Curse

womBonk · Oct 25, 2011, 04:39 AM // 04:39

So I'm currently looking for a new keyboard after my Saitek Cyborg died on me. I would prefer one with decent anti-ghosting abilities (not an overdone advertised 26 key presses at once keyboard). I would need a keyboard that smoothly registers me mashing the WASD keys, use skills with key modifiers, and hammer the space bar at the same time. The ability to make macros is preferred but not a must. I also prefer quiet rubbery keys or some kind of anti-slip key. I couldn't care less if the keys light up or not.

So please, if you know of a good keyboard that fits at least some of these specifications let me know. I would hope it's under 70 bucks as well. :#

Some of the keyboards I'm currently interested in:
Logitech G110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126087
- I've heard great reviews and horrible reviews on the G110. It seems that most all of the G series has somewhat random build quality. Some say It's the greatest while others say the keyboard lasted a week. Other than that this looks great the reviews just make me skeptical.

Logitech 920-000914 Wired Ultra-Thin
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126043
- This looks like a great keyboard to me I even tried out its wireless cousin in store and loved the way it felt. It just isn't advertised as a 'gaming' keyboard-- which I couldn't care less about. I just don't know if it will handle some of my abuse.

Microsoft Sidewinder X4
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...3109191&Tpk=x4
- I've heard good reviews on this one due its macro making abilities but I'm not so sure about the build quality. I've heard the keys feel like cheap plastic.

Anyway any kind of input is appreciated

Thanks,
Wombonk

Quaker · Oct 25, 2011, 02:23 PM // 14:23

I've used a Logitech G19 for about a year now. The G110 appears to be somewhat the same as far as layout, build style, etc, without the LCD. My G19 still works fine and has a good feel. (The LCD is not as useful as I had hoped.) My only minor complaint is that it sits too 'flat' on the desk, even with the rear legs in use - so I had to add some higher 'feet' to the rear to tilt it at a better angle (but, it's still not quite angled enough for me).

I'm not familiar with the Ultra-thin at all. I imagine that it is built somewhat like a laptop keyboard - I don't know how well laptop keyboards survive gaming.

I have a Microsoft wireless keyboard that I use with my HTPC. It works fine, but the keys do feel a bit sloppy. I don't use it enough to really have an opinion. Some other MS keyboards I've used (or supplied with systems) did feel 'plastic-y'.

Of the 3, I would tend toward the G110.

Jette Antral · Oct 25, 2011, 07:20 PM // 19:20

If you're on a budget, get anything by Microsoft in the $20-30 range, they make keyboards that'll last a year or two and have enough bells and whistles to satisfy gamers.

If you have a little money spend and want something good, look into a Daskeyboard or a Leopold keyboard, both of them use Cherry switches, which last a lot longer and feel much nicer to type on, which is important for freaks like me to who type 2,000 words a day plus whatever I post on forums, IRC, and instant messaging. If you're old-school, you could get a Unicomp keyboard, which is strong enough to survive a meteor impact, or find an IBM Model M on eBay, the grandaddy of all modern keyboards.

If you want a gaming keyboard that feels nice to type on, get a Razer BlackWidow. Razer's stuff is usually crap with a four-digit markup percentage, but the widow is pretty nice. I think it comes with programmable hotkeys (but you should really use a program to do that, not a keyboard). I suggest unplugging it at night if you care at all about your electric bill.

If you're like me and have a ton of money to blow on useless bullshit, you could get a Happy Hacking Keyboard "Professional" edition, which uses an unusual but very pleasant layout and "Topre" capacitive switches, which make typing more fun than sex, at least for the first few weeks. If you want the sex but not the layout, Realforce uses the same switches with a traditional ANSI layout.

Any of the ones listed other than the Microsoft brands will probably last longer than you will, and the Unicomp/Model M definitely will.

wilebill · Oct 25, 2011, 09:56 PM // 21:56

Use a Logitech G11 myself. Smooth, never any problems.

However, in your post "I just don't know if it will handle some of my abuse." Depending on how much abuse you deal out, no keyboard may last long. So, all of us have our style. Back when I was learning to program I watched a programmer whose ultra smooth 10 key input style became a standard for me. He said, "I don't care how fast I am, just how smooth." A light came on for me. And it works in gaming too.