In the Market for a New Keyboard

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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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Sounds like the IBM (name licensed by Micro Innovations) error: I meant Active not Rapid Response may be down your alley. Or if you like the clicky mechanical keys of the original IBM ("One True Keyboard" (r)(c) )... then the Focus 2001 might do it. Or go here- http://www.pckeyboard.com -the home of the original.
.bh.
 
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Carrot44

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,763
0
76
Or try a Key Tronic keyboard can be had for cheap and good quality. They are the makers of the original Microsoft natural board.

Ken
 
Mermaidman

Mermaidman

Diamond Member
Sep 4, 2003
7,987
93
91
I've tried replacing my keyboard, but I keep returning to my dark master: Quantex generic keyboard dating back to early 1998 :confused:
 
MDE

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
I have a Microsoft Internet keyboard, it's stood up to my abuse for a while and it's simple and cheap too (about $20).
 
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Pariah

Elite Member
Apr 16, 2000
7,357
20
81
I'm in sort of a similar yet different dilemma. I've owned a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro for 5+ years I think, and it has served me very well, but I think I've spilled one too many drinks on it, and some of the keys are starting to act weird. Unfortunately, Microsoft doesn't sell this model anymore nor do they sell any keyboards with USB ports in them anymore, which I've found very useful. So I started looking for a natural wireless keyboard, but for some reason, it appears that neither Microsoft or Logitech sell one that doesn't come bundled with a mouse. Why do companies sell so many of their keyboards only bundled with a mouse? They may think they are going to force people into buying the bundle, but I'm simply not going to pay $70-100 for a keyboard, even if it does come bundled with a wireless mouse I have no use for. I'll probably end up going on Ebay and picking up another Natural Keyboard Pro which appear to be going for about $20.
 
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CraigRT

Lifer
Jun 16, 2000
31,440
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I'm a HUGE fan of the old Logitechs, but the one I like, has not been made for years.. thankfully after about 5 years my Logi is still working perfect :)

for a cheap, functional keyboard that types nice, I recommend the Mitsumi keyboards... basic.. they are about $9 Canadian, and without a word of a lie, they last forever in my experience.. that's all I use at work, never get a complaint. I am much like you.. very picky on keyboards... and these ones are good IMO. but nothing beats the old school Logitech :)
 
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Arcanedeath

Platinum Member
Jan 29, 2000
2,822
1
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Personaly I'm a huge fan of the Orginal Microsoft Natural Keyboard, (ie not the Elite) I picked up 3 from microcenter they had on clearence that were used / open items, they appear to work fine and don't stick so when I wear my orginal out I can keep the good keyboard :) Sadly they don't make it anymore and I can't stand any of microsofts newer keyboard b/c of the F-Lock function, whoever thought that up should be shot. It's soooooo anoying.
Anyways, I'd suggest just grabing more of a keyboard you like, Perhaps more elites and when they wear out throw them out, elites are not very expensive even if you go through one every 2 years. My Orginal Natural keyboard is going on 5 years now and still going strong, I've spilled on it and taken it apart a few times now and it still seems ok, my left control key is a bit flakey but thats about it. Just find something you like and buy at least 2 because unless it's one of the orginal IBM keyboard that click I doubt it's gonna last, most modern keyboard are dome membrane and just wear out after alot of use. In any even good luck in your search.
 
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Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
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It's disheartening that there are so few alternatives to wireless keyboards.
 
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Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
0
0
I don't want some old, klunker keyboard or a keyboard based off an old klunker keyboard. I want something modern looking.
 
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Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
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Ideazon, Viewsonic - but most of them have some extra programmable keys which you said you didn't want. I guess you'll just have to be a bit less fussy... Memorex had one with good feel a couple of years ago, but they change designs for no good reason about every 6 months.
..bh.
 
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Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
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Originally posted by: Oaf357
This will be the second Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite I've gone through in two years so I think it's time to pick another brand of keyboard.
Click to expand...

First, you need to justify the above statement. How clean are you? Two years isn't unreasonable if you drop stuff in your keyboard. You actually said the keys are sticking!

Question: What makes keys stick?

What do you think? Do you think it's a design flaw, or do you think that just maybe it's your own fault that you got something sticky in your keyboard?

I've gone through several Microsoft Natural Keyboards. I got an original Microsoft Natural in 1994. I got a Natural Elite in 1997. In 2000 it got so full of crud that I took all the keys off and tried to wash it, but apparently it didn't dry well enough because it shorted out and wouldn't work at all, so I got another one. Again, in 2003, my keyboard was so dirty I took it apart and tried to wash it, but when I put it back together, half the numeric keypad didn't work, so I ordered another one. So, I'm on my fourth Microsoft Natural Keyboard, but each one has lasted three years, and the only reason they "went bad" was because they got too dirty.

Your requirements are too strict. You will simply not find a better-made ergonomic keyboard that isn't wireless and doesn't have a bunch of stupid extra buttons on it. Just order a new Natural Elite.
 
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Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
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Originally posted by: TostadaYour requirements are too strict.
Click to expand...

No they're not.

I want a keyboard that works well, lasts, doesn't have a button to change a baby's diaper, and comes with wires.

If that's too much to ask then we should all be protesting keyboard manufacturers.
 
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drag

Elite Member
Jul 4, 2002
8,708
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Originally posted by: Oaf357
I don't want some old, klunker keyboard or a keyboard based off an old klunker keyboard. I want something modern looking.
Click to expand...


Are you kidding? Those are the best, they were designed when the keyboard was the primary interface.

Plus they last forever, and don't suffer from the "soft touch" mushy feel that cheapo boards suffer from. They have a nice positive feel, and when the button is pushed your finger instictively knows that the button is pushed. I have trouble on some keyboards when typing without looking at the screen or keyboard and knowing that the buttons have been pushed.

Plus they last forever.

otherwise you have to google for stuff like this There a couple compact designs that are attractive, and the ergonomic keyboards are interesting.

Most people just don't give a crap. Those extra multimedia keys are just another nice toy to play around with and they couldn't care less. Custom or high quality keyboards become very expensive very fast because they just don't sell large amounts. The profit margins are much smaller in smaller quantiie.s
 
viivo

viivo

Diamond Member
May 4, 2002
3,345
32
91
I considered buying one of those aluminum CM keyboards too. Then I read some review sites..

"low quality" and "broken keys" came up a few times. 'Course that probably explains why it's only $13 at Newegg.
 
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Tostada

Golden Member
Oct 9, 1999
1,789
0
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Originally posted by: Oaf357
Originally posted by: TostadaYour requirements are too strict.
Click to expand...

No they're not.

I want a keyboard that works well, lasts, doesn't have a button to change a baby's diaper, and comes with wires.

If that's too much to ask then we should all be protesting keyboard manufacturers.
Click to expand...

LOL!

Why bother replying if you're going to ignore what I asked?

Use some common sense. Your complaint is that you have a well-used keyboard and the keys have started to stick. IT'S YOUR OWN FAULT. I've personally owned three of the exact same keyboard, and they're well made. The keys don't stick unless you spill something sticky in the keyboard. The only time I ever had a key stick was when I spilled half a beer down the middle of the keyboard. Every other time the keyboard just had too much crud on it and I killed it trying to wash it out.

It's your own fault. Any keyboard will get sticky if you do something to make it sticky, so you're lucky it's only a $19 keyboard.

If you want something that holds up to ridiculous amounts of abuse, your best bet is to get some "old clunker" keyboard as you put it. Modern keyboards are plastic with membrane buttons inside, not the kind of mechanical clicky buttons that can survive having some Coke spilled in them now and then.

It looks like all you want to do is complain.
 
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Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
0
0
Tostada,

This isn't a flame fest, buddy. Relax.

But how do you think I killed the last one a year ago. Trying to clean it out. I didn't "wash" it either. I took off the cover and used a wet, "static-free" wipe. I let it dry for a day (yes, 24 hours) hooked it back up and it was toast.

That is not a well built keyboard. A keyboard you can't clean is a pointless waste of money. If you're mad a me because I spilt something in my keyboard that's fine, I really am not going to get into an argument about something as trivial as your opinion of me.

If it seems to you like I'm complaining then fine. But, I'm just trying to get some input from a community that is notorious for giving good input.
 
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Oaf357

Senior member
Sep 2, 2001
956
0
0
At least that Lite-On keyboard has the fancy "multimedia" buttons laid out in a tasteful manner and not consuming the entire keyboard.

That CoolerMaster one looks nice too but I'll have to check the reviews on it.
 
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