First Mechanical Keyboard

[R54]

Hello all!

I've been looking at a mechanical keyboard for use with my laptop. I'm currently using the Logitech G510 and the build in keyboard at a 90/10 ratio. I'm looking at it for games (flight sim, fps, rts, arpg) as well as creative suite work and for typing up papers.

So far my research has led me to the das keyboard, as the whole "leet gaming" marketing for the logitech didn't really work out for my usage scenario. Also, the cherry mx blue switches shouldn't be an issue since I tend to like things loud, and there isn't going to be a roomie or anything for me to worry about. The only issue I think I have with the das keyboard is the lack of media functions (I don't want to the get the new "media" keyboard since it intrudes upon the spacebar, which I like to be nice and large. So mainly I need a solid utility (or some direction in the W7 control panel) as far as mapping something like shift f5-f8 as my media controls.

Thanks very much, and hopefully this will be a worthwhile upgrade

Cheers!
R54

EDIT: Just saw the MX Blue Rosewill over at newegg and I like the detachable cable and the matte black over the glossy body. However, the build quality is still a bigger factor compared to the glossy or matte.

[dorkvader]

I don't have one, but the build quality of the rosewill should be pretty good (I believe it is costar made, like filco). I have heard, however, that some have had issues with the USB port on it..?

Either way, you can use a utility called "Autohotkey" to map keys to media functions. I don't use it, so I don't have the scripts, but they do exist, and I imagine, wouldn't be too hard to find. There is a "share you AHK scrips" topic here on GH that is a good starting point.

[R54]

I don't have one, but the build quality of the rosewill should be pretty good (I believe it is costar made, like filco). I have heard, however, that some have had issues with the USB port on it..?

Either way, you can use a utility called "Autohotkey" to map keys to media functions. I don't use it, so I don't have the scripts, but they do exist, and I imagine, wouldn't be too hard to find. There is a "share you AHK scrips" topic here on GH that is a good starting point.

Alright well I haven't heard any negative things regarding build quality for the Das Keyboard, so it looks like it's still in the running over the Rosewill. Also, that's exactly the type of utility that I was looking for! Thanks a ton! Looks like using the function keys should be the way to go for the Das.

Thanks again!

[PointyFox]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

[R54]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[PointyFox]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

[FoxWolf1]

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

[R54]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

I figure if I'm going to bother getting a mechanical keyboard I might as well have all my keys mechanical.

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

First of all, why would my placement of the external keyboard make a difference in regards to the laptop? Just curious. Also, it varies: sometimes the laptop is to my left, sometimes it's across the room (when I'm using the keyboard from my couch or watching a movie). Also I couldn't find a link for the the Noppoo Tank, but perhaps I encountered a temporary bout of blindness or numbness.

Cheers!

[PointyFox]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

I figure if I'm going to bother getting a mechanical keyboard I might as well have all my keys mechanical.

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

First of all, why would my placement of the external keyboard make a difference in regards to the laptop? Just curious. Also, it varies: sometimes the laptop is to my left, sometimes it's across the room (when I'm using the keyboard from my couch or watching a movie). Also I couldn't find a link for the the Noppoo Tank, but perhaps I encountered a temporary bout of blindness or numbness.

Cheers!

MECHANICAL USB numpad.

[R54]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

I figure if I'm going to bother getting a mechanical keyboard I might as well have all my keys mechanical.

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

First of all, why would my placement of the external keyboard make a difference in regards to the laptop? Just curious. Also, it varies: sometimes the laptop is to my left, sometimes it's across the room (when I'm using the keyboard from my couch or watching a movie). Also I couldn't find a link for the the Noppoo Tank, but perhaps I encountered a temporary bout of blindness or numbness.

Cheers!

MECHANICAL USB numpad.

Oh  well in that case, sointenly. I'd definitely consider it. What kind of Mechanical numpads are out there? The only thing I've found that was separate and caught my eye was the one logitech macro gamepad thing and the microsoft sidewinder (which had a detachable numpad). Pretty sure those are membrane, though.

Thanks!

[PointyFox]

Goldtouch....Kinesis...Adesso.. iOne Scorpius...

[FoxWolf1]

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

I figure if I'm going to bother getting a mechanical keyboard I might as well have all my keys mechanical.

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

First of all, why would my placement of the external keyboard make a difference in regards to the laptop? Just curious. Also, it varies: sometimes the laptop is to my left, sometimes it's across the room (when I'm using the keyboard from my couch or watching a movie). Also I couldn't find a link for the the Noppoo Tank, but perhaps I encountered a temporary bout of blindness or numbness.

Cheers!

Placement matters because, with the "keyboard on top of laptop" style, a bulky/tall keyboard will block the bottom of the screen. I got my Tank from qtan (here).

But yes, as Pointy says, a mechanical numberpad plus a tenkeyless keyboard is also an option worth considering. Off the top of my head, I know that you can get one with MX Blue from Adesso, for instance.

[R54]

Goldtouch....Kinesis...Adesso.. iOne Scorpius...

Alright I'll definitely consider it. Thanks again!

Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Rapid with Cherry MX blue keys.  Better build quality than the Rosewill and has media functions mapped to function keys.

Hmmm I'd rather have my numpad. Thanks for the suggestion though!

USB numpad?

I figure if I'm going to bother getting a mechanical keyboard I might as well have all my keys mechanical.

When using a keyboard with your laptop, do you put the keyboard in front of or on top of your laptop? If in front, a Noppoo Tank with MX Blue might be worth considering.

First of all, why would my placement of the external keyboard make a difference in regards to the laptop? Just curious. Also, it varies: sometimes the laptop is to my left, sometimes it's across the room (when I'm using the keyboard from my couch or watching a movie). Also I couldn't find a link for the the Noppoo Tank, but perhaps I encountered a temporary bout of blindness or numbness.

Cheers!

Placement matters because, with the "keyboard on top of laptop" style, a bulky/tall keyboard will block the bottom of the screen. I got my Tank from qtan (here).

But yes, as Pointy says, a mechanical numberpad plus a tenkeyless keyboard is also an option worth considering. Off the top of my head, I know that you can get one with MX Blue from Adesso, for instance.

Ohhhhhh, ok I understand. Nah I wouldn't put the keyboard on top of the laptop; it has enough issues with cooling anyways. I suppose I should note that I'm running the laptop essentially as a desktop: external speakers/keyboard/display with the laptop on a stand and external drives under it.

Cheers!

[dorkvader]

As much as I like the idea of a tenkeyless keyboard with an add-on tenkey, you might not want this for your laptop, having too many devices plugged in can get unwieldy.

On the flip side, if you don't use your tenkey that much (only for entering in lots of data, etc.) then getting one would be a great idea, as you can have a smaller and lighter keyboard, only whipping out your tenkey when you have need of it.
Just a thought. If you do go this route, you might want to get the CMstorm. It's a really good tenkeyless keyboard at a great price.