Programmers and/or gamers. Opinion needed.

[Khanduras]

I'm fairly certain a few of you fit into one or both of these categories.  I've been trying to decide which switch type I like better and have been stuck between reds and blues.  I currently like the audible click of the blues, but am slightly afraid I'll tire of using them after a prolonged period.  The red doesn't feel as good as the blue does to me, but it's way better than greens, browns and blacks.

So, anyone who fits into one of the aforementioned categories, which switch type do you like best and why?  Please let me know your thoughts.  Thanks!

[IvanIvanovich]

Get both. I use reds at home, and modified lighter whites on my work keyboard.

[Acetrak]

What kind of games do you play? It will depend on personal preference too. I personally can and have game on blues and even BS keyboards without problems.

[Lighthouse1]

Developer (play some games) and I use browns at work and blues at home. I haven't tried reds so can't comment on those I am afraid. I enjoy the blues a lot but they are a little loud for the office and actually when keying in a lot of stuff the browns are slick.

To be honest the biggest difference for me was actually the keycaps and replacing those, I had no idea they would make such a difference from stock ones.

[davkol]

I'm just a CS student and casual RTS/RPG player, and reds are by far my favorite switch... I want to try ergo clears though.

Tactile bump on MX Blue or white ALPS feels very annoying to me when using hotkeys, and I certainly use hotkeys more than only type.

[Khanduras]

To be honest the biggest difference for me was actually the keycaps and replacing those, I had no idea they would make such a difference from stock ones.

If you don't mind me asking, what keyboard do you have that you replaced the keycaps on?  And which keycaps did you switch to?

[Khanduras]

I'm just a CS student and casual RTS/RPG player, and reds are by far my favorite switch...

I think I may have to agree with you on that one.  Seems I might be going after reds.  Now I just need to find a decent backlit keyboard (preferably blue or white) with Cherry MX Reds.  Dedicated media keys would be a plus since I tend to use them a lot (especially volume controls), but aren't exactly necessary.  Oh, and since I do a lot of coding involving math, a numpad is a requirement.  Time to go shopping!  If anyone has some suggestion in the meantime, please do let me know.

[Squelos]

Your going to pay a little extra for the backlighting. And then do you really need it ?
Reds seem like a good choice. Reds + o-rings hummmmmmm.

Concerning the Numpad, I would recommend giving it an extra shot. Do you really need to ?  Because the numpad is really quite easily replaceable.
I thought the numpad was mandatory, until I got a TKL board, ever since, I never use numpads.

Same goes for the media keys. Sometimes they are a nice addition, but on most boards, you wont find any. With most software, you can map your own key combos, so that isnt really a problem.

Just got for the board that matches your price, and is well built. You will be happy with it

[babyhands]

CS major here, as well as pretty hardcore gamer: I have owned reds, blues, and browns, browns are my favorite, then blues, then reds. Reds don't feel good to me at all. I seem to love the click of the blues more and more, so I don't think you will tire of it. I play SC2, and DOTA if that helps. Though I used to play WoW and Counter strike as well. I don't understand all the rage of getting linear switches for gaming, i would take a tactile switch any day

[Toasts]

CS major here, as well as pretty hardcore gamer: I have owned reds, blues, and browns, browns are my favorite, then blues, then reds. Reds don't feel good to me at all. I seem to love the click of the blues more and more, so I don't think you will tire of it. I play SC2, and DOTA if that helps. Though I used to play WoW and Counter strike as well. I don't understand all the rage of getting linear switches for gaming, i would take a tactile switch any day

Yea MX browns my favouirte too, they are perfect. I'm also a CS student and play a lot of SC2 + other games

[daerid]

Full time developer for the last 14 or so years.

Favorite switch? Topre 55g. Favorite Cherry Switch? Brown

[ktownhero]

Developer and Gamer here. 

Favorite switch is Topre overall, but Cherry MX Brown is my favorite from that line.  Reds feel like mush, and blues are a bit loud.  Brown is as easy to type on as red, has a "feel" to it like blue, and is somewhere in the middle as far as noise.  It's pretty much the perfect switch... except Topre. 

I use a Realforce 87U Silent at work and a Coolermaster Storm Trigger with Browns at home.  Happy with both keyboards, except now I want to switch to tenkeyless at home.  Topre ideally, but if I can't find a deal on one then I'll probably grab a Leopold or CM QFR with browns. 

[Dubsgalore]

Gamer here

I like Blacks for my FPS games,

and Clears for any other game i play

[Lighthouse1]

To be honest the biggest difference for me was actually the keycaps and replacing those, I had no idea they would make such a difference from stock ones.

If you don't mind me asking, what keyboard do you have that you replaced the keycaps on?  And which keycaps did you switch to?

I had a QFR to start with and I first had a WASD keyset replacement as the font bugged me for no real reason (in grey, nice caps). Now I have a Cherry DS set on that one (in black). My neighbour at work has borrowed that one and I have a Filco with browns with a black and white DS set on it. I am intending to give it the Klaxon red set when that arrives, first group buy.

I also have a Filco at home and it has a 'being assembled' white and grey set that comes from the older boards. I like the weight and feel more with these keys they feel great. The downside is trying to complete a set so this board looks a little patchworky! I know people say they like textured keys but I quite like the feel of the older smoother ones.

[Macsmasher]

Full time developer and play FPS games a couple times per week.

Cherry brown was my preferred switch for gaming and work. But I moved to Topre switches about four months ago and haven't pulled out a Cherry board since. No reason to. Audi and Subaru both have all wheel drive and essentially accomplish the same thing. And Subaru is a great car. But if you owned both, would you ever drive the Subaru?

[domoaligato]

I use reds for everything. I play cs:go with them and also use them at work.
I must say that the O-ring mod and having a PBT keyset makes a 100% difference in the way it feels to type on.
with reds the o-ring mod helps give a softer landing so you do not bottom out as much.
IMO ABS keycaps feel cheap and hollow.

know matter what keyboard you get I would recommend you checkout feng's ebay or qtan's estore/ebay.
they sell great PBT keycaps at reasonable prices. they are both great guys to deal with.

[otaconskeyboard]

SW engineer and gamer here. I use MX Blacks for both tasks at home.

[remmeh]

Definitely reds for home... I tried using ergo clears at home but always felt like it required a ton of effort to overcome the bump on the clear stem.

I use a mix of clear/ergo-clear at work.

[davkol]

Cherry brown was my preferred switch for gaming and work. But I moved to Topre switches about four months ago and haven't pulled out a Cherry board since. No reason to. Audi and Subaru both have all wheel drive and essentially accomplish the same thing. And Subaru is a great car. But if you owned both, would you ever drive the Subaru?

Subaru FTW!