The Oracle Answers

[NotKarl]

Key Master, help me in my darkest hours of gaming. I am in search of a keyboard which meets all the criteria below:

mechanical cherry switches which click, but not too loud if possible
UK layout (if indeed this is possible)
Red back light to find my way in absolute darkness, additional colours would be nice but not essential
full sized keys, and all the keys including a number pad separated from the QWERTY mainland by the Straight of Cursors
No big palm rest, I prefer to lean on a ridge no more than 1 inch wide below the bottom row
No macro buttons are required, but I can live with these if they are included
PS2 connector is my preference but I do have 1000s of USB 3.0 ports available
As a left hander, movement is controlled by cursors rather than WASD so if swappable keys are a feature then swappable cursors would be preferred
Ideally the keyboard will be black or black/silver, and certainly not white.
I could even sacrifice most of my requirements for something that just screams "Awesome".
Price isn't a concern, I'm going to save and get the one keyboard I need for the next 50 millions clicks!

Of course, the Ducky Shine is the nicest, but not the perfect keyboard that I seek, and for my final decision it would be nice to have details of how to get one, and an EU or UK layout would be sweet.

Thank you for reading, Pleae help me and I will return to thank you again.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The QPAD MK-85 Pro Gaming Backlit Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Blue switches, detachable wrist rest, red LED backlight and UK layout, limited offer here.

[gropingmantis]

Oh, wise and benevolent Keyboard Oracle heed my pleas.

Cast your all seeing gaze through time, forwards or backwards, to answer my question:

Is there (will there be) a keyboard the size of the KBC Poker/HHKB with ISO layout and Cherry Reds?

*bows awaiting reply*

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: Your best bet is a Poker ISO fueled by French demand - the minimal order to start it all costs 15000 EUR, so don't build your hopes up.

[Magna224]

I seek your assistance once again, oh mighty oracle.

I have a friend who is looking for his first mechanical. He has used quite a few of my keyboards and told me he wants tactile and clicky switches but he disliked MX Blues and Space Invaders. He feels unsafe purchasing something used on craigslist or ebay. Are there any other options besides the new XM Ducky?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: A Unicomp buckling spring keyboard.

[gropingmantis]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: Your best bet is a Poker ISO fueled by French demand - the minimal order to start it all costs 15000 EUR, so don't build your hopes up.

All powerful clicky (tactile and linear) one why must you bring such bad news in my time of need?

Perhaps a tenkeyless or even a full ISO with Reds (tenkeyless prefered)? Readily available in Europe even better.

A Filco Linear R Tenkeyless with ISO layout is what I strive for high priest of the mechanical switches. Once again heed my call.

[Magna224]

Thanks once again for your most knowledgeable answer.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

Perhaps a tenkeyless or even a full ISO with Reds (tenkeyless prefered)? Readily available in Europe even better.

A Filco Linear R Tenkeyless with ISO layout is what I strive for high priest of the mechanical switches. Once again heed my call.

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: A Filco Tenkeyless with ISO layout + The Cherry MX switch group buy.

[gropingmantis]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: A Filco Tenkeyless with ISO layout + The Cherry MX switch group buy.

An inspired idea! I shall perform thine bidding at once.

[ftravers]

Have to have: low activation force.
Nice to have: ergonomic.

Looked at the http://www.fentek-ind.com/split_magic.htm split magic super soft touch. But keeping my arms in the position it seems to require without a wrist rest seems crazy.

Looked at the kinesis classic, but don't like the activation force of 45g, even though i know it isn't that high.

Can the switches on the kinesis be switched to a lower activation force?

Price is not a big problem, but 1000 US $ for the DataHand Pro II seemed like a lot to gamble if i didn't like it. I'd prefer a max around 300 us.

What do u think Oracle. BTW I love you!

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Kinesis Advantage LF.

[trax]

Dear Keyboard Oracle

Im in the process of trying out all the switches and of all the switches I did I liked the White ALPS the most,
however Im looking for something quite I can use at work, any ideas?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Cherry MX ("Ergo") Clears.

[vho]

I'm looking for a keyboard with cherry mx reds in a uk layout. Tenkeyless would be nice but completely optional and I absolutely don't want backlighting.

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The QPAD MK-50 with UK layout and MX Red switches.

[Circlepit]

Is there a good mechanical keyboard with makro keys?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: Yes.

[ripster]

The Oracle is Wise.

[Circlepit]

Master Oracle, can you tell me what the name of the good keyboard with Makro keys is?

[JBert]

Master Oracle, can you tell me what the name of the good keyboard with Makro keys is?

The answer is likely "yes".

Did you mean "what is the name of that keyboard"?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Rapoo V7 Machine.

[Circlepit]

Master Oracle, can you tell me what the name of the good keyboard with Makro keys is?

The answer is likely "yes".

Did you mean "what is the name of that keyboard"?

oh, right Yes that was actually my question

[7bit]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Rapoo V7 Machine.

But there are virtually no makro keys (or keys you can use as makro keys) on that keyboard. Even the Phantom has got more keys!

ps: The answer of the Keyboard Oracle proves once for all times, thatbI'm not the Keyboard Oracle.

[Circlepit]

Im looking for a keyboard with makros on the lfet side ( like Razer BWU, Corsair k90, Meka Q-Unit)

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Razer BlackWidow Ultimate.

[Typehigh]

Oracle of the board I just joined, I come here after getting interested in mechanical keyboards. I am looking for a switch type that will fit me. I have tried black and blue switches, one is too heavy, the other too loud. Perhaps a brown switch would be for me, but what board would the Oracle recommend? I think, at this point, I'd prefer a full size board (so with 10key).

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: The Filco Majestouch-2 with Cherry MX Brown switches.

[val]

Oh Herald of Truth,

After many weeks of adjusting to playing on a Filco Majestouch-2 with Cherry MX Brown switches I reverted back to using my qsen.

I turn to you for guidance, what keyboard will be best suited to aid me in my pursuit of excellence?

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The Keyboard Oracle has decided: A Realforce keyboard with Topre capacitive switches.