I ended up getting a Razer Black Widow.  I thought it looked sort of cool so I just got it, even if the gloss is a bit cheesy I prefer the modern look over the other more classic mechanical keyboards in the same price range.
Just my thoughts...
- The gloss does suck, it gets dusty and attracts finger prints and even microfiber wipes don't help that much.  I wonder if you can disassemble the keyboard and sand-blast the gloss part or something.
- Not so sure about quality, the keyboard is very heavy and well built but I feel like they keys aren't that precise.  It feels like the force required to press keys varies a bit from key to key and the action isn't always the same for the same push.  Like sometimes I'll hit a key and it'll be a nice clean action and click but other times the same key will feel like there's some resistance and it's a bit mushy.  On all of the scissor keyboards I've used the keys are all pretty much identical.  Maybe I'm just not used to mechanical keys or I need to "break in" the keyboard a little.  Also having some trouble with certain keys.
- My esc key doesn't click and the backspace key is mushy, shift key is also iffy.  I'm actually requesting a replacement.  Normally I wouldn't care too much but for a $70 keyboard I'm not going to settle for anything less than perfect.
- I don't mind the funky font but I hate how the alternative functions on the keys are in a gray color which is really hard to see.  I dunno about you people arguing about backlit keys being too flashy but to be honest I'm already missing them...  The only problem is that besides being almost $50 more, the blackwidow ultimate doesn't light up the alternative functions of the keys which is what I need the most.
- fn key on the left side of the keyboard means I usually have to use two hands to use the media keys.
- I find myself hitting the macro key in the lower left corner of the keyboard occasionally when I intend to hit the ctrl key.
- Double tapping with blue switches is not an issue for me
 
I don't find mechanical switches to be THAT amazing... I guess I'm not a big keyboard guy but I can definitely see myself going back to normal membrane switches.  

To each their own, a good chunk of people who finally get to try a mechanical keyboard normally don't look back, but it is a different feeling that can get a bit getting use to, that's for sure.

 
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sari0n said:

sari0n

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I can't.
My hands are big enough to hit the media keys with my left hand, since we really shouldn't be touching the onboard volume anyways. And the key is on the right hand side. The gloss sucks, but it's bloody cold so I'm always wearing a hoody, and basically it's large enough that my palm doesn't really touch it. But summer may be painful. I also use the hoody to wipe it clean quickly. The keys you mentioned are indeed mushy. But I feel that it's because I'm pressing down on them at a weird angle. If I press down at different angles, there's an angle where it doesn't feel mushy at all. I still find myself hitting the M5 key as well. But it only happens rarely. I made myself use those indents on the f and j to position my hands. Double tapping is fine, but I haven't played any games in a while which required them. 
 
I used those Dell keyboards at school, and they honestly hurt after typing on a mechanical for 2-3 weeks. It just feels, slower? And I am HATING the 2KRO. Probably the reason I will replace this, even though I really want the media keys. 
 
I like the way the lighting is built into the frame for the scroll lock, number lock and caps lock.

Well, mechanical is very nice, but it's not so great (for me) that I wouldn't go back to membranes.  I loved the lighting for the scroll/number/cap locks too but I don't ever really use any of those so unfortunately I don't get to see the cool lighting most of the time.  The thing you mentioned about the angle of hitting the keys is very true, it's part of the reason why I don't like it so much.  Overall still a very good typing experience though, I do like it and I'm probably going to keep it.

I have none of those problems with my BlackWidow, hmm. All of my keys click evenly. I will agree that the grey is VERY hard to see but usually it isn't a problem. I think they do help me type a bit faster since you have to put less pressure on the keys. 
I love the tactile feel, I guess it just isn't for you then.

I use an IBM model M.

lantherzero said:

I use an IBM model M.

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If you read this thread, you'd know you're not the only one.

model Ms will probably survive into the 22nd century, and that's under use, even the plastic they are made from (at least my silver badged '86) feels more solid than modern plastics, and they are actually resistant to gamers with a temper :O
 
they are however, a cliched, cultish (see how i call my a silver badge? that means something), consumer retro-fetish that really bugs me for some reason.  much better to be had unless you like noisy, insensitive keyboards.  and gaming on them is dreadful bar their truly amazing tolerance of being rage-smashed.  must be something to do with being capacitive switched and having a solid steel backplate >_>
 
 
 
 

This.
Lenovo multimedia remote.
 

Are there any tenkeyless mechanical keyboards for around $100?

 
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sari0n said:

Are there any tenkeyless mechanical keyboards for around $100?

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Seconded. Also good if they could ship to Canada. You know.

I just did some research... the Filco ones actually aren't uber expensive but they're extremely rare outside of Japan.  Cherry makes a few rather old ones, I saw a few on Ebay but couldn't find any other information on them.  What really intrigues me are some clones made by a chinese company.  They're called Noppoo Choc Minis, and the reviews are apparently pretty good.  I can only find them on ebay though from a very new seller and they're just above 100.  I'm going to ask some of my friends/relatives that live in China to see if they can find any.
Review:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14962
It's like exactly what I'm looking for, hopefully I'll be able to find one >.>

You guys are just all too late.  Pre starcraf2 I had two filcos and an irocks browns keyboard.  Now you can only find them via forums or in Japan.

Quote:

sari0n said:

I just did some research... the Filco ones actually aren't uber expensive but they're extremely rare outside of Japan.  Cherry makes a few rather old ones, I saw a few on Ebay but couldn't find any other information on them.  What really intrigues me are some clones made by a chinese company.  They're called Noppoo Choc Minis, and the reviews are apparently pretty good.  I can only find them on ebay though from a very new seller and they're just above 100.  I'm going to ask some of my friends/relatives that live in China to see if they can find any.
Review:
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14962
It's like exactly what I'm looking for, hopefully I'll be able to find one >.>

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What are you saying they are clones of? lol
 
Anyway, elitekeyboards will hopefully be selling Leopolds soon (no word on pricing, though).
 
You can still get Ducky keyboards from pchome or whatever, and perhaps they'll get filcos back in stock from time to time.
 
I currently have 3 filco boards - one fullsize (black), two tenkeyless (brown & blue).

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard.
 
Absolutely fantastic keyboard. The backlight is great with very little bleed. The keys are similar to oversized laptop keys, but with a longer throw. They use a scissor switch, which is fantastic for tactile feedback. There is a very clear depression to the key once you hit the trigger. It's also fantastically quiet. For those who like a keyboard with good tactile feedback, but don't want the sound of a mechanical keyboard, check it out. It's similar to the Razer Lycosa, but far superior in terms of build quality and feel.