Best feeling keyboard?

R

Ronco

[H]ard|Gawd
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Oct 6, 2005
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I just finished washing (yes... occasionally I remove the membrane and circuitry, rub in some antibacterial goo then turn the hose on my keyboards) my main keyboard and I think in doing so I broke one of the cross-bracing bars in the Backspace key. It's sticking so it's time for a new keyboard.

I haven't really taken time out to look into keyboards very much. One of the PC's I've stuck in my office has a Logitech Dinovo which I think is OK but I would probably not use it as an everyday keyboard. I also have a non-English keyboard which I really like the feel of on another PC, but having bought the English version too I realise I hate the layout. Apart from that and the Gyromouse + keyboard combo in the living room, every other keyboard I have at the moment is the cheap crap that comes with PC's.

I know the interpretation of 'best feeling' will differ, but since I spend so much of my life banging away at a keyboard I might as well look into alternatives.

The only ergonomic layout I ever liked was the Apple one from the mid-90's (but even then, I preferred the regular keyboard). I like the clicky feel keyboards but I'm not sure if they're doing my fingers any good as I'm quite club-handed when I approach a keyboard. From that point of view I quite like the short-travel but heavily damped feel of some ultra-compact keyboards. I also like heavy keyboards which stay in place. So you know, my idea of a 'keyboard nightmare' would be the new Dell ones.

Just please throw out any recommendations for keyboards you found really nice to type on. I'm not really into the other stuff like whether it's backlit, etc. Price? There is no budget to speak of but nothing silly. Let's say below $300.
 
Although you don't care about backlighting or any of the other features...
Logitech's G15 keyboard is really nice to type on, verry comfortable, and stays in place. It's a little bigger then the average keyboard, but typing on it is amazing.
 
I had similar issues a while ago, finally having to replace my 1999 Era (Non-Windows) keyboard. It took me quit a while to find one I like, but I personally have had great experience with IBM's Preferred Pro Keyboards (Model KB-0225 for mine). They have a very tactile, but soft feel. The keys all have a somewhat rubberized coating, and they do give feedback as to when they've been pressed, but not to the point of being annoying. They also come in USB or PS/2 flavors.

And even brand new from IBM (Lenovo), they are only $25.
 
You should also look into the IBM Model M. I was going to go with that but they just didn't make a black version so I settled with a black Dell AT101W. It's heavy so it doesn't move around and it has the clicky keys that I love.
 
If your looking for a very comfortable keyboard i suggest you check out one of the new black Microsoft ergo wired keyboards. I just got one and typeing on it for a couple of days i really like it a lot. The wrist rest is extremely comfortable. It has a lot of multimedia functionality as well.

I'm very picky about keyboards and sometimes i'll try a few till i get one i like and i like this one.
 
I have the small black ms ergonomic keyboard and the logitech g15 gaming keyboard. I use the latter. I have been pretty picky in the past with keyboards (ala using nothing but curved keyboards only) but now, I make due with the logitech as the macro keys rock. it feels rather comfy, not to mention the backlit keys and the lcd display. I'd look into that if you want, newegg has em not too expensive.
 
The G15 seems like a hugely impressive keyboard :D I guess I should check it out.

Apart from rubber dome / membrane and microswitch, is there any other different technology for keyboards?
 
Well, I've not tried it, but I know that several people here have gotten Das Keyboard and loved it. Since there's no lettering on the keys, it truly is all about the "feel".

 
uzor said:
Well, I've not tried it, but I know that several people here have gotten Das Keyboard and loved it. Since there's no lettering on the keys, it truly is all about the "feel".

Click to expand...
what do they mean when they say 'the keyboard that CLICKS'? does it mean it clicks when u push a button? if so, is it loud?
 
Retardo said:
what do they mean when they say 'the keyboard that CLICKS'? does it mean it clicks when u push a button? if so, is it loud?
Click to expand...
Buckling-spring keyboards have a sound that resembles a loud click when a key is pressed. It is considerably louder than the membrane-based keyboard which compose like 99% of keyboards on the market right now. Whether you find it distracting or annoying is purely a matter of preference.

By the way, 'Das Keyboard' does NOT use buckling-spring keys.
 
xonik said:
Buckling-spring keyboards have a sound that resembles a loud click when a key is pressed. It is considerably louder than the membrane-based keyboard which compose like 99% of keyboards on the market right now. Whether you find it distracting or annoying is purely a matter of preference.

By the way, 'Das Keyboard' does NOT use buckling-spring keys.
Click to expand...
dont know what buckling spring keys are but if it makes alot/loud noise when typing... :(
 
You know, I'm not entirely sure about the clicky keyboards, I think they cause me to bang on the keys more. I try not to, but I really do tend to hammer at keyboards if I'm not paying attention. I think I prefer the squishy ones because firstly they provide the squishiness and secondly because I think they cause me to bang less!

What I don't like is squishy and iffy. I like squishy and positive :D
 
Bugger... no stock at any of the stores I use for the G15. Oh well, I've put it on back order. Anything else I should be trying?
 
This keyboard looks frighteningly close to your non-american one you like alot.

With media buttons on top:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823107120
Without media buttons on top:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823107123

The spacebar is a tad loud, but is very easy to fix with a little tape around the metal rod used to stabilize it. Read my review (the 13th one) on the non-media one. I've owned it for more than 7 months and it's still rockin...

I also recommend it for it's price. I've actually hit someone with this keyboard at a LAN (lol...he stole my pineapple soda!) and it works quite fine after a full force hit. No keys popped out either :D
 
I'm going to recommend the IBM Model M as well, you can still buy them unopened, so basically new and boxed (albeit it in 1993 or so) from places like Ebay if you look around. Get a PS2 one and you've got what is probably the best keyboard ever made :)

There is no substitute for proper buckling spring key mechanisms in my humble opinion.

Also, Vultureman mentions hitting someone with his keyboard, well if you hit someone with an IBM Model M ...they probably wont get up for a while, hit them over the head and they may never get up :eek: ...at 2.4kg it's one heavy duty piece of kit. They are noisy though, very noisy compared to a modern mushy rubber dome keyboard, but the joy of typing on one and just knowing you have one of the all time great computing classics more than makes up for a bit of extra clattering.
 
http://www.btc.com.tw/english/2-7-07keyboard.htm

i have the 6200U and i love it. the only think that i dont like is the small right shift key since i do alot of php programming i need alot of < and > and ? and i used to use my right hand to hit shift and the key, but now i have to use the left shift since i can never find the right key.

other than that it is amazing, i love the laptop feel and sound and i feel like i cna type alot faster on this than i could on my logitec mx duo or "clicky" old-school keyboard.
 
For me it's the MS Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. Never felt a more comfortable keyboard.

keyboard.jpg
 
Stellar said:
$70 (not including tax or shipping) for that?
Click to expand...

Considering that it will last you probably two decades (one of my Ms is about to have it's 15th birthday on May 1st; I have another that's a year and 11 months older)... yes.

They also make a white / beige model that is $10 less, if price is that much of an issue for you.
 
for work purposes when I use the buckling spring kb i hit 15000 characters per hour but using the membrane ones usually around 8-9000
so for work i prefer the sprunk Kb's but at home i type slower then a retard on crack.
 
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