Finally a deal on a keyboard that is
Most places seem to be at least $119 so under $100 is decent.
Appears to be stock in all stores.
I have a non backlit version of this which has been a dream, will be replacing with this one.
Totally understand the not being to impressed with mechanical. For the hardcore gamer, there is a significant advantage blah blah. For me, it's the aesthetics. Like the difference between a normal car door that closes, or the satisfying feeling of a car door that closes with a solid thud.
sir, you framed that perfectly lol
I got the Quickfire last sale as well and it may not be the big difference I hoped, but I can tell im gaming better, and the build is just a world apart as well as the feel.
I think it depends a lot on what you want from a keyboard. I use a brown switched Deck at work and it's the best keyboard I've ever used. I have a [non-cherry] blue switched Razer at home and I'm not all that impressed by it. The keys are less likely to get sticky any jam on the home one than my old membrane keyboard, but other than that I don't find it easier to type on. The brown switched one is faster and more comfortable to type on than any other that I've used.
My favourite keyboard which I stocked up on a few units of when they were below $35 so I don't have to go through getting use to a new model every 3-5 years.
http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Digital-Media-Pro-Keyboard/d…
Works with USB and PS/2, including my PS/2 KVM switch (almost no delay switching)
Buying multiple will bite me as I doubt I'll use them all before USB is superseded or the keyboard is no longer supported. But until that happens I'm happy.
i've found the letters rub off ms keyboards pretty quickly compared to other brands.
have you found the same with this model?
$35 was a good score in any case.
For some reason the 'A' key always seems to be affected on all of my Digital Media Pros but no other key. Perhaps I'm resting my left pinking on that key or dragging it across the key. It's quite odd.
If you're a serious PC user (over 6 hours a day) a mechanical keyboard makes a world of difference.
What sort of difference?
The noise keeps other people away, and thus prevents interruptions.
@llama: Sounds lovely.
Bliss pair it with a set of noise cancelling head phones and you have peace and quiet with no one nearby.
I probably use a keyboard 10-12 hours a day on a workday, and I disagree.
Use a decent one for a month and switching back to a membrane board is painful.
Why would I do that? I switch to one for a few moments and it does nothing for me. Let's say you're right. Let's say after getting use to one I'll feel like membrane keyboards are horrible. Then I've just created a massive problem for myself because I've become use to a keyboard I can't always use and I feel bad all the time about using others. It doesn't make sense. Sounds like an addiction if you're right. I don't think you would be right. I think I'd switch back and forth just fine.
If you want to give me an improvement in keyboards give me a damn laptop that doesn't use one of those hideous chiclet keyboards. Usually I can't find one at any major retailer or PC outlet. I was in shock the other day when I came across one at a Harvey Norman. One in a store where there were 30 or so on display.
Yeah, laptops tell me about it. I was really disappointed in the keyboards on both the new macbooks.
Hitting the keys on one for a while "yeah, this feels different but meh it's not that different". Use one for a full work week and then see how you feel. You need to get used to only half pressing the keys. I don't know of a single person who has used one for a while and then said they'd go back to membrane keyboards. Switches has a big impact on feel as well. I like browns but other people may like the lightness of blues.
I use one at home and ended up buying one for work as well. If you do any work from home you can claim it as a tax deduction.
Positives:
Feel better to use (debatable and up to the user)
Typing speed will increase. I used to type around ~70 wpm. Moved onto mech keyboards and now do ~100.
Negatives:
Expensive (but they last decades so suddenly that $200-$300 purchase is good value)
My membrane keyboards last 3-5 years easily. I have 4 of them. So decades are covered. But in reality no way will the same USB connector be current in a couple of decades.
@Powershopz: $200-$300? Mine were about $140 for the Deck, and $80 for the Razr. I wouldn't buy the Razr again, but I can't imagine another model being $100 better than the Deck.
I've got a CM Stealth with Cherry Brown keys. I'm very happy with it.
Beware the non standard bottom row for those who want to customise with after market keycaps.
13% off.
This one has white back-lighting.
Still rate the Kogan backlit mechanical keyboard that I got for $65 as one of the best bargains I've picked up to date. If they ever do the same price again I will buy another one in a heartbeat.
Decent entry level mechanical keyboard with cherry mx switches, got a mx blue one 2 years ago. IMO overall experience is quite pleased, the cable is thin and braided, the keyboard is not heavy, easy to travel with. Had an issue with left ctrl key sometimes not working during gameplay, but it doesn't happen often, so not a big issue. Other than that, this keyboard has a cheap plastic feel, the keycap is made in very thin plastic and looks cheap, if you want any premium ones maybe take a look at corsair k65. Note: this keyboard does have numpad functions, which is the big advantage here compared with other tenkeyless keyboards. And yeah, it comes with a key puller. Hope this is gonna help anyone who's willing to purchase
got the Quickfire on last sale.
never mind the negs but im finding the whole mechanical thing over rated. its a good keyboard but nothing special comparing to old membrane one. id happily keep using the old one but this one has slightly smaller footprint.
usage: casual gamer & touchtype at 60WPM