The Oracle Answers

[bestdealex]

Oh great and powerful oracle, I humbly request a small bit of thee wisdom.
Recently I've started looking into mechanical keyboards again, for the Nth time..
Basically I am looking for a K90 but with brown switches.
I am primarily a programmer, but also do a lot of IT support, and I also tend to game in my free time (both FPS and RPG/RTS). It is a problem to make too much noise though.
My requirements are as follows:
1. Cherry MX Browns
2. Dedicated basic media controls (play/pause, next, previous, volume, mute). In a pinch I am willing to settle with Fn keys
3. Full keyboard is a must (no TKL)
4. Backlit is a pro, but not required

I very much like the solid looks of the K90, looks wise, it would be my perfect match. However, the red switches do not seem like something I would want, since I do a LOT of typing as well.

Within thy infinite knowledge, is there a keyboard that will fit my needs?

[Ascaii]

Hey there!

You should check out the Qpad Mk-50, MK-80, or MK-85.
They all feature media keys and are available in MX brown and various layouts (you should mention what layout you want).

The MK-80 has blue backlighting, the 85 has red LEDs and some extra macro software.

http://www.qpad.com/products/keyboards/

[bestdealex]

Thanks a lot, I will look into them right away!
I am looking for US (international) layout. Added to that, I much prefer two full-size shift keys, and the "\" above the enter key.
If unavailable, I am actually willing to use/learn a slightly different layout.

[bestdealex]

Alright, I have been looking around a lot. Spending several hours scouring several different mechanical keyboard vendors.
The Tesoro Durandal Ultimate G1NL is looking decent, but I have read some reviews that they might not be very comfortable.
I've also looked at the Qpad MK-80 and MK-85, both look okay, but are quite expensive (€150 and €170 respectively).

And there has still been nothing whatsoever that has remotely the looks or extra's that the K90 is offering.
How bad would long periods of typing be on the red Cherry's? Would it be viable (and even possible) to exchange the switches on the K90 for browns?

[luckynet]

i keep purchasing keyboards everytime i see them. everytime i tell my self, u aint gonna use all of em, i relapse and click that damned add to cart then checkout button.how do i stop buying keyboards... HELP!! (currently eying the k60)

[webwit]

The same way you stop paying taxes!

[mbodrov]

luckynet,
is it negatively affecting your quality of life? For example, after spending on keyboards do you find you have too little money left to buy proper food for yourself?

[JBert]

If it's the case, better get off this board and join keyboard addicts anonymous. If not, hang in there - if you wait long enough, those boards become "vintage" automatically.

[luckynet]

If it's the case, better get off this board and join keyboard addicts anonymous. If not, hang in there - if you wait long enough, those boards become "vintage" automatically.

i got an IBM ssk already. anything "vintage'er" than that might have the black plague

luckynet,
is it negatively affecting your quality of life? For example, after spending on keyboards do you find you have too little money left to buy proper food for yourself?

nope. quality of life improves some what.. it's just that i could save the money for say.. i dunno. it isint really that much when i come to think of it..

[bestdealex]

Alright, I've slightly modified my desires, as my requirements shot most decent keyboards upwards of 150 shipped.

Could anyone recommend me a keyboard that has Cherry Browns, and media-keys (Fn or dedicated), and has a great build quality for a maximum of ~100 $/€. Also, I'd like something that doesn't hold to much fingerprints or dust.

Any suggestions for this?

[Ascaii]

Alright, I've slightly modified my desires, as my requirements shot most decent keyboards upwards of 150 shipped.

Could anyone recommend me a keyboard that has Cherry Browns, and media-keys (Fn or dedicated), and has a great build quality for a maximum of ~100 $/€. Also, I'd like something that doesn't hold to much fingerprints or dust.

Any suggestions for this?

We still dont know where you are from, it is hard to help you without that info. Please add your location to your profile!

[bestdealex]

Aaah, sorry for that, will update in a minute.
I am from the Netherlands. We do have a specific layout here, but it is rarely used. Most often (as is my personal preference) we use the US/International layout.
(Update: User information has been updated)

[Ascaii]

Check out http://www.keyboardco.com/ for filcos...around 100 pounds, but it looks like brown is out of stock at the moment.

Another choice is the new Matias tactile keyboard with their newly developed switch:
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_deta ... ODUCT=1024

Not sure if there are any NL based shops, so I figure UK retailers are your best bet.

[bestdealex]

I found a shop where I can get a Qpad MK-80 with browns shipped for €110. Would this be a good keyboard to start my mechanical adventure with? (Would've preferred the MK-50 but they are sold out everywhere with browns)

@Ascaii
I've been looking at the Filco's, and love their brand, but with shipping it comes to 130-140 pound (depending on specific type, and including VAT) which is €170. Since this is my first mechanical keyboard, I can not judge yet if the added €60 would be worth it. Do you think it would?
BTW, UK based shops are indeed best for me.

[Ascaii]

Go for the qpad, thats a good price. Also, if you havent already, take a look at amazon.

[bestdealex]

@Ascaii
Thanks for the advice!
Amazon (co.uk and com) have been frequented a LOT the last couple of days, hehe!

Next time I buy a new keyboard (and actually have some experience in that field, as well as a clue about what it is that I want), I will definitely come back here again.

[Ascaii]

@Ascaii
Thanks for the advice!
Amazon (co.uk and com) have been frequented a LOT the last couple of days, hehe!

Next time I buy a new keyboard (and actually have some experience in that field, as well as a clue about what it is that I want), I will definitely come back here again.

No problem! Enjoy your board, and if you have the time you could post a review in our reviews section: http://deskthority.net/news-reviews-f4/

I dont remember a review of the MK-80 yet.

[hypatia]

Oh great and powerful oracle, I humbly request a small bit of thee wisdom.
Recently I've started looking into mechanical keyboards again, for the Nth time..
Basically I am looking for a Zibal 60 but with brown switches.
My requirements are as follows:
1. Cherry MX Browns or quiet key switches
2. NKRO
3. Must be a full keyboard
4. Backlit is a pro, but not required
5. Not overly branded

[bhtooefr]

What layout? US ANSI? Some form of ISO? JIS?

[hypatia]

US 104

[bhtooefr]

A Filco Majestouch or Majestouch-2, maybe? That can get everything but the backlit.

[Ascaii]

You can get the Qpad I linked above in US/Int layout...perhaps it is a choice for you as well.

NKRO over ps2, backlighting, full board, media keys, mx browns available, and branding is tolerable.

[naisanza]

[*]I saw this NKRO thing on a marketing sheet for a keyboard. I must have it.

"I must have it" HAHAHAHAHA I laughed out loud when I read this at work in the bathroom.

[kbdfr]

[*]I saw this NKRO thing on a marketing sheet for a keyboard. I must have it.

"I must have it" HAHAHAHAHA I laughed out loud when I read this at work in the bathroom.

You have Internet access in the toilets at work?

[hypatia]

You can get the Qpad I linked above in US/Int layout...perhaps it is a choice for you as well.

NKRO over ps2, backlighting, full board, media keys, mx browns available, and branding is tolerable.

There are no models of Qpads with mx browns

[rodtang]

There are no models of Qpads with mx browns

http://www.corporate.qpad.se/modules/ne ... rytopic=11

[Ascaii]

Thanks rod, xD

[rodtang]

Or you can get a XArmor or www.maxkeyboard.com/ they're all the same keyboard so just pick the one you like best/ is cheapest.

[korne]

Is there any cherry keyboard like G80-3000 G80-1800 but plate mounted?

[Haestok]

Oh Might Oracle,

I have a nordic Cherry MY3000 keyboard (made in Germany) that I enjoy using. I have been looking to find a replacement keyboard with US 104 layout that I can use with US-International setting. I will use it mostly for typing and shortcuts while working.

I have been researching keys and led to think MX browns should be my keys of choice, but after further reading it appears the keys on my current keyboard are equal to MX blacks in force required. If this is true, should I go for a board with MX black keys or should I pick one with browns, and learn to adjust the force I use? I often just barely bottom out the keys on the MY3000. I don't whack the keys, but do touch bottom about 50% of the time, depending on hand position and key reached for.

I am a bit wary, because I've read that reds require almost no force at all to actuate and that browns require same force as reds with only bit of tactile feedback added. Could I become an elephant in a china shop?!

I would like at least 6kro, but my current keyboard probably is 2kro only and can't remember having suffered from it thus far.

I don't need back lighting, but wouldn't mind it. I'd like a USB hub built in, though not strictly required.

On top of this I want to get a keyboard that will last and not easily break. I want full use of the left windows key, so that excludes the zibal 60. I thought I wanted a filco, but I hear how easily the keys rub to a shine and also how some people have experienced getting lemons and been returning them because of too much noise. Das Keyboard seems to have suffered a break in QC as well for its 2nd generation.

I really want to make a quality purchase I won't have to RMA and waste funds on sending back.

I was thinking of getting the QPAD MK-85 but am unsure about the build quality, since oem is iOne. Also unsure of which type of key to pick.