keyboard junkie

[seemingly random]

Originally posted by: videogames101
I'll say it again, Das Keyboard.

I've never said this before, probably because it's embarrassing, but I bought one of these a year ago and was totally unimpressed. And it costs several times that of keyboards that are better. It didn't last a day before it was put on the shelf. I've gotten it out a few times since then - just in case I missed something - and am still unimpressed.

It is an excellent keyboard to learn to type with though since it doesn't have key legends and forces one to memorize key positions thereby enabling typing without looking down.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: Nizology

Originally posted by: konakona

Nato78, why don't you take advantage of living in Europe and try Raptor K-1?

Cause he lives in Australia.

Oops! I swear I thought he said Austria

 

[JaBro999]

The Logitech Illuminated keyboard has me interested, and a few positive reviews have appeared online:
http://www.logitech.com/index..../devices/4740&cl=US,EN

Not sure about availability or "real" price.

-jb

 

[nato78]

Originally posted by: QueBert
I can't imagine how much good keyboards cost you in AUS. It pained me to pay $250 for my original diNovo. Right now my Razer Tarantula is the tops though.

Sorry QueBert, missed this earlier. The Edge cost me around $250 when i got it. Probably around a year ago or so. I think here, the Logitech and Microsoft ones work out at pretty similar prices. Its the Cherry and all the other types of keyboards (that are not in all the chain stores) that are really expensive................and rare.

I have 2 x G15s. The old one and a new one. New one about 4 months ago cost $94. The old one when i got that was about $119, that was when it first came out.

Currently, a brand new Di Novo Edge, well atleast the cheapest place in Queensland is $175. Razer Tarantula is around $90

 

[konakona]

so the filco 'tenkeyless' n-key rollover brownies are finally in stock at benippon. the truth behind their shortage is the manufacturer not being able to keep up with the overwhelming demnad. alas, shipping is only available in EMS or SAL (sp?), the cheaper of the two being a whopping $47. This brings up the total price to $178, much more than I was willing to pay (~150).

I am debating if I should just go for it now, or just buy one locally when I go home in this coming winter. They are about $140 over there, plus there are wireless bluetooth versions available (though I am not sure whether they are n-key rollover).

 

[VirtualLarry]

Originally posted by: bassoprofundo
If you're looking for something really unique...

Try one of these...

Wow, those are some keyboards.

Originally posted by: bassoprofundo
I also highly recommend the original IBM Model M13 in black. If you can find one of these and unless you're sensitive to the clicky-key noise, you'll never go back. I was fortunate enough to stumble across two new ones in storage.

Lucky you. I bought two at the MIT Flea for $40 ea or so. I wish I had the money to buy a few more, can't hurt to have a few spare extras. They certainly don't make them like they used to.

 

[konakona]

Originally posted by: konakona
so the filco 'tenkeyless' n-key rollover brownies are finally in stock at benippon. the truth behind their shortage is the manufacturer not being able to keep up with the overwhelming demnad. alas, shipping is only available in EMS or SAL (sp?), the cheaper of the two being a whopping $47. This brings up the total price to $178, much more than I was willing to pay (~150).

I am debating if I should just go for it now, or just buy one locally when I go home in this coming winter. They are about $140 over there, plus there are wireless bluetooth versions available (though I am not sure whether they are n-key rollover).

Hello gang, I took a trip home over the winter break and bought me a tenkyeless majestouch while there. I did get to try the black axis version of the same thing at the store. Definitely not a slouch itself, but all this talk about brown axis magic was true! This is by far the best typing experience I have had, ever. Since I spend a quite a bit of time on keyboard intensive fighting games (MBAC, IaMP and SWR), I can appreciate how much more responsive and accurate this new tool is. No longer I need to scream "damn this shitty keyboard" in frustration :thumbsup:

Design-wise, it is just perfect. Albeit being a tad heavy due to rock solid construction, fits snugly in my backpack for gaming on the go. With no extra-rarely-ever-used-keys BS or slack space around the keys, it takes up minimum amount of space sitting pretty on my desk. This is way different from the "mini" version which has cramped keys near the arrow keys like a clusterfvck. Beautiful blue LEDs shining in the clean black frame are the icing on the cake. All in all, if I could tell someone to have a keyboard tailor-made for me, this would be it.

a short review of the full-sized version can be found here: http://www.dirtystylus.com/blo...5/16/filco-majestouch/

The price might have gone up even more since the day of my last posting, at a hefty $152.05 + s/h (which is prolly still @ $47). I can't recommend this $200 keyboard to everyone, but if you are a minimalist yearning for best core performance like me, you will totally fall in love with this one If anything, it is still way cheaper than Topre's comparable offerings. Oh, and I paid about $125 total which I think was more than reasonable.

 

[looper]

If you want substance over flash... the best KB ever made...

Get a retro IBM model "M" keyboard... used @ $35.-50. new @ $80.-$200.

 

[konakona]

how can you proclaim the best without having tried everything?

I had a pleasure of using a IBM model M for a few years back when I first got my 486-DX2 66 computer (the computer itself was IBM brand). While I agree it weighs a ton and has a quality to last for ages, not everyone is a big fan of buckling spring switches. Especially if you are a gamer, those are way too tactile and a bit hard on your fingers IMO. Definitely nice and better than run-of-the-mill membrane el cheapo's, but not my favorite.

As far as I am concerned, I know I love cherry brown axis switches, but have a hard time saying these are the absolute best. There is a loyal group of Topre followers that seem to think Filco's are not even in the same league. Too bad the keyboard shop I visited back then didn't have a Realforce model available.

 

[ivan2]

The filco now has a US distributor for everyone here who wants to try it. The n-key rollover one is 129.99, a reasonable price I may add.

http://elitekeyboards.com/

I am anxiously waiting for my northgate to arrive to finally be able to experience these alps switches.

 

[konakona]

Finally! Now thats a great news indeed. The tenkeyless version is $115 in fact. I recommend this one, saves a quite a bit of desk space (more room for mouse maneuvering)

 

[looper]

Just ordered the DAS Keyboard... can't wait...(doesn't take that much to make me happy)

I have two IBM 1987 model M's also. Obsession is FUN.

Hey...my 700th post... neat.

 

[nerp]

Originally posted by: looper
Just ordered the DAS Keyboard... can't wait...(doesn't take that much to make me happy)

I have two IBM 1987 model M's also. Obsession is FUN.

Hey...my 700th post... neat.

Becoming a keyboard whore is a gradual process. Now I have multiple Unicomps and a closet with some Ms in it and I'm contemplating ordering a Filco or a Cerry or a Topre.

 

[looper]

nerp...

Which should be my next needless KB purchase, the Filco FKB104M/EB or ... what?

I only saw a Unicomp black w/ grey keys...I thought it looked ugly...

 

[nerp]

Tough call. What kind of key action are you after? Check out the reviews at geekhack.org. Some really detailed breakdown of all the different color Cherry switches, plus all the rest.

 

[Griffinhart]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Yeah, BBs near me have them, unfortunately they don't have it out yet on display to test out how the keys feel or see the dimensions in person... (although they've never been great about display units, they still have the old G15 out on display but none in stock, only then newer version which is a pretty significant difference, pretty silly to keep the old version out there and pretty misleading consider how much they've changed things)

I like the new g15 over the old myself. I had the original but it had a coffee addiction that didn't agree with it. I replaced it with the newer model a while ago. The newer has fewer programmable keys, but I like the amber backlighting, LCD display and smaller size better than the original. I did like the media controls on the original better though.

That said...

It's going to be expensive, but Logitech is releaseing the g19 keyboard next month. It has more hotkeys than the current g15 (12 vs 6). It has powered USB ports rather than the unpowered the older versions have, though it does require a power cable to the keyboard. The backlighting is user selectable The big difference is the LCD with is a 320x240 color display. The display seems like it's going to be be able to do a lot of stuff. As I mentioned, it's going to be pricey. Pre-oders have it going for $199.