[BloodEagle]

So I'm looking to replace my filth encrusted, standard issue keyboard.  It has served me well for many years, but its aging is as evident as the existence of the new life-form growing within its crevices.

Unfortunately, it seems like keyboard developers, for the most part, have completely lost their freaking minds since I last looked into them.


So I'm looking for a keyboard (I've found a few possibilities) that has the standard key-spacing you'd find in classic IBM / COMPAQ / OEM keyboards from 10-15 years ago, and has normal backspace / enter keys (horizontal shaped wedges).  Being (at most) 1.5ft long would be a definite plus.   And the fewer media keys on the damned thing, the better.  Oh, and I definitely don't want one with that ridiculous 'declining up-arrow'.


POSSIBILITIES: (in no particular order)

• Rosewill RK-800G  XX Nevermind on this, didn't notice the backspace key
• LITE-ON SK-1788/BS
• i-Rocks KR-6260-BK XX Nevermind on this, didn't notice the backspace key
• Seal Shield STK-503

This biggest problem is that I can't find a place that hold ANY of these in stock, so I can't check them out before actually buying them.

So, if you have any opinions, recommendations, or insider information, I'd be very glad to hear it.

[TwentyPercentCooler]

Yeah, there are some really ridiculous things on keyboards now. Even I admit that I don't actually know much about basic keyboards anymore, I myself have a Saitek Eclipse I & II and a Creative Fatal1ty.

Is there any particular reason for your aversion to anything that wasn't on a keyboard 20 years ago (note: don't mean that to sound like I think it's silly; if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right)? Not all of them are bad.

[headdie]

I can speak for BloodEagle but my preference for old fashioned 102 layout is that I know where everything is without having to look

[BloodEagle]

Is there any particular reason for your aversion to anything that wasn't on a keyboard 20 years ago (note: don't mean that to sound like I think it's silly; if it ain't broke, don't fix it, right)? Not all of them are bad.

Inadequate key-spacing, key-height, poor tactile response, strange layouts, and curved keys are among the main reasons that I loathe modern keyboards.

Also, I shouldn't need to prop up the back-end with something else.  All of the new ones that I've seen have extensions that are half as long as the older keyboards'.

[Davros]

The IBM Model M keyboard is indeed keyboard of the gods.....
you can get them at clickykeyboards or here http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/

At the moment I use a zboard Merc
Every key is programmable single keystrokes or macros, plus it supports profiles that auto activate when you run the game (or program) and the profiler auto downloads profiles for new games (fully customisable of  course)

[Klaustrophobia]

i use a... *looks down* logitech k120.  $12 at walmart, best keyboard i've ever used.  standard layout, very nice feel.

[Mongoose]

I'm still using the generic Dell keyboard that came with this system seven years ago; it's fairly standard besides the extra-thick space bar and Alt keys at the bottom.  It's accumulated its share of grime over the years too, but I've managed to pry out and wash every single key once or twice, so it's still going.  Perhaps most amazingly, none of the letters have shown signs of wear; whatever they're printed with really holds up.

[Bob-san]

Perhaps a Das Keyboard, Unicomp, or something with Cherry switches? I really need a Cherry keyboard with the tactile but not audible clicks. That said, I'm using an IBM Model M right now. Remapped the LCtrl with the Windows key, though.

I find that most cheap keyboards are just that--cheap. Pieces of junk, really. Save your money and spend on something worthwhile. Remember that you interact with your keyboard by far most often. Don't bother with something cheap--you're only hurting yourself. A quality keyboard will last far longer. http://store.daskeyboard.com/Das-Keyboard-Ultimate-Model-Silent/dp/B003M4XGI4

[watsisname]

I'm still using the generic Dell keyboard that came with this system seven years ago; it's fairly standard besides the extra-thick space bar and Alt keys at the bottom.  It's accumulated its share of grime over the years too, but I've managed to pry out and wash every single key once or twice, so it's still going.  Perhaps most amazingly, none of the letters have shown signs of wear; whatever they're printed with really holds up.

Hear hear!

[Veers]

Using a Logitech Wireless K340, just what I want.

Also using a Logitech Wireless M305 Mouse.

[Klaustrophobia]

I find that most cheap keyboards are just that--cheap. Pieces of junk, really. Save your money and spend on something worthwhile. Remember that you interact with your keyboard by far most often. Don't bother with something cheap--you're only hurting yourself. A quality keyboard will last far longer. http://store.daskeyboard.com/Das-Keyboard-Ultimate-Model-Silent/dp/B003M4XGI4

i don't find that at all.  the no-name keyboard that i got for free when i built my first computer lasted 7 years.  the keyboard itself still works fine, the problem was it was PS/2 and the port on my motherboard has some issues.  and it was getting a bit nasty, but that could be fixed if i really wanted to.  and i'll reiterate that the $12 keyboard i got to replace it is the best i've ever used.  (althought if you like a high slant, this one's stand IS pretty short.  i like mine flatter though.)

[Admiral LSD]

I'm running a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 that I paid something like AUD$40 for a couple of years back since I was looking for something small enough to fit on my desks keyboard shelf, in black and USB native - all things my old Internet Keyboard Pro wasn't. It's supposed to be a sort of compromise between the traditional "split" layout ergonomic 'boards and more conventional layouts. The result is a keyboard that curves in the middle to create an ergonoic layout without that jarring split. It takes a bit of getting used to though and I have to admit I still haven't mastered it despite owning it for 2 years. I probably paid too much for it, but it's been good enough that I don't really care.

[Nuke]

i aquired a stack of variousmint condition keyboards from a thrift store for about a buck, most of them are pretty cool. what happens is some pseudo-geek buys a dell, doesnt like they keyboard, and trades it in for an over priced piece of crap gimmicky keyboard that probably wont work half the time. so my list of keyboards from best to worst are:

antique keyboards from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s that have been hacked to work over usb.
your standard (non apple) oem issue keyboard.
fancy overpriced crap that sucks.

layout is rather important so i like keyboards in the old skool layout used by early ibm x86 machines. im starting to get sick of logitech tampering with the layout of the edit pad, putting the ins key in absurd places, smashing the arrows, numpad and edit pad together, that kinda **** i cannot tolerate. i still have a fairly old ibm keyboard that i bought in maybe 97 or 98, and it still works fine. unfortunately i made the mistake of letting my mom use it. she has spilled her sugar and fancy creamer saturated abomination she calls coffee into it no fewer than 9 times. it has been rebuild 11 times and it still works fine. she did piss me off a lot when she destroyed the caplocks key in one of her temper tantrums. i mean the keyboard isnt all that special, late 90s $30 keyboard, it just has a quality about it you hardly ever find anymore, even in $100+ keyboards.

[Dragon]

I'm using a Logitech G110 keyboard. 12 additional, fully configurable keys with 3 modes each (mode switch dial is above them, along with a quick macro recording button), which can be set on a per-game basis, a switch to physically disable windows key (useful if the game uses alt and ctrl extensively), mute buttons for headphones/speakers, volume control, music player control buttons, an additional USB port, built-in sound card (not the best one out there though) complete with ports to plug your mic/speakers to it (and separate mute buttons for each), sleep/wake button and customizable backlight. I forgot how much my father payed for it though (I've got it after he found the hardness of keys didn't suit him, for me, it's fine). I find it's layout comfortable, more than any others I used (especially my previous, cheap one, which had a computer shutdown button right above printscreen button).

[pecenipicek]

Logitech G600, for the win. paid the equivalent of $20-ish here in croatia, retail. it ought to be a ton cheaper elsewhere.


It is a media keyboard, but the keys actually give back decent feedback, and the media keys are in a strip above the main area and i find them actually useful.

the "fn" modifier on the other hand, i find utterly useless. but hey, its a good, comfy keyboard.



also, **** keyboards without a big ****ing enter key right below the big backspace key.

[BloodEagle]

As much as I would absolutely love to grab one of the Unicomp keyboards (I miss my old Model M  ), there's no way in Hell that I'm spending more than 35.00 USD on a keyboard.

[CP5670]

I have the original blue G15 with 18 macro keys. The extra keys aren't that useful in games (apart from a few exceptions where the game won't let you remap keys) but are invaluable for writing Latex documents. I use the LCD to show a framerate graph in games and have remapped the right side windows and menu keys in software so I can use them in games.

One important difference between keyboards is the number and types of simultaneous keypresses they allow. I have yet to come across a perfect keyboard in this respect but the G15 is reasonably good with this, and a lot better than most of the old PS/2 keyboards I used in the past.

also, **** keyboards without a big ****ing enter key right below the big backspace key.

I hate keyboards with that layout since I use the backslash in many games, such as for the headlight in Descent. I think that L shaped enter key is common on international layouts. It was originally on my laptop but I swapped it out for a US layout keyboard.

[Enigmatic Entity]

I currently use this Dell SK-8135, which is better than the HP one I had before since it doesn't lock up as much on simultaneous key presses, and it has this nice little media control where the pause/printcsrn/scroll lock buttons usually are. It is nice and heavy as well. The only thing it doesn't have is 2 options for the back lift, but I don't need it any higher than what it does... I have no idea how much it costs since it was given to me, but they seem standard issue with many Dell computers. My mouse is so boring, but it works...

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[TwentyPercentCooler]

Personally, I love my Creative Fatal1ty. The layout isn't quite a full keyboard, but I'm a sucker for scissor keys. It's surprisingly well made - even after something like 2 years, none of the keys have broken and not even the silkscreen letters have started wearing off of the keys. The backlighting isn't fantastic but I've been thinking about taking it apart and putting my own LEDs in there. No annoying frills like "media" buttons on whatever.

[Herra Tohtori]

Logitech G19 is pretty cool