What's so special about mechanical keyboards?


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I was wondering what's so special about those mechanical keyboard that gamers love, they're so expensive?

 

I current have the MS Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop, but thinking of returning it and getting something a bit simpler, but a full keyboard. Suggestions, below $100 CAD? :)

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I use the G710+ from Logitech. It's slightly over your price range though. Actually, you said CAD!

 

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/logitech-logitech-g710-usb-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-920-003887-920-003887/10229282.aspx

 

BestBuy.ca has it for $100 exactly lol. Anyway, it's one of my favorite keyboards. Incredibly comfortable, and usually retails around $150 USD. Anyone who's used it in my home says something along the lines of feeling they could type a novel up with it.

 

I bought it not for the gaming element so much as I did for the comfort and the incredibly well-lit lighting for it. I actually bought a second one for my girlfriend too.

 

Hope that helps. (Y)

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The typing experience is so much nicer. I used a Microsoft Sidewinder X6 for 6 years, and those used typical rubber dome keys. I could achieve about 90-100 wpm on those. The feedback wasn't ideal, and the lettering on the keys were peeling off (especially on the WASD keys). I contacted Microsoft, hoping to order replacement keys, but they couldn't help me out. It annoyed me enough that I sprung  for a G710+ on sale, and I can achieve 100-110 wpm easily. The feedback on this keyboard is great (especially after removing the o-rings). After extensively using the X6 for 6 years, I wanted a mechanical keyboard with the same feature set as the X6. The G710+ is the closest that you can get to the X6...

 

I will probably end up buying a mechanical keyboard for work also. I might spring for the Das Keyboard 4, as it's pretty discrete looking. 

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Tactile feedback.  Even the touchscreens that vibrate for a split second when you touch them doesn't do the same thing.  Especially when gaming, you need to be able to "feel" which key your fingers are on.  If it was all a touchscreen it'd be too easy to accidentally slide your fingers off center and miss buttons (I've done this trying to play some emulators on Android/iOS devices).  The same reason some people prefer a manual transmission in their car, it gives you tactile feedback and lets you manually control how the car drives instead of just relying on fluid pressure, computerized sensors, etc. to predict what gear the car should be in.

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Tactile feedback and durability. My keyboard is almost 30 years old and it still works (and looks) as good as new. I learned to type on an IBM Selectric III typewriter so I much prefer the feel of buckling springs; besides rubber dome keyboards are like typing in a bowl of cold oatmeal.

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Tactile feedback and durability. My keyboard is almost 30 years old and it still works (and looks) as good as new. I learned to type on an IBM Selectric III typewriter so I much prefer the feel of buckling springs; besides rubber dome keyboards are like typing in a bowl of cold oatmeal.

pics!

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pics!

 

This is the one I have. It's an IBM Model M built for Dell back when they were a mail order computer company.

 

5007497-001.jpg

 

The Model M uses a modular SDL connector so that you could use AT, PS/2 or whichever cable you needed. I bought

a USB cable for it so I now have a USB keyboard made in the 80s. I've also seen wireless modules that plug into them.

 

1393120-004.jpg

 

You can still purchase brand new Model M keyboards today, Unicomp makes them. Be aware though they are

quite loud and very clicky; people either love or hate them. Cherry switches are the more popular choice today.

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There is nothing special about them. It's all about your preferences.

 

For instance, I hate mechanical keyboards because they're loud, bulky, and the travel distance is too far compared to lower profile keyboards that I prefer. I can type faster and more accurately on my K750 (rubber dome) than I can with the fatty mechanical sitting right next to it.

 

I would suggest you go to a store and try some out, if you can, before spending money on something that may not fit your typing style.

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Thank you all for the feeback

I found out that "ergonomic" doesn't really mean comfortable :p I kinda like straight normal looking keyboards

 

I'm still open to other suggestions

 

(my "period" and "comma" keys don't work so I have to start a new sentence on a new line :)

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@spacer Just about all those reasons are why many typists love them. The click creates a rhythm that many say help them type faster. I prefer the click and type faster so I go with Cherry Blues. I believe red have a mild click and brown is silent.

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@spacer Just about all those reasons are why many typists love them. The click creates a rhythm that many say help them type faster. I prefer the click and type faster so I go with Cherry Blues. I believe red have a mild click and brown is silent.

 

Reds are actually linear with no click or bump, whereas browns have a bump at the actuation point.

 

I like them because I grew up on an old IBM and it just feels right. If you have the free cash, I'd say give it a go. Worse case is you find out you have beer taste on a champagne budget  :woot: Most likely, if you use it a lot, then you'll grow to like it more. If you don't type much though, then you probably won't notice a huge difference.

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I'm going to be typing a lot (research) for the next year

So that's why Im looking for an alternative

I already issued a return label for the Sculpt Comfort

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The IBM Model M is considered the Ferrari 250GT California of keyboards. - Except one that you would drive everyday.

I used to love Keytronic planks because they were mechanical-ish

Now there are many manufacturers doing mechanical - As soon as someone makes a decent wireless mechanical, not from Korea - Im all over it.

Until then, I will keep using my Logitech Wave(s)

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I use the G710+ from Logitech. It's slightly over your price range though. Actually, you said CAD!

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product/logitech-logitech-g710-usb-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-920-003887-920-003887/10229282.aspx

BestBuy.ca has it for $100 exactly lol. Anyway, it's one of my favorite keyboards. Incredibly comfortable, and usually retails around $150 USD. Anyone who's used it in my home says something along the lines of feeling they could type a novel up with it.

I bought it not for the gaming element so much as I did for the comfort and the incredibly well-lit lighting for it. I actually bought a second one for my girlfriend too.

Hope that helps. (Y)

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How about the fact that you can type accurately without even looking at the keyboard? :)

 

That's a lot to do with your typing discipline and not a lot to do with whether the keyboard is mechanical or not.

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I've been reading/watching reviews, these things are loud! Lol, I guess the brown cherry is the one to go for.

A lot look crazy....I'd like to see a small, simple design with dedicated media buttons. :)

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Mechanical keyboards are raised slightly higher than other keyboards and have a click sound when you press them. You can also feel the switch click and spring back when you press a key.

 

These keyboards typically last longer than membrane keyboards (current standard) and give more feedback (noise and feel).

 

I personally don't care for them, I can game and type on a membrane or mechanical keyboard all the same and would rather choose a keyboard based on ergonomics and other features.

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I've been reading/watching reviews, these things are loud! Lol, I guess the brown cherry is the one to go for.

A lot look crazy....I'd like to see a small, simple design with dedicated media buttons. :)

 

WASD, Das Keyboard, Ducky, and CoolerMaster all have a little more understated designs if you don't want rainbows flashing across your keyboard with every keypress. I just got my dad a Das and he loves it.

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How about the fact that you can type accurately without even looking at the keyboard? :)

A mechanical keyboard doesn't let you type more accurately just because it's a mechanical keyboard. It's like saying a person with a calculator all of a sudden knows how to do more math than a person who doesn't have a calc.

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