Need help on choosing keyboard!

[linziyi]

Hi! I am currently looking for my first mechanical keyboard, price range below $100, preferably blue switches and includes a number pad! I don't really need backlight or media keys. I play piano so my fingers are accustomed to a high resistance (don't know what's the terminology in keyboard), so I'm looking for a very solid built keyboard. I don't mind buying used keyboards (Or should I buy a new one?) if the price is ok. Any suggestion for me?

Thanks in advance!

[DrakeMegrim]

Loads of people recommend QFR for boards so long as you don't want to do any modding. I love Leopold and their "spacier" TKL layout. My current board is a choc mini MX Blue and I don't really care for the condensed layout.

[Dreamre]

I would go with the QFR or you should consider getting the QuickFire Stealth (just came out, however, I think it's limited in stock).

As for the numpad, you don't REALLY need it. In my opinion, it's better without! Just need to learn to live without it .

[linziyi]

I would go with the QFR or you should consider getting the QuickFire Stealth (just came out, however, I think it's limited in stock).

As for the numpad, you don't REALLY need it. In my opinion, it's better without! Just need to learn to live without it .

But it doesn't have blue switches...

[Dreamre]

Both of them has blue switches .

[linziyi]

Both of them has blue switches .

What's the difference between stealth and the regular version? The internet says it's without "branding", why does that mean?

[Dreamre]

Both of them has blue switches .

What's the difference between stealth and the regular version? The internet says it's without "branding", why does that mean?

The stealth has the writing below the cap (on the front) similar to the Filco MJ2 Ninja and "branding" means the physical writing on the keyboard.

[The_Beast]

You might want to go for something with green or white switches. Both are clickly, but require more force and would more than likely be closer to a piano key. Blues may be too light for you

[noisyturtle]

You might actually consider a Unicomp BS board. High resist, totally satisfying to type on, and very affordable. The build quality is also exceptional and the board will likely last you a lifetime. They may not be the prettiest board on the block, but they feel great and are solid as a robots nipples.

[jabar]

I would recommend looking at used boards but the listings here get picked through very quickly. That and going used will involve a lot more research since you won't know what will become available. It depends how much time you want to spend; I'm still reading about keyboards and I already own 6 used (some vintage) boards.

Are you more of a gamer? FPS or MMO? Or do you mostly type? I've had no issues with Blues for either application although some can't game with them. Since you're interested in Blues, if you can pop into a local computer store like Micro Center or Fry's (not Best Buy), you should be able to play with a Razer Blackwidow which has MX Blues (don't buy Razer keyboards). Blues are extremely light and you will always bottom out if you are more accustomed to heavier resistance. MX Greens on the Cooler Master QFR or Trigger could be a good option for you (however, sustaining MX Greens for FPS gaming wore my hands out fast).

[linziyi]

I would recommend looking at used boards but the listings here get picked through very quickly. That and going used will involve a lot more research since you won't know what will become available. It depends how much time you want to spend; I'm still reading about keyboards and I already own 6 used (some vintage) boards.

Are you more of a gamer? FPS or MMO? Or do you mostly type? I've had no issues with Blues for either application although some can't game with them. Since you're interested in Blues, if you can pop into a local computer store like Micro Center or Fry's (not Best Buy), you should be able to play with a Razer Blackwidow which has MX Blues (don't buy Razer keyboards). Blues are extremely light and you will always bottom out if you are more accustomed to heavier resistance. MX Greens on the Cooler Master QFR or Trigger could be a good option for you (however, sustaining MX Greens for FPS gaming wore my hands out fast).

Thanks for reply! I mostly play RTS games like SC2 and Dota2. Green switches seem to fit me (again I don't really know) for its high resistance, are they only available on Cooler master keyboards?

[linziyi]

Guess I'll wait for a full size green switch keyboard for there is only QFR right now...

[Hour]

The Razer Blackwidow is an excellent starter keyboard, for below $100, blue switch and no backlight!

[knotra]

The Razer Blackwidow is an excellent starter keyboard, for below $100, blue switch and no backlight!

The Razer Blackwidow is an amateur mechanical keyboard. The backboard is cheap, the keycaps are cheap, and the overall keyboard is flimsy. To add to that, Blackwidows do have backlighting.

Blue switches are generally pretty light, so if you want keys with more resistance and feel like piano keys, try getting cherry mx greens, blacks, or whites.

These are a few places that sells good keyboards.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/index.php
http://www.daskeyboard.com/
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize

[linziyi]

Thanks for replies! I am now looking into a green switch keyboard, but unable to find an alternative to CM Storm's quickfire rapid, so I think I should wait a bit longer for a full size one.

[jabar]

At the moment it's either a Cooler Master QFR or Trigger for MX Greens. Ducky may have another round of fullsize PBT keycap MX Green boards but it won't be happening in the US for a while.

[linziyi]

Someone is offering a used QFR with filco ninja caps for $50 + shipping, is it a good deal (or is it a good idea for a new person to mech keyboards to buy a second hand keyboard)?

[czarek]

Buy Unicomp. You will get solid keyboard with great feel and top quality keycaps, to be honest best I've ever seen in industry (really even my HHKB's keys suck compared to pearl white Unicomp buttons).