Mechanical Keyboards

[DoubleB123]

I've been looking into getting a new keyboard since I spilled some ice cream on my current one and some of the keys have become sticky. After doing some research I found out about the world of mechanical keyboards. I have always just used the keyboard that came with my computer, but considering how much time I spend on the computer I have been debating shelling out the extra money to get a nice mechanical keyboard. I've been looking at keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches because they are still tactile but aren't so clicky that they will annoy people around me.

So to the people who own mechanical keyboards, is it worth it to take the plunge and buy one?

 

[global_dev]

I was contemplating the same thing for a month now, but I find it hard to pay between 100 and 200 for a keyboard. Someone please advise op so I can listen to the advice.

 

[Benoit]

IMHO it is. I have a number of them, including my favourites: 2 Noppoo Choc Mini. One with MX brown, the other with MX red, and I love them both. It's a compact keyboard: tenkeyless (no numpad), which mean the mouse is not as far off as with a regular keyboard; really more comfortable. Same for the switches: they are lighters to activate than a regular rubber dome keyboard, which make for more comfortable longer sessions. You can find a lot of informations on mechanical keyboards on a enthusiast forum like Deskthority: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/noppoo-choc-mini-t4281.html?hilit=noppoo choc mini.

 

[commanderkeen]

Buy a quality mechanical and you can use it for the next 20 years. The price really doesn't come into play when you think that you will probably go through 4-6 computers in that time.

 

[global_dev]

You think we'll still be using keyboards in 2033?

 

[arghblech]

Unicomp makes clones of the older IBM keyboards. I recommend them.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Why don't you just clean the old one?

 

[mmack66]

You think we'll still be using keyboards in 2033?

Nope.

Unicomp makes clones of the older IBM keyboards. I recommend them.

+1

 

[Mick]

I have been using the same Northgate Omni Key 101 keyboard since the early 1970's

I am on my keyboard 10-14 hours a day because this is how I have made my living (on a keyboard).

I like the old Omni Key keyboards so much that when Northgate announced they were going out of business I purchased several new/boxed keyboards as spares.

I also like the older 3M full under gel filled wrist rests. Again these have been discontinued for about a decade now but my stockpile should outlast me and end up in a dumpster when I am gone

I've also purchased some of the newer switch keyboards like the Das Keyboard but the old ALPS switch Norhgates are by far my favorites

 

[bakerbarber]

A guy at work cleaned out the IT backroom Friday and filled a big gray bin on wheels with rotary phones, IBM keyboards and loads of manuals and books.

I told him I heard some of those keyboards were worth up to $200.00 and he just laughed. I walked away...

I Googled the model number from the back of one and saw a half dozen completed eBay listings for it had sold between $75.00 and $250.00 in various states of condition. When the boss is away IT cleans house.

They also gave about 20 tower PCs with P4 processors and core-duo that had various issues from bad RAM to bad HDD. The guy that took them Frankenstein's them as a hobby.

I could have grabbed like 12 old IBM keyboards last week. I really wanted one of the rotary phones too. A couple of the IBM keyboards had weird connections like r45 cables. I think they were from user stations with dumb monitors for a server station. They had double rows of function keys and full numeric keypads. Some had round ended cables.

I probably would have been fired for stealing if I rescued them from the dumpster.

I don't type much, but I did invest in a Logitech MX5500 a couple of years ago. Mostly for the mouse. I hate wires!