Picking a Mechanical Keyboard

[kittykatmax]

I'm old enough that I remember typing on the Old IBM Model M keyboards and I always loved the feel and sound.  I still regret not taking a few when we tossed out boxes of them (I know, the horror!).  I have (like many) been using dome switch keyboards for quite some time, but my out-of-warranty Logitech G19 died today and I'm going back to my keyboard roots.   I was debating between Cherry Blue and Cherry Brown switch keyboards, but my research seems to indicate Cherry Browns are good for gaming and typing, and of course are less noisy than Cherry Blues. I do NOT want to start a massive keyboard collection, so whatever I choose can't be a one-trick pony.  I also don't want a "combo" mechanical/dome keyboard (I know some of the gaming keyboards are like that) because I would find it distracting/annoying.

I was considering the Tesoro Durandal Ultimate G1NL Red Led Back-lit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, which comes in Cherry Blue and Cherry Brown varieties (attractive, USB ports, back-lit - even headphone and microphone ports), but am not familiar with the brand and for all I know, you might recommend something other than Cherry Brown or Blue based on my needs.

Considerations:

• I play World of Warcraft pretty heavily (I have a G13 game pad and a G700 gaming mouse, so  "G" or macro keys not needed).
• Need a number pad but am willing to also invest in a dedicated number pad.
• I sometimes need to use Ventrilo (verbal chat room) and use a (Samson Go) desktop mic.
• I use Input Director KVM software.
• I am a fast touch typist (was a secretary back in my IBM Model M days before going into IT).
• I share an office with my husband.  That said, we mostly are gaming when sharing the room and there are two gaming PCs running - not super noisy, but not dead quiet, either.  Hubby claims a "clacky" keyboard wouldn't bug him.
• I prefer something back-lit since I often game in a dark room, but can live without it if it means getting a superior keyboard otherwise.
• Would like to be able to change caps.
• USB ports are a bonus.
• Needs to have decently long cable(s) or be extension cable friendly
• I would prefer to spend less over more (don't we all), but definitely under $200.

I welcome and appreciate your assistance!

[Binge]

Matias Quiet Pro

http://www.matias.ca/quietpro/

[tp4tissue]

Matias Quiet Pro

http://www.matias.ca/quietpro/

ONLY if you're SURE that you don't want custom caps.

[kittykatmax]

I would like the option to change caps.

[uzoc]

Matias Quiet Pro

http://www.matias.ca/quietpro/

ONLY if you're SURE that you don't want custom caps.

Yeah, they should really have at least white (so I can mix them)...

[Binge]

I would like the option to change caps.

You do have the option, they do have white keys available, but good luck finding people to make custom keycaps.   cuuuustttooommmm.  Still removable and replaceable.

You also said, " I do NOT want to start a massive keyboard collection, so whatever I choose can't be a one-trick pony."

Good luck rationalizing one keyboard with custom keycaps :d

[o2dazone]

Considerations:

• I play World of Warcraft pretty heavily (I have a G13 game pad and a G700 gaming mouse, so  "G" or macro keys not needed).

I also play WoW. Honestly, any keyboard fits here. Unless you're looking for features when...hey, you shouldn't be taking your eyes off the screen either <stealthed rogue>

• Need a number pad but am willing to also invest in a dedicated number pad.

If you NEED a number pad, then it's a little bit different than investing in a dedicated. Would the price be the difference? A cheap TKL + tenkey pad vs a full size?

• I sometimes need to use Ventrilo (verbal chat room) and use a (Samson Go) desktop mic.

Not sure where a keyboard would fit here. Even really big keyboards still have room around them enough for a mic to be within distance

• I use Input Director KVM software.

This is actually a big one. Some of my mechanical boards had issues with my KVM (couldn't give you the model unfortunately). But my Cherry G80-3000 had this issue. Not sure why.

• I am a fast touch typist (was a secretary back in my IBM Model M days before going into IT).

So...a keyboard with keys. Got it

• I share an office with my husband.  That said, we mostly are gaming when sharing the room and there are two gaming PCs running - not super noisy, but not dead quiet, either.  Hubby claims a "clacky" keyboard wouldn't bug him.

I haven't met anyone who was personally annoyed by hearing a keyboard. But if he is, it might be good you stick with a switch you can eventually silence. Like Topre, Cherry (not blue), or Alps. Or Buckling Spring..you can silence them quite a bit, with little effect of the switch itself.

• I prefer something back-lit since I often game in a dark room, but can live without it if it means getting a superior keyboard otherwise.

That can narrow your options quite a bit, and also drive up the price.

• Would like to be able to change caps.

Cherry is the switch with the largest aftermarket for keycaps. You can get Topre switches but keycaps are expensive. Buckling spring the selection is limited (with really only variance to color, and no letters)

• USB ports are a bonus.

If not required, that can broaden your selection.

• Needs to have decently long cable(s) or be extension cable friendly

If you get a board that has a modular cable, you can get whatever size cable you need. Extending a USB board is rarely an issue.

• I would prefer to spend less over more (don't we all), but definitely under $200.

Fair. So no HHKB's or Realforces unless they're used.



With all this said, Cherry switches (not blue) would be easy to silence if the sound is an issue, and the range of keycaps are very wide and cheap. And most boards are made with them. A lot of Cherry boards come with backlighting, which isn't a deal breaker for you but a nice to have.

http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-Mechanical-SGK-4020-GKCL1-US/dp/B00A378L4C

The Quckfire TK offers backlighting, numpad (with integrated arrow cluster, read more about it), and media keys. It comes with a detachable cable, so you can get whatever length you're comfortable with. CoolerMaster also offers a Trigger which is a bit bigger. You can see the specs of each of their boards further down on this page

the only thing the CM Quickfire series doesn't cover is the open question about KVM's, you'll definitely need to research that. I'm sure there's more boards, but thats the only one that comes to mind.

You can also try your hand at your standard decently-built Leopold TKL's. They're a bit cheaper than Filco's, so it'll give you a little bit of budget to add a numpad.
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless

Also, you mentioned being able to use your desk mic. If form factor is a requirement, there are a lot of smaller backlit Cherry boards available. But you typically sacrifice a number pad, or arrow cluster, and requires a slight adjustment. My girlfriend uses a Poker, and plays WoW. She doesn't miss the arrow cluster at all, and she never really needed to learn the "activating arrows" portion. So it all depends on what you're comfortable with.

Good luck, and hope you find the right board!

[kittykatmax]

o2dazone, thanks for the responses.   I had read that some Cherry MX switches were better for typing, while others were better for gaming (and that Cherry MX Browns, for example, were decent with both), which is why I mentioned that I wanted something that would be decent for gaming AND plain old typing.  In terms of Ventrilo, desk space isn't a concern, I've just heard some people say mechanical keyboards can be so loud as to interfere with voice communications.  I didn't know if Cherry MX Browns would be too loud and wind up overpoweringly loud/distracting if I talked and typed at the same time while in Ventrilo or Skype.

I use the number pad for keybinds in WoW (and for entering numbers - go figure. ).  Didn't know if there were otherwise great mechanical keyboards that came in tenkeyless forms only, so I was just indicating that I would be willing to go with a tenkeyless and augment with a dedicated numerical keypad.

I had been looking at the CM keyboards.  Good to know they're a solid options.

[o2dazone]

I haven't personally owned CM boards, but a friend has. From what I've seen, they offer great construction and quality, and nice features, for a low price, backed by a bigger company. They're plate mount, which means the board is more rigid, and doesn't flex when keys are being mashed.

Cherry MX switches are very subjective as to what people find suitable for gaming vs typing. The general concensus is that linear switches (cherry mx black and red) are better for gaming, due to no actuation point. And tactile switches (cherry mx blue, brown, clear, green) are better for typing, purely for the tactile feedback when a key is depressed. Blues and Greens are naturally "clicky" in the sense that an audible 'click' is produced from inside the switch. Those are much more difficult to silence, as it requires opening the swich. With reds blacks browns clears, the only "sound" made is the key bottoming out, which is easier to quiet because you can dampen somewhere outside of the housing of the switch (such as rubber orings on the stems of the keycaps).

This is purely my opinion, but I find browns to be suitable for both gaming and typing. They are tactile, but the bump is so subtle, that it's hardly noticeable during gaming. Ergoclears are also nice, but require opening the switch and doing a bunch of leg work, so I'm not counting that

Good luck!

[tp4tissue]

I haven't personally owned CM boards, but a friend has. From what I've seen, they offer great construction and quality, and nice features, for a low price, backed by a bigger company. They're plate mount, which means the board is more rigid, and doesn't flex when keys are being mashed.

Cherry MX switches are very subjective as to what people find suitable for gaming vs typing. The general concensus is that linear switches (cherry mx black and red) are better for gaming, due to no actuation point. And tactile switches (cherry mx blue, brown, clear, green) are better for typing, purely for the tactile feedback when a key is depressed. Blues and Greens are naturally "clicky" in the sense that an audible 'click' is produced from inside the switch. Those are much more difficult to silence, as it requires opening the swich. With reds blacks browns clears, the only "sound" made is the key bottoming out, which is easier to quiet because you can dampen somewhere outside of the housing of the switch (such as rubber orings on the stems of the keycaps).

This is purely my opinion, but I find browns to be suitable for both gaming and typing. They are tactile, but the bump is so subtle, that it's hardly noticeable during gaming. Ergoclears are also nice, but require opening the switch and doing a bunch of leg work, so I'm not counting that

Good luck!

There should just be a BIG BANNER at the top of GH that says...

"Keyboard Recommendation Thread?.... HAVE you seen the QFR, if Yes, BUY, if No, look up, then BUY"