Mechanical Keyboards Anyone? (1 Viewer)

Just curious who prefers to use them, what model you own, and what type of switches (e.g. Cherry MX Red, Blue, etc.).


A $100+ keyboard is no doubt a luxury item, but I'm curious enough about the experience to want to try it out. Maybe I should just bust out my Apple IIc?

I've been using the bent "natural" keyboards for over 15 years now.


I got a closeout deal on "last years model" of the MS Natural keyboard at a clearance place in Silicon Valley a dozen years ago: 3 new keyboards in retail packaging for $50. When one gets dirty I just hook up another and start the cleaning process.

What is a "natural" keyboard?

That's Microsoft's ergnomic keyboard: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microsoft_Natural_keyboard


But it doesn't appear that any of the models is mechanical.

Yeah mine are the "multimedia" keyboards third from the top in that article.

What does "mechanical" mean in the context of a device that ultimately generates an electrical signal? iPhone: not mechanical. Everything else...?



The MS Natural was a favorite for years (and have one at work). But those became hard to find, especially with a USB connector. I switched to the MS Comfort Curve 2000 (pretty awesome) and then the 3000 (not as good but still ok) at home. Those are pretty nice, if a big mushy.

I bought a pair of these to ensure long-term use of my three keyboards.

I'm using a Corsair Vengeance K70 with Cherry MX Blue switches, red LEDs. Love it.

Das Professional S currently (I think Cherry MX Blue), but I really miss my Northgate Omnikey Ultra.


One of these days I have to get that thing fixed. After my Omnikey started acting up, I switched back to an old retired
IBM/Lexmark Model M (1994 and dang heavy which was great) I rescued from a storage room at work gathering dust.

I'm not even a good typist, but I can't stand those mush type keyboards.

Dennis Nicholls said:

I bought a pair of these to ensure long-term use of my three keyboards.

Click to expand...

thats a good idea. But I've made my peace with non-Natural keyboards.

Cameron Yee said:

http://lifehacker.com/how-to-choose-the-best-mechanical-keyboard-and-why-you-511140347

Click to expand...

Gotcha. Nope, I'm not into "mechanical" keyboards. I don't like that much throw and that much "click"

But more power to those that do

(I do care about Ergo setups and wish there were better options there)

Mechanical are my 100% prefered keyboards. You can keep your chicklet/flat/non-tactile pieces of junk. One of the reasons I hate most laptops is they no longer put a "real" keyboard on them. The feel and feedback provided by a mechanical keyboard for touch typing is unsurpassed. On my work laptop I frequently "get lost" on the keyboard simply because *all* the keys "feel" the same and my fingers have decades of memory using typewriters and mechanical keyboards. *ALL* the desktop systems I use regularly have "real" keyboards and I keep a stash of 10 or so just in case one fails (which has never happened).

I've basically identified Max Keyboards as the vendor if I go for one. They have a starter keyboard that has Cherry MX Brown switches, and you still get to customize the keys to an extent.


http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-entry-level-custom-mechanical-keyboard.html

Best Buy has the Logitech G710+ on sale for $90. It has Cherry MX Brown switches with o-ring dampeners.

Is there an illuminated mechanical keyboard?

The G710+ in my previous post has backlit keys, with three levels of brightness setting. But there's a G610 if it's not available: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/logitec...keyboard/5053320.p?id=bb5053320&skuId=5053320

Max Keyboards also has a few different models of backlit keyboards. This is just one: http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x7-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html

Johnny Angell said:

Is there an illuminated mechanical keyboard?

Click to expand...

Corsair makes an entire line on backlit mechanical keyboards for gaming. A brief look has them starting at $99 and running upwards of $190 or so. I didn't check to see if any of them have Mac keys as well as or in lieu of Windows keys.

If you're looking for an illuminated mechanical keyboard, check out this link from Ron.
http://9to5toys.com/2016/07/01/das-keyboard-5q/

I just swapped to a Razer Chroma and love it