Need a good keyboard - suggestions
So I fried my keyboard this weekend when I went afk from World of Warcraft to grab a snack. I was walking back to the computer room when I heard that all too familiar crunching sound as some beasty was smashing my poor character. In my haste to save my character, oops went the soda all over my desk and dripped down on top of my keyboard. Now no yelling saying you shouldn't be putting soda on your desk as I usually don't but I was carrying it with me running back to save my poor priest and set it down lopsided on top of my stack of maps. Serves me right for not keeping a clean game space eh?
So, I'm looking to buy a new decent gaming keyboard for less than $60.
Found 2 so far on new egg.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=23-175-101&DEP...
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-162-006&DEP...
Anyone have experience with these or can suggest others?
I use a 10 dollar keyboard that is your basic rectangular one. I actually like it cause I don''t do a lot of typing on it, plus I''m afraid to try those ""erginomic"" ones.
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$20 more than your limit is the eluminex illuminated keyboard, great for nigh time gaming. I have one and like it. If you are interested search it at ThinkGeek and they''ll have it for a decent price.
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If you are looking for just a normal one, I''d go the KT route and just buy the cheapp-o $10 keyboard, especially since you eat and drink around the computer (I''m guilty of that also.)
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If you''re a touch-typist, you really can''t go wrong with the Microsoft split keyboards (if you can still find them). My wrists were just starting to bug me from typing when I switched, and I''ve never had a problem since. Also, Microsoft keyboards have a great touch to them
Don''t be afraid of the split *cough*like some freaks*cough*. They''re excellent once you take the hour or so it takes to get used to them. Plus, it''s never a problem to type on a regular keyboard if you have to, whereas people who aren''t used to your snazzy new keyboard will have problems trying to sabotage your rig.
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Found this one from Logitech that looks pretty nice.
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?description=23-126-160&DEP...
Found a nice write-up on the subject as well for any avid gamers out there interested in new hardware like myself.
http://www4.tomshardware.com/game/200407311/index.html
Anyone used the new Zboard by Ideazon?
I tried to use a zBoard for about two weeks and just couldn''t take it. The key response was horrible. Like trying to type on a wet sponge.
Anyone look at Certis''s write up on the Saitek?
http://gamerswithjobs.com/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=1107
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I''ve got a Microsoft Multimedia Natural Keyboard. I picked it up for 10 bucks on Amazon about 3 months ago. It works great. It''s comfortable, and the arrow keys are normal unlike some other natural (split) keyboards are. Well, bad news is I just checked the price on Amazon and they got it at the regular $40 price, but then again thats way below your spending limit. The other microsoft natural keyboard they got which is the elite I believe and goes for $30 has the messed up arrow keys I spoke of.
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You know...I haven''t tried this, but I heard a tip on TV the other day about cleaning a soda-soaked keyboard in the dishwasher. If you are gonna throw the thing out anyway, and you want to try to save it, it sounds like a fun experiment.
I''d probably leave the detergent out, though:)
-Fan
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Same here - split microsoft multimedia keyboard. Excellent for work, very good for games (IMHO).
As much as I hate MS software, their hardware is solid (not the trackballs, though - awful action).
Fedaykin98 wrote:
Aperture Science wrote:
That''s funny because a guildmate told me the same thing. I think I''m going to have to try that tonight. He said to leave the detergent out as well.
If that doesn''t work I think I''m going with one of the logitechs. Not keen on the wireless keyboard though as I hate anything battery operated unless it''s for my wife. Those batteries are well worth the extra cost.
Batteries in my keyboard and mouse are going 1+ years and strong!
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I''m currently using the Saitek at home and really enjoy it. The key response is very good and the board is a solid piece of hardware.
I previously used the old Zboard by Ideazon and it was good for gaming when using the appropriate key map, Crossfire in this case for FPSs (with the exception that it lacked f1-f12 keys!). However, for everyday use it was indeed as CEJ said - like banging on a wet sponge.
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WEll I hope you haven''t bought a new keyboard yet cause I found the ultimate one for you.
http://www6.tomshardware.com/hardnews/20050124_174825.html
this is some far out stuff.
Hmmm $200?
(checking my frivolous spending budget)
Damn $500 hospital bill!
Next month maybe! As long as it works for my Axim X50v... that would be friggin'' awesome! (checking priorities) well, it would be neat. (rechecking frivolous spending budget) I wonder what their return policy is in case it sucks! (deluding himself that he would actually send something back if it works)
I''m typing... with friggin'' Lasers! /Carl from ATHF voice
Politely rude. Briskly vague. Firmly uninformative.
I must respectfully disagree.
Though I''m already using The Saitek/MX1000 combo, and as a gamer, can''t possibly ask for more. For goodness sake, I can hear angels'' chorus everytime I get my hands near them.
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Eh. Save yer money for games, ya style freaks. I use the plain jane Logitech Deluxe Plus in white. Cheap enough so that I don''t feel bad spilling stuff on it, and white so that my ""random peck"" typing style finds the correct keys more often than not.
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Fedaykin98 wrote:
Aperture Science wrote:
I bought the DiNovo keyboard and it is pretty good - having to reconnect everytime I power down is a bit of a hassle and the mouse 4 & 5 buttons dont seem to work in games like the MX510 did. I dont know if it is specific to the MX 900 or not, but it is a pain. I liked being able to have autorun in EQ2 tied to the mouse. I am still not sure whether it gets kept or taken back to CompUSA for a MX1000 and a Saitek. I do like the Bluetooth connectivity though.
Edit: due to the sheer amount of probs I had installing and the ""funny things"" that seem to happen with this keyboard I think I will be going back to my trusty Zboard and MX510. It has 5 more days to make me a believer. Also if you drop the dollars do not install the drivers that come with the keyboard - go get the most current drivers off the web site especially if you have SP2 on XP.
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Just a warning about those Logitech Dual sets. Have a friend who in the last 2 years has gone through 2 sets. Both times, just after his 1 year warranty expired, the receiver would just stop working, and the keyboard wouldn''t respond no matter what he would do. Now, I''m sure he''s just unlucky, since logitech usually isn''t THAT sketchy, but I personally wouldn''t go near them. Also, wireless tends to be pretty poor for gaming due to lag, especially the mice. The mx1000 is supposed to be amazingly better in this regard, but the 900 and 700 are famous for lag.
Personally, I suggest just picking up a cheap wired keyboard, and investing that money into a decent wired gaming mouse instead. MX510 and Razor Diamondbacks are both damned nice mice, imo.
I have a MX510 and a Zboard which I love, but I wanted to see if the wireless had improved. After about 4 days with the DiNovo - my fine review is that it blows. Bluetooth connectivity is crap out of the box. The lag is terrible on the mouse. The keyboard resets itself after every powerdown and it just isnt worth the dollars. So the DiNovo goes back to CompUSA and 250 goes back in my pocket. I may experiment with a Saitek Gaming Keyboard, but my Zboard works pretty well.
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Here''s an innovative new keyboard especially for gaming.
http://www6.tomshardware.com/game/20050308/index.html
Woaaaaaah! What''s even going on there?
"Just remember that sometimes you need to allow problems to just roll like water off of a duckilama's back." ~Reaper
I really miss my Microsoft Natural keyboard.
"And my son, too, thinks everything is a launchpad, every bug a meal, and every sunny day a reason to take all your clothes off and roll around in the grass." - rabbit
I hate my split keyboard and I''ve had it for 3 months - and I''m a ""touch-typist"". I''m gonna get myself a normal one for $10 as soon as I can get my ass over to best buy or something. (okay - next post I''m going to tell you how I really feel).
-Xino
Easy answer; you''re a freak.
Seriously, though; what don''t you like about it? I''ll never go back if I have the choice.
@duck: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?p...
Don't you understand, Cliff? We put a chainsaw on a machine gun! That's it! It doesn't get more awesome than that! We've peaked, man! We've peaked! - ctrl-alt-del on Gears of War 2
I like my Ideazon Gaming Keyboard - the really Gucci Logitech one - bluetooth etc... absolutely blows - doesnt work right out of the box - need new drivers as soon as you hook it up - it goes to sleep and locks itself randomly - I took it back 1 week after I bought it. What a POS.
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.. is that what was there in the small print. If I''d seen that I''d never stated it like that. Oh no - I''m a freak.
I don''t know about you but my reasons for being a freak (ie. not liking it .. sounds lik S&M or somehing) is:
1) I keep having problem hitting the right keys
2) Its higher than a normal key board - so its a problem having it under one of these ""pull out"" drawers.
3) It feels weird .. like wrong somehow -freakish maybe
-Xino
Well, the Saitek Gamer''s Keyboard got a 5 star rating and Editors Choice from teh CGW folks in the April 2005 issue. I''ve heard enough good things about this board to peak my interest.
Did anyone end up buying this and if so, do you still like it?
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I will probably buy one of those one day.
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