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I found this Mechanical Keyboard Guide @ Overclock.net when researching a few boards out there. It has overviews and links to the manufactures so you can purchase each board. I think this will put to rest the debate between mechanical and dome/scissor switch keyboards for typing, gaming or both.
Source:
Overclock Mechanical Keyboard Guide (Manyak)
http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html
Geek Hack (Mechanical Keyboard Forum)
Great for general info on any mechanical keyboard.
They have a FS Section, along with Group Buys for Key Cap Sets and Individual Switches, Mechanical Boards and many different types of aftermarket accessories.
http://geekhack.org/
Here's a list of current mechanical keyboards for sale:
When purchasing a mechanical keyboard always choose the PS/2 version over the USB version. PS/2 offers infinite N-Key rollover while USB only offers 6 key rollover with 4 modifiers. If you need a USB connector for your PC, purchase an "Active" PS/2 to USB converter. Non-active PS/2 converters do not properly transmit all data from mechanical keyboards. You can find one here (Used with the IBM Model M Keyboards):
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/124184
Adesso Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.adesso.com/en/home/keyboards/mechanical-keyboard.html
Price: $80-100
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
Adesso Mechanical 22 Key Numpad
http://www.adesso-shop.com/index.ph...id=136&zenid=fc2a0c1bee65088597ec7887cac1d2ca
Price: $39
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
CHERRY Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tegory=63&Manufactory=12559&SpeTabStoreType=1
http://www.provantage.com/~56IKEYB_CHER.htm
Also Search Google
Price: $50-150 (Depending on Model)
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black, Red and Brown
Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/keyboards/
Price: $80-100
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue and Red(US) / Brown (Asia)
Cooler Master Trigger
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3089&product_name=CM Storm Trigger
Price: NA
Release Date: NA
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Black and Red
Corsair Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tion=corsair&bop=And&Order=PRICED&PageSize=20
http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-gaming/vengeance-gaming-keyboards.html
K60 Standard or K90 Backlit w/ 54 Macro Combinations
Switches: Cherry MX Red with Rubber Dome F1-12 and Macro Keys
Price: $99-129
Das Keyboards
http://www.daskeyboard.com/
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCgQrQQwAg
Price: $110-130
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue (Professional and Ultimate models), Cherry MX Brown
Deck Keyboards (Popular Brand)
http://www.deckkeyboards.com/
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...search_in_description=1&keyword=deck+keyboard
Price: $100-176 82-Key SFF also available
LED Colors: Blue, Red, White and Green
Switch Types: Tactile (Cherry MX White), Linear (Cherry MX Black)
Ducky Keyboards
http://www.tankguys.com/mechnical-keyboards.html
Switches: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Black, Alps and Brown
LED Colors: Red, White
Price: $80-140
Ducky Dragon 2012 DK-9087 Limited edition (Backlit TKL)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y3T-39IP1NY
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?31963-Ducky-Dragon-2012-DK-9087-Limited-edition
Swiches: TBA
Price: TBA
Filco Keyboards (Popular Brand)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=filco&x=0&y=0
http://us.ncix.com/search/?q=filco
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_search.asp (EU Site)
Price: $109-160
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Red and Black
Gizmine/HoCoo - "Wooden Mechanical Keyboard" (Keyboard is completely made out of wood, even the keycaps!)
http://www.gizmine.com/gzkb/wooden+keyboard/woodkb.shtml
Price: $649
Switch Type: N/A
Happy Hacking Keyboards (HHKB) (Best of the Best)
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards
Price: $300-500
Switch Type: Topre Capacitive Switches
IBM Model M - Original Keyboards
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm
Price: Variable
Switch Type: Variable
iOne Scorpius M10 (Great Value)
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CB8QrQQwAg
Price: $50-75
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
iOne Xarmor U9BL
http://www.ione.com.tw/2009/Product/6A_SC-U9 BL.asp
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=iOne+Xarmor+U9BL
Backlit Blue illuminated keys
Audio Passthough (Mic + Audio Out)
Price: Varies
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
KBC Poker Keyboards
Taobao.com - http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=kbc+poker&commend=all&pid=mm_11109405_2341274_9052620
Elite e-sports gaming (qtan @ GeekHack) http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?81-Elite-e-sports-gaming-equipment - Best Option
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Brown and Black
Price: $80-140
Leopold Keyboards
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold
Switch Type: Cherry MX Brown, Red and Blue
Price: $89-140
Monoprice Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.monoprice.com/products/s...ing_Keyboards&utm_campaign=NP_Q2_2012#1080906
Switch Type: Cherry MX Red w/ Red LED Backlit and Cherry Black
Price: $97-130
Noppoo Choco Keyboards
Taobao.com - http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=noppoo+choc&commend=all&pid=mm_11109405_2341274_9052620
Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...c+poker&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Brown and Black
Price: $80-120
Optimus Maximus (If you got it, why not spend it)
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/keyboards-mice/9836/?cpg=froogle
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...roduct_info&cPath=53_85_233&products_id=23346
Price: $1,599-1,899
Switch Type: Cherry ML Black (Different from Cherry MX Black)
Razer Blackwidow and Blackwidow Ultimate
http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.49136200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...NodeId=1&Description=razer+blackwidow&x=0&y=0
Full Programmable Keys allow Effortless Configuration
Individually Blue Backlit Keys With 5 Levels of Lighting
Price: $80-140
Switch Type: Blue and Brown
Rosewill Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...l mechanical&bop=And&Order=PRICED&PageSize=20
Price: $80-110
Switch Type: Cherry Blue, Brown, Red and Black
SIIG Keyboards
http://www.siig.com/it-products/key...op-keyboard-with-mechanical-key-switches.html
http://www.google.com/products/cata...0&ei=ZuKvT-vKNajusQfimc3-Aw&ved=0CAcQ8wIwAA#p
Price: $75-100
Switch Type: Simplified Alps White
SteelSeries 6Gv2 Now Available!!!
http://steelseries.com/us/products/keyboards/steelseries-6gv2
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...ming keyboard&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf
Price: $99
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black
SteelSeries 7G
http://steelseries.com/us/products/keyboards/steelseries-7g
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQrQQwAg
Price: $109-150
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black
The MiniGuru (TBA 2012)
http://www.guru-board.com/
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown and Red
QWERTY, DVORAK and COLEMAK Programmable via filmware
Customizable colors, keys and switches
Thermaltake eSports Mechanical Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...90&isNodeId=1&Description=thermaltake&x=0&y=0
Price: $90-100
Switch Type: TBA
Torpe Realforce Keyboards (Best of the Best)
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards
Price: $228-350
Switch Type: Topre Capacitive Switches
Unicomp (IBM Model M)
http://www.pckeyboard.com/
Price: $79 and up
Switch Types: Buckling Spring, Enhanced Quiet Touch
WASD Keyboards (My Top Pick)
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/
Create custom or semi-custom colored key cap layouts!!!! Engraved or Laser Etched Keycaps.
Board Only (without key caps) is available along with individual custom key cap sets.
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Black and Red (ISO layout now available)
Price: $90-150
ZOWIE CELERITAS
http://zowiegear.com/index.php?opti...cle&id=137:announcementkeyboard&catid=37:news
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823826001&cm_re=zowie-_-23-826-001-_-Product
Switch Type: MX Cherry Brown
Price: $101
More boards will be added soon along with switch types. If you know of any other additional keyboards, please notify me and I will post them.
Here's my "Leopold White w/ Red Switches and Doubleshot Red on Black Caps"
http://i.imgur.com/OVyAi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IjQCa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XKOJo.jpg
Source:
Overclock Mechanical Keyboard Guide (Manyak)
http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html
Geek Hack (Mechanical Keyboard Forum)
Great for general info on any mechanical keyboard.
They have a FS Section, along with Group Buys for Key Cap Sets and Individual Switches, Mechanical Boards and many different types of aftermarket accessories.
http://geekhack.org/
Here's a list of current mechanical keyboards for sale:
When purchasing a mechanical keyboard always choose the PS/2 version over the USB version. PS/2 offers infinite N-Key rollover while USB only offers 6 key rollover with 4 modifiers. If you need a USB connector for your PC, purchase an "Active" PS/2 to USB converter. Non-active PS/2 converters do not properly transmit all data from mechanical keyboards. You can find one here (Used with the IBM Model M Keyboards):
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11298/subcatid/0/id/124184
Adesso Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.adesso.com/en/home/keyboards/mechanical-keyboard.html
Price: $80-100
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
Adesso Mechanical 22 Key Numpad
http://www.adesso-shop.com/index.ph...id=136&zenid=fc2a0c1bee65088597ec7887cac1d2ca
Price: $39
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
CHERRY Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tegory=63&Manufactory=12559&SpeTabStoreType=1
http://www.provantage.com/~56IKEYB_CHER.htm
Also Search Google
Price: $50-150 (Depending on Model)
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black, Red and Brown
Cooler Master Quick Fire Rapid
http://www.cmstore-usa.com/keyboards/
Price: $80-100
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue and Red(US) / Brown (Asia)
Cooler Master Trigger
http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3089&product_name=CM Storm Trigger
Price: NA
Release Date: NA
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Black and Red
Corsair Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...tion=corsair&bop=And&Order=PRICED&PageSize=20
http://www.corsair.com/vengeance-gaming/vengeance-gaming-keyboards.html
K60 Standard or K90 Backlit w/ 54 Macro Combinations
Switches: Cherry MX Red with Rubber Dome F1-12 and Macro Keys
Price: $99-129
Das Keyboards
http://www.daskeyboard.com/
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCgQrQQwAg
Price: $110-130
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue (Professional and Ultimate models), Cherry MX Brown
Deck Keyboards (Popular Brand)
http://www.deckkeyboards.com/
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...search_in_description=1&keyword=deck+keyboard
Price: $100-176 82-Key SFF also available
LED Colors: Blue, Red, White and Green
Switch Types: Tactile (Cherry MX White), Linear (Cherry MX Black)
Ducky Keyboards
http://www.tankguys.com/mechnical-keyboards.html
Switches: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Black, Alps and Brown
LED Colors: Red, White
Price: $80-140
Ducky Dragon 2012 DK-9087 Limited edition (Backlit TKL)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=y3T-39IP1NY
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?31963-Ducky-Dragon-2012-DK-9087-Limited-edition
Swiches: TBA
Price: TBA
Filco Keyboards (Popular Brand)
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias=aps&field-keywords=filco&x=0&y=0
http://us.ncix.com/search/?q=filco
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_search.asp (EU Site)
Price: $109-160
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Red and Black
Gizmine/HoCoo - "Wooden Mechanical Keyboard" (Keyboard is completely made out of wood, even the keycaps!)
http://www.gizmine.com/gzkb/wooden+keyboard/woodkb.shtml
Price: $649
Switch Type: N/A
Happy Hacking Keyboards (HHKB) (Best of the Best)
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards
Price: $300-500
Switch Type: Topre Capacitive Switches
IBM Model M - Original Keyboards
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm
Price: Variable
Switch Type: Variable
iOne Scorpius M10 (Great Value)
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CB8QrQQwAg
Price: $50-75
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
iOne Xarmor U9BL
http://www.ione.com.tw/2009/Product/6A_SC-U9 BL.asp
https://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=iOne+Xarmor+U9BL
Backlit Blue illuminated keys
Audio Passthough (Mic + Audio Out)
Price: Varies
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue
KBC Poker Keyboards
Taobao.com - http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=kbc+poker&commend=all&pid=mm_11109405_2341274_9052620
Elite e-sports gaming (qtan @ GeekHack) http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?81-Elite-e-sports-gaming-equipment - Best Option
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Brown and Black
Price: $80-140
Leopold Keyboards
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold
Switch Type: Cherry MX Brown, Red and Blue
Price: $89-140
Monoprice Mechanical Keyboards
http://www.monoprice.com/products/s...ing_Keyboards&utm_campaign=NP_Q2_2012#1080906
Switch Type: Cherry MX Red w/ Red LED Backlit and Cherry Black
Price: $97-130
Noppoo Choco Keyboards
Taobao.com - http://search8.taobao.com/search?q=noppoo+choc&commend=all&pid=mm_11109405_2341274_9052620
Ebay - http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw...c+poker&_osacat=0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m270.l1313
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Red, Brown and Black
Price: $80-120
Optimus Maximus (If you got it, why not spend it)
http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/keyboards-mice/9836/?cpg=froogle
http://www.performance-pcs.com/cata...roduct_info&cPath=53_85_233&products_id=23346
Price: $1,599-1,899
Switch Type: Cherry ML Black (Different from Cherry MX Black)
Razer Blackwidow and Blackwidow Ultimate
http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/DisplayCategoryProductListPage/categoryID.49136200
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...NodeId=1&Description=razer+blackwidow&x=0&y=0
Full Programmable Keys allow Effortless Configuration
Individually Blue Backlit Keys With 5 Levels of Lighting
Price: $80-140
Switch Type: Blue and Brown
Rosewill Cherry MX Mechanical Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...l mechanical&bop=And&Order=PRICED&PageSize=20
Price: $80-110
Switch Type: Cherry Blue, Brown, Red and Black
SIIG Keyboards
http://www.siig.com/it-products/key...op-keyboard-with-mechanical-key-switches.html
http://www.google.com/products/cata...0&ei=ZuKvT-vKNajusQfimc3-Aw&ved=0CAcQ8wIwAA#p
Price: $75-100
Switch Type: Simplified Alps White
SteelSeries 6Gv2 Now Available!!!
http://steelseries.com/us/products/keyboards/steelseries-6gv2
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...ming keyboard&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wf
Price: $99
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black
SteelSeries 7G
http://steelseries.com/us/products/keyboards/steelseries-7g
http://www.google.com/products?rlz=...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=3&ved=0CCQQrQQwAg
Price: $109-150
Switch Type: Cherry MX Black
The MiniGuru (TBA 2012)
http://www.guru-board.com/
Switch Type: Cherry MX Blue, Brown and Red
QWERTY, DVORAK and COLEMAK Programmable via filmware
Customizable colors, keys and switches
Thermaltake eSports Mechanical Keyboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...90&isNodeId=1&Description=thermaltake&x=0&y=0
Price: $90-100
Switch Type: TBA
Torpe Realforce Keyboards (Best of the Best)
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards
Price: $228-350
Switch Type: Topre Capacitive Switches
Unicomp (IBM Model M)
http://www.pckeyboard.com/
Price: $79 and up
Switch Types: Buckling Spring, Enhanced Quiet Touch
WASD Keyboards (My Top Pick)
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/
Create custom or semi-custom colored key cap layouts!!!! Engraved or Laser Etched Keycaps.
Board Only (without key caps) is available along with individual custom key cap sets.
Switch Types: Cherry MX Blue, Brown, Black and Red (ISO layout now available)
Price: $90-150
ZOWIE CELERITAS
http://zowiegear.com/index.php?opti...cle&id=137:announcementkeyboard&catid=37:news
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823826001&cm_re=zowie-_-23-826-001-_-Product
Switch Type: MX Cherry Brown
Price: $101
More boards will be added soon along with switch types. If you know of any other additional keyboards, please notify me and I will post them.
Here's my "Leopold White w/ Red Switches and Doubleshot Red on Black Caps"
http://i.imgur.com/OVyAi.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IjQCa.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/XKOJo.jpg
Last edited:
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