Alternative gaming keyboard for Model:M user

[rostov]

I'm a long-time Model:M user. I've enjoyed using my Model:M for gaming, but find it lacking due to limited key rollover and fears of shortening its lifespan. Note I use the rare Spacesaver, and while I'm not afraid of banging on it, I am a bit concerned with long-term abuse as a gaming keyboard (holding keys longer than typical, over-utilizing the directional keys, etc)

Thus, I'm looking for a keyboard to dedicate toward gaming. Most seem to imply that one should look at the Cherry MX Red or Black keys. I have no local place in order to look at such keyboards in person, so I'll be blindly ordering from the internet.

I'm leaning toward the Black switches because, while seemingly less popular, has an actuation pressure very close to that of the Model:M to which I'm highly accustomed. However, the Model:M keys ramp, while the Black switches are linear, so perhaps the pressure of the Blacks might be effectively higher than the buckling spring mechanism?

Thoughts?

[SmallFry]

You may want an MX Green board. The CM store sells the QFR with greens that you can get:) they may be a bit more your "M" style.

[rostov]

SmallFry: oh, the greens look neat, but I'm not sure they offer any advantage over the Model:M in usability for gaming besides the ghosting/nkro issue. In terms of regular typing, I suspect they're much closer to my M's feel, which I'd like, but then.. I could just use the Model:M

I'm seriously looking at the linear switches because this won't be a keyboard for typing, but for gaming.

Mostly this puts me between getting Black or Red switches, or perhaps considering the Browns as an in-between.

[SmallFry]

Coming from buckling springs, people are disappointed when they don't have the click. First hand experience here... miss the click of my M.

[Polymer]

If you're gaming it won't matter if the pressure is different than your model M. They're not so hard to press that you'll notice it while pounding away during gaming...The blacks are quite nice for gaming, I think the reason why people have gone off them lately is strictly because they're tiring to use when typing...but when you're gaming they'll feel quite good...and since you're used to the higher actuation force already, you'll be right at home..

[Ascaii]

I agree about the MX blacks. Definitely a great go to for gaming. I used to be an avid BS user, but Ive drifted to Topres by now. My favorite switches are HHKB Topre, MX greens, MX Ergo-Clear, and Buckling Spring....I need tactility...but if i end up having a day off work that I decide to waste by playing games, I'll usually hook up an old MX Black 1800, because the tactility sometimes prevents me from totally immersing myself, keeping me in the "real world". Definitely give them a try.

[Icarium]

Just take a regular size Model M (dirt cheap) and make it NKRO!
Probably too much effort. But if you use a cheap Model M for gaming you don't have to worry about breaking it anymore and if you actually run into KRO issues try using a different part of the board. In theory you could even check the matrix to find out where the problems are coming from.

[wcass]

Just take a regular size Model M (dirt cheap) and make it NKRO!

Actually ... wish me luck. i should post something in January.

[Icarium]

I will definitely not wish you luck unless you do it for a Model F the Far Fucking Fuperior Feyboard!

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Surely the Model F is NKRO already?

[Icarium]

Don't know. Should be from what I know about the controller. But I assumed that wcass was actually referring to something else.

[fossala]

Model F's do have NKRO IIRC.

[SmallFry]

This is true Fossala.