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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 12, 2013 20:55:57 GMT
I need to replace my desktop keyboard and am thinking of going for a mechanical keyboard just wondering what thoughts and input people had on keyboards in general but any thing specific to mechanicals would be handy.
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Post by dirk on Jun 13, 2013 0:10:48 GMT
Hey, good timing, I'm also in the market for a new keyboard! I don't know anything about mechanical vs. otherwise but looking for something nice and comfortable for typing (programming) and if it has some macro capabilities for gaming, that's a bonus. I haven't even started any research yet but I'll post here if I come across anything of value.
db
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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 13, 2013 1:47:41 GMT
Mechanical is basically gaining popularity due to people who want a "noisier" old school style keyboard and because they actually cut down on typos and are built of higher quality parts which are made to handle more key presses in its life time. The big down side is while it is likely to last 5 times as long it also seems to cost about 5x as much costing between $60 to $200 for one. I am willing to put in that money for something of quality construction but if you want to go with the ludicrous you can go drool over some amazing custom mechanical keyboards from datamancer.com where a cheap keyboard is $300 and they go up to $2450 yeah insane prices but beautiful keyboards. I would suggest reading up on the mechanicals while kind of pricey they look like they are worth it it is also good to read into the various switch types in them as it effects how much "noise" it can generate as well how well it operates based on your needs. I am leaning toward the keyboards built with Cherry MX Brown mechanical switches.
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Post by hackenslay on Jun 13, 2013 2:58:16 GMT
I can get a few dozen old school mechanicals from work, ps/2 connectors for the most part but a few of the even older AT style. Nothing fancy, most don't even have the "Windows" keys.
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Post by chirality on Jun 13, 2013 3:22:39 GMT
wow that datamancer stuff...i know there's a niche market for everything but yikes i love the testimonials... "the very antithesis of the heartless commodity that computer equipment has become. The steampunk theme recalls an age when technology was as much 'love and wonder' as 'labor'."
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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 13, 2013 12:40:41 GMT
I can get a few dozen old school mechanicals from work, ps/2 connectors for the most part but a few of the even older AT style. Nothing fancy, most don't even have the "Windows" keys. Most older mechanicals use a different style of switch than today's I believe while people may still prefer some of them to current keyboards a new mechanical is preferred to them I believe.
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Post by amano666 on Jun 13, 2013 16:48:28 GMT
I have found this: www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-nostromo to be really really helpful for NWN. It wont serve as your keyboard but it will make it so you don't have to use your keyboard for gaming. No more reaching awkwardly around for the F keys, can type with keyboard but control everything else through the programmable buttons and macros.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2013 16:48:43 GMT
I use one like this which I have from an old Octane I used about 15 years ago. I like the action and it's indestructable. It connects to a modern PC with a PS2 or PS2/USB adapter. No windows key of course :-) . There are loads of them around as very few people are still using that type of workstation now.
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Post by chirality on Jun 13, 2013 18:38:40 GMT
I have found this: www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-nostromo to be really really helpful for NWN. It wont serve as your keyboard but it will make it so you don't have to use your keyboard for gaming. No more reaching awkwardly around for the F keys, can type with keyboard but control everything else through the programmable buttons and macros. where is the "jealous" emoticon?
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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 13, 2013 19:10:09 GMT
I'm never jealous of anything razer I refuse to use their overpriced equipment. This is the keyboard I am thinking about getting Ducky DK9008G2
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Post by amano666 on Jun 13, 2013 19:49:10 GMT
I agree with the sentiment that Razer gear is not cheap, I originally had the belkin nostromo n52 www.belkin.com/us/support-product?rnId=473 which gave out finally after years of abuse, since it seems to be made by razer now I just bought the one they make. I hate to say it but razer makes a mechanical keyboard with a lot more features than the one you link to for 22$ cheaper www.razerzone.com/store/razer-blackwidow-2013. To each his own, I am not a razer employee or fanboy but knowing is half the battle.
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Post by chirality on Jun 14, 2013 16:22:02 GMT
I'm never jealous of anything razer I refuse to use their overpriced equipment. I'm not jealous of the brand-name cool factor or bamboozled into thinking that razer's stuff is "worth" the price tag but having a lot of functionality and "cool" REAL features is going to get my money out a lot faster than a steampunk gothic emo keyboard for 2 grand from datamancer. Yes I realize you did say it was "ludicrous" but I don't understand why forking your money over to a tiny company of thieves looking to cash in on custom LED lights and "special" wood is any better than forking it over to the evil bigger company of thieves that seduces you with slick new technology and functionality. In my opinion something like datamancer is the complete definition of overpriced equipment. I'd rather whittle and carve my own special bubinga wood keyboard with glittering vampires on it and a "sapphire" LED light than fork thousands of dollars over to those jokers.
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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 14, 2013 17:52:22 GMT
Datamancer is overpriced in a different way than Razor is. The thing is to consider much more of the added cost of Datamancer can be justified while often something like Razor it is not as easily justified. The materials in a Datamancer alone are going to be costly now some parts are going to be on par but with Razor but likely Datamancer does not buy the quantity that Razor does thus likely spends more per unit in the circuitry and switches. Then you have a fair bit of Brass and Copper which IIRC both have a higher cost per lbs compared to Steel and Aluminum not to mention depending if the metal is being molded or milled and cut. I respect what Datamancer does because they are craftsmen and there are plenty of people who do make their own such work but some people don't have the time but have the money and are willing to buy another to craft such artistic pieces of functional equipment. It is all beside the point I have no intention of buying thier keyboards and I would consider Razor and oddly enough I am looking at an even more expensive keyboard than Razor's. I am now looking into the availability of a Filco Fullsized Majestouch 2 with Brown Cherry MX switches how ever so far I have just find odd ball Amazon and Ebay sellers and then KeyboardCo UK and pricing is ~$180. The features I like in the keyboard are there is no FN, Function, key it is a basic keyboard just your standard 104 keys as well it has a sturdy construction and uses the non clicky Cherry MX Brown switch. I still debate which switch is best it is hard to decide when I don't have any place to actually feel and hear them since those are a big factor in the various switch types.
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Post by Test on Jun 23, 2013 20:25:44 GMT
I moved away from a keyboard (for gaming) a while ago - may be two months after going to the other game. I started using a combination of a Razer Naga and a Razer Nostromo.
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Post by Yojimbo on Jun 26, 2013 12:55:57 GMT
Ended up finding local place to test out a few of the key switch types and settled on the Ducky DK9008G2 PRO w/ Cherry MX Green switches I need to adjust to it a little bit as it is a bit different but definitely liking the feel of it.
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