had a bad first experience. I don't know...

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[m00nshake]

M00nshake: The spacebar on the F500's (the board linked in Swagpiratex's post) is non-replaceable without some modding which I know there is a member here by the name of TheProfosist who will mod the spacebar to fit if you really want one. Then, you can buy a full set from WASD if you'd like and he'd mod the space bar for you.
Fohat.digs: I'm not sure what other boards are permanent, since they haven't been "alive" that long. Though, I wouldn't doubt with proper care and a little tinkering here and there, just like with an M or F, they will last quite a long time as well.

Thanks for the clarification. I guess I like the idea of customization as well. Still searching...

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[IvanIvanovich]

If you don't mind a somewhat non standard layout there is some cheap used G80-11900 or 11800 on ebay usually. Get a white one and you get pbt keycap on it already

[gvfarns]

It's not what you asked, but if it was me I'd most likely get the quickfire rapid and then a separate USB numberpad.  It would probably still be cheaper than other options and I like it better separate.

Personally I've always believed that numberpads do not belong on keyboards.  They are almost never used by most people, and those who do use them don't usually use them at the same time as the rest of the keyboard.  Just my take.

I'm assuming here that you don't use the numberpad often enough that you require mechanical keys for it.  Maybe a bad assumption.

[rknize]

As a C programmer, I find the lack of a numpad quite annoying.  That is why I use a Model M or a Rosewill at work.  I use the / and * buttons often and randomly switch between the numrow and numpad, depending on what kinds of numbers I am entering (hex and decimal, respectively).  I also discovered that I sometimes use the enter key with my right thumb while it is still on the trackball.  I didn't realize much of this until I tried using a tenkeyless at work.  At home, the tenkeyless is nice when I am not programming.

Anyway, to answer the OP about Leopold, I believe they all use Cherry stabilizers.  Mine does, but it is a tenkeyless...so I am not 100% sure.

I think you would be happy with the Rosewill.  It seems to fit your requirements perfectly.

[nullstring]

Have you considered rosewill?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?SID=pr4MguzXEeGe1BIkcGOq0A2ww_4yv83_0_0_0&AID=10440897&PID=1225267&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&Item=N82E16823201042

Made by costar.

EDIT: apparently I can read.
Thats rather unfortunate 

[thegunner100]

The rosewills are at a pretty nice price right now and fits all your needs! But too bad they don't ship it to your state

Its possible to get it through a proxy, for maybe $10 more.

[m00nshake]

It's not what you asked, but if it was me I'd most likely get the quickfire rapid and then a separate USB numberpad.  It would probably still be cheaper than other options and I like it better separate.

Personally I've always believed that numberpads do not belong on keyboards.  They are almost never used by most people, and those who do use them don't usually use them at the same time as the rest of the keyboard.  Just my take.

I'm assuming here that you don't use the numberpad often enough that you require mechanical keys for it.  Maybe a bad assumption.

This keyboard is for work and I do alot of data entry w/ numbers. I know how to touch type and can use the numbers on the top of the keyboard, but I still use the number pad for typing in strings of numbers, like telephone numbers, dollar amounts, etc. I owned a CM QF Rapid for a little while and while I loved it, I kept reaching for the number pad when I was typing in numbers and it not being there, like a missing appendage. I just couldn't get used to it.

I've thought about the option of getting a separate number pad, but I really don't want to piece together different keyboards to make a full keyboard.

[swagpiratex]

Don't listen to the people that tell you TKL is god. I'll bet they've never had to work with excel in their life, lol.

[m00nshake]

Ok.. luckily Newegg came to the rescue today w/ 15% off all keyboards. I ended up getting a Das Keyboard Professional for $92 and change w/ 2 day shoprunner shipping. Now that I know how to change the keys on my keyboard I plan on replacing the keys anyway, so I'm not worried about a shiny space bar. Secondly, I really liked the Das, and I've been chasing a decent keyboard since. Only my Filco has matched in build quality. I like the gloss finish, I think it looks great, and I don't mind wiping down my keyboard. The Das is rock solid, it doesn't have the USB problems that seem to plague the Rosewill (only based on a number of reviews, I've never owned one), it's got a num key pad, and it's built by Costar. It meets all of my criteria, I love blue switches, so I've found my board. Thanks to everybody for their suggestions.

[daerid]

Das Keyboard's are awesome. Had one as my first Cherry MX board, loved the crap out of that thing.

[m00nshake]

Das Keyboard's are awesome. Had one as my first Cherry MX board, loved the crap out of that thing.

The way I looked at it, even with the 15% off the Rosewill board, let's say I paid $65, and then I had it sent to someone here or a family member, someone who lives in a state Newegg will send to, by the time I pay $15 or so to get it shipped a second time to my address, I'm about $12 away from the cost of the Das. And with the Das, I already have an expectation as to what I'm receiving, and I know it's good. And I couldn't justify paying the extra for the new one with browns and media keys. I never use the media keys and I'm not a huge fan of brown switches.

[jkercado]

For me, the perfect work keyboard is the one I have, the Unicomp Ultra Classic, in black. Love this thing. That said, the Das is a great keyboard. Right this moment, my co-worker here is typing on his Das while I type on my Unicomp. We make such a beautiful racket.

It's the sound of work! 

[boost]

Cm storm.

[OrangeJewce]

For me, the perfect work keyboard is the one I have, the Unicomp Ultra Classic, in black. Love this thing. That said, the Das is a great keyboard. Right this moment, my co-worker here is typing on his Das while I type on my Unicomp. We make such a beautiful racket.

It's the sound of work! 

I use this and the Microsoft Ergo 4000 (2 machines at the moment). Love buckling springs, but some people think they "clack" too much.

Cheers,

[m00nshake]

You know I was just looking at a model m, but I'm partial to the unicomp boards because they're black. Anybody have any experiences they'd like to share about ordering from unicomp website? I'd just like to know if you had a good or bad experience.

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[OrangeJewce]

You know I was just looking at a model m, but I'm partial to the unicomp boards because they're black. Anybody have any experiences they'd like to share about ordering from unicomp website? I'd just like to know if you had a good or bad experience.

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I have ordered 2 keyboards from the Unicomp website.

Both of my experiences in the end were good.
The first keyboard (Beige Ultra Classic with Hebrew Print) I received was well packed and the person I gave it to has loved it to pieces.
The second one I received (Raven Black Otaku) had broken rivets on arrival, but they sent me a replacement board before I even was able to return the broken one! RMA was pretty painless and they paid for shipping.

Cheers,

[jkercado]

You know I was just looking at a model m, but I'm partial to the unicomp boards because they're black. Anybody have any experiences they'd like to share about ordering from unicomp website? I'd just like to know if you had a good or bad experience.

Excellent experience, totally painless. Ordering was quick, got delivered in a few days. Well packaged, beautiful unit. I highly recommend them.

[rknize]

I've ordered from them several times.  Never had an issue that wasn't dealt with in a timely manner.  I've been very happy with my Unicomps.

[m00nshake]

Very cool. Thanks everyone for your replies. My birthday is coming up, maybe if I mention how much I want one enough, maybe one of my family will take notice and surprise me with one. Maybe...

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[OrangeJewce]

Just know that their packaging can be pretty bad, so thoroughly check it out before you accept from UPS.

Cheers,

[jkercado]

Just know that their packaging can be pretty bad, so thoroughly check it out before you accept from UPS.

Odd, my packaging was quite decent.

[tgujay]

I want a model m still, I'm not sure how often I'd use it though.

[m00nshake]

I see some Unicomp boards listed on Ebay for a fairly decent price but they have an extra row of function keys on top. I like the ones on the website better that just have the one row of function keys, looks a lot neater.