[Rednamalas1]

Heya. So far I've been loving my Das ultimate keyboard, but I need another keyboard for my imac.

I'm a touch-typist, so mechanical key switches are preferred over membrane or scissor type keyboards.

Should I get another das ultimate? or go for something else? wireless/bluetooth/wired USB are all fine. I like to keep it under 200$ (as mechanical keyboards are generally expensive).

I don't think this exact topic has been posted before (unless I'm wrong) then let me know otherwise.

Thanks for all your help!

 

[Zodduska]

Hiya, if you've read the other keyboard posts here you might have noticed I'm partial to Cherry keyboards with mechanical key switches.. you may have also noticed that they make the switches used in the Das series.

I love the compact keyboard G84-4100 because of the huge amount of desk space it saves:
Cherry G84-4100 Keyboards - Barcode Discount

Though I'm sure a lot of people might not appreciate the compact layout you can also browse Cherry's other models here:
Cherry Keyboards

it seems most people don't really care about keyboards and the ones that get attention have flashy features instead of functional quality.. I went through quite a few more mainstream keyboards before finding Cherry.

no affiliation etc..

 

[Zodduska]

oh hey, I just stumbled across this forum that seems to have quite a lot of info regarding mech keyboards: keyboards - geekhack forums

HTH

 

[majid]

I have a first-gen Matias TactilePro, which is ideal for Macs, and has excellent Alps keyswitches. Unfortunately they have discontinued the first and second generation TactilePros and it's unclear when the third-gen model will come out.

 

[philodox]

I'm all about the IBM Model M. You can score one on eBay for $15 or so and give it a good clean to make it as good as new. Typing on one right now.

You might want to check out geekhack.org as it is a forum dedicated to this.

 

[sentinl]

Check out the Das Keyboard V2, has mechanical switches, is tweaked based on normal typing pressure, and it comes in two versions one without any letters on the keys one with.

 

[philodox]

Those Das Keyboards are all rebranded models for what it's worth. With a little research you can get nearly the same keyboard for much less.

 

[Rednamalas1]

thanks guys!

 

[Ad Rock]

I second the IBM model M, great keyboard and built like a tank.

 

[syg]

Technically Model Ms aren't mechanical switches but buckling spring, tend to be pretty loud.

 

[leftnose]

I also vote for the IBM Model M and have bought a few off of eBay. I'm currently using a unicomp keyboard which is the successor to the Model M. Unicomp bought the tooling from IBM/Lexmark when they discontinued the keyboard. Unicomp has updated the Model M with the Windows keys and USB interface:

Customizer 104/105

 

[philodox]

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg /img/forum/go_quote.gif Technically Model Ms aren't mechanical switches but buckling spring, tend to be pretty loud.

Depends on how you define a mechanical switch, but either way, they definitely fill the same role.

 

[DoubleEs]

I use one of those Cherry Classic KB, it's big and heavy but I just love the click click click sound when I type with it

 

[OverlordXenu]

I have a Das Keyboard III Professional, and a Unicomp Customizer. I love both of them. I'm also thinking of getting a Matias because I am starting to use OS X a bit more (Hackintosh, booted on my main PC) and the dual PC/Mac layout would be incredibly useful.

I also have a couple of IBM Model M's that I use, and love, but they're ugly so I've exiled them to the server room.

 

[MrTechAgent]

If typing is your thing - 
1)Buckling  (Model-M)
2)Matias key switches
3)Cherry Black's (I like it for typing)
4)Cherry Blue
 
Gaming - 
1)Black's
2)Blue's
3)Green's