Possibly One of the Best Keyboards Ever

Page 6 - Seeking answers? Join the Tom's Hardware community: where nearly two million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Status
Not open for further replies.
I don't doubt that this keyboard works well, but come on ... are you serious with your selection criteria ...

- A company known to make quality keyboards
- Key finish [...] looks like it'll last through heavy use
- N-key rollover [...] flake out after 3 or 4 simultaneous presses?
- Quality key-travel
- [...] keys look like they're loose and are going to pop?

I don't even know where to start. So only established companies could make great keyboards? How does a keyboard look that's built for heavy use? What exactly does "Flake out" mean? What makes for a "quality" key travel? How about tactile feedback, visibility, ergonomics and all those things?

Further, I have no idea what Logitech keyboards you refer to where "black coating on the keys will eventually rub off, revealing a unsightly white plastic". I mean, the ones I took apart so far all had black plastic, so when the matte finish rubs off it's shiny but still black, and the Lighted Keyboard, has letters molded in which sure won't rub off either.

I guess, all I am saying: please revise and make more relevant.
 
[citation][nom]theuerkorn[/nom]What exactly does "Flake out" mean?[/citation]
I didn't get that either. I guess it has something to do with not being able to send any keystrokes when too many keys are pressed simultaneously. Mine does will repeatedly send the letter of the last keystroke made when holding down up to 4 keys, but as soon as a fifth is pressed it stops altogether.

Granted, I don't usually hold more than two keys at once, and only when gaming.
 
Can someone suggest me a keyboard with lit keys (like the g15), without display, with usb cable and with a feel like the generic 'standard hp keyboard' ? and preferably one that doesn't break every time fluid comes within 2 meters reach - unlike the g15
 
The best keyboard of all time is the IBM Model M.

Have had it since 1986 and its still going strong.

In response to everyone who is saying , "Why would I spend 100+ dollars on a keyboard?"

My Model M was $200 and its now 23 years old. Sounds like a good investment to me.
 
I think the best keyboard for my money has been the Saitek Eclipse (blue backlit), I have had it two years, use it everyday with no key fade yet.

 
At $170CDN, I'll pass! My Microsoft Reclusa I got for $15 at Best Buy (it was a display model) works like a charm. And, as you can see for yourself, it does the job. At some point, you really have to put a PC peripheral in perspective by simply looking at the price. I had to take a double look at the $1000CND (yes, that's one thousand) price for the Metadot Das Keyboard II. It almost seems comical.
 
Are they ever going to release an ergonomic version? I have really bad RSI, but love the switching keys. Yet there does not seem to be an alternative besides the Kinesis Advantage which is just out of my price range.
 
Das Keyboard is an awesome mechanical keyboard. I'm a big fan of click clacking keyboards. The price tag might be too much for some people, but it's well worth the price. These keyboards will last you a life time. I have the ABS M1 mechanical keyboard and love it. It only cost me $40 from Newegg. Steel Series make a pretty good mechanical keyboard as well.
 
forces you to learn the keys and thus after about a week you become to love the thing and you'll be a pro at typing, i want one!"
 
First of all, i tried this stuff, and there is nothing special about it. It is just as good as an old Cherry G80 board which is still available as brand new stuff for 20% of the price of this.

I switched more than a year ago to oldschool IBM model M boards bought dirt cheap from Ebay, and i never regretted paying 12Euro for these boards made in the early nineties.
IMHO the only keyboard which is better than IBM model M (made by IBM and not by Lexmark) is the Kinesis Advantage keyboard (it is really worth watching the video):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxH7Uith0tQ

Also, for linux users the mouse should be the last investment. For gamers probably the other way around.

Another remark about the Mac keyboard: the aluminum board is quite frankly horribly bad. The old Apple Keyboard II was the real deal, but the new stuff is not worth mentioning. The ergonomics is sacrificed in the altar of the cheap design.
 
I am becoming painfully aware of how much information here at Tom's is becoming for no better term "fodder." I mean really, are you guys at Tom's seriously thinking that a $108 for a plain (and it is plain seeing at it has no volume control no ergonomics to speak of, or any bells and whistles period) old keyboard is really worth it. I mean I even saw someone saying something about some u87 keyboard which I looked up and saw that it was $218 for only 87 keys mind you. I mean WTF...oh wait it's Deutsch so it has to be expensive.
 
Ahh, damit, i totally forgot to mention my real favorite:
Data-Hand keyboard (though i never had an opportunity to try the stuff out, but it looks really funky and useful).

Also, i completely agree: for those people who type a lot, they should learn to touch type and they should not care about the keyboard layout being shown on the keys. For these guys having a blank keyboards is just fine. Also, i managed to learn to touch type by removing the key-caps from my Model M board. Still, i am very slow, i can keep up at best only about 75 WPM for a long period of time.

However, for those people, who do not really type a lot, any generic board is perfect.

Btw Toms, it would be really nice to have finally a damn Edit button.
 
Fools will buy this, just like fools will buy "monster" cables with LEDs in them.

- 12 keys simultaneously; this is used when?

I'm disappointed ...
 
[citation][nom]tpill90[/nom]The best keyboard of all time is the IBM Model M.Have had it since 1986 and its still going strong.In response to everyone who is saying , "Why would I spend 100+ dollars on a keyboard?"My Model M was $200 and its now 23 years old. Sounds like a good investment to me.[/citation]

I actually own a Model M as well. There's fansites saying its the "best keyboard ever made", and such. But... I've moved on, honestly. Its awesome to type on, but its not a gaming keyboard. Unicomp owns the rights now, and they make some Model M inspired boards.

Overall, though. I'd much rather type on a Model M or Unicomp keyboard than a Das. Both suck for gaming, and the Das' extra "features" are irrelevant for typing.
 
...Actually, with that in mind, I just realized my work keyboard SUCKS. I think I'm going to go find my Model M tonight, dust it off, and bring it to the office tomorrow. Hmm, wonder if I have a PS/2 to USB converter somewhere around here...
 
I can't stand a keyboard without an oversized return key and those are harder to find these days -- I guess I'm the only one that likes that particular feature...
 
"das keyboard"

At least their name was inventive...

(Translated) "The Keyboard"

I don't know what you guys do with your keyboards, but I'm using a "Microsoft" keyboard I bought years ago... and it works perfectly fine for my gaming purposes. All the letters are still visible too.
 
My MS natural keyboard has been working perfectly since 1996. Only the E key is starting to wear. By wear I mean cosmetically. It's hard to read that it's an E.
 
you guys keep whatever you want. I've told people that they can have my 15-year old (yes 1993-94 era) keyboard (Lexmark/IBM Model M) when they pry it from my cold dead hands. I have 2 of them - one here and one at home, and they will last forever.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom