Since some people don't visit the peripherals subforum

[T_Yamamoto]

What would be a cheap/starter/basic gaming keyboard and gaming mouse?

For the mouse I'm leaning towards the G400, since I've heard good things from it and a fellow, mnewsham (owns it), told me he loves his.

For the keyboard, I'm not entirely sure. I'm currently typing away with this:

And its ~6 years old. I've never felt a mechanical keyboard, let alone know very much about it. Anything will be an upgrade from this.



Cross-posting is not allowed. You had the right forum the first time.

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[KaOTiK]

It isn't cheap but I absolutely love my steelseries sensei mouse and my logitech G15 keyboard

 

[zokudu]

steelseries sensei for mouse here. You can grab the RAW version for a good bit cheaper if the full sensei is a bit too much. I just suggest avoiding most Razer mice, their new sensors are really sensitive to dust.

As far as keyboards I'm a mechanical kind of guy, so on that end of spectrum for low cost decent keyboard the Coolermaster Quickfire Rapid is the best Tenkeyless board for under $100. If you really like your numpad the Rosewill RK-9000 (non-illuminated) are again a great purchase for a relatively low cost.

 

[coldmeat]

I got by for years perfectly fine with a comfort curve keyboard, and a cheap $10 logitech mouse from Walmart. It doesn't make a difference really, you will adapt to anything. I don't do any better with my Diamondback 3g than I did with my old mouse.

 

[BlueWeasel]

I had that exact Dell keyboard at work a few years ago and loved it. For a cheap keyboard, I thought it was pretty good.

 

[cronos]

You're a day too late. There was a sale yesterday on 1saleaday.com for a Logitech G9x mouse and G105 keyboard for $55. I bought just the mouse (which is fantastic) for more than that.

 

[videogames101]

g400 is great, any keyboard will do for me, i actually dislike mechanical!

 

[Aikouka]

Gaming keyboards usually aren't cheap. That is unless they really aren't anything more than normal keyboards (dome switches) with fancy decals or a few macro buttons that you'll never use.

I use a Corsair K90 keyboard (mechanical) with a Logitech G700 mouse (wireless with wired data capability).

 

[Grooveriding]

G9x is my favorite mouse and I've tried a whole lot of them. I liked the Steelseries Ikari Laser, but it's EOL and unavailable now.

Mechanical keyboards are a preference thing, no real advantage to them I can see. Don't like the noise myself. Used to use a G15, now using a G510 for a keyboard. Works fine and the only reason I use a 'gaming' keyboard is I like to monitor temperatures on the LCD.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

Okay so its either go mechanical or go home? And if I can't afford it (of my parents don't want to pay) skip on it.

The keyboard is still going strong, the keys feel soft, the keys are probably worn down.

 

[gorcorps]

Okay so its either go mechanical or go home? And if I can't afford it (of my parents don't want to pay) skip on it.

The keyboard is still going strong, the keys feel soft, the keys are probably worn down.

No, that's not true. A lot of people like them but it's not really that necessary. Especially if you're on a budget. That said there are some less expensive mechanical boards out there.

 

[HydroSqueegee]

hah! that keyboard is exactly what i use. works for games just fine. and i use a G400 for my mouse. i like it, but sometimes wish i had more buttons.

 

[shortylickens]

I have a 9 dollar HP keyboard and its fine. When it breaks or gets unclean-able I buy a new one.

My mouse is a good Razer, which has lasted MANY years. Was worth the investment.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

So mouse>keyboard?
The only game I'm playing right now us CSS so I doubt I'll need a good keyboard?

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Hell, I'm still using a Logitech MX518 I bought like 6-7 years ago and cheap little $10-20 Logitech USB keyboard that is probably almost just as old because my Deck Toxic got stolen when my house was robbed. I do miss my Mechanical keyboard though. If it is for gaming then the mouse is way more important. The Mech keys help more when you are writing something than gaming. I will leave you with this thought, though...

Considering you can get a nice tablet for $120, no mouse is worth more than around $40-50 at the very most. Just saying, how can any mouse be worth nearly as much as a nice tablet? Most of these companies (Razer, SteelSeries, etc) are just like Bose. Their product costs very little to make and they just mark it up at a ridiculous rate to pull in the hipsters.

 

[AdamantC]

It's a shame Logitech is no longer making their Ultra X laptop type keyboards. Those things were slick as hell and only cost around $20USD. Still using mine from 2005. There are a few on ebay right now.

As for a mouse I'd normally recommend a Logitech MX518, (but not if your left handed mouser) but they are getting rather pricey, so I'd go for its successor, the G400.

 

[Eureka]

The hell do hipsters have to do with Razer or SteelSeries?

I got myself a Logitech G700, it's one of the better wireless gaming mice out there. Very little lag, good receiver and decent battery life. Can be converted into a wired mouse if you really want to. Amazing Logitech support. Of course, I got mine when it was $50, anything more and it's a bit hard to swallow.

FYI, if you want to save, stick with the keyboard and spend more on the mouse. Money goes much farther on a mouse than it does on a keyboard.

 

[dpodblood]

G9x is my favorite mouse and I've tried a whole lot of them. I liked the Steelseries Ikari Laser, but it's EOL and unavailable now.

Another vote for the G9x. I never wanted to pay that much for a mouse, but I've had the thing for over a year and it's well worth it. Some will say you will adapt to anything, but nothing beats a mouse that is comfortable, and easy to use with the right weight, with a good button layout. Not to mention the sensors are far better than what you will find in a $15 generic. When I switched the the G9x the smoothness was instantly noticeable.

 

[crownjules]

I bought the Logitech G300 mouse and have been happy. Very light weight. Plenty of buttons for my needs. Multiple DPI settings that you can set to your own levels. And it's not expensive.

 

[Maximilian]

Hell, I'm still using a Logitech MX518 I bought like 6-7 years ago and cheap little $10-20 Logitech USB keyboard that is probably almost just as old because my Deck Toxic got stolen when my house was robbed. I do miss my Mechanical keyboard though. If it is for gaming then the mouse is way more important. The Mech keys help more when you are writing something than gaming. I will leave you with this thought, though...

Considering you can get a nice tablet for $120, no mouse is worth more than around $40-50 at the very most. Just saying, how can any mouse be worth nearly as much as a nice tablet? Most of these companies (Razer, SteelSeries, etc) are just like Bose. Their product costs very little to make and they just mark it up at a ridiculous rate to pull in the hipsters.

This ^

Logitech G9x is awesome if you are a claw gripper. G400 is likely better for palm grip, or a cheap MX518, same shape.

 

[dpodblood]

This ^

Logitech G9x is awesome if you are a claw gripper. G400 is likely better for palm grip, or a cheap MX518, same shape.

This as well. I use a claw grip, and could not use the MX 518/G400 body shape. Due to the way I grip the mouse moving the mouse side to side moved the cursor diagonally. This made playing games impossible. I had no such issue with the G9x. It also comes with weights and 2 shells you can change to match your preferences.

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I don't bear claw my mouse, I play casually, for fun and for shits and giggles.

Looks like the g400

And no keyboard for now.

 

[dpodblood]

I don't bear claw my mouse, I play casually, for fun and for shits and giggles.

Looks like the g400

And no keyboard for now.

Claw grip is just a preference. It's now I find it most comfortable to hold the mouse. Nothing to do with how seriously I take the game.