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Need quiet backlit keyboard

B

Bsmooth

Member
I'm a gamer but my system is in the living room, so I have to tone things down a bit as my family watches TV there too. I really like the chiclet style keyboards as they are quiet, but finding a backlit one is proving difficult to say the least.
I found this:Amazon.com: Basaltech Mechanical Feeling Keyboard with LED Backlit, 104-Key Quiet Membrane Keyboard for Gaming or Office, Ergonomic Silent Water-Resistant Light Up Wired USB for Computer,Mac,Laptop : Electronics
but its not chiclet style, so I'm not sure of the noise.
This too the MSI:Amazon.com: MSI Gaming Gear Backlit RGB LED Kailh Low Profile Mechanical Switches Anti Ghosting 104 Keys Brushed Aluminum Gaming Keyboard (Vigor GK50 Low Profile US) : Electronics
but again not sure how noisy it is.
This model isn't chiclet, but I like the look of it and it gets great reviews: Amazon.com: TECWARE Phantom 104 Mechanical Keyboard, RGB LED (Outemu Red) : Electronics
I might get this just to fool around finding out what keys I can put in it so its quiet.
I want backlighting, but I don't need the spillover light, just under the keys.
I'm typing on an old DELL I think its KB216 which has the chiclet keys, but its old and burrowed from work, but it does type nicely.
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated.
I really like that TECWARE, but what key switches would be as quiet as the DeLL ?
 
More expensive than the models you've linked to, but I bought this Corsair keyboard 3 years ago for $100 at Best Buy, and it's been a really good keyboard (and is dead quiet).

It shows it's out of stock, so I don't know if it's a supply chain issue or if it has been discontinued.
 
If you like the Dell, then I would just look for any backlit membrane keyboard out there for $20.

That being said, don't fall for the 'fake mechanical' keyboards like the one in your first post. I'd also stay away from the fak-ish no name brands like in your third which will tend to do a 'bait and switch' in quality over time (once their first 'quality' products get good reviews, then they 'switch' and start shipping their crap ones that they intended to sell the whole time--shady af).

The only one of your three that I like is the msi as it is reasonable priced and a known name. But that doesn't mean it's perfect because in the world of mechanical keyboards, key feel becomes a big part of the experience so you need to figure out what your hands like first before buying something that you will eventually never use. Best way to do that is to check out retail stores with them on display and try friends' boards. Then find out which 'type' of switches, etc you like and then look for your perfect board. There are sooooo many companies making boards now that you can practically find the exact spec you want, but if it's not a name brand, lots of caveats to watch for like the aforementioned bait and switch technique.
 
I happened to find the Whirlwind FX and Fnatic Streak and MiniStreak keyboards and they look fantastic especially with the Cherry MX silent red switches. The Mini isn't a full keyboard but its a nice size, and the RGB is really nice too.
I think the MiniStreak may be in my future.
 
There's almost no point in building one from scratch anymore as there are plenty out there with removable switches. At some point I think I'll get myself one of them, but not now since I just type constantly.
 
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