I recently got a new keyboard for my desktop computer, and I do not like it at all. I like the way keyboards used to be, back in the '80s, with their heavy duty, clicky keys. I want to replace the bland keyboard I have right now, with a better, super clicky keyboard.
Not knowing exactly what I want, I found the Wikipedia page to be helpful. From looking at that page, I’m pretty sure I want a mechanical-switch keyboard, or a buckling-spring keyboard, for super extra clickiness. I think the one I have right now is a dome switch keyboard.
My needs are pretty modest: maximal clickiness, while satisfying the following:
[ul]
[li]Standard Windows QWERTY PC keyboard, including the number keys on the right.[/li][li]USB connection, NOT wireless.[/li][li]Adjustable feet on the bottom.[/li][li]I do not need the keys to be backlit, but if they are, that’s fine.[/li][li]I am not a PC gamer, so I don’t need anything gaming specific. But if a gaming keyboard fits my needs, I’m fine with one.[/li][li]I don’t need any extra multimedia or macro keys, but if they’re included, that’s no problem.[/li][li]I really want the keyboard to be laid out straight horizontally, not that diagonally broken ergonomic layout.[/li][li]Preferably less than $100.[/li][li]Possessed of supreme clickosity.[/li][/ul]
Can anyone offer any suggestions? I eagerly await your suggestions.
If you are a fan of having function keys on the left hand side of the keyboard, here is a link. https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/category/PC122
Why is this type of keyboard so hard to find? I order several when I need one, because they become unavailable without warning.
Thank you to everyone for your replies. Just a few specific responses:
jasg: I don’t know if that was a joke or not. Quiet Pro? Never! The louder the better.
74westy: Thank you for those links. I did come across Unicomp in my searches, and one of their products may be what I’m looking for.
Hermitian: Holy cow, that Reddit link is awesome. I spent some time looking through it. Forgive me if I take issue with your “nasty noisy things” comment.
And thank you for the Razer suggestions. There are some affordable Razer models, and the backlit keys might be kind of cool.
Please keep the clicky mechanical keyboard goodness coming!
Last time I bought a keyboard (at a Staples, I think) there were a bunch of keyboards on display so I could test them for clickiness (I also like clear tactile feedback that I have completed a keypress). I don’t know that I would buy any keyboard online without being able to try it out for myself.
I used a Wang keyboard at my last desk job and loved how bouncy it was under my fingertips. I thought I was the only person who felt that way. From the videos I found it could be either a 724 or 725.
I know that you want to keep the cost down, but it may be worth your while to try out a few different options before buying. You can get Cherry key samplers for not too many dollars, try them out, and then search out a mechanical switch keyboard that offers a model with the switch you like best.
I am on my second “Das Keyboard” and I love it. They allow you to choose which switches are used, Cherry MX Brown vs. Cherry MX Blue, depending on the clickyness you want.
I used to have the one that is totally blank, used it for 8 years, loved it, and then finally got tired of trying to figure where the percent sign or ampersand was.
The keyboard is still just as functional as the day I got it, but the novelty of the blank keys wore off.
These days I use the Prime 13, which has none of the unnecessary media or gaming junk on it, and is a good solid keyboard (metal!).
As to price, these are all between $100 and $150.
That price shouldn’t be surprising since you are buying 104 Cherry MX switches along with a very well built frame that lasts decades.
I didn’t know you could still get those! I miss the old giant beige keyboards with the nice clickety keys. The keyboard at work has those low profile keys and I hate it. I’m constantly hitting two keys at once or hitting caps lock by accident and stuff like that. I learned to type on a Smith Corona manual upright so you really had to hammer the keys, and I’ve never really broken the habit.