$150 Best Buy Gift Card, and wanting a new keyboard

[schild]

New board arrived today.  It definitely is weird typing on something with proper key action/responsiveness as opposed to mush and it's going to take some adjustment on my side.  That said, the increase in my typing speed is fairly dramatic.    The only downside is that my wife my kill me as it definitely is clicky. 

Tell her to get one, so she can understand why you'd want it.

Of course, the other option is to replace the wife.

[stu]

Bampf!

I gave my old keyboard away to a friend who wanted it as a housewarming gift, so now I'm in the market for something new. Since I generally play while sitting on a bean bag, I was thinking something heavy like the Cyborg (almost 5 lbs.!) would be a sturdy fit. The independent WASD lighting is a plus although it looks kinda like something out of The Last Starfighter.

I just wanted to check in here and see if anyone had any more recent suggestions now that some time has passed. I was >< close to getting a Customizer, but I think it's out.

[JWIV]

Bampf!

I gave my old keyboard away to a friend who wanted it as a housewarming gift, so now I'm in the market for something new. Since I generally play while sitting on a bean bag, I was thinking something heavy like the Cyborg (almost 5 lbs.!) would be a sturdy fit. The independent WASD lighting is a plus although it looks kinda like something out of The Last Starfighter.

I just wanted to check in here and see if anyone had any more recent suggestions now that some time has passed. I was >< close to getting a Customizer, but I think it's out.

My unicomp is holding up extremely well - after a few months of daily usage it still feels brand new.   When I get some extra cash in my pocket, I'm most likely going to pick up a second one for work  and my coworkers can suck it up.

[JWIV]

This bodes ill.   Wife for whatever reason had to use my machine and just texted me that she really liked my keyboard.    I wonder if I'm about to lose it.

[apocrypha]

Bumping this old thread, sorry!

My venerable old blue-light G15 is dying    The backlight has started to flicker madly on the right hand side, some of the keys aren't very reliable any more and lots of the paint on the keys has worn off.

I'm really struggling to find a replacement! I need decent backlighting and I would really prefer a volume control dial/knob rather than +/- buttons, and I could also do with something a bit smaller than this G15. I'd also really like height/angle adjustable feet so I can angle it up slightly.

Not bothered with macro keys or LCD screen - the only useful thing the LCD ever did for me was when I used TeamSpeak/Vent in EVE and it let me see who was speaking, but I have dual monitors now so voice comms is always on a separate screen, and I don't play EVE any more anyway.

The Saitek Cyborg actually sounded like a winner, but it's very large and I can't find it available in the UK at the moment. Plus it looks like arse. The Microsoft Sidewinder X6 looks like a possibility but I've read quite a few reviews saying that it breaks very easily. Anyone have one of these and can comment on it?

Other than that I'm out on a limb, anyone got anything new to add to what's already in this thread?

[Pennilenko]

My Razor Lycosa has been very good in the plain/high quality department with strong backlight.

[apocrypha]

Cool, does it have legs at the back to angle it up? Can't tell from any of the pictures online :/

[Engels]

I had bad bad luck with my Razer Lycosa keyboard. The 'w' key got stuck within 2 months and had to be trashed. I'm currently using a vanilla MS ergo.

Logitech keyboard quality seems to have gone into the shitter, too. I tested a bunch that they had up at Fry's and every single one feels cheap/flimsy.

So I'm of absolutely no help at all. Thanks for reading! 

[apocrypha]

I had bad bad luck with my Razer Lycosa keyboard. The 'w' key got stuck within 2 months and had to be trashed. I'm currently using a vanilla MS ergo.

That is also what I am reading in a LOT of reviews of the Razer keyboards, and the Microsoft ones, and now Logitech too.

That IBM one is starting to look like a more attractive option....

[Rasix]

My first g15 had the m key go dead.  Replaced it and haven't had any problems, but only feature I get any use out of is the backlighting.

Hated my Razor, mostly due to the coating on it. It died when my cat knocked over a glass of OJ on it.

[Tarami]

I got a KeyTronic ErgoForce which I've had since '96. Apparently it's indestrucible.

[MisterNoisy]

I got a KeyTronic ErgoForce which I've had since '96. Apparently it's indestrucible.

Hah.  That's been my experience with Keytronic keyboards too.  They're super basic, but that's the only keyboard I know won't shit the bed eventually.

Apocrypha, you could do way worse than the Sidewinder X6 - I've been using mine for quite some time now with no issues.  It's got knobs for both the volume controls and baclkighting , but you're shit out of luck if you need to elevate the back.  I actually find the removable number pad pretty handy, if only because I can leave it unattached if I need to temporarily make room for other peripherals.

[apocrypha]

Cool, thanks Noisy, it has been tempting me. I'll try and find one in a shop I can play with :)

[WayAbvPar]

It seems like all the gadget-y gaming keyboards are all flat. I had an ergonomic keyboard foisted upon me at work 10 years ago, and now can't type on a flat one for shit. My home keyboard (Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite) seems to have a dead l-alt key, which is annoying me and seems to be a good reason to invest in a new one. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't need a million macro keys or an LED screen, but a few programmable keys would be nice.

[Sky]

I can't for the life of me think why Apple hasn't released a $200 wireless keyboard w/ the macbook track pad integrated.

Just to update this, they do have a bluetooth version of the multi-touch trackpad for $70.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC380?mco=MTM3NDcxNzI

I'm still using the keyboard I linked and loving it. Bought one for everyone in the building and they all love them, not a single person asked for their old keyboard back.

[Engels]

It seems like all the gadget-y gaming keyboards are all flat. I had an ergonomic keyboard foisted upon me at work 10 years ago, and now can't type on a flat one for shit. My home keyboard (Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite) seems to have a dead l-alt key, which is annoying me and seems to be a good reason to invest in a new one. Anyone have any suggestions? I don't need a million macro keys or an LED screen, but a few programmable keys would be nice.

You're in Seattle, right? Fry's in Renton has more Microsoft Natural Keyboards in stock. The old school kind. Look pretty sturdy. I picked up one. They come with a PS/2 jack and a USB adapter! 

[WayAbvPar]

I was hoping for some goodies on it, but I might just get a straight replacement. <3 Fry's. Especially during the summmer- A/C always has it about 65 degrees in there!

[Salamok]

The new Logitech g510 keyboard looks pretty sweet, back to 18 macro keys (yay!) and added multicolor back lighting.

[Segoris]

For anyone still thinking about a KB, through tomorrow Newegg has a Logitech G15 for $40 after coupon+MIR ($80, then $20 mail in rebate, and apply code EMCYTZT93 at check out). At that price, I'd say that is a damn good deal. Only 6 macro keys, but for most people that is enough, I know I'm happy with the one I bought for $50 a few weeks ago (dented box + coupon code that was available).

[Thrawn]

For anyone still thinking about a KB, through tomorrow Newegg has a Logitech G15 for $40 after coupon+MIR ($80, then $20 mail in rebate, and apply code EMCYTZT93 at check out). At that price, I'd say that is a damn good deal. Only 6 macro keys, but for most people that is enough, I know I'm happy with the one I bought for $50 a few weeks ago (dented box + coupon code that was available).

Really debating taking advantage of this but I'm just not sure if I'd use it enough to even spend the $40.  Th reviews for the "version 2" G15 are spotty, I already can do macros on my Nostromo if I really want, and I'm running 3 monitors so I'm not likely to get much use out of the LCD that I couldn't just throw up on a side screen instead.  Also I'm pretty strapped for cash atm, but hey, thats never stopped me before!

[MisterNoisy]

The Unicomp Customizer I ordered over the weekend just showed up.  I picked it up to replace the PoS Dell keyboard I've been using at work, but goddamn if I didn't hook it up to my new gaming box to test it out.  There's no substitute for the buckling springs.

[apocrypha]

I ordered a Microsoft X6 in the end, it too arrived yesterday. I like it. I rarely use the numpad so I've just removed it which makes it take up considerably less desk space than the G15 did.

The red/amber backlight is nice and bright, with a nice big brightness dial. The volume dial is nice, although it lags a bit and the key action is comfortable. It's also nice and quiet which is nice.

[Segoris]

Not really worth a new thread, but still, this looks neat. Also, iirc, people around here like mechanical keyboards, so here is a Mechanical Keyboard by Razer. Here is one to keep in mind if in the market for a new keyboard soon, it releases next month.

Personally, I think I may try the basic version since I hate the placement of the usb/audio, and don't really have a need for them on a keyboard anyways. Which leaves the ultimate's only addition of interest to me would be backlit keys which are nice, but not $50 more nice.

Press release in spoiler:


About the Razer BlackWidow
About the Razer BlackWidow Ultimate

Images (they both look the same, but the ultimate has the usb/audio on the right side of the keyboard seen in pic 2):

They're doing the $1usd=€1, sorry Euro people. Also, the differences are backlit keys, usb pass-through, audio jacks for $50/€50 more. So shitty pricing, but mechanical Razer gaming board for $80 is still intriguing.

[JWIV]

Little bit of digging around and it looks like there's some discussion as to if this is using a Cherry MX Blue switch or something else (unknown) right now.

[edit 9/2]

confirmed:

Q. What type of mechanical key switch does the Razer BlackWidow use?
A. The Razer BlackWidow uses tactile and clicky Cherry MX Blue mechanical key switches. Each of the mechanical switches has been sorted prior to manufacture to adhere to a strict design guideline

[JWIV]

Just to resurrect this thread since well -

I spilled a bit of beer on my keyboard last night.   For a lesser keyboard, this would have spelled doom.

For my Unicomp, I popped the keys off, wiped everything down, and let it dry.

This morning - everything working perfectly.

[WayAbvPar]

Why is everything flat? Doesn't ANYONE want an ergo/split gaming keyboard?

[Rasix]

Hell no.

[Nebu]

I like my keyboard tilted at an angle, not split down the middle.  That ergo stuff makes me crabby. 

[Malakili]

I like my keyboard tilted at an angle, not split down the middle.  That ergo stuff makes me crabby. 

Yeah, I tend to tilt it so that the left side is slightly further from me than the right side.   The ergonomic keyboards might be hypothetically better, but my muscle memory is far too developed with a "normal" key set up that its just too much of a pain to use anything else.

[MisterNoisy]

Why is everything flat? Doesn't ANYONE want an ergo/split gaming keyboard?

Once upon a time, I tried one of those things for a month or so.  I'm glad nobody makes them any more.

[Teleku]

Why is everything flat? Doesn't ANYONE want an ergo/split gaming keyboard?

I'm with you, I've been using ergo/split keyboards for many years now.  Its the only way to go for comfort.

[Kageru]

I noticed the computer guy in deus ex (Alex Jacobsen) had what looked like a keyboard built into his pants. Half the keyboard on each side around about where the hands would rest in a sitting position. My comment that I wanted a pair in real life got me one of the most horrified looks I've ever managed out of the wife.

Other than that my 1990 vintage IBM-buckling spring keyboard is still going strong.

[Lantyssa]

Other than that my 1990 vintage IBM-buckling spring keyboard is still going strong.

Type on, bro!  Vu's threatened to replace mine because it clacks like a proper keyboard should.

[Ingmar]

The clacking is great when it is just you and your keyboard, but it is really pretty annoying when someone is CLACK CLACK CLACKing away and you're playing a game with dialogue you want to listen to, etc. Even with my headset on when Sjofn is TYPING ANGRY it can be kind of disruptive, and she isn't even on a Model M, just some normal Dell keyboard.

[Hawkbit]

My wife made me quit using my IBM about six years ago.  I miss that keyboard, maybe I should have gotten rid of the wife instead.  

After my blue g15 had the "coffee incident" a month ago, I just replaced it all with a $11 logitech jobby.  It's actually not terrible.  I don't miss the window or the macro keys at all, but the g15 was simply sturdier.