got myself a mechanical keyboard

[Patches1]

I am in the market for a new keyboard...what are the differences in quality between SteelSeries, Corsair, Razor, and Logitech?

[Hap]

I'll have to look into a mechanical keyboard.  They've all the keys we want for AH?

[potsNpans]

My old 9 year Dell is finally wearing out, so I took a chance and  ordered the Corsair K95. Sale price seemed good at Fresh eggs site.   

[Skuzzy]

The Das is a nice board but dont be a bonehead like me and buy the one without the key lettering on it, at least unless you want it like that, and I have no idea why anyone would. Nor did I even know such a board was made. I was disappointed cause it seemed like a great board but i sure as hell wasnt about to do business with New Egg again after they sent me the one I didnt want.

So I bought a Black Widow. I didnt think I'd like the load click when you type but now I wouldnt want anything else. Razor is coming on strong with a bunch of hardware. They have replaced Logic Tech for me.

I have had the one with the lettering for some time now.  The key feel is similar to the old IBM keyboard, but the play in the horizontal plane of the keys is a bit high compared to the IBM keyboard.

[ebfd11]

There is a computer repair shop in the town I live in and they csnt give away tge old IBM keyboards.  I'm thinking about getting a couple and send them to Skuzzy
..

[SilverZ06]

There is a computer repair shop in the town I live in and they csnt give away tge old IBM keyboards.  I'm thinking about getting a couple and send them to Skuzzy
..

I'll buy one from you too!

[ebfd11]

The only thing I remember about rhem is that big nasty IBM logo on them. Ket me see when I get home. I still have 432 miles to go.

LawnDart

[Gman]

http://www.pckeyboard.com/

I've ordered one of these to check out, apparently they use the exact same key design as the original IBM, the collapsing spring thingamajig.  I'll report back once I get it and compare it to a few of my original IBM boards.  I'm very interested to see how their keys stack up to the original, as, like I've said and agree with Skuzzy, as good as the new ones are, they aren't as good as the original IBM M keyboards.  The new "cherry" switches on my Razer are very good, but it nor any of the other major brands have ever surpassed the IBM key patent. 

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/

This place sells the actual IBM boards, and has a pretty good description on what years are best etc.  Since I have a bunch I don't need to buy one from them, but figured a few guys here who were looking may be interested.  

[SirNuke]

are IBM keyboards using cherry switches? If yes what type? Most gaming keyboards use black switches I'd love to try every type out there

http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide#post_6009482

I guess cherry as a brand didn't exist in the 80's 

[Gman]

No, the old IBM M keyboards pretty much all use the buckling spring patented key design.  Like I said, I love the new keyboards from Razer, Steel, Corsair, and the other gaming companies, and I'm glad they're building them, and they're what I use for gaming most of the time due to the lit keys.  If I'm typing or writing anything longer than a BBS post, I use the IBM M keyboard, as the key's are still better, at least IMO, and by a fair margin, than the newer Cherry keys, at least for typing quickly and accurately.

One thing is for sure, once you try any mechanical, you'll not want a standard keyboard ever again.  I can max out at about 70 or so WPM on my Razer, and well into the 80's with the IBM board, with far less errors taking off score.  I don't love the PS2 connectors though, I'll say that for nothing.  If IBM was smart they would sell that buckling spring thing to another company, or build some new keyboards themselves.  Like I said, the "new" manufactured one I ordered from the first link in the last post should be interesting I hope.

[olds442]

I loved my old IBM keyboard and currently have a mechanical Das keyboard, which is not as good as the IBM keyboard but much at least it has mechanical switches, which I have always preferred.

A company called unicomp still makes a buckling spring model M. Im typing on it right now
http://www.pckeyboard.com/
And hey its actually made in the USA

No, the old IBM M keyboards pretty much all use the buckling spring patented key design.  Like I said, I love the new keyboards from Razer, Steel, Corsair, and the other gaming companies, and I'm glad they're building them, and they're what I use for gaming most of the time due to the lit keys.  If I'm typing or writing anything longer than a BBS post, I use the IBM M keyboard, as the key's are still better, at least IMO, and by a fair margin, than the newer Cherry keys, at least for typing quickly and accurately.

One thing is for sure, once you try any mechanical, you'll not want a standard keyboard ever again.  I can max out at about 70 or so WPM on my Razer, and well into the 80's with the IBM board, with far less errors taking off score.  I don't love the PS2 connectors though, I'll say that for nothing.  If IBM was smart they would sell that buckling spring thing to another company, or build some new keyboards themselves.  Like I said, the "new" manufactured one I ordered from the first link in the last post should be interesting I hope.

And that's exactly what they did, first they sold the machines to mold the plastic and etc to lexmark who then sold them to Unicomp. Unicomp makes them brand new. I ordered mine in late April of last year and the date on it is 4/12/13 can't get much better than that... Its still heavy like the old IBM version however the version i got is not as long. Still has the keycaps that can be removed and cleaned and etc. Still built like a tank....
They come in the standard PS2 connection or in a new USB version which is the one i got. Very happy with this keyboard better than any cherry mx blue or brown keyboard that I have used. Windows key is also new.

EDIT: Just noticed you posted the link before Gman.

[SilverZ06]

I'm thinking seriously about having my wife get me the Unicomp classic 104 trackball keyboard for Christmas. I'd love to have one but spending $100+ on a keyboard is kind of hard to justify. My wife is going to think I've lost my mind. 

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I'm thinking seriously about having my wife get me the Unicomp classic 104 trackball keyboard for Christmas. I'd love to have one but spending $100+ on a keyboard is kind of hard to justify. My wife is going to think I've lost my mind. 

She won't when she'll hear the crackling from your room. You can justify it by being able to write her love letters 20% faster.

[Skuzzy]

If it is built like the original IBM keyboard it will last almost forever.

[SirNuke]

If it is built like the original IBM keyboard it will last almost forever.

it does look like it!



what I dislike is the windows key. Main reason I picked the steel series above other is the lack of left windows key.