Mechanical Keyboards


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#1 DaveGreen93

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 20:38

Hello all,

Decided I want to change my keyboard from the stock Dell keyboard I have used since 2006.

I think I want to head towards the Mechanical side - love the touch and sound! - and would just like to hear your opinions on your favourite Mechanical Keyboards before I decide on purchasing one? Will generally be used for gaming, media keys would be a plus but not ideal.


#2 Livin in a box

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 20:41

I'm using a mechanical now - I have the Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Pro. It's a nice keyboard with Cherry MX Red keys. I've heard good things about the Corsair K60 and K90 too, but if I were you, I'd try and stay away from Razer because their materials tend to be on the cheap side which isn't great when you're paying a premium price.

#3 OP DaveGreen93

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:03

My friend bought the K90, which is where I fell in love with mechanical keyboards. I was just looking for some alternatives as I already have the same case as him.. haha. I've never particularly liked the design of razers products, bit too Alien looking for me.

#4 Arceles

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:03

A general opinion is more or less like this: if you are gaming, buy a mechanical keyboard with red cherry switches, they are very silent and require very little force to actuate (also women for some reason prefer this keyboards) if you are going to type, then buy any other switches that are not red, most of them offer a clicky sound, ones more than the others (some people have said that they had to change their keyboards because while the sensation is mach to none, their wives couldn't sleep :D)

All in all, I'm very happy with my Corsair K90 for everything (typing and gaming)

#5 Dashel

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:04

I like the Corsair, though I generally prefer the Cherry Black/Blue to the Reds.

#6 OP DaveGreen93

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:11

Looks like I'm going to have to look into the differences between the different switches

#7 Livin in a box

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:15

I'm using Red's to type and they aren't too bad. I imagine Blacks would be better...or maybe I'm just different to everyone else in the world ever, haha :p

#8 +Blank

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:19

I got the Razer BlackWidow BF3 edition (same as the original ultimate, but diff colors), and i love it.
Not sure which switches it has, but its loud as hell, and easy to push. sometimes my thumb barely touching the space bar will trigger spaces.
Feels great when you type, and sounds cool as well. But its annoying when you're not the one doing the actual typing. lol

I'd say go for it.

Blackwidows have media keys, and even gaming mode where it disables most of the annoying keys such as the windows.
the backlighting is a plus.

Only negative i've found so far is the software. Razer Synapse is annoying and buggy as hell.

#9 MFH

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 21:39

I'm typing on a Unicomp Ultra Classic. Unicomp has the patent and manufacturing tools for Buckling Springs, the keyboard technology originally invented by IBM and used in the famous Model F and Model M.
n my opinion nothing even comes close to the joy of typing on a Model M!

#10 tim_s

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:04

I am using a Mad Catz Cyborg 7 keyboard, I enjoy it!

Edit: A long time ago I had a IBM Keyboard and even though the computer became outdated I stuck with the metal keyboard - was one of my favorites. I replaced it as the "windows" key became a standard.

#11 lcg

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:11

View PostMFH, on 30 January 2013 - 21:39, said:

I'm typing on a Unicomp Ultra Classic. Unicomp has the patent and manufacturing tools for Buckling Springs, the keyboard technology originally invented by IBM and used in the famous Model F and Model M.
n my opinion nothing even comes close to the joy of typing on a Model M!

I bought an original IBM Model M recently, and am using it now. Whilst I agree it's a brilliant keyboard and is excellent for typing, I wouldn't recommend it for gaming. If I'm gaming I use my Microsoft keyboard.

#12 Arceles

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:12

View Posttim_s, on 30 January 2013 - 22:04, said:

I am using a Mad Catz Cyborg 7 keyboard, I enjoy it!

Edit: A long time ago I had a IBM Keyboard and even though the computer became outdated I stuck with the metal keyboard - was one of my favorites. I replaced it as the "windows" key became a standard.

That keyboard mimics mechanic keys... but still a membrane keyboard (site says it)

#13 +Majesticmerc

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:19

View PostDashel, on 30 January 2013 - 21:04, said:

I like the Corsair, though I generally prefer the Cherry Black/Blue to the Reds.

Cherry MX Blue slogan: Because your typing wasn't loud enough :p

#14 Raa

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:22

View Postlcg, on 30 January 2013 - 22:11, said:

I bought an original IBM Model M recently, and am using it now.
Oh man, that must make a loooooot of noise! :p

#15 killmaster84

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Posted 30 January 2013 - 22:28

I have a Steelseries 7G, it's a great keyboard minus the spacebar going and needing to get a new it's great. As for Razor their keyboards are fine.