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    portable keyboard for M18x

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by chewbakaats58, Mar 31, 2012.

  1. chewbakaats58

    chewbakaats58 Notebook Evangelist

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    Alright, so my new question is what keyboards do you guys use with your m18X? I would prefer one that would fit in my m18x orion bag and could take on the go. As I got this beast on Thursday, and now finally doing some heavy gaming on it...I realized that my arm does not sit comfortable where the laptop drops off in the front..right above the left light, such a pointy edge!

    Anyways, I appreciated all the input I had in an earlier post about a gaming mouse so now I'm looking for a good portable (gaming if possible) keyboard. Thanks for any suggestions!
     
    chewbakaats58, Mar 31, 2012
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  2. Captain Razer

    Captain Razer Notebook Evangelist

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    better off with the logitech G13, IF the anti-ghosting feature is really important to you!
     
    Captain Razer, Mar 31, 2012
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  3. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    I hesitate to recommend Logitech's gaming keyboards; in my experience they've been of much lower quality than their mice. Very poor mushy keystrokes, uneven lighting and so on. I'd recommend a mechanical, but those tend to be full-sized and relatively heavy. I've also heard excellent things about some of Steelseries's boards and the Microsoft Sidewinder.
     
    Mastershroom, Mar 31, 2012
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  4. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    My problem with Logi's dome gaming keyboards (some of their scissors are excellent. The Illuminated is one of the best-for-just-typing keyboards I know of) isn't so much the feel, though it's not great, but the real problem they have is that they start binding on off-centre actuations really fast in their wear cycle, which ultimately makes them really crappy gaming keyboards. IMO. YMMV. etc

    You might be better off considering something like a Noppoo Choc Mini for something compact (though it's not particularly light). The KBC Poker and sucklike is probably a compromise too far IMO.
     
    Vogelbung, Mar 31, 2012
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  5. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    For my m14x, i bought an apple bluetooth keyboard. I know what you're thinking, apple?!@?!@?. But i went through many keyboards, and all were very big, made for a full size desk. I settled for the apple wireless keyboard because it is small. I hate how it has shallow keystrokes, and it's kinda cramped, but its great for portability, pending you have bluetooth, or an adapter. It's very light and thin as well.
     
    niko2021, Apr 3, 2012
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  6. Vogelbung

    Vogelbung I R Judgemental

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    If you're misinformed enough to pick the Apple RSIboard for such uses, you could look at the Microsoft Arc - less form-over-function compromise IMO. However neither are "gaming keyboards".
     
    Vogelbung, Apr 3, 2012
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  7. jaug1337

    jaug1337 de_dust2

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    I cried. 10char
     
    jaug1337, Apr 3, 2012
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  8. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    Unless you need one for gaming, why would anyone want to use a external keyboard with a laptop? Especially a portable one with shallow keys. After all, aren't you trying to get away from shallow keys?
     
    jrwingate6, Apr 4, 2012
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  9. Ryan

    Ryan NBR Moderator

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    You could use the Poker keyboard, or the Happy Hacking Pro Keyboards.

    Pokers are Cherry MX, and HHPK are Topre.

    You can try Realforce Tenkeyless keyboards which are more portable than the 103-key brethren as well.
     
    Ryan, Apr 4, 2012
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  10. Captain Razer

    Captain Razer Notebook Evangelist

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    the M18x keyboard is known for ghosting issues..
     
    Captain Razer, Apr 4, 2012
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  11. Mastershroom

    Mastershroom wat

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    Answered before you asked. :p
     
    Mastershroom, Apr 5, 2012
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  12. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    My comment was towards the person who purchased a Apple Keyboard for their M14x. Not the OP.
     
    jrwingate6, Apr 5, 2012
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  13. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    I was asking the guy who purchased the Portable Apple Keyboard for his M14X. Just doesn't make sense purchasing a portable keyboard with shallow keys just like your laptops keyboard.
     
    jrwingate6, Apr 5, 2012
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  14. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    I purchased it because I went through many portible keyboards, and they didnt work for me. The apple wireless keyboard is ultra light, small, and its useable for me for fps gaming on the go. If it works for me and I like it why does it matter if it makes sense or not :)
    I dont game on the apple keyboard 24/7, its just for portibility, where i sacrifice comfort and size for its small form factor.

    Also one of the reasons why you need an external keyboard for laptop gaming is because you're so close to the screen and sometimes hunched over to reach the keyboard.

    Another contender for a protable keyboard is the Cm quickfire. You can find them with various mx switches, like blue, brown, and black. I think Black would be the best for gaming, and blue the best for typing.
     
    niko2021, Apr 5, 2012
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  15. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    I didn't mean it rudely. I was just wandering why someone needed a portable external keyboard when their laptop already has one. You're right. If it works for you then that's all that matters. It makes sense if it is uncomfortable for you to use the laptop's keyboard when gaming.
     
    jrwingate6, Apr 5, 2012
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  16. niko2021

    niko2021 Notebook Evangelist

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    No problem, i didn't take any offense, but yeah, ergonomically, laptops are very uncomfortable to game on for me, i wish knew this before. Your limited by the length of your arms reaching the laptop keyboard, meaning your body will be close. my head gets close due to this, and it gives me a headache much faster, eye strain as well. When I'm not home and space allows, I always use it.
     
    niko2021, Apr 6, 2012
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  17. jrwingate6

    jrwingate6 Notebook Deity

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    Maybe that explains why it's not uncomfortable for me. I am 6'4" with long arms. I can sit far enough back while still reaching the keyboard comfortably.
     
    jrwingate6, Apr 6, 2012
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  18. TheBluePill

    TheBluePill Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    TheBluePill, Apr 10, 2012
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  19. ViciousXUSMC

    ViciousXUSMC Master Viking NBR Reviewer

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    I use the KBC Poker every day on my laptop. Fits right in the front pocket of my bag and its super light.
     
    ViciousXUSMC, Apr 10, 2012
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  20. Chazy90

    Chazy90 Notebook Evangelist

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    Chazy90, Apr 11, 2012
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  21. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    iPhantomhives, Apr 11, 2012
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  22. villagepark

    villagepark Notebook Geek

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    Noppoo Choc Mini 84,Mechanical Cherry MX Brown keyboard | eBay

    you could try the noppoo choc mini. You can get them with any color of cherry mx switches. These days browns seem to be pretty popular for gaming. The keys on the far right column are not set in the most useful orientaion but you can easily change what the keys do in auto hotkey. Right now I have my
    scroll lock=numlock
    numlock=delete
    pause=home
    delete=end

    Here is a picture of it with my 11.6" laptop for size comparison. (I have the white PBT one, its higher quality (but significantly heavier) than the black POM one). I don't know the best place/price to buy it as I am in China right now and just picked it up at a local store for 68$ You should be able to get one shipped to usa for about $100-120 depending on what switch and material you want.
    [​IMG]
     
    villagepark, Apr 11, 2012
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  23. TheBluePill

    TheBluePill Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    That is one mini Keyboard for certain. Looks very nice.
     
    TheBluePill, Apr 12, 2012
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  24. villagepark

    villagepark Notebook Geek

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    The kbc poker is a little bit smaller (1 less row, 1 less column, and almost no bezel) but I think the slight increase in size is worth it for a set dedicated function keys, arrow keys, home, page up, page down, end, delete, escape (although in the pic there is an escape button this is an aftermarket key cap, by default the key is the ~ key.)
    [​IMG]
     
    villagepark, Apr 12, 2012
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  25. TheBluePill

    TheBluePill Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    That looks perfect.

    My biggest issue with the M18X is that the keyboard is so far back on the machine. Even in my lap, i have to reach for the keys a bit to far.. not as ergonomic as i would have liked.
     
    TheBluePill, Apr 13, 2012
    #25