Mechanical Keyboards

[Arcilux]

I see a lot of people make comments like "Real gamers have to use mechanical keyboards" etc. but when I try to do research on mechanical keyboards all of the pros seem like cons to me.

"Keys give an audible click when pressed." Why exactly is this a pro? Cheaper dome keyboards are not exactly silent, so making a remark about the noise of a mechanical makes me assume the noise is significant. I would imagine a loud noise every time I type a key would get quite annoying.

"Increased Resistance on key press." Again, why is this good? I would think less resistance would be better to make typing easier and more comfortable.

"More durable. Doesn't get sticky if gunk gets in between the keys." Finally there is an actual pro.

That and the fact that there are so many different switches, plus the increased cost, and the fact that mechanical keyboards are an older technology, all makes me wonder, why use mechanical keyboards? Specifically, not just "cuz they are easier for gaming lolololol"

Also, for me a keyboard is not just for gaming. I also work from home and do a lot of typing, doing both programming and word processing.

[BicycleMafioso]

(Forgive me if I've got anything wrong here, I'm high on sugar from having too many gingerbread-cookies today)

Some switches are very loud. Like Blue.
Some are not. Like the rest of them.
And I think you are drawing to generalised lines.

You don't have to buy mechanical keyboards to be good at gaming. Certainly not!
But the feel and preciseness of mechanical keyboards are hard to beat.
Regular keyboards feel mushy in comparison, like poking a sponge. You might not know what I'm talking about if you've never tried one. But go to a store that feature a wide array, and try one.

Also, I'd rather recommend people mechanical keyboards for typing than I would for gaming. It's with typing their comfort excel.
For gaming, they're nice. For typing, they're fantastic.

[Keller]

Real pros use whatever their sponsor gives them.
Mechanical keyboards - I imagined they would be better. So it's basically like a spring-loaded button that once goes past a certain depth it stops giving resistance making the press feel 'tactile'.

---------- Post added 2011-11-24 at 11:47 PM ----------

also it's worth noting that my fairly old (like 5 years, stationary) phone has a spring-loaded mechanism on the switch which feels tons better then the keyboard, which is what made me get it in the first place.

[vesseblah]

The main reasons keyboards moved to the currently most common rubber domes are lower cost and lower weight.

The thing why clicking sound and feel is a good thing is that you know when exactly the keypress goes through to the computer, with rubber domes you can never be sure. When you learn to type fast with mechanical keyboard you can actually pull back fingers faster as soon as you feel the click instead of pressing the keys all the way to the bottom. There's some tests done on the subject and surprisingly people can actually type much faster on mechanical keyboard because of that, up to 20% faster. You can easily guess why gamers would like that. Clicking noise on the other hand is kinda useless, it's mainly just for the nostalgia feeling.

[Xuvial]

Actually real pros use whatever hell they're used to. There are plenty of pro players who use $5 junk keyboards combined with an advanced mouse like Naga or RAT, both MMO pros and FPS pros.

Steelseries, Razer and DAS make some gaming mechanical keyboards. Funnily enough some of the most popular gaming keyboards (Logitech's G series e.g. G15 and G19) are not mechanical at all :P

[Byssi]

I got a mechanical Razor keyboard, and I have some issues not using it at other places, like work and such. The speed is the KEY difference, you *hear* and *feel* when the key is pressed compared to a "rubber" regular keyboard. So the responsiveness in the keys are completely different and it makes quite the difference.

With that said, I had no problem with my old non-mechanical one, and I only got this because I got it in a combo-pack with a razor naga mouse wich was the reason I bought it. But now after using this for a year or so, I wouldnt go back BECAUSE I'm used to this "feel".

The clicky sound is quite loud, so if you are easily annoyed by stuff like that, you should stay away. And really, a keyboard is a keyboard. If you arent missing keypresses on what you are using now this wont make you better or whatever you want to call it

Its nice to type with though due to the fact that the keys are quite bouncy, and the sound/feel lets you release keys faster and with more bounce and atleast I am imagining that my typing speed has risen since I got it.

Now if I could only get a keyboard that fixes my spelling/grammar

[Mythricia]

That's a pretty tense post, seems you've gotten more upset about peoples attitude rather than the actual keyboards themselves.

Mechanical keyboards make more noise because they're mechanical, they're not made specifically to make noise (Except some, for example Cherry MX Blue keyswitches make an audiable (and tactile) click, which is actually part of what makes it preferred for a lot of typists).

Increased resistance on keypress? Not really, it's more about the fact it's usually linear, or tactile, and you can choose which you prefer, and you can also choose to a certain degree how much resistance you want. Rubber dome keyboards are unpredictable and annoying in that regard, imo, and I also have to say they feel heavier than a good set of Cherry Black keys, or Reds.

More durable - yes, indeed. I can wash my keyboard in the shower and it'll work just wonderful afterwards, that's a good plus in my book. And they won't wear out, like, ever, you may wear out the keycaps, but not the switches, as long as you don't bash them like a madman (And even then, they're pretty damn durable).


Why use a mechanical keyboard? Because they feel great. There's nothing else to it. If you don't like it don't use it, nobody's forcing you to.

I personally refuse to use anything but mechanical keyboards with MX switches of some kind, because I love the way they feel, and I care enough about keyboards to be able to tell the difference - you may not. Yes, it's an older technology, but who give a fuck about how old it is? It works and it works great, and all the "new" techs are uncomfortable and unreliable in compairson - yes they may work, but I care about how well they work. So again, for me, that means old mechanical switches are great.


And finally, what does this have to do with gaming specifically? Nothing at all. Some people just prefer how they feel and behave, and frankly so do I, but mechanical keyboards are not something intended for gaming, quite the opposite, high quality mechanical keyboards are usually marketed towards people who type a lot by profession, such as typists and programmers.

Take it easy, just go with whatever you want. Mechanical keyboards are here to stay, because people like them, just like some people like film cameras, or CRT monitors, or vinyl records.

[haxartus]

The main reasons keyboards moved to the currently most common rubber domes are lower cost and lower weight.

The thing why clicking sound and feel is a good thing is that you know when exactly the keypress goes through to the computer, with rubber domes you can never be sure.

Just get one of the silent keyboards with the type of keys that are used in laptops (plastic key retainer, flat keys, etc). The space between the key and the keyboard is so small that it's almost impossible to press a key and not get it to the PC. And they are silent, cheaper and look good.

[BicycleMafioso]

I got a mechanical Razor keyboard, and I have some issues not using it at other places, like work and such. The speed is the KEY difference, you *hear* and *feel* when the key is pressed compared to a "rubber" regular keyboard. So the responsiveness in the keys are completely different and it makes quite the difference.

With that said, I had no problem with my old non-mechanical one, and I only got this because I got it in a combo-pack with a razor naga mouse wich was the reason I bought it. But now after using this for a year or so, I wouldnt go back BECAUSE I'm used to this "feel".

The clicky sound is quite loud, so if you are easily annoyed by stuff like that, you should stay away. And really, a keyboard is a keyboard. If you arent missing keypresses on what you are using now this wont make you better or whatever you want to call it

Its nice to type with though due to the fact that the keys are quite bouncy, and the sound/feel lets you release keys faster and with more bounce and atleast I am imagining that my typing speed has risen since I got it.

Now if I could only get a keyboard that fixes my spelling/grammar

The Razer keyboard you have is the Blackwidow. It has Cherry MX Blue switches, which is why it's so loud.
Other switches are not loud, so it's less of an issue. The blue are also the worst for gaming, but the best for typing. (But neither the Blackwidow and naga isn't very good products)

[Keller]

The Razer keyboard you have is the Blackwidow. It has Cherry MX Blue switches, which is why it's so loud.
Other switches are not loud, so it's less of an issue. The blue are also the worst for gaming, but the best for typing. (But neither the Blackwidow and naga isn't very good products)

There's no KRO and they're sortof easy to break

[Navox]

OP: it is all a matter of personal preference. Whatever you are happy using is generally the best pick for your specific application. I personally cannot stand using mechanical keyboards because of the sound and feel of them. After the past 12 years of using them, the "clicky" sound drives me crazy but it does bring me back to 1989 every time I use one.

I prefer a quieter and softer keystroke feel. I can highly recommend the razer lycosa keyboard but, you have to find one with the "new improved keyboard mechanism" sticker in the upper left hand corner of the retail box. I purchased one for home and work.

The other keyboard I liked was the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboa...nated-keyboard. This is also has a softer / quieter keystroke but, it was just a tad too big and I wasn't too impressed with the white lighting.

Also, you can purchase locally and try them out, if you aren't satisfied with your selection, take it back. Best of luck to you!

[Maruka]

i have a steelseries mechanical keyboard and i really love it. it's nothing flashy but i love using it.

[jmacphee9]

i recently went through this with a friend, saying he doesnt see why he would want or need a mechanical keyboard, it took all of a minute for him to say he wants one, the "feel" is certainly an advantage that a mechanical keyboard has, as they provide great physical feedback that doesnt sound like it makes a difference but in my experience it makes typing a joy.

[Byssi]

(But neither the Blackwidow and naga isn't very good products)

Double negative = positive?
Didnt get if you said the naga and blackwidow was bad products or not.

Because, thats not a fact is but an opinion aint it? They work very well for me, the Naga especially is crucial for me, I can hardly play without it anymore. And I like my keyboard. So again, how it is not a good product if Im satisfied with it?

[BicycleMafioso]

Double negative = positive?
Didnt get if you said the naga and blackwidow was bad products or not.

Because, thats not a fact is but an opinion aint it? They work very well for me, the Naga especially is crucial for me, I can hardly play without it anymore. And I like my keyboard. So again, how it is not a good product if Im satisfied with it?

Without trying to derail the thread too much, it's rather the language barrier. I meant to type "are very good(..)", but I changed that sentence a few times, and I didn't make it consistent.

And you being satisfied doesn't make all of them a smashing success. A large number of Nagas keep failing and breaking. The Blackwidow is a low-quality, in relation to other mechanical keyboards, just like membrane Razer-keyboards are low-quality compared to other higher-end membrane keyboards.
Razer's buildquality is questionable at best.

As for personal opinions, I have the Naga. I loathe it. It's absolutely horrible, and I fail to see how anyone can think it makes them a better player, as much as highlight how poor they were at keybinding previously.
It's also, to me, slower to use mousebuttons than keyboardbuttons by a fair margin, as well as the mouse having zero comfort.
If one have buy an MMO-mouse, the M90 must be better in every single way.
I also think the Razer Black Widow (and most Razer products) are low value. You pay for the brand. You pay for flashy (tasteless) details. You pay extra for things that are standard with everyone else.

Notice how I now separated opinion from facts?

[Deleted]

I just came here to agree with what tetrisGOAT has said. Razer is really overbranded.

Oh, and I have the Steelseries 6Gv2, cherry mx black nontactile. I like it.

[Wries]

The other keyboard I liked was the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/keyboa...nated-keyboard. This is also has a softer / quieter keystroke but, it was just a tad too big and I wasn't too impressed with the white lighting.

I have this keyboard and I like the design on it very much. I don't get why it'd feel big. feels about as big as any other keyboard I've ever used.

However it has one horrific flaw that makes it hard to recommend. Certain 3-keys-at-once presses don't work! I can't press "W"+Shift+Space at the same time, it won't recognize it. I discovered this during a wow battleground and have since re-bound some buttons. I hear in certain shooters it's a bigger issue when you crouch-jump or whatever.

There's a numbers of threads on the subject on their forums. Not everyone is affected, though. But not worth the risk IMO.

[vesseblah]

And I like my keyboard. So again, how it is not a good product if Im satisfied with it?

Razer Blackwidow comes as USB variety only, no PS/2 connector, therefore it's worthless crap for real gamers looking for a mechanical keyboard.

It's not an opinion but fact that because it's USB version, you are severely limited by how many keys you can press down at the same time. On Blackwidow it's two only with the exception of WASD keys. Proper keyboards using PS/2 connectors can have any number of keys down at the same time. I was seriously interested in buying it until I looked bit deeper into the facts under Razer's advertising bullshit.

[Keller]

I like how he uses the term "real gamers"

[Mythricia]

+1 for the Steelseries keyboards by the way, they are pretty good for being pop-brand products.

I have the old 6G myself, and considered it the king of mainstream keyboards available at the time, when they released the 7G I was so disappointed by the new "features" on it and the layout changes... I hate flashy things, I hate "clever" changes, I hate the way they complicated things.

6G was just a keyboard, with mechanical switches. It was nothing else. That's why it was so great.


Now Corsair is making a move with their K60 / K90, the K60 is on preorder for me now. It has some bling, but that'll just have to do, because, it has Cherry Reds