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[Berath]

Now I've a new monitor, new graphics card and new CPU  (and wow, Planetside 2 sure ran well last Sunday  ), I've decided I need a new keyboad.

I don't think the one I have is full-size and the keys aren't quite right.

Does anyone recommend anything? And what about these mechanical keyboards I've heard about. Anyone got one of those and what do they reckon?

I'm assuming wired > wireless

(the only keyboards you can actually take a look at seem to be wireless these days).

[DeadlyAvenger]

I have a steelseries 6gv2 mechanical keyboard and apart from a couple of keys being in slightly the wrong place/size (very minor things but they take a bit of getting used to) and needing a wrist rest I'd wholeheartedly recommend it if you're willing to sell a kidney to pay for it.

For typing and gaming it's great - it's really well built (and heavy!) so you can mash the keys as hard as you like and it's never going to break. They take a while to get used to.

I'd never go back to a membrane keyboard for my home/main PC but they really are expensive for a keyboard. If you are interested in getting one, I'd probably recommend getting one with Black switches (the colour determines the 'type' of key...whether it's a click-clacky one / key activation style / pressure needed etc. - there's lots of information about the different key colours) as they're quieter (they don't make a deliberate click noise) and supposed to be a bit more comfortable for gaming.

For non-mechanical keyboards, I had a razer lycosa but they both developed faults. I did like the laptop style keys though. A lot of the money of keyboards goes into 'gaming orientated' features like backlit keys, media keys, recordable macros etc. etc. so you tend to pay a premium for those.

I'd probably recommend waiting until i49 to buy one (it's only 4 weeks away!) - there will be lots available on display/for sale in the exhibition hall, you can try mine if you want and I'm sure if you ask nicely, the guys in the exhibition stands might let you try some of them.

[Karthus]

I switched over to a mechanical keyboard a few months ago. Theyre so much better at basically any application than non-mechanicals. Theyre more pricey but usually last longer and break less, the problem with most non-mechanicals is that they use a single membrane to register keyhits and if that breaks, its hard to repair. Mechanicals all use single switches so those are easier to replace. If you have the money, get a mechanical.

Im using this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Raptor-Gaming-K1-Keyboard-German/dp/B000AYB02S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374835287&sr=8-1&keywords=raptor+k1

Compared to other mechanicals this is rather cheap, but its very well made and I didnt have any problem with it sofar after a few months of daily usage. It also comes with a few spare keys and some illuminating ones which I havent tried yet and a couple locks you can use to block the Windows key for example. Its also supercompact so really easy to carry around to LANs or placing on a desk. I had a G15 before and carrying that beast around was quite a task.
I wouldnt fall for the very expensive mechanicals like the Black Widow. Those are pretty good, but its like any other "gaming" peripheral, the top brands are ripping you off basically, you can just get an old one (my k1 is a 2005 keyboard) or a cherry.

[DeadlyAvenger]

I wouldnt fall for the very expensive mechanicals like the Black Widow. Those are pretty good, but its like any other "gaming" peripheral, the top brands are ripping you off basically, you can just get an old one (my k1 is a 2005 keyboard) or a cherry.

I've actually heard bad things about the Black Widow...I remember when I was researching which one to get I was put off for some reason. Ah, I just had a look and the main thing was the fact that it used Blue switches which are clicky ones and it's also USB rather than PS/2 (which is better because of n-key rollover and all that jazz).

The only real difference between a £60 mechanical keyboard and a £110 keyboard is going to be things like backlights, recordable macros, USB/audio ports.

The guide to mechanical keyboards/key types is here: http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide

[Karthus]

Its a very robust keyboard but paying 50 more for that is kinda redundant because when your cheap one breaks, you just have to replace one switch and that wont cost nearly as much. Cherry switches are pretty affordable.

[Allytk]

Are the different switches just preferential or are some better for gaming/ typing? Thinking I should get a keyboard that works, then I can get rid of this nostramo pad thing 

[DeadlyAvenger]

Are the different switches just preferential or are some better for gaming/ typing? Thinking I should get a keyboard that works, then I can get rid of this nostramo pad thing 

Yeah, I think the Black/Red switches are supposed to be the best for gaming as they're not clicky switches (noise), have a single activation point (the point at which the switched is pressed/released is different on some) and a lower activation force. You're right though - it is down to personal preference at the end of the day - some people might prefer some of the other key types.

[Artanix]

After playing around with alot of mechanical keyboards (and still not owning any -.-) the switches are completely personal preference. Don't let anybody with an opinion tell you otherwise, its usually just people saying "this is best", because that's what they have

I'm fairly sure the cherry blacks are silent, but you can't feel when the button is activated unless you bottom it out, its a bit floaty.

Browns are the next quietest, they have a "bump" about halfway down the press to let you know its activated, but no big "click" noise.

Blue and clear are the noisy ones that alot of gamers have, in all honesty, I don't like them, they feel nice, but are super noisy.

Reds are like blacks, but with a bit more resistance, I'm not sure if they have a click or not.

[Brahms]

I have blue ones but I'm more of a typist than a gamer.

If you've ever been on mumble with me then you know what they sound like.

To be honest i'd have thought for gaming you want something with minimal activation resistance. don't really think positive click is that important but then again I don't play starcraft.

[discordance]

Is it worth getting a super cool keyboard just for gaming? A lot of stuff I play with my xbox controller. The few things that actually require a keyboard are like fpses. Doesn't seem worth spending a lot of money for nice WASD movement.

[Karthus]

I love typing sounds and mechanicals aww yeah

re: switch types: While they do have some differences I would definitely say that its personal preference. I couldnt stand using switches that dont give feedback. My k1 is really fucking loud but its also improved my typing speed and I mistype less? The Black Widow has really loud switches, some people just prefer that over silent ones.

[Power]

Berath don't get a mechanical keyboard. Get a cheap microsoft wired keyboard for 7 euro. Or get five of them and build a pyramid. I'm serious.

[Artanix]

I used to be a pretty big starcraft player, and I still use a saitek eclipse 2, which is older than time itself.

[ISPY]

The keyboard I use is attached to my laptop.

I have owned my laptop for about a year, And it's never done me wrong. Well, when it has, It's my fault. Some of the keys are starting to wear, and seen as i pretty much only play tf2 it's those keys that are starting to wear, It's currently outlived about 6 mice, mainly because I buy cheap ones. So I think I'll be rebuilding my old xp, as a gaming pc.

[Doddy]

buy the keyboard of dreams, that is my keyboard! buy it nooooooow!
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-010-CS&groupid=702&catid=2705&subcat=2706