What PC keyboards feel nicest?

[Napier]

What PC keyboards feel nicest? I have used Gateway and Dell for years, and was just admiring the Compaqs for sale at the local Best Buy. They keyboards felt much nicer - sort of heavy, and with a precise and silky key action, like they are heavily oiled, and less wobbly than I am used to. They also clattered less.
What's your favorite, and why???

[essohbee]

I like the Micrsoft natural keyboards, it's just something about them that suits me. I've even gotten used to using the extra keys that microsoft insists on adding.

<Slight nitpick>
Isn't this more of a IMHO topic than a GD one?
</Slight nitpick>

[tracer]

Well, to some, having the right keyboard IS practically a religious issue...

[Shalmanese]

IBM Model M... nuff said.

[elmwood]

Have to agree ... an old IBM Type M or Northgate OmniKey does the trick for me.

I'll take the old IBM XT keyboard over the Type M and Omnikey if it was an option, but unfortunately they can't be used with modern motherboards.

[JThunder]

Is this truly a matter of great debate? In my humble opinion, it isn't.

[Shaolinrabbit]

IBM model M. I put the new keyboard with the extra keys in the closet and plugged in my wrought iron baby here . . .

To be more specific however, since this is GD Shalmanese and elmwood are full of it. The only true Model M is part number 1391401, id number 3894303, manufactured 19JUN89. The rest are just idolaters.

[tracer]

So ... does the IBM model M keyboard feel nicer with a conventional QWERTY layout, or with a Dvorak (http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_248.html) layout?

[Czarcasm]

Moving this to IMHO.

[Kewk]

MS Natural Pro. Love it.

[Harmonix]

Logitech elite keyboard.

They even designed the keyboard to allow simultaneous key-presses of commonly used FPS game keys. If they didn't design it that way, it sure does work for pressing strafe, crouch and back all at the same way.

That said, the keyboard feels great and I use the extra keys everyday.

[rumraisin]

I quite like my Dell one over the others I've tried.

[green_bladder]

I've found that I can't type as well on the 'quiet' keyboards and I type much faster on the noisy ones. I guess whilst typing I like to hear the confirmation of the key being typed.. if that makes any sense? :)

[caveman]

Has anyone used one of those flat, rubbery, spillproof "indestructible" keyboards (http://www.keyalt.com/keyboards/virtuallyindestruct.htm)? How are they for regular use?

[shijinn]

green_bladder
yes it does, keyboard clatter is important. :)

i prefer one without the 'windows' key, it always gets in the way..

[Toddly]

I will second the vote for Logitech. They are quiet and have a nice feel. I don't use the software that comes with them though. I like the Windows Key and use it regularly. Windows Key + M clears all windows and sends you to the Desktop. Very handy.

[Ximenean]

Ooh, this is a major hobby horse of mine... I get very anal about keyboard feel, and IMO they don't make 'em like they used to. Two things I dislike about current keyboards: the action is wrong (initially resistive, then suddenly soft, i.e. more like pressing a button than typing a key); and the "landing" is too cushioned.
A company called Cherry used to make *great* keyboards - constant key pressure all the way down, and a nice definite landing. And the best keyboard I ever used was on an ancient Toshiba portable (one of the big "clamshells" with orange plasma screens, much bigger than today's laptops). But try as I might I can't find any current keyboard that feels as good. I have an old Cherry model which has the classic feel but it's too big and ugly. If someone made a sexy, compact USB keyboard that felt as good as that, I'd buy it like a shot.

[ReBusEniGma]

I use an ergonomic querty/dvorak KB from dvortyboards, and I love it. Kudos to Henry and Mary Webber for this offering. It's hardwired, so there is no software switching necessary, just the touch of a button. It also has lasered key etchings, the key layout with the older-style arrow key formation, and the number 6 on the left side of the split KB, which I prefer.

As far as the feel, the board actually has some physical weight to it, and has a nice, firm, responsive tactile.
**okay, that's a little too close to fruit shopping but you get the idea.

[Boldface Type]

Originally posted by Napier
What PC keyboards feel nicest?

Oh, any made from Chinchilla fur, I expect.

[Trigonal Planar]

I'm very fond of my Dell QuietKey. The keys function very nicely; the force required is just perfect. Its a little loud (I actually dislike the clicking sound). Its getting pretty old and dirty, I hope I can find a good replacement.

[finn1911]

I actually feel quite strongly on this issue, I actually have a backup of this keyboard on the off chance something happens to it and it's not fixable. I've actually had to disect my keyboard at least 2 times to clean it after pepsi incidents :) Infact.. if i could bring my keyboard to work and not look like a freak.. i probably would.

In my humble opinion.. there is nothing better than a Fujitsu 8729.

[Taters]

Well, all those little buttons feel really, really rough when you.....oh, you meant for TYPING....my mistake:o

Actually, I can't stand those "natural" keyboards; there is nothing natural about your elbows sticking out when you are attempting to type. I make more mistakes on those....

I like the keyboard that came with my Gateway computer and the Microsoft Internet keyboard. Nice STRAIGHT rows of keys and they click along nicely when you're typing. I tend to type faster on noiser keyboards than on quiet or soft touch keyboards too.

[schplebordnik]

Goldtouch. It's infinitely adjustable!

[jasg]

I've used an Apple Extended USB keyboard for 3 years on my Win2k/XP machines. Love the feel - only downside is that the Windows driver does not support the 'print screen' key - have to use the "On Screen" accessibility keyboard.

Volume control/mute keys are neat (but now available on many keyboards - not so 3 years ago)

[Daver914]

Has anyone used one of those flat, rubbery, spillproof "indestructible" keyboards Has anyone used one of those flat, rubbery, spillproof "indestructible" keyboards

My roommate has one, and it's about as awful as can be expected from a quarter-inch-thick, rubber keyboard. The keys are very shallow, and have a "mushy" feel. The edge of each key is rigid, and there is presumably some sort of a plunger in the middle to make the keystroke, so your finger seems to sink into the key as you type. I'm normally a 90+ WPM typist, but I can barely hack out a sentence on that thing.

[Oy Vey]

The old Gateway 124 Anykey keyboards that Gateway used to ship are the most dependable and comfortable I've ever used. I'm typing this out on the 12 year old one I got with our brand spanking new 386 sx 25 in 1991...

You can still find them on eBay for less than ten bucks... just search on 'Anykey'

[Tapioca Dextrin]

Originally posted by Usram
Ooh, this is a major hobby horse of mine... I get very anal about keyboard feel.

Usram. Just an idea, but most folks use their fingers when deciding on keyboard feel. :p

[TheFunkySpaceCowboy]

Yet another vote for the IBM M style keyboards, they are perfect in everyway: excellent noise, great key press feel, heavy enough that they stay put and don't clatter around when you are typing fast, and in a pinch they can be used in self defense, as either a club or for stopping bullets.

Right now I'm using an older Compaq keyboard that is acceptable, it's heavy and has a good feel to the keys but it's not as noisy as the 'M' but it works.

As far as laptop keyboards go I absolutely love the feel of the keyboard on my Thinkpad. Being a laptop and all the key press is much shorter and it is qutie but it still feels really good to type on. I guess the folks at IBM just know how to make a good keyboard :)