Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#1

Post by comatory » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 6:31 PM UTC

I've been spending more time coding on my Macbook and the keys are nice but I wish for more feedback. I've tried few mechanical keyboards and I think I like that.

I don't know much about them but I'd like for the keyboard to be:

1/ illuminated with backlight 2/ standard layout like normal keyboards have 3/ usb 4/ classic look

I've seen Das Keyboard which doesn't look bad but it looks kinda glossy to me, I worry it'd look really dirty.

I really like the look of Happy Hacking keyboard but layout seems to be a bit strange - I don't mind the delete key and relocated backlash button but I worry I might miss ALT key. I'll be using this with OS X a lot so I don't want to relearn everything.

Any ideas?

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#2

Post by Zekio » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 6:34 PM UTC

you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#3

Post by comatory » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 6:44 PM UTC

Zekio wrote: post #2

you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.

that does look really nice. thank you

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#4

Post by Zekio » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 6:46 PM UTC

comatory wrote: post #3

Zekio wrote: post #2

you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.

that does look really nice. thank you

No problem at all, hope you found/find what you are looking for, i just hope the keyboards look standard enough :)

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#5

Post by stonemetal » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 7:02 PM UTC

Maybe the Corsair K70. It claims to be a gaming keyboard, but it is a fairly standard keyboard layout.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#6

Post by nickysielicki » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 7:39 PM UTC

Buy a particular model for the form factor and any features you want or don't want. (I like tenkey-less without backlight)

But most important than anything is the switches. I have cherry MX greens, and I think they're great for typists.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green

PS: One think you might not like about the Das Keyboard is that their USB models use multiple USB ports for n-key rollover and a USB hub and backlight and stuff like that, or at least the model a friend had did.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#7

Post by brudgers » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 7:49 PM UTC

It's not mechanical, but the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 is worth trying because it sits comfortably in the lap. For me, this makes it better than any keyboard with a rectangular layout. No wrist arch. No "where do my elbows go?" In EMACS the symmetrical Alt and Ctrl keys are a huge advantage.

Like many Microsoft products, this is something that comes out of the fact that employees spend a lot of time typing at the computer. It's the kind of product that comes from dogfooding.

It's the AK-47 of keyboards.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#8

Post by mercnet » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 7:54 PM UTC

Zekio wrote: post #2

you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.

I highly recommend them if you are looking for a basic and clean looking mechanical keyboard with a backlight. I own CODE 104-Key Cherry MX Green and love the key feedback on it. The only negative is the price but I feel it is worth for the durability. My cat knocked it off my desk and it left a small dent in the floor.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#9

Post by Phlarp » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 7:57 PM UTC

mercnet wrote: post #8

Zekio wrote: post #2

you might wanna take a look at codekeyboards.com seems like the type you are looking for.

I highly recommend them if you are looking for a basic and clean looking mechanical keyboard with a backlight. I own CODE 104-Key Cherry MX Green and love the key feedback on it. The only negative is the price but I feel it is worth for the durability. My cat knocked it off my desk and it left a small dent in the floor.

I second this. The price is premium, but so is the product.

Re: Best mechanical keyboard in 2015?

#10

Post by pushplay » Fri, Jan 16, 2015, 8:14 PM UTC

nickysielicki wrote: post #6

Buy a particular model for the form factor and any features you want or don't want. (I like tenkey-less without backlight) But most important than anything is the switches. I have cherry MX greens, and I think they're great for typists. http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Green PS: One think you might not like about the Das Keyboard is that their USB models use multiple USB ports for n-key rollover and a USB hub an…

I have a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate and I can vouch for the excellent build quality. Cherry MX Blue switches are loud (and I wouldn't use them in an office), but the tactile experience is immensely satisfying.

At work I have a Leopold Tactile Touch "Otaku" Keyboard (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,fullsize&...). The switches are Cherry MX Brown, which are quieter but not as satisfying. The build quality on this keyboard isn't quite as solid either.

I don't think Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate had a Brown MX ultimate at the time I bought the Leopold or I probably would have bought that. If noise is an issue I also recommend keyboard landing pads (https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,slpads&pi...).

Both keyboards are blank which has made me a better typist. I also enjoy the reaction it gets when people come to my desk.