In the Market for a New Keyboard

[konakona]

i cant tell if they are the best out there, but those micro innovations IBMs surely beat my old logitechs and microsofts by a landslide. personally i feel the IBMs have better feel and are noticeably more responsive. here is a mini review. i was told the link is dead now with newegg site renovation, but you could always google for ibm keyboards...

 

[Zepper]

TigerDirect had some of the IBM (Micro Innovations version) with the multimedia keys (which don't look as garish as many, just narrow, multicolored bars - I think it was called the Active Response, the basic is the Rapid Response) for a really cheap price - they cost $40. not too long ago. I liked the original version of the Active Response as the key action was stiffer than most - better for your hands/wrists, IMO.
.bh.

 

[HokieESM]

I build my own systems... but I still can't get away from using Dell keyboards. They make some simple ones (w/o buttons) and some more complicated ones. They ARE rubber membrane keyboards (not mechanical), but they do have a relatively satisfying click (despite being called QuietKey, they're not). You can get them from Dell.. or you can usually find them cheaper on Fleabay.

 

[jfall]

This one looks interesting http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=12159&vpn=SKB-2500&manufacture=BYTECC%20INC

and this one http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=8991&vpn=KB-858&manufacture=AOPEN

This one has potential too GRANDTEC VIRTUALLY INDESTRUCTIBLE KEYBOARD 109-KEY USB BLACK

 

[sisooktom]

Not a flame, but it seriously sounds like you guys need to be more careful with your keyboards. Going on 5 years with my MS Natural Keyboard Pro, and it's as good as the day I bought it. Just an occasional air blast keeps the crap out. You can't judge the quality of a keyboard based on whether or not you can take it apart. They're just not designed to be serviceable by the user.

 

[ss284]

Like some people have already said, the IBM/microinovations keyboards are one of the best, most reliable keyboards that you can purchase. You can get them for less than 15 dollars at office depot I believe, or even cheaper online.

I've gone through at least 10 keyboards, and this has lasted me the past 3 years and it shows no signs of problems other than the build up of crumbs. Not to mention it feels good and types well.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00004XPJN/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1/103-2733272-1336630

Microsoft keyboards feel too spongy, as do logitechs. Not to mention their space bars and return keys arent too durable( at least in my experience)

-Steve

 

[Chaotic42]

If you like the Dvorak, layout, I can recommend a really nice board. It's $50, but well worth it, IMO.

 

[starmonkey]

I wouldn't bother with the Coolermaster if I were you. Notice that the keyboard layout is not a full desktop layout... there's no inverted-T arrows or sixpack of navigation keys.

The Logitech UltraX has laptop style keys too, in a full 104(?)-key layout, and looks similar (although the Coolermaster may be real alloy while the Logitech is silver plastic, but still looks nice).

Also it's only $26 from z-buy.com, while the Coolermaster costs a lot IIRC. I use this keyboard at home and it's quite good, though I've only had it for maybe 3 months so I don't know about long-term reliability (though I have had no reason so far to question it).

http://www.z-buy.com/product.asp?item=KB-LO967353

 

[starmonkey]

Also it's only $26 from z-buy.com, while the Coolermaster costs a lot IIRC

Sorry, I'm wrong, the Coolermaster is <$20.

 

[Zepper]

Do a froogle search on- IBM Active Response keyboard -. Does that come close. Nice but inexpensive.
. And here's the one with a few multimedia keys that I mentioned: Linkage - IBM Media Access Pro.
..bh.

 

[starmonkey]

Do a froogle search on- IBM Active Response keyboard -. Does that come close. Nice but inexpensive.

I actually use one of these for work. The keys feel kinda cheap and have very little resistance. I don't mean that in a bad way--I personally like it a lot, I can code like the wind on it! And pretty nice looking too, at least in black.

 

[Varun]

My MS Natural Elite has worked perfectly for the last 5 years or so. I even spilt a coke in it. The keys got really sticky, but with some alcohol I cleaned them and it's fine now.

Seriously, just because you can't clean a keyboard after you spill a drink in it and it quits is really no reason to not use the same one again if you like the feel of it, which it sounds like you do.

The only thing I don't like about the elite is the compressed arrow keys, but it's not a big deal.

Just buy another Elite or whichever they sell now.

 

[Oaf357]

They still sell the Elite.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Oaf357
They still sell the Elite.

Anything with 1337 in it's name is obviously great.

 

[Harvey]

If you're a touch typist and/or keyboard player (I am), and you like the old tactile "click" feel keyboards, I'll recommend my favorite, the Focus 2001.

They're getting harder to find, but the site in my link lists them for $22. I just called (toll free ), and they confirmed the price, and they have them in stock.

dljsystem.com.
(866) 779-5868

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: Oaf357
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.

Once again, by your own admission, you did something to make the keyboard sticky, and you broke the keyboard by trying to clean it.

Once again, as I said, most keyboards have membrane switches under the keys. They will not tolerate being taken apart and wiped down. I know. I took apart my last MS Natural Elite and wiped it very carefully with alcohol, and it still had some non-functioning keys when I put it back together. That's the way keyboards are, unless you get the "big clunky" clicky ones that you say you don't like.

Once again, given your criteria, you're not going to do better than just buying another $19 Microsoft Natural Elite every time you screw it up. As myself and other people have said, your options are:

1) get another $19 MS Elite every time you spill something in it

2) get a clicky keyboard with mechanical switches that will take a little more abuse

 

[Oaf357]

Tostada,

If you don't like me or the thread then just stay away.

Apparently, you haven't read the thread because there is a wide range of keyboards that have been offered here.

You are not contributing anything of benefit to this thread. I'll say it one last time, this isn't a flame fest. Now please excuse yourself.

 

[beatle]

Another vote for the Ultra X. I've had one for about 5 months and I love it. I'm thinking about buying another as a spare.

 

[Zepper]

hey beatle,
What's the Ultra X? Can't seem to find any reference in this thread.

LiteOn=Silitek makes OEM kbds for HP et al...
.bh.

:moon:

 

[Tostada]

Originally posted by: Oaf357
Tostada,

If you don't like me or the thread then just stay away.

Apparently, you haven't read the thread because there is a wide range of keyboards that have been offered here.

You are not contributing anything of benefit to this thread. I'll say it one last time, this isn't a flame fest. Now please excuse yourself.

I'm not flaming you. I know it might sound harsh, but the things you're saying are completely ridiculous. Try not to take it so hard.

Almost every keyboard made has the same type of membrane switches under the keys, and they're not going to like it if you get a bunch of crap in them. That's just the way it is.

You seem to be ignoring the other people who are telling you that Microsoft keyboards are just as well built as anything except the "old clunkers." I'm not the only one saying this. Try to read back through the thread and spot all the people politely telling you there's nothing flimsy about the MS Natural Elite.

If you want to switch to a different type of keyboard, that's one thing, but if you think you're going to get some magical keyboard that let's you spill stuff in it, take it apart and get water in it, you're wrong.

 

[Cerb]

IbM Model M. A few keys were hard to press, so I took it apart and cleaned it. It's only a year younger than me, and looked it. Now I just need to replace the LEDs and I'm all set.

Looks on Dell's refurb section or eBay for a Quietky. They are the next best thing.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: jadinolf
I bought the Focus 2001 keyboard from newegg for $18 quite a while ago. I think it might fill the bill for you.

I love it but it is no longer available from newegg.

http://www.web-tronics.com/focus-2001.html

Those Focus 2001 keyboards are pretty good. But if you want the "Ultimate Keyboard", then check this one out.

An IBM Trackpoint II, in black color. That's what I currently use. It has the nice old-school "clicky" feel like the old "Model M", plus the wonderful trackpoint mouse built-in, like a laptop keyboard. The best of both worlds, IMHO.

I have to wonder slightly though, the keyboard pictured was made in '95, mine shows a '97 build date. I've been using mine for over a year now (maybe two?), and it still works great, but the letters are slightly wearing off on some of the keys, the "S" and "D" being the most pronounced, along with the right-side "Shift" key. I'm not sure why this is so, I guess they must have switched to painted-on letters during later manufacturing years, rather then the embedded-in-the-plastic / never-wear-out letters of some of older models. (I have an AST OEM made by NMB, unfortunately a "soft click model", but the keys are moulded-in, instead of painted-on. I don't need to look at the keyboard, so it doesn't bother me any, but I thought that I would mention the one notable drawback to this otherwise-stellar piece of human-interface technology. (Actually, there is one other - the PS/2 mouse pass-through port, is done in software, and it doesn't recognize the commands issued by PS/2 mice that have scroll wheels. So the mice will work, just not the wheel. If that's an issue, then I suggest using a USB optical scroll-wheel mouse alongside the PS/2 trackpoint mouse. Windows will allow you to use both at the same time.)

 

[Zepper]

You can buy new units of almost all IBM designs (including the Trackpoint) here: http://www.pckeyboard.com .
.bh.

:moon:

 

[Night Blade]

Microsoft Internet Keyboard is my choice, hard to find but still available from a few places, should be around $15 &amp; lasts for years, alteast mine has.

 

[SonicIce]

I like this one http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-131-117&amp;DEPA=0 im not into he large L-shaped enter key. I like the black. i wonder what it feels like...