Tell me, friends, what should I get? What are you guys using? what should I avoid? To RGB or not to RGB? Good/Bad brands? I've never bought a keyboard before, so I don't really know where to start or what an appropriate price is
Posted Nov 13, 2016, 2:51 AM UTC
I'm using a CM Storm Quickfire TK w/MX browns.
Something to keep in mind when purchasing a new board is how easy it is going to be to find new keycaps. Mine doesn't use standard sizing on it's bottom row and the number-pad and key-pad are integrated as one on the right side. So, finding caps is hard.
I oddly never thought about the fact that you can change keycaps, wild! Neat, I was actually just looking up this keyboard earlier, do you like it aside from the nonstandard spacing? what do you think of browns? have you tried other switches?
I have tried different types of cherry switches. I'd say that it's completely pointless to theorize on what you'll like just from descriptions, you should go to a store that has mechanical keyboards on display and try them. If you don't have such a store near you, get a switch tester.
I myself initially though that I'd like browns the most, but once I tried them in the store, I liked them the least, and in general, I found that I only like linear switches. This is different for everyone, so buying anything without trying for yourself is a gamble.
This board is one of the best I've owned. It's built like tank, the back-lighting is great and the dual function keys are placed and marked well. It took me a while to get used to hitting the Num-lock to switch between the number pad and the key pad, but it's easy as pie now.
As for other switches; I've tried reds and blues. The browns are quieter than both (In my opinion) but still provide a nice tactile feel.
The OE keys show grease really quickly and are already starting to show wear after 2 months. Hence why I am on the search for new ABS double shots. Too be honest, if I could go back and buy it again I would go with the Quickfire Rapid and save myself a bunch of hassle.
Hence why I am on the search for new ABS double shots.
You should look for PBT if you want to get something that will be resistant to wear. Doubleshots will have indestructible legends, but will still lose their matte finish if they are ABS.
Though PBT + translucent + non-standard space and modifiers can be a tall order.
Thanks for the heads up. I'll switch my search to PBT's.
Answers to all of that depend on your preferences.
what should I avoid
I generally recommend to avoid Corsair, Razer and Logitech due to them having some non-standard keycaps, makes keycaps hard to replace. And you'll most likely want to replace keycaps at some point, due to the fact that stock keycaps easily wear down.
Those are not only brands this applies to, but those are most common.
To RGB or not to RGB?
Do you need backlight in the first place? Well, you shouldn't need one because you shouldn't use your PC in the dark and should type without looking at the keyboard, but you are free to do both things wrong.
And, well, RGB often ends up being a gimmick that you play with a lot for a few weeks, then mostly forget about, only changing a preset once in several months.
From a practical standpoint, it gets you nothing.
I've never bought a keyboard before, so I don't really know where to start or what an appropriate price is
Price depends on a feature set.
You should start with a form factor. Fullsize/tenkeyless/75%/60%, whatever else works best for you. Then decide on which switches you want, and additional features like backlight you may want to have. Once you know what you want, you should ask a sub like r/mechanicalkeyboards whether what you want exists and if it does, what's the best model.
just wanted to know other people's opinions so I can assemble one myself! what have you heard about corsair and logitech that's bad besides the nonstandard keycaps? first time ive heard of someone who doesn't like them Using a computer in the dark is fine! I get pretty terrible migraines so the dark with a dim screen is a must sometimes. Of course RGB isn't practical, but I was thinking perhaps someone had a reason for loving it that they wanted to share Thanks for your input though, I'll definitely check out r/mechanicalkeyboards
Well, I personally use this thing (http://i.imgur.com/3x7YWkA.jpg) and I love it. It has a rare combination of features that was hard to find in one keyboard.
what have you heard about corsair and logitech that's bad besides the nonstandard keycaps?
Keycap compatibility is the only "objective" complaint. I personally also don't like their game-y aesthetics, but that's different for everyone.
Also, here's what I'm talking about when I'm mentioning keycap wear. I personally can't stand when keycaps go shiny, since they become unpleasant to touch for me. So for me ability to change all keycaps is important, as I want to have keycaps made out of more durable types of plastic.
I get pretty terrible migraines so the dark with a dim screen is a must sometimes.
Well, even then you can still touch type. I strongly recommend learning it, if you can't yet, it's quite satisfying when you start clacking with all of your fingers at once.
I really like that minimalist look on your keyboard, and I definitely agree that the "gamer" aesthetic can get pretty tacky pretty quickly.
especiallly stuff like this, so gross looking imo http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA90R48W0241
If you want something minimal, you generally want to avoid mainstream brands and get something from more niche manufacturers that specialize on mechanical keyboards. Here's one such model on massdrop right now. Mechanical keyboard section on massdrop is worth browsing in general.
Research mechanical switches and try to decide what's best for yourself.
Personally I'm using FUNC KB-460 with MX blue switches. No extra keys, just red lightning, very noisy and awesome to type on!
Avoid Razer and keyboards that have horrible Linux support, in case you decide to switch or dual boot later.
Something about that satisfying click of a mechanical switch is just fantastic! I will definitely look up your keyboard, it looks pretty nice what's your opinion of blues? have you tried browns or reds? hmm. didn't know razers didnt support linux, thats weird. Any other reason to avoid razer? some people don't like em, not sure why
Love MX blue. They are the only switches I've ever tried, so I am biased.
Not only that Razer has absolutely shit support on Linux(there are community projects but it is still shit), their software is shit, their stuff overpriced and it breaks quickly.
my god you weren't kidding about overpriced, I'm looking at their prices and i'm astonished at just how much more it costs than the competition
Razer mechanical keyboards don't really cost more than competition with similar features. It's just that they cost rough the same while using cheaper switches.