Good keyboard (and possibly mouse) under $100.

[GildedSpaceHydra]

I'm looking for a PC keyboard and possibly also a mouse, and I have a firm budget of $100 (though I would prefer to spend as little as possible to meet my gaming and typing needs. 

I've heard great things about mechanical keyboards, but am not certain whether I actually need one enough to spend the extra money. I have large hands, am clumsy, and do a lot of typing, so I'm potentially interested in tactile switches such as Cherry MX browns or blues. I also prefer to have a number pad if possible.

Gaming is something I do for fun - I am not a super competitive player who enters tournaments or anything. I play mostly single player RPGs, emulators, and weird indie stuff, though I dabble in mech, FPS, and RTS as well. I don't have a particularly strong interest in MMOs or MOBAs, though I'm not completely writing off the idea that I may dabble in them someday.

Im potentially interested in backlighting for visibility in the dark (blue/green/white preferred over red/purple/yellow) but it isn't strictly necessary, and - while I see the appeal of being able to light specific regions in different colors - I would happily forego that option to cut cost. I have no interest whatsoever in gimmicky light show effects.

I've heard good things about the Corsair Strafe, but am a little concerned at paying $90 for a keyboard that might fatigue my eyes with its angry red glow. The RGB model is over my budget, and I'm not to keen on paying extra for unnecessary light effects to begin with. I'm definitely interested in cheaper, less flashy, and/or less angry-looking alternatives.

If necessary I can wait on purchasing a mouse, as I already have a cheap wireless one I can use for the time being. I've been looking at gaming mice, but again am not sure I actually need a special mouse. Models I've looked at include TeckNet Raptor (very cheap, a little ugly, but at least not red), Redragon M601 (cheap, but very very red), SteelSeries Rival 100 ($30, normal looking), Razer DeathAdder Essential ($40, relatively normal looking, highly recommended, rumors of quality control issues?) or Chroma ($50, supposedly built better?). Not sure I'm willing to pay $60 for the buglike Logitech G502 Proteus Spectrum and Corsair M65 Pro, or the more traditional looking Zowie Gear mouse. I'd gladly use a robo-insectoid looking mouse if it was a good affordable product, but am skeptical of whether I need a gaming mouse enough to shell out extra for one.

Any advice, especially on a good full-sized keyboard, is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[sems]

Take a look at Logitech's G303 Daedalus Apex. I'm really fond of this mice. If I upgrade someday, G403 looks awesome too but for the price, It's hard to beat that 303.

[GildedSpaceHydra]

Take a look at Logitech's G303 Daedalus Apex. I'm really fond of this mice. If I upgrade someday, G403 looks awesome too but for the price, It's hard to beat that 303.

Will check into it, thanks.

[tp4tissue]

If you're handy.. Check out my Ergopwn 9000 in the signature below.. //BEST MOUSE 

[PharaoRamsesII]

I can warmly recommend the MxBoard 3.0 as a keyboard. I've been using one for 2 years now and I am still very pleased with typing experience on MX Browns. I also gamed a lot and enjoyed it a lot. Don't know about the prices in your region tho.

Should be in your budget tho. Also: It is full size.
I put some standard profile Chetry Keycaps from a MX1800 on the board tho. The MXBoard flat keycaps are nice tho. But i just wanted to mix things up a lil'

[GildedSpaceHydra]

I can warmly recommend the MxBoard 3.0 as a keyboard. I've been using one for 2 years now and I am still very pleased with typing experience on MX Browns. I also gamed a lot and enjoyed it a lot. Don't know about the prices in your region tho.

Should be in your budget tho. Also: It is full size.
I put some standard profile Chetry Keycaps from a MX1800 on the board tho. The MXBoard flat keycaps are nice tho. But i just wanted to mix things up a lil'

Thanks, this looks like a pretty viable option.

[Weltschmerz]

If you're looking for a great keyboard and mouse setup for under $100 dollars I would suggest
Mouse: Corsair m65, highly accurate laser, fantastic build quality, has served me well for a couple years now at least
Keyboard: Dell AT101W from ebay. You can typically get these (usually with black alps, I believe) for around $40 on ebay. They will have better build quality and switches than the majority of cherry keyboards, especially for much less. Of course since it's from the 90s, it does not have rgb lighting or any lights at all

Wish you luck on your quest, mechanical keyboards are worth every penny

[DRAZAH]

Qisan MagicForce 68(or full size) w/ Gateron Browns & Logitech G402 / G303 / G102

[digi]

Don't waste time saving money on cherry stuff, pony up the extra cash and get yourself a Realforce 55g. All your gonna end up doing is selling the inferior boards until you've reached the pinnacle of the keyboard game...there, just saved you time and money.

[Leslieann]

Qisan MagicForce 68(or full size) w/ Gateron Browns & Logitech G402 / G303 / G102

This..
Though if you want Bues get the Outemus. I paid $40 for mine.
If you want a wireless mouse, the G700s can often be found for $60.

[happylacquer]

OP the best thing you can do is try as many different kinds of switches as you can and see what you like best. visit a computer store, keyboard cons, buy and return on amazon, whatever it takes... Nobody will be able to tell you what you'll like the most... Especially when you haven't tried any of them.

edit: FPS gamer here who hates blues

[Leslieann]

Good point above.
If you are unsure though, many including myself recommend browns. From there you can decide if you prefer linear, tactile, stiffer or softer. It's kind of the middle of everything switch. I would advice staying clear of blue since you do play some FPS, it's terrible for that. I could have sworn I saw this post and read it, but had no ability to respond at the time, maybe I confused it with another, hence my mentioning of blues before and now retracting that suggestion.

Anyhow...
One other thing regarding backlighting.
I've had several with it and while nice on occasion, for the most part, it's pointless, given a choice of low price or better quality, take the better quality, you will get more from it.  That said, your backlighting color choices may not be such a good choice either. White and blues if used at night will disrupt your sleep patterns, your eyes constrict, making your brain think it's still sunny outside.   Red is actually easier on the eyes, and allow you to focus on the screen brightness rather than the glare from the keyboard.

[1391406]

Massdrop is selling the Glorious Modular Keyboard for $74.99 with 3 days left to nab one. It ships with Gateron Browns and has red backlighting.