View Full Version : Broke Keyboard, Want Suggestions
Hi everyone!
I just broke my keyboard (typing this from work) and wanted suggestions for the nicest keyboard for a reasonable price. I'm currently using a Saitek Eclipse keyboard and it suits my needs very well.
So let the suggestions flow! I always like to hear about all the cool new keyboards/mice on the market, and forum debates about the nicest gear are always a good read.
Again, I'm not looking for super-top-end, but a few frivolous features couldn't hurt = )
Drasha
02-10-2010, 01:31 PM
go buy a keyboard from goodwill it costs like $7 and lets you type just as well as any other keyboard.
Tairashi
02-10-2010, 01:41 PM
get back to work.
Maliwan
02-10-2010, 03:40 PM
steal it from work
Ethereal_Int
02-10-2010, 05:39 PM
go buy a keyboard from goodwill it costs like $7 and lets you type just as well as any other keyboard.
Wrong. A good keyboard is important if you do a lot of typing.
Anyway my keyboard thread got deleted, but basically choose from something along the lines of http://lifehacker.com/5058929/the-best-keyboard-youve-ever-typed-on
I'm using the microsoft natural ergonomic 4000 and it's pretty good, although it is different enough from normal keyboards that I miss a few keys when I switch, and bad when it comes to gaming. On the other hand it is incredible for endurance typing, you will never feel tired even after 8 hours of constant typing. Apart from that the apple keyboard is supposed to be very good, as fratey will confirm, and also the saitek eclipse I and II.
Narfle
02-10-2010, 07:01 PM
Wrong. A good keyboard is important if you do a lot of typing.
I agree, but your assumption that the classic keyboard isnt "good" is a bit fail.
Ive been using the exact same type of keyboard since i was about 11 because my dad bought a TOOOOOOON of them when they released the new ones with the windows key and he keeps me supplied. They rarely ever break, im on my third one now, roughly 15 years later (the one im typing on right now does not have a windows key, no).
Never had any problem with it at all. Ever. Its not "designed ergonomically" or has "leet macro keys" or anything like that, its just a classic qwerty keyboard. But theres nothing wrong with it.
Oh, and i do ALOT of typing. Still dont have any problems with it.
I have a flashy mouse though, that set me back about 60 USD 3 years ago. Has blue neon lights and everything.
tldr: i second the goodwill motion and speak from loads of personal experience.
EDIT: It actually looks a lot like the first one in the link you posted. Except it didnt cost 70 USD even when it was brand new. Mine has a keypad though, but its not as old as that original design either.
Ethereal_Int
02-11-2010, 05:23 AM
I agree, but your assumption that the classic keyboard isnt "good" is a bit fail.
Ive been using the exact same type of keyboard since i was about 11 because my dad bought a TOOOOOOON of them when they released the new ones with the windows key and he keeps me supplied. They rarely ever break, im on my third one now, roughly 15 years later (the one im typing on right now does not have a windows key, no).
Never had any problem with it at all. Ever. Its not "designed ergonomically" or has "leet macro keys" or anything like that, its just a classic qwerty keyboard. But theres nothing wrong with it.
Oh, and i do ALOT of typing. Still dont have any problems with it.
I have a flashy mouse though, that set me back about 60 USD 3 years ago. Has blue neon lights and everything.
tldr: i second the goodwill motion and speak from loads of personal experience.
EDIT: It actually looks a lot like the first one in the link you posted. Except it didnt cost 70 USD even when it was brand new. Mine has a keypad though, but its not as old as that original design either.
Is it a mechanical one? I mean does it make clickety-click sounds when you type? If yes, that's one of the best keyboard types out there, even though it's old, and it's by no means a normal one. Today's keyboards use a membrane system, and it doesn't provide the typing feedback like the old ones. Anyway I didn't say that a normal one is bad, just that going back from a saitek it will feel worse. It will do the job, but since the OP had a saitek I don't think he'll want to downgrade from one of the top class keyboards.
VWoolfShirt
02-11-2010, 05:58 AM
whatever the basic logitech usb one is
it lasted longer than my power supply
Fiesta
02-11-2010, 03:37 PM
Is it a mechanical one? I mean does it make clickety-click sounds when you type? If yes, that's one of the best keyboard types out there, even though it's old, and it's by no means a normal one. Today's keyboards use a membrane system, and it doesn't provide the typing feedback like the old ones. Anyway I didn't say that a normal one is bad, just that going back from a saitek it will feel worse. It will do the job, but since the OP had a saitek I don't think he'll want to downgrade from one of the top class keyboards.
The make mechanical keyboards that are relatively modern, with it's classic clickity click sound. I forget who makes them, but if you're typing a lot, it would be the best invest for you. If you want a gaming keyboard, well, that's up to personal preference. personally, I <3 my Steelseries MERC Stealth.
LolMaliken
02-11-2010, 05:51 PM
my saitek finally took a **** on me (second one, each seemed to last about a yr) and ive been using a standard microsoft usb black basic normal run of the mill keyboard since and it does the SAME job just as good. if anything the keys pick up a bit better, i only miss my backlighting
Marylinn
02-11-2010, 06:15 PM
Yeah I have a saitek too, this is still my first, and will be my second year. It's not backlit though. :(
OTBatman
02-11-2010, 06:24 PM
if you play alot of fps on top of HoN i recommend a anti-ghosting keyboard
if youre just playing HoN and not alot of wasd smashing just get a cheap one that feels comfortable for you
NrFive
02-12-2010, 04:45 AM
Not sure which keyboard it is, but there are a couple ones which are all solid. So you could spill your drinks on it and just turn over and clean the stuff.
Great keyboards those...
Skellington
02-12-2010, 05:16 AM
http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/8953/optimusmaximus3.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/optimusmaximus3.jpg/)
Narfle
02-12-2010, 06:15 AM
Not sure which keyboard it is, but there are a couple ones which are all solid. So you could spill your drinks on it and just turn over and clean the stuff.
Great keyboards those...
I can do that to mine! To a certain extent, obviously, but ive spilled soda, water, coffee and gin in it on various occasions, and still going strong.
i lubs my keyboard.
EI: Its defenitly "mechanical", but im not exactley sure what you mean by "clikety click noises", probably because ive never really heard a keyboard make any other noise, but i dont go out of my way to listen to other peoples keyboards anyway. It makes the noise one would expect from it.
sounds sorta like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU_dP766NCQ&feature=related, but not entirely. Its close though.
on its backside, it only lists its FCC ID (w/e that is) and its serial number, i wish i could give better info, but i dont think i can.
Ethereal_Int
02-12-2010, 06:20 AM
I can do that to mine! To a certain extent, obviously, but ive spilled soda, water, coffee and gin in it on various occasions, and still going strong.
i lubs my keyboard.
EI: Its defenitly "mechanical", but im not exactley sure what you mean by "clikety click noises", probably because ive never really heard a keyboard make any other noise, but i dont go out of my way to listen to other peoples keyboards anyway. It makes the noise one would expect from it.
sounds sorta like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU_dP766NCQ&feature=related, but not entirely. Its close though.
on its backside, it only lists its FCC ID (w/e that is) and its serial number, i wish i could give better info, but i dont think i can.
That one seems like a normal membrane one. Anyway if you have a spare one, you can try and open it up. If you find little rubber membranes behind the keys then it's a normal one. Mechanical ones don't use them. Note that nearly all keyboards are membrane ones, and mechanical ones are pretty rare. So if you indeed have a mech one and didn't know it, you're a lucky bast0rd.
Edit: The numbers on the back are usually google-able. Post them here with anything else that is written back there.
Narfle
02-12-2010, 11:29 AM
That one seems like a normal membrane one. Anyway if you have a spare one, you can try and open it up. If you find little rubber membranes behind the keys then it's a normal one. Mechanical ones don't use them. Note that nearly all keyboards are membrane ones, and mechanical ones are pretty rare. So if you indeed have a mech one and didn't know it, you're a lucky bast0rd.
Edit: The numbers on the back are usually google-able. Post them here with anything else that is written back there.
I tried googling them, no result. All which is written on it is a small stickerthing with the text:
FCC ID: HPUKB AM101S
KOREA MARVEL CO. LTD
Serial number is 10472
Pretty cool with a Marvel keyboard tbh. Im a superhero!
And i can easily pull off a key of my choice if i want to look inside it, dont have to open it up for that, and even if i did, i wouldnt waste a keyboard just for a weird forum thread.