External Keyboard for Sager NP9170

Wasn't sure if I should put this in the accessories forum or here, but I put it here as I am looking for a keyboard to do specific things with my Sager. Mods, please feel free to move if I guessed wrong.

Budget: $50-$100 US - willing to go over but only if it meets ALL my needs

Requirements:

Sound/Media controls - i sorely miss the volume touchpad on my old gateway. I don't care if it's a knob, a touch sensor, or physical media buttons. Anything to avoid the FN + key.

Non-gaming macro function - I have never used macros in games, but i would like to be able to launch the following programs with a button: HWinfo, FRAPS, Firefox, IE (i know i know, i have to use it for work sometimes), and Steam. I do not have any macro experience, so the simpler the better

Passthrough USB ports - I'm fine with the keyboard using up to 2 usb ports, as long as I get them back via a passthrough. Do not need audio jacks on keyboard, though it doesn't matter if they are there.

Long, tough (preferably braided) cable.

Durability/Value - I'd like to get at least 1 year of use for every $50 US

Full keyboard layout including numpad

Adjustable Height, Wristrests

Not So Important Requirements

Mechanical Keys - i know some people swear by them, but i have never used one. I like gaming, but I am not a pro gamer nor do i type for a living. If mechanical is that much better, and in the price range, awesome. If not, i am fine with the new rubber dome type keys.

Backlighting - a plus, but not necessary

Gizmos - I do love me some gizmos, but I am not looking for anything specific here (ie the screens on the Logitech, the hand fan (lol!), etc)
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Ok, I've narrowed it down to these 4. .Listed in order of price. I do need to order from newegg due to some credit i have with them. Please let me know if yo uhave any experience with these with a Sager NP9170

Gigabyte
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823334013

Corsair
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002

Azio - flashy, but I kind of like it. Never heard of Azio before, but i like the removable numpad
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823839012

Roccat - this is the only non-mechanical to make the list, and solely because I have heard good things about Roccat and I really, really wanted thumb macro buttons by the spacebar
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823436002

Let me know what you think!

 

closest I know is the logitech g710+

1 usb
mechanical keyboard
programmable keys (although designed for gaming macros, the software could make you launch
dedicated media controls
backlight

doesn't have a braided cord though.

logitech keyboards i've used usually lasts more than 3 years, mechanical keyboards should last a lot more.


if you're willing to use something like auto-hotkey to launch your apps, then it will open up more (and possibly cheaper options)

 

Probably my best recommendation would be the Corsair Vengeance K90 Keyboard.

It has programmable Macro Keys, USB pass through, and also dedicated media controls, big bonus is that is brushed aluminium chassis + backlit keys and also a mechanical Keyboard to boot, all for around $100.

 

I could be wrong, but I thought i had read a few posts where the hotkey.exe and autohotkey don't play nice? I'm still unsure of what hotkey.exe does exactly, but I suppose that is for another post.

Are mechanical keys that much louder? I have tried to view/listen to some videos, but it is hard to tell.

 

depends on the key but blues are very loud and everything else is about the same, it just changes the sound of hitting a rubber dome to a physical stop. So you'll be hearing a clack noise instead of a tap noise if that makes sense lol.

 

Yes, i understand what you mean, reminds me of the sound old keyboards used to make.

So now i have started looking into mechanical and the type of switches. Looks like both the logitech and corsair use cherry browns. Are you able to switch switches on certain keys (ie changing the browns to the reds for the WSAD keys) similar to how you'd replace keys normally?

 

ThermalTake Challenger, there is no competition in this area if you aren't dead set on having mechanical. This keyboard sports an on-board sound card which is far superior to what's in the 170EM, along with all the bells and whistles one would come to expect on a high-end gaming keyboard........a unique mini-fan to keep your fingers cool is also a nice touch.

It retails around $80 but can go on sale for $50.

 

@Vahlen - I couldnt remember which one I saw with the fan, thought it was ridiculous but the sound card intrigues me. I actually don't have any problems with the sound in the 170EM, but wouldn't mind better.

Do you have any specifics on the sound card used? I tried doing some googling, but all i could find were people having issues with the card and how to disable it

 

I don't have any specifics on the card, but it definitely produces a higher quality level of sound as well as increasing the max volume when compared with the stock card in the 1xxEM series.


For me the sound-card was just icing on the cake, I don't really think it justifies the purchase by itself, but does make a very nice addition to the overall package.

 

+1 that

I have the K60 myself which is the same without macros and backlight, I can only recommend this mechanical keyboard.

 

Hmm, not sure about hotkey.exe and auto hotkey. But I've never had issues with auto hotkey conflicting with other programs before.

The k60 keyboard also looks nice, glad to have it on my radar.



Sent from my EndeavorU using Tapatalk 2

 

So it seems like we have the logitech, corsair and thermaltake. Ill hunt more over the weekend and post some links with prices in case anyone else is interested.

 

Razer BlackWidow Ultimate 2013

 

Ok, I've narrowed it down to these 4. .Listed in order of price. I do need to order from newegg due to some credit i have with them. Please let me know if you have any experience with these with a Sager NP9170

Gigabyte
GIGABYTE GK-OSMIUM Black Keyboard - Newegg.com

Corsair
Corsair Vengeance K90 Black/Metal USB Wired Gaming Performance, MMO Mechanical Keyboard - Newegg.com

Azio - flashy, but I kind of like it. Never heard of Azio before, but i like the removable numpad
AZIO Levetron Mech5 KB577U Black Keyboard - Newegg.com

Roccat - this is the only non-mechanical to make the list, and solely because I have heard good things about Roccat and I really, really wanted thumb macro buttons by the spacebar
ROCCAT ISKU ROC-12-701 Black Keyboard - Newegg.com

 

Bueller.....Bueller? Everyone loves the stock keyboard eh?