Looking for a new Keyboard....

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Drengarblar

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I'm looking for a new keyboard but don't know which one to get. Just a few questions I need help answering:

1. Mechanical or Rubber Dome, what's the difference?
2. Cherry MX or Linear? I'm confused on this
3. What could I get that's under $150 CA?
4. What would you recommend?

What do you guys/gals use? Thanks!
 

RivaCom

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I haven't jumped on the Mechanical scene either and would be interested in hearing the pluses over keyboards like mine (g15).
 
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Dude

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Mechanical all the way! I used to have a rubber dome, and I have owned a few mechanical keyboards. Mechanical keyboards are superior in a ton of ways: They are more comfy, they don't wear out as much, some give feedback when you press them, etc.

The only downsides are the price and features (for instance, I don't think there's a mech keyboard with a screen, but you can use Roccat Powergrid on your phone for that ;))

Now, when you want to buy a mechanical keyboard, you first have to consider which switch you like. There are 4 common types: Blue, red, black and brown (all are Cerry MX). Blues are normally loved by typists as they give a satisfying click as you press them (some find this annoying). Browns are like blues, but without the click (you still feel some tactile feedback when pressing down on a key). Then the reds and blacks are both linear, making them perfect for shooters since you can double tap quite easily. The only difference between the blacks and the reds are how much force you have to apply before it goes down.

For more info: http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

I used to have reds, blues and I now have browns. I liked the reds, but I can see how someone can dislike them, seeing as they are often pressed accidentally (you get used to it though). The blues were very satisfying, but my mic kept picking up the clicks so I switched to browns, which I like very much. If you want to know what you would like, just go to a store and try some switches out :)


As for keyboards, Corsair would be a good brand, I love their build quality. The Razer keyboards switched to their own switches (no pun intended) instead of cherry mx so I wouldn't know about the switches. I had a Blackwidow though (they used to have cherry mx blue switches), but I didn't really like synapse and how some keys were painted. I now have a Logitech G710+ which I really like.

Corsair will be releasing the very first cherry mx RGB backlit keyboard, so if you like pretty colors, keep an eye out for that (I know I will ;))

I also heard good stuff about Ducky keyboards, but they don't sell those here I beleive so I never got one.

So yeah, switch to mechanical, you won't regret it ;)
 
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Dude

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You're welcome ^^ let me know if you have any further questions :)
 
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poispois

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I was considering to buy one for my self, maybe not right now but still that really helped. I knew mechanical was a good choice but that was it. thanks @Dude

how much money am I expected to spend to get not a top of the line but a decent keyboard?
 

RivaCom

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My issue is, how do you know without spending hundreds of dollars.
 
F

foo

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I've got a G150, the Windoze key broke after less than a year. It's great for gaming but it's not very hard wearing. I'm getting a mechanical one next.
 
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Drengarblar

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My issue is, how do you know without spending hundreds of dollars.
Most stores have them on display. Even if its not the model you are looking for, you could test out the key styles to feel how comfortable they are. At least I know my computer has a display (Canada Computers
 

RivaCom

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lol, define stores? Only electronic store within a few hours drive is BestBuy, which I have yet to see much stuff on display besides a couple of mice.
 
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Drengarblar

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lol, define stores? Only electronic store within a few hours drive is BestBuy, which I have yet to see much stuff on display besides a couple of mice.

Oh ok. You dont have any small computer type stores around your area?
 
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Dude

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@poispois I heard CM Storm made some decent mechanical key, they are around 70-100 € (don't think they'll be that much more expensive in $). To be perfectly honest, you cannot really go super wrong as long as you make sure the switches are Cherry MX switches. All my mechanical keyboards so far were in the 100-150 range, which means you'll (in general) get more features like backlighting (only in 1 color atm), Macro keys, media keys, etc.

@RivaCom You can always order online and send it back if you don't like the switches ^^ but generally, what I would recommend: Blacks and Reds if you mostly play fps (they are not too great for typing, and not as satisfying for typing), Blues for typing and if you like to know when you have pressed a button, Browns if you want to feel a little bump when you have activated a switch, but you don't want the click (like the blues have).
 
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Drengarblar

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Brown switches are like an in between of Blue and Red switches correct? I play MMOs mostly which mostly requires numeral button mashing and I have a G600 gaming mouse so I dont use my keyboard all that much for numeral button mashing. In this case maybe going with Blue or brown keys might be the best :p
 

RivaCom

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Do the keys pop off or something? How do you mix?

@Dude What if someone plays every genre? MMO and FPS are my main loves but I also play many different games.
 
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Dude

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@Drengarblar Yeah, they are. If you have a mic which stands on your desk, I would not recommend blues as they make a ton of noise.

@RivaCom Do you mean the keycaps or the switches? Because the switches are just build into the keyboard, the keycaps are easily removable if you have a special removal tool, a knife, or long nails ;).

Well, it's all preference but you might like Blacks or Reds, although most people prefer a tactile (Blues and Browns) switch. If you also type a lot on your keyboard, go with Blues or Browns, especially the blues will give you a good typing experience.
 

RivaCom

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@Dude you talk about multiple colors, how do you mix colors on a keyboard? Or are keyboards sold as mixed keys, or are you just comparing.
 

RivaCom

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@Dude so above you mention "but generally, what I would recommend: Blacks and Reds " Are you saying get Black or Red, or is there a keyboard that mixes them?
 
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Dude

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@RivaCom I mean get Black or Red, as far as I know there are no hybrid keyboards out there. Although I did have a Corsair K90 which had rubber dome and mechanical switches, but that one has been replaced by the K95, which is fully mechanical.
 
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