Author Topic: Advise on buying a small, backlit, gaming keyboard with macro keys on left (Read 4801 times)

Spokoman · « **on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 10:48:18 »

I'm looking to purchase my 1st mechanical keyboard, however I have specific requirements and I have not been able to find one that fits all.

I play SC2, and no I don't expect to hit masters just because I got a better keyboard... or do I...?

I have a slide out of the desk drawer, so there is not a lot of room for my keyboard and mouse. A standard keyboard is about 45 cm and I'm looking for something smaller. Probably a Tenkeyless.

Requirements:

small, like this http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=72
backlit - I play in the dark
has extra macro keys on the left-hand-side, like this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=23-839-012&nm_mc=EMC-GD040113&cm_mmc=EMC-GD040113-_-index-_-Item-_-23-839-012
budget: around $100
non-clicky, I guess only Cherry MX Blue is clicky

If one like that does not exist I will compromise, but I was wondering if anyone came across a keyboard like that.

rurushu · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 10:52:20 »

your description reminds me of KMAC mini....

just that the price is way out of your range... ^.^'''

esoomenona · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:01:08 »

Most keyboards that have macro keys on the left are going to be full sized, unfortunately.

esoomenona · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:02:05 »

Why not buy that Azio you posted? You can detach the numpad.

Spokoman · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:07:09 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:02:05

Why not buy that Azio you posted? You can detach the numpad.

That's true, the thing is I don't know the dimensions w/o the numpad. It still looks kind of big.

EDIT: Well actually they do list something there:
Keyboard Dimensions: 7.75" x 18.50"x 1.60" inches (LxWxH)
Keypad Dimensions: 6.75" x 5.50" x 1.60" inches (LxWxH)

So if I'm reading this right it's 18.5 - 5.5 = 13" = 33 cm
Hmm...

esoomenona · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:08:45 »

It's 18.5 inches.

Spokoman · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:15:37 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:08:45

It's 18.5 inches.

Ohh, I see. I thought the 18.5 was the the whole thing assembled. So 18.5 is too long.

esoomenona · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:18:10 »

Yeah, but not by much. Anyway, it's not backlit.

esoomenona · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:22:40 »

Razer Blackwidow Stealth Tournament, but no macro keys, which is stupid because the full size Stealth does. Razer is stupid.

Spokoman · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:28:34 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:22:40

Razer Blackwidow Stealth Tournament, but no macro keys, which is stupid because the full size Stealth does. Razer is stupid.

Yeah, I saw that one. I was like YES, when I saw the original and someone posted the TE is w/o numpad. Major disappointment.

tricheboars · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 11:47:02 »

yea.....

you want the KMAC Mini. it is exactly what you described, except the price part. you will need to quadruple it.

a 100 dollar budget is just not realistic for what you want at least not if you want LED back-lighting. that is a premium feature that has a large cost associated with it. the other stuff is doable i suppose, however i do not know a mech board maker that produces a t TKL with macro keys on the left side for under 100 bucks.

also, do what you want but personally i would never buy a keyboard made by razer (their mice are great though) or corsair.

FoxWolf1 · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 12:58:50 »

Dearmo Blade will have the shape you want and a backlight, but AFAIK it is not released yet, and I don't know what the price will be.

Tarzan · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 13:14:49 »

I've got a CM Storm Trigger keyboard for trade, that does most of what you've specified. Macro keys on the left (five of them...), red LED backlighting (multiple modes, if you care about that kind of thing), and it's definitely aimed at the gaming market. Oh, and it has Cherry MX Green switches.

Small? Not so much. It's a full-size board, attaching the stock wrist rest makes it wide AND tall. But three out of four criteria ain't bad! If you've got something to trade, let's chat.

)

Spokoman · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 13:24:22 »

Quote from: FoxWolf1 on Wed, 03 April 2013, 12:58:50

Dearmo Blade will have the shape you want and a backlight, but AFAIK it is not released yet, and I don't know what the price will be.

Oh snap, that's perfect! I'm curious about the price. I'd say the cut-off for me would be $130.

@Greystoke
Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately the size is the only thing I won't compromise on. I'm not going to buy a new desk

Tarzan · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 13:36:50 »

Quote from: Spokoman on Wed, 03 April 2013, 13:24:22

Quote from: FoxWolf1 on Wed, 03 April 2013, 12:58:50
Dearmo Blade will have the shape you want and a backlight, but AFAIK it is not released yet, and I don't know what the price will be.
Oh snap, that's perfect! I'm curious about the price. I'd say the cut-off for me would be $130.

@Greystoke
Thanks for the offer. Unfortunately the size is the only thing I won't compromise on. I'm not going to buy a new desk

Desk?! Pshhtt! What desk? You can't make decisions about keyboards based on FURNITURE, man!

No worries, I figured I'd throw the option out there. Good hunting!

esoomenona · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 14:18:38 »

I've been thinking, and maybe I'm wrong about the size of that Azio Levetron. Would you all think that 18.5" is the board with the numpad? Also, if it's just the board, you can make it smaller by detaching those side pieces, I imagine

Spokoman · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 15:06:30 »

What da hack is this? It might work:

http://www.hardcorecomputacion.com.ar/blog/otrasimagenes/x6side.jpg

esoomenona · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 15:08:13 »

I thought we were going for mechanical here?

Spokoman · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 15:16:16 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Wed, 03 April 2013, 15:08:13

I thought we were going for mechanical here?

We were. I posted this before looking it up and seeing it's not mechanical.... I got too excited

bazemk1979 · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 03 April 2013, 18:11:08 »

OP you got PM

omgFiRE · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 04 April 2013, 05:22:37 »

How about "tenkeyless" like this?

esoomenona · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 04 April 2013, 08:10:40 »

That makes me think of the CM QF TK. It doesn't have the macro keys on the left, but pretty much meets everything else. Are you okay with macros on the right? You should be able to use a program to customize them to your liking.

Spokoman · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 04 April 2013, 08:22:36 »

Quote from: esoomenona on Thu, 04 April 2013, 08:10:40

That makes me think of the CM QF TK. It doesn't have the macro keys on the left, but pretty much meets everything else. Are you okay with macros on the right? You should be able to use a program to customize them to your liking.

Yeah, I think that's the best one if I am to compromise on something. Macro on the right is not good. When I play Starcraft I have my left hand on the left side of the keyboard and my right hand on the mouse, so it would be nice to have macro on the right.

EDIT: OK, I think there's is nothing exactly like what I want out there, so between CM QF TK and Ducky Shine II I'm gonna go with the latter (if it's still available). The backlit modes just blew my mind. Too bad about the macro keys. Can't have everything.

Bullveyr · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 05 April 2013, 04:07:18 »

I would like that to happen with the GH60++.

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38847.msg800502#msg800502

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Author Topic: Advise on buying a small, backlit, gaming keyboard with macro keys on left (Read 4801 times)