Need some help on keyboards?

DarkDubzs

Honorable
Jun 10, 2013
635
1
10,990
Im looking to get a new keyboard, a backlit, gaming-type keyboard. Backlit is a must as its obviously easier to see in dim lit environments and better for gaming somehow. I dont really need a "gaming" keyboard because theyre more expensive and i dont need all those extra keys and buttons on them. But i do want a sleek and clean looking keyboard. There seems to be alot of hype around mechanical keyboards all of a sudden, and i never knew there were "types of keyboards" so that leads to my first question, whats the "opposite" of a mechanical keyboard? I actually have a pretty ancient stock Dell keyboard that came with my old Dell i-think-Inspiron from like 7 years ago, the Dell RT7D50. Its been extremely reliable and never had any problems at all just like most things made back in the old dark ages. But its just time to upgrade.

Second part: Since im looking for a new backlit keyboard like i described at the top, i might as well ask for any recomendations. I also have to add that it has to be low priced, im talking like around $35 realistically. Heres a couple i like:

Perixx PX-2000- I just dont like the "macro keys," whatever they are, but i do like the adjustable brightness.
Azend Group Blue LED Multimedia Keyboard- i really like this one, just that i dont like the glossy finish and that the backspace key is only one key long and so close to all the others
Perixx PX-1000-I think this one is my favorite because it looks simple and "legacy" and seems that it'll get the job done.
DB-Tech Full Size Compact- I really like this one too, but the small backspace key and the keys seeming to be so close together just really kills it.
Im also planning on getting or atleast trying out the E-3lue Cobra mouse or the E-blue Cobra Juior. BTW, whats the difference between those two besides the color?

Any feedback and/or recomendations on both or either parts? Sorry for it being so long. Thanks! Remember every product i listed is hyperlinked to their Amazon page.

UPDATE: Which keyboard is better? Mechanical or its "opposite?" And why? Thats all. Thanks again!
 


As far as the keyboards you picked goes...honestly I think you will be disappointed in all of them if you were to buy them, because the pictures on amazon are deceiving, and all of them are very glossy and will scratch/show finger prints easily. As far as the mouse goes they are pretty decent if your on a budget, and no difference except the color. For the keyboard, around $50 will get you a nice one.
 


Which keyboards would you recommend for around $50? I have no idea where to start as far as keyboards, mice, and really, anything that doesnt go in the pc case or the case itself. :lol:
 


Just saw the signature in your build, nice! As far as an $8 mouse idk, probably won't last long. Here is a good mouse and keyboard that I think you'll like. If the mouse is too expensive, then you can go for a cheaper one, but I'd think it would insult your system 😉.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

Keyboard: Microsoft SIDEWINDER X4 Wired Gaming Keyboard ($49.96 @ Amazon)
Mouse: Cooler Master SGM-4000-KLLN1-GP Wired Laser Mouse ($42.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Total: $92.95
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-22 23:09 EDT-0400)
 
the opposite of mechanical keyboards would be "rubber dome switch" or "membrane" keyboards. these make up about 95% or more of all keyboards sold.

In general i would say that mechanical keyboards are far better in terms of performance and feel. they are however not for everyone. they do have their quirks and are rather expensive.

---

i've used cheap mice and keyboards before. they are utter garbage. any dell keyboard which comes standard is also utter garbage and should be thrown in the trash.

if you want something cheap it is hard to beat a medium priced logitech keyboard. you could also buy something from microsoft as the keyboards they make are also decent.

if you want mechanical most cost $80+ so keep that in mind. if you are still interested despite the cost then we can discuss what works for you.;

as far as mice you can get a razer deathadder (old version which glows blue) for $35 on ebay. hard to beat it.
 


First of all thanks, haha. You know in all honesty i would totally go all out on something so small as a keyboard and mouse, but money is always the deciding factor in these things and money has not something i have had a lot of lately. I like the keyboard, mouse a little too overpriced i think, but it is also very nice. Quick question though, what are the keys on the very left side? I assume they are "macro" keys, but what exactly do they do and what would they be used for? And what are the keys for in the top left? I poorly photoshoped a screen grab to help you help me. The macro keys are in the green box and what i mean by the keys in the top left are the ones in the blue circle. Click Here for the picture
 
What i really like about the Logitech Wireless Keyboard are the keys, the way they are flat and low, seems like it would make for easy typing and low noise, and i hate the loud clicks and clacks that my current keyboard makes. So low noise is definitely a good thing to have in a keyboard for me. Same goes with mice, low noise clicks.
 


If you haven't used one before don't get it. My brother has a laptop with that same chiclet style keyboard, and everyone in my family says it feels awkward and is harder to type on.

 


Yeah, now that i think about it, i think it would be hard to type. But still, low noise in mice and keyboards is a must. Ill keep looking around.
 
Does anybody know of any good wireless gaming mice or just good, regular wireless mice? I'd really rather have the convenience of wireless mice while gaming and for everyday use. Price range of $50 and less, $30 or less is the sweetspot.
 
well the thing about wireless mice and keyboards is that sometimes the cheaper products can appear to lag when playing games. honestly its very hit or miss as i've heard of major lagging yet so far i've been lucky and both my $90 mx1000 mouse i used in the past and my cheap new m505 that i use for my laptop, both logitech products, work fine.

personally i would suggest getting a wired mouse so that you dont have any issues at all but if you did want a wireless mouse just keep in mind that there are known issues and its really hard to know if you will have problems without testing the mouse out yourself.

as far as keyboards...the same applies but to a lesser extent.

by far the best type of wireless mouse and keyboard is RF wireless for mice and keyboards. with the keyboard i was able to achieve 50ft+ range. i never tested the mouse but it was likely more than far enough for most purposes. instead of a tiny little bluetooth dongle these sets feature a powered receiver (typically they are also a mouse cradle to charge the mouse).
 


Alright, well i think i can deal with a wired mouse, a wired keyboard is normal for me and i cant find any good backlit wireless keyboards so ill ditch any thought about wireless keyboards. I actually have a Logitech M317 wich i think is RF wireless, but it is wireless. So i have to either chose between the E-blue Cobra Juior, which is actually said to be a good mouse, or some wireless logitech mouse like the M505 you said which seems ok and isnt too overpriced for me. I think ill go with the E-Blue though.
 


I see, well you should go for the cobra then, and also what did think about the Sidewinder X4?

 


I really do love the Sidewinder X4, but i think its a little too much for me right now. And ive heard that the X4 is competitive with the Perixx PX-2000 which is basically a PX-1000 but with macro keys and maybe some other little things. And i dont really need macro keys so i dont care for the PX-2000. Im going to just get the PX-1000 and if i dont like it ill return it and save up a bit for the X4