Best gaming Keyboards, or good keyboards in general.

I am looking to buy a new keyboard, I have used a Saitek Eclipse 1 and a Saitek Eclipse 2, I have a Razer Arctosa and a Steel Series one embedded on my notebook. Any suggestions?

 

I really don't get the whole 'jist with gaming keyboards, do they make you a better gamer?

Personally I have a MAC low profile aluminum keyboard(non-corded) for typing purposes

For gaming I use a cheap MS Ergonomic Keyboard for serious gaming, particularly MMO's and FPS's

And I do quite fine.

 

Mechanical Keyboards > All

I had a Saitek Gamers & Saitek Eclipse as well and they are in the upper/better section of membrane keyboards but nothing compared to mechanical.

 

What's your budget? And what kinda games do you tend to play?

Speaking of mech keyboards, sold my older MX Blue board a month ago and I have been tempted by a SIIG Minitouch (not the plus version) lately. Can't afford one, and a new one is damn right impossible to find.

 

I found a really great deal on a U9XL Plus with blues that I had to pass on. I really like the palm rest it has and the back of the keyboard usb ports & audio pass through.

But I only use blues at work now for when I do a lot of typing, at home I use browns and I have some reds on the way.

 

Gaming keyboards are more about ergonomics and things which generally bug gamers. They won't make you "better" just like any other piece of hardware won't really make you better. Setup is probably 2% of your skill unless you only get a slideshow. I hate it when people say something like "I've got a beastly PC but you keep killing me. How can I suck so hard?".

Basically gaming keyboards have things like WASD keys that like up or are textured so they are easier to locate in the dark. They often come with the option to disable the windows and caps lock keys since they make a fair few games flip out if you press them by accident (a real pain when it happens).

Mechanical keyboards are another thing, with conventional keyboards you can only press so many keys at once with it properly registering due to the grid system normal keyboards use. On a mechanical keyboard, every key has its own circuit so in theory you could press every key on the board and it would still work perfectly. I've yet to have any problems with a conventional keyboard but I can understand why some people might want to rule it out.

Short anser, In my opinion they're a nice thing to have since they're usually make life a little easier (I have yet to get one though, I don't even have a propper rig) but no, they won't make you instaHEADSHOTZ3000.

 

SpaceSaver PC

Get one of these, you will command great respect on the field of battle.

 

Look up mechanical keyboards, and compare for what suits your preferences. Unfortunately its hard to know for sure which type of switches you'll like the best until you get your hands on it. I went with the Das Keyboard Ultimate with Cherry MX-Blues

 

Really it comes down to personal preference. Some people claim that "gaming" keyboards are a gimmick, but I think that some of them come with features that people look for. I use the Logitech G110 and I love it. Here's some of the features that separate it from a standard $15 keyboard that I actually use.

-A switch that toggles the windows key on and off.
-Back-lighting. It can be switched between 3 colors if you have a preference.
-Quality switches. The same ones that are in the G119. Not mechanical but I prefer rubber membrane switches. My hands hurt after using mechanical switches for too long.
-Macro Keys. If you play MMOs, these are nice.
-Built in USB sound card. This is really nice. I plug my analog headset right into my keyboard instead of the front panel of my case.
-Powered USB on keyboard. Again, it lets me put my case further away.
-Media controls. Sure these come on just about any $20 keyboard, but I still thought I would mention them.

Again it comes down to personal preference. Some people like features, some people just like a keyboard that works.

 

All mechanical keyboards with Cherry switches are gorgeous. I've a Cherry mini and although it won't be suitable for gaming (I'm a programmer), the superior feeling and durability is worth the $60 it costs.

 

logitech makes amazing keyboards, mice, and everything else that they make . ive always stuck with it.

keyboard wise, i love the logitech G510. its just like the g110 but with a smidgen more "umph" i love it, and it has never wronged me.

one thing i love the gaming mode on it. it disables windows functions like sticky keys, or the window key itself.

 

I really wish they would make a mechanical keyboard though. Once you type on a good mechanical one, its hard to look back. The problem I had with mine was it had the wrong kinds of switches for what I wanted to do with it. It was more of a gaming keyboard than I wanted and I had a hard time with the force needed to actuate the keys.

 

Just for those that do not know most if not all these features can be had in a mechanical keyboard.

- Disable Windows Key: Simple use a AHK script some games like SC2 have it as a game option.

- Back Lighting: Rare but available. Deck Legend, Razer BlackWidow, XArmor UB9L, Mionix Zibal 60, and one or two others.

The other thing you can do is make your own using leds inside the cherry switches.

- Quality switches are a given and better than any membrane keyboard and will last like 10x longer

- Macro Keys: given on some mechs like the Razer but can again be had via software like AHK making use of obscure keys like the F keys instead of having to have extra keys on your keyboard just for that purpose making it larger and messing up the standard keyboard layout/size.

I noticed right away on the Blackwidow Ultimate that the keyboard was way wider due to the macro keys and it messed up my ergonomics greatly because it reduced my mouse space or forced me to move the keyboard further left than normal and it felt very un natural and uncomfortable.

- USB Sound Card: Many mech have HUBS or USB passthrough and you can plug a usb sound card into it, also many of them have audio pass through so you can use a higher quality internal sound card and just have the jack on the keyboard. I cant see having this inside your keyboard being too great because your forced to use it inside the keyboard instead of being able to upgrade it, or use it without the keyboard, etc.

- Powered USB: See above its pretty common now in many mech keyboards.

- Media controls: also here and also can be done with AHK script.

So while not ever feature is on every mech keyboard, there is pretty much no compromise that must be made if you do not wish to do so and prefer a mech keyboard over a membrane one.

Any investment you do make will last you much longer, those membrane logitechs wont last more than 2 years before they are worn out but a good mech will last 10+

Whats even more so great is that you can usually replace a switch if needed and you can customize your keycaps or replace them as needed extending the life to near infinity and also adding an extra layer of customization.

 

Like the OP, i'm in the market for a new and i want to go mechanical. However i'm in Canada, the country right above the US that doesn't get all the goodies you guys do . The black widow is readily available as are the Das Keyboards, but since i want back lit, is there any other options than the black widow i could get my hands on?

Tried finding a few ones listed by Vicious, no luck so far...

 

I can not recomend the Black Widow, out of all mechs its like the worst one.

Build quality is bad, and overall it just does not feel good. It also only has blue swtiches.

It's sold based on name and gimmicks while other mechs are sold based on quality.

Backlight is rare, I had it in my last 3 keyboards and thought I would miss it but after a few weeks with the Das I do not miss the backlight anymore and I am very glad I was willing to give it up for a better keyboard.

 

Since i'm not the only user on the computer, i unfortunately cannot go for the Das and i decided to get backlit one since i'd prefer either no key labels or key labels i can see in a dark environment. Might a Das for my office though, but i need one for the home desktop as well.

I found the Mionix at an e-tailer i use regularly and the U9BL at another retailer, the price is a bit high on the Mionix, and blue leds would suit me better, my P183's power and HDD leds are blue, i suppose i could change either the case leds of kb leds.

It seems like you have tried a few of those, any preference aside from the Das?

I'll have to look for a new mouse as well, that matches the kb, but that is another story...

 

I wanted to try some clears, don't have the budget for it right now though. Want a a ten keyless board too, even though I am already using a funky compact layout. Only recently got rid of the MX blue board.

That's not at all the reason why I use a mechanical keyboard. The MX11900 I am on doesn't even have 6 key roll over, lets not even get to N-key roll over...

It's purely due to the typing feel. At least for me personally. In fact on the Microsfot Sidewinder X4 they have (I think) 6 key roll over through USB. It is actually a patented technology by Microsoft, one of very few keyboards that has it. It is a membrane keyboard FYI.

 

People like mechanical keyboards because the keys actuate which means that when you apply pressure to the key, at a certain level the key will drop by itself (actuate). It is usually accompanied by a clicking noise so it feels very tactile.

Keyboards that don't actuate or have a long enough key drop and don't click can be quite hard to touch type on because you tend to have to press the keys harder and longer to make sure they register keystrokes. The worst ones are really spongey membrane keyboards where its easy to miss letters all the time because you don't get any tactile feedback.

The downsides with mechanicals is that even the silent ones are pretty loud. Some people find the sound pleasant and satisfying whereas others find it draws attention to the fact that I AM TYPING. Mechanicals are also really expensive. The IBM Model M would be the prototypical mechanical keyboard and what makes it appealing is that it is simple and tactile plus it has a standard key layout so it is universal.

There are alot of modern takes on the Model M that go for that same simplicity and universality like DAS keyboard and Filco Majestouch. You can choose what mechanical key switches are in them so you can choose how the keys actuate and how much sound they make, depending on how much feedback you like. They have key rollover so you can smash your palms onto the keyboard and it will register every key stroke whereas non rollover keyboards can only register 3 simultaneous strokes. Its not as useful as it sounds because there are basically no keyboard shortcuts that require more than 3 simultaneous key inputs, not including alt, shift and ctrl inputs. Its kind of like polyphony on a synthesizer keyboard. It is appealing to be able to play 100s of simultaneous notes but at some point you will have to acknowledge that you only have 10 fingers.

When people mention "gaming gear" it usually brings to mind flashy leds, coloured lights and gaudy industrial design but the Model M alikes such as DAS keyboard and the Filcos are used by many gaming professionals just like good old Microsoft Intellimouse 1.1 and 1.1a are still used and highly regarded in the same communities. I've seen plenty of Filcos in televised professional Starcraft.

Ultimately it comes down to whether or not you are happy with your keyboard. I'm touch typing this post on a scissor switch Enermax Aurora and I guess I've gotten used to it. I'm happy enough typing it on it for long periods so theres no reason to change. What matters in the end is that typing feels comfortable and natural no matter what keyboard you are using.

 

With dampening any switch other than blue is pretty silent.

That actuation is only for tactile switches like blue, brown, clear it is not present in linear switches the reds & blacks.

Cost is a hidden misinformation IMO because while they cost more to buy they last much longer making the cost over time equal to or even better than membrane keyboards.

 

I use a vintage IBM Model M for everything and I love it. Feels amazing to type on, and even for gaming it feels better to me than a regular keyboard.

 

Also, you just need to look for deals. My first MX Blue board cost $50, and the MX Black one I am typing on was $25 + shipping (damn you Canadian shipping rates! >_<). Both were brand new, mechanical keyboards are expensive is a myth. Sure you can find $400 ones, but they aren't the only ones you can buy...

 

Yep, you can find some good deals, i agree with you on Canadian shipping rates, let alone the fact that sometimes products available in the US are near impossible to find here.

If i want a mechanical kb that is backlit other than the black widow, there's a good chance i'll have to import it from our southern neighbors. NCIX has the mionix zibal for pre-order, but no word on when it'll be available and it isn't even listed on amazon.ca. Those are the two resellers listed on mionix's website btw...

 

It is certainly true that there are deals to be had (esp 2nd hand or group buys on geekhack!)

I find that you do get what you pay for, the cheaper ones I have come across have minor build issues that mess up the feel and overall quality of the keyboard. Most notable the Razer BlackWidow was just leagues apart from the others I have used and it was the only sub $100 one I own.

You can over pay just due to rarity though like say a Filco 10 key less will run you over $200 just because of how rare it is and how nice they are even if the original price was near $150.

I also want a 10 Key less keyboard for home because I sometimes find myself right up against the keyboard with my mouse and at home I dont use the number pad often.

Alas the for-mentioned Filco seems to be the defacto standard and is very hard to get esp with browns or reds for a sane price.

I have a special keyboard on the way that will be perfect for laptop users or those looking to get maximum space, its sub $100, mechanical, and pretty cool.

Cant wait to get it and do a review of it, it will be my first linear switch using MX Reds.

 

True, you really do get what you pay for. I got lucky with the Cherry board, they tend to go for more around the 70-80 region and retail for even more. These PBT key caps sure are nice. But yeah, my previous cheapo MX Blue board was pretty bad in all aspects other than the key switches themselves.