Ask Slashdot: Good Keyboard?

An anonymous reader writes: After five years of service, my keyboard is dying, and I'm starting to look for a new one. Since it's for my primary machine, and I spend a lot of hours there for both work and leisure, I'd like to invest in a high-quality replacement. What do you recommend? I've been using a Logitech G15, and it worked well enough — but not well enough for me to buy another. (I've also heard Logitech's build quality has been on the decline in recent years — has that been your experience, those of you who own their recent hardware?) My use cases include coding and gaming, so durability is a big plus.

I'd prefer something a bit less bulky than the G15, which has a raised area at the top for media controls and a tiny screen. I don't mind a thicker bottom bezel so much. I'm not a huge fan of ergonomic/split keyboards, but if you know a really excellent one, I wouldn't rule it out. Same with mechanical keyboards — love the action, but the noise is an issue. I don't need any particular bells and whistles, but don't mind them. As for a budget... as I said, it's for a heavy-use machine, so I don't mind investing in great hardware. (That said, if I'm spending $150+, it better automatically make sure all my semicolons are in the right place.) So, what keyboard has served you well?

Comments

Unicomp Keyboard

[martok]

from www.pckeyboard.com - based on the IBM model M. You will not need a new keyboard again for a good many years. I prefer the buckling spring types but the silent ones have excellent travel as well.

Pick a keyboard company

[hooiberg]

Essentially, any Cherry keyboard has served well. Many manufacturers of keyboards do it beside their main thing. However, Cherry has keyboard manufacturing as their main thing. And by now, the resulting keyboards are very good and still affordable.

My best one so far is the Cherry CyMotion Master Linux keyboard. And the only 'linux'-thing is that is has a picture of Tux on the button that on traditional keyboards displays the Windows logo.

This again?

[Zedrick]

IBM Model M.

Slashdot should have a permanent banner saying "need new keyboard? IBM Model M".

Re:This again?

[AmiMoJo]

The Model M is nice but isn't the be-all and end-all of keyboards. In this case the OP specifically complained about some models being a bit bulky, and considering how you are likely to break your foot if you drop a Model M I'd say that probably rules it out for him. The Model M and Unicomp clones also aren't available as wireless versions, and I'm not that keen on the Japanese layout.

Cherry MX based keyboards come in a variety of shapes and styles. They make quiet ones that still have a good tactile response. Otherwise maybe a Lenovo keyboard modelled after the old Thinkpad ones would be a good bet. Good feel but low impact and travel.

Fujitsu made some good keyboards back in the day too. There are plenty of options other than the Model M and Logitech shite.

Kinesis

[The Grim Reefer]

If you are even considering an ergonomic keyboard, look at the Kinesis Advantage. It takes a fairly short time to get used to, but it's worth it. My only complaint is that you need to toggle the right side keys for the number pad, or buy one separately.

I don't do much gaming or any serious coding anymore, but I found it to be excellent for gaming. And the keys can be remapped and you can create macros. I think I paid an extra $10 to have keys with both Qwerty and Dvorak labels as you can toggle between them. I still haven't gotten around to learning Dvorak, but I keep telling myself that I will.

Re:CODE Keyboard

[Bacon Bits]

I've got one as well, and I've really liked it. I also replaced my aging G15 with this.

My only complaints are:

1. To use the LED backlighting -- and you'll want to because the keys are not easy to read without it on -- you have to flip a DIP switch that disables the context button (between the right OS key and right Ctrl) and turns it into the modal button for the backlighting. You rarely need to use this key, but I have missed it once or twice since nothing replaces it. I don't understand why they didn't pick something truly useless, like Scroll Lock, or let the button continue to function normally on top of the additional buttons. I like to be able to turn the light off, so I leave the DIP on.

2. The left shift key squeaks once in awhile. I tend to depress the far right of the key and it's a pretty wide key. It makes a squeak if I'm not careful. It's entirely my typing and I mostly don't do it anymore, but it did annoy me at first.

Otherwise it's easily the best keyboard I've used. For a mechanical keyboard, it's very quiet.