Five Mechanical-Switch Keyboards: Only The Best For Your Hands

[joeman42_43]

Interesting article. Reminds me of the OCN Mechanical Keyboard Guide (http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html), even has the same wording and pictures in some parts!

 

[phaedrus2129]

Interesting article. Reminds me of the OCN Mechanical Keyboard Guide (http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html), even has the same wording and pictures in some parts!

That's because of a magical thing called "plagiarism" and "piracy". Using copyrighted material without the owner's permission is fun!

 

[phaedrus2129]

Your description of the various Cherry MX switches is horribly biased, incorrect, subjective, and misleading. You're promoting untrue generalizations and myths that may trick people out of the keyboard that's best for them.

And "Switchover: Detectable/Undetectable"? You could have just said "tactile" or "not tactile". I think people could figure it out.

Also, no such thing as 3KRO. A keyboard either implements blocking or it isn't, and the only distinction between 6KRO and NKRO is whether or not the keyboard uses the standard USB HID keyboard driver that limits USB keyboards to 6 keys + 4 modifiers.



So much misinformation... And you wonder why I criticize every article you people post!

 

[joeman42_43]

I think the 3KRO comes from a mistake in the OCN guide that has yet to be rectified. That's the funny thing about copypasta - you get all the errors with it too!

 

[Guest]

Why didn't you review the SteelSeries 7G?

 

[joeman42_43]

[citation][nom]tetracycloide[/nom]"Keyboards based on the Cherry MX Clears are seldom seen because they offer little advantage over devices with cheaper rubber dome switches."This is patently false. The tactile feedback as well as the consistency of the actuation force are massive advantages over rubber dome switches. The consistency alone makes for a less fatiguing typing experience than a rubber dome. Arguably these are the best keyboards for RTS games as well but I can see how some would say Browns or Blues would be better.[/citation]
[citation][nom]gm0n3y[/nom]I have to agree with others here that mention the layout of the keys. The Ione is the only one with the common layout used on most keyboards today. Why do they insist on making the enter key huge at the expense of the shift key and \.[/citation]

Indeed. The reason why the Clears are so uncommon is because they are a special order item from Cherry.

 

[phaedrus2129]

And "Bent Spring" switches?

Please apologize to IBM, Lexmark, and Unicomp. They don't deserve this crap.

 

[genome852]

The Razer BlackWidow is 2KRO, not 6KRO, thought it is optimized around the WASD keys. A lot of them also have issues where the spacebar touches the right alt key, so both become depressed at the same time. For a "gaming" keyboard you'd expect atleast full 6KRO.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=NKey+Rollover+-+Overview+Testing+Methodology+and+Results

"This is the Ione X-Armor U9BL with illuminated Cherry MX Blue keys. It’s legendarily fast, but unfortunately also legendarily loud and expensive. Nevertheless, this is the first choice for writers and semi-professional gamers."

This is pretty much blatantly wrong... in fact I rarely hear anything good about iOne keyboards, usually just complaints about their terrible customer service.

 

[11796pcs]

Anybody else here find it hard to spend more than $25 on a keyboard? Nice article but personally I would rather dump $100 into more graphics power or another monitor than LED lights and 5ms better response time.

 

[therabiddeer]

Does anybody know of places that you can try them out? To me, it sounds like trying one out in a shop would be pretty important to figure out which kind of switch you would want. I want to buy a mechanical keyboard, but I dont want to spend $120 on a keyboard with a blue switch when I really might want a brown switch.

PS: I am using an old (very old) keyboard that came with a sony vaio probably more than 10 years ago. Have been using it ever since... and I am typing 110-120wpm.

 

[joeman42_43]

I hear "bent springs" are not available in the developed world.

To Africa!

 

[hixbot]

IBM Model M or death!

 

[sahil]

my G15 keyboard works just fine, thank you

 

[2late2die]

Good article and great timing as I was just thinking of a getting a new mechanical keyboard. The Ione U27 is exactly what I was looking for - default layout, simple but nice design and wireless connection - a perfect hat trick.

 

[Guest]

Ive got the Deck Legend With Cherry White keys and PS/2 port, I love it!

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

Nothing but cherry switches, and then of those mainly ones that are a laughing stock to those in the know? Woooooooooooooow...

Unicomp deserves more cred too for continuing the iconic IBM Model M. Excellent boards and switches.

 

[jimsocks]

just don't buy razer mechanicals. 2kro? garbage

 

[therabiddeer]

[citation][nom]False_Dmitry_II[/nom]Nothing but cherry switches, and then of those mainly ones that are a laughing stock to those in the know? Woooooooooooooow...Unicomp deserves more cred too for continuing the iconic IBM Model M. Excellent boards and switches.[/citation]
Care to explain how/why they are the laughing stock? From the sound of things the different switches comes down to taste preference.

 

[Destroysall]

Please do a review of the Mionix Zibal 60 soon since you didn't include it in here.

 

[el_bastardo74]

[citation][nom]aaron88_7[/nom]My $30 wireless Logitech is still better[/citation]

any logitech is crap compared to a good mech keyboard...that's right, i said ANY.

 

[el_bastardo74]

hmmm...no happy hacking, filco, leopold, kbc? got rid of my logitech g510 for a filco majestouch linear r limited edition and i don't miss the logitech one bit.

 

[johnsmithhatesVLC]

You guys got a good introduction into mechanical switches but when it comes to the reviews you fall flat. How is non-back-lit keys a con? Are you trying to tell me you people still can't touch type? How can you even pass high school without knowing to touch-type?

 

[bit_user]

What? No Kinesis? I immediately recognized the cherry brown switches from my Kinesis Contoured keyboard. Pricey, but they last forever. And the way the key layout matches your finger movement & range is obviously the best ergo layout, period.

 

[Shadz]

What about USB -> PS/2 converters, how would that affect things?

If I'm reading this correctly, I'd expect 3 key limitations even though the KB would connect to the computer via PS/2 since the USB precedes the PS/2, am I right?

I wonder b/c sometimes USB keyboard don't "fully turn on" in time to modify BIOS during bootup

 

[Chris_TC]

[citation][nom]iamtheking123[/nom]Your Logitech board won't last 10+ years like my mechanical board will. Mechanical boards are also *always* the exact same stroke for every single key, and the consistency makes them a bit more pleasurable to type on.[/citation]
I've been using my Logitech cordless keyboard since 2002. I do a lot of typing on it, and I play games as well. It works just as well as it did on day 1. No wear at all.