• Welcome to TechPowerUp Forums, Guest! Please check out our forum guidelines for info related to our community.

Keyboards, where do you fit?

What do you want on your desk?

  • I want a quality keyboard with mechanical switches. Cost is usually not a concern.

    Votes: 17 40.5%
  • Switches are all hype, I would not pay those mechanical keyboard prices.

    Votes: 2 4.8%
  • LED backlighting and wireless ftw! This is 2012 people.

    Votes: 2 4.8%
  • Macros and other functional keys ftw! The less deskspace without buttons, the better.

    Votes: 5 11.9%
  • Less space! Get rid of those extra keys! An 83key keyboard would suit my need for more desk space.

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Combination of 1 & 3

    Votes: 9 21.4%
  • Combination of 1 & 4

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Combination of 1 & 5

    Votes: 3 7.1%
  • Combination of 2 & 3

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Combination of 2 & 4

    Votes: 1 2.4%
  • Combination of 2 & 5

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    42
Status
Not open for further replies.

Binge

Overclocking Surrealism
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
6,979 (1.23/day)
Location
PA, USA
System Name Molly
Processor i5 3570K
Motherboard Z77 ASRock
Cooling CooliT Eco
Memory 2x4GB Mushkin Redline Ridgebacks
Video Card(s) Gigabyte GTX 680
Case Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced
Power Supply Corsair HX-1000
Making a general poll to see where the tech-heads on TPU find themselves when they consider keyboards. In the past 30 years keyboard technology has actually changed quite a bit for the worse and for the better. What is it you want to finger on your desk?

::EDIT:: one of the options you want does not appear in the poll? Pick the one that best suits your tastes regardless of it being 100% correct. The first 2 options are meant to be vague because they cover the mech vs non-mech mentality.
 
Last edited:

sneekypeet

Retired Super Moderator
Joined
Apr 12, 2006
Messages
29,409 (4.47/day)
System Name EVA-01
Processor Intel i7 13700K
Motherboard Asus ROG Maximus Z690 HERO EVA Edition
Cooling ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 with Noctua Industrial Fans
Memory PAtriot Viper Elite RGB 96GB @ 6000MHz.
Video Card(s) Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 24GB OC EVA Edition
Storage Addlink S95 M.2 PCIe GEN 4x4 2TB
Display(s) Asus ROG SWIFT OLED PG42UQ
Case Thermaltake Core P3 TG
Audio Device(s) Realtek on board > Sony Receiver > Cerwin Vegas
Power Supply be quiet DARK POWER PRO 12 1500W
Mouse ROG STRIX Impact Electro Punk
Keyboard ROG STRIX Scope TKL Electro Punk
Software Windows 11
Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Messages
43,587 (6.72/day)
Processor AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Motherboard ASUS TUF x670e
Cooling EK AIO 360. Phantek T30 fans.
Memory 32GB G.Skill 6000Mhz
Video Card(s) Asus RTX 4090
Storage WD m.2
Display(s) LG C2 Evo OLED 42"
Case Lian Li PC 011 Dynamic Evo
Audio Device(s) Topping E70 DAC, SMSL SP200 Headphone Amp.
Power Supply FSP Hydro Ti PRO 1000W
Mouse Razer Basilisk V3 Pro
Keyboard Tester84
Software Windows 11
1+3 but no wireless. Preferably the ability to change colors on the LED lighting.
 
Joined
Jan 12, 2010
Messages
1,526 (0.29/day)
System Name Custom Built
Processor AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Motherboard Asus PRIME A520M-A
Cooling Stock heatsink/fan
Memory 16GB 2x8GB Corsair Vengeance LPX 2400MHz
Video Card(s) MSI 1050Ti 4GB
Storage KINGSTON SNVS250G 256GB M.2 + 2 data disks
Display(s) Dell S2421NX
Case Aerocool CS103
Audio Device(s) Realtek
Power Supply Seasonic M12II-520 EVO
Mouse Logitech MX Master 2S
Keyboard Logitech
Software Windows 11 Pro 64-bit
Voted for 4. Besides.

Silent.
Wrist support.
Wireless.

I have currently a Logitech S510 and happy with it.
 
Joined
Jan 24, 2010
Messages
3,603 (0.69/day)
Location
Oregon, USA
System Name GLaDOS
Processor AMD FX-9590 X8 4.7GHz
Motherboard ASUS Sabertooth 990FX
Cooling Corsair H80i v2
Memory Corsair Vengeance 24GB (2x8GB, 2x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHz
Video Card(s) ASUS ROG-STRIX-RX580-O8G-GAMINGOC
Storage WD Blue 3D NAND 1TB Internal PC SSD
Display(s) 2 Acer S231HL 23" LED backlit LCD's on a Dual LCD stand
Case Corsair iCUE 220T RGB Airflow
Audio Device(s) Onboard - Corsair Void Pro Wireless
Power Supply Corsair 850HXi 850W
Mouse Corsair Sabre RGB
Keyboard Corsair K70 LUX RGB
Software Microsoft Windows 10 Pro 64 Bit
I have a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate at home and love it.

I took my Logitech G110 to work in place of the POS keyboards we had. it's better, but I spend my work day missing my mechanical keyboard. :(
 

manofthem

WCG-TPU Team All-Star!
Joined
Jan 9, 2011
Messages
10,960 (2.26/day)
Location
Florida
Processor 3900X @ 4.0
Motherboard Asus ROG Strix X570-E
Cooling DeepCool Castle 360EX
Memory G Skill Trident Z Neo 32GB 3600
Video Card(s) RX 5700 XT Pulse
Storage Sabrent Rocket Q 1TB
Display(s) LG 34UC88
Case Thermaltake P3
Power Supply Super Flower Leadex III 750w
Mouse Logitech G900
Keyboard G Skill KM570 MX Silver
Software Windows 10 Pro
Can't say yet. My first mechanical keyboard is in the mail, probably on a FedEx truck right now on its way to me (;) to you peet)
When I get it, I'll be able to post back more insightfully.
 

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
25,867 (3.79/day)
Location
Alabama
System Name Rocinante
Processor I9 14900KS
Motherboard EVGA z690 Dark KINGPIN (modded BIOS)
Cooling EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB
Memory 64GB Gskill Trident Z5 DDR5 6000 @6400
Video Card(s) MSI SUPRIM Liquid X 4090
Storage 1x 500GB 980 Pro | 1x 1TB 980 Pro | 1x 8TB Corsair MP400
Display(s) Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC
Case Lian Li o11 Evo Dynamic White
Audio Device(s) Moondrop S8's on Schiit Hel 2e
Power Supply Bequiet! Power Pro 12 1500w
Mouse Lamzu Atlantis mini (White)
Keyboard Monsgeek M3 Lavender, Akko Crystal Blues
VR HMD Quest 3
Software Windows 11
Benchmark Scores I dont have time for that.
LED and function keys lycosa challenger etc etc dont feel the need to get on the mechanical bandwagon i dont like the keys not sure what the hype is about dome keys work fine for me.
 

STCNE

New Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2010
Messages
236 (0.05/day)
Location
Connecticut USA
System Name Lycanthropy
Processor i5 2500K
Motherboard ECS p67-h2a2
Memory 8GB Muskin Radioactive Series
Video Card(s) MSI R7770
Case Lancool K62
Audio Device(s) Ultra-Fi Dac41, Vintage Sherwood amp, STAX SR-5 Headphones
Power Supply XFX 850W
Software Win 7 64-Bit(Tried Win8 and never going back)
Benchmark Scores Reboots in 35 seconds flat, with a standard HDD. I'm a bit of an OCD tweaker. Using less than 100GB
1 is the closest to what I'd pick except that cost is a concern. I just want a quality keyboard with no LEDs or other 'gimmicks' that I never end up using. Though I do use the numpad so I'm not looking for a mini keyboard. I'm also picky about key plastic, if I'm paying for a mechanical board it's gotta be PBT.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
4,876 (0.83/day)
Location
Joplin, Mo
System Name Ultrabeast GX2
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory 2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card(s) 9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Storage 750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Display(s) 24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case Apevia
Audio Device(s) 7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
Power Supply 700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software winXP Pro
Benchmark Scores 17749 3DM06
LED and function keys lycosa challenger etc etc dont feel the need to get on the mechanical bandwagon i dont like the keys not sure what the hype is about dome keys work fine for me.

Ever tried one? I didn't care for one either. Then I tried a ducky at microcenter. I never looked back. Getting a second and third for my work computers.

ESP for typing or programming.

I currently own a black widow, will soon be getting a ducky (BW uses blues, i think ducky uses blacks or browns)

Mechanical may be a bandwagon, but its like saying using indoor plumbing was jumping on the bandwagon.
 

cadaveca

My name is Dave
Joined
Apr 10, 2006
Messages
17,232 (2.62/day)
N-Key is the only option I consider, really. Sadly, it's not part of your poll.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
4,876 (0.83/day)
Location
Joplin, Mo
System Name Ultrabeast GX2
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory 2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card(s) 9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Storage 750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Display(s) 24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case Apevia
Audio Device(s) 7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
Power Supply 700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software winXP Pro
Benchmark Scores 17749 3DM06
N-Key is the only option I consider, really. Sadly, it's not part of your poll.

What would you use the n-key for specifically?
 

Solaris17

Super Dainty Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Aug 16, 2005
Messages
25,867 (3.79/day)
Location
Alabama
System Name Rocinante
Processor I9 14900KS
Motherboard EVGA z690 Dark KINGPIN (modded BIOS)
Cooling EK-AIO Elite 360 D-RGB
Memory 64GB Gskill Trident Z5 DDR5 6000 @6400
Video Card(s) MSI SUPRIM Liquid X 4090
Storage 1x 500GB 980 Pro | 1x 1TB 980 Pro | 1x 8TB Corsair MP400
Display(s) Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC
Case Lian Li o11 Evo Dynamic White
Audio Device(s) Moondrop S8's on Schiit Hel 2e
Power Supply Bequiet! Power Pro 12 1500w
Mouse Lamzu Atlantis mini (White)
Keyboard Monsgeek M3 Lavender, Akko Crystal Blues
VR HMD Quest 3
Software Windows 11
Benchmark Scores I dont have time for that.
Ever tried one? I didn't care for one either. Then I tried a ducky at microcenter. I never looked back. Getting a second and third for my work computers.

ESP for typing or programming.

I currently own a black widow, will soon be getting a ducky (BW uses blues, i think ducky uses blacks or browns)

Mechanical may be a bandwagon, but its like saying using indoor plumbing was jumping on the bandwagon.

yup hate them.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
4,876 (0.83/day)
Location
Joplin, Mo
System Name Ultrabeast GX2
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory 2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card(s) 9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Storage 750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Display(s) 24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case Apevia
Audio Device(s) 7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
Power Supply 700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software winXP Pro
Benchmark Scores 17749 3DM06
yup hate them.

I wonder which ones you have tried. The black widows are very clicky, and the community is split on them as to wether they love or hate them.

There are ones that dont act a whole lot different than a regular keyboard, but have much better action. The ducky is like that, very quiet.
 
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
620 (0.11/day)
Location
Michigan, USA
System Name Black Box
Processor Intel i7 3770K
Motherboard AsRock z77 Extreme 6
Cooling Thermalright Venemous X
Memory 2 x 8GB Crucial Ballistix
Video Card(s) 2 x GTX 480
Storage A-Data 128GB SSD, Samsung Spinpoint F3 1TB
Display(s) HANNspree 25" 1080p 2ms
Case Lian Li PC-9F
Audio Device(s) Creative XFI
Power Supply PC Power & Cooling Silencer MKII 750w
Software Win 7 pro x64
I couldn't vote for any of them since none of them fit my criteria.

First, I want a back lit keyboard. If it changes colors that'd be nice too but not necessary.

Second, I want it to have a wrist rest. Definitely helps out with fatigue.

Third, I want it wired because wireless, inherent to their nature, will always have lag.

Fourth, I like quiet keyboards. My 2 y/o daughter sleeps close by and louder keyboards will wake her up.

As it were, I like my old school Saitek Eclipe I. it pretty much meets all of my needs and wants. It'd be nice if it had mechanical switches, however, I've had this keyboard going on 5 years and have absolutely had zero problems with it. Not to mention their customer service is top notch. I contacted them after my first one had gotten an internal short, even though the keyboard was out of warranty, they sent me a brand new replacement. Now that's service!
 

FreedomEclipse

~Technological Technocrat~
Joined
Apr 20, 2007
Messages
23,363 (3.76/day)
Location
London,UK
System Name Codename: Icarus Mk.VI
Processor Intel 8600k@Stock -- pending tuning
Motherboard Asus ROG Strixx Z370-F
Cooling CPU: BeQuiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 {1xCorsair ML120 Pro|5xML140 Pro}
Memory 32GB XPG Gammix D10 {2x16GB}
Video Card(s) ASUS Dual Radeon™ RX 6700 XT OC Edition
Storage Samsung 970 Evo 512GB SSD (Boot)|WD SN770 (Gaming)|2x 3TB Toshiba DT01ACA300|2x 2TB Crucial BX500
Display(s) LG GP850-B
Case Corsair 760T (White)
Audio Device(s) Yamaha RX-V573|Speakers: JBL Control One|Auna 300-CN|Wharfedale Diamond SW150
Power Supply Corsair AX760
Mouse Logitech G900
Keyboard Duckyshine Dead LED(s) III
Software Windows 10 Pro
Benchmark Scores (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
Getting a good mechanical keyboard is definitely takes a small investment. I was only out to pay around £35-60 before i bought my Corsair K90. Some mechanical keyboards cost a lot more then the price of the K90 though
 
Joined
Jul 14, 2006
Messages
2,411 (0.37/day)
Location
People's Republic of America
System Name It's just a computer
Processor i9-9900K Direct Die
Motherboard eVGA Z390 Dark
Cooling Dual D5T Vario, XSPC BayRes, Nemesis GTR560, NF-A14-iPPC3000PWM, NF-A14-iPPC2000, HK IV Pro Nickel
Memory G.Skill F4-4500C19D-16GTZKKE or G.Skill F4-3600C16D-16GTZ or G.Skill F4-4000C19D-32GTZSW
Video Card(s) eVGA RTX2080 FTW3 Ultra
Storage Samsung 960 EVO M.2
Display(s) LG 32GK650F
Case Thermaltake Xaser VI
Audio Device(s) Auzentech X-Meridian 7.1 2G/Z-5500
Power Supply Seasonic Prime PX-1300
Mouse Logitech
Keyboard Logitech
Software Win7 Ultimate x64 SP1
Cordless, so I can put my feet up and rest it on my lap. Other than that, nothing fancy.

I use a Logitech LX700 combo. It does everything I need.
 

AlienIsGOD

Vanguard Beta Tester
Joined
Aug 9, 2008
Messages
5,111 (0.89/day)
Location
Kingston, Ontario Canada
System Name Aliens Ryzen Rig | 2nd Hand Omen
Processor Ryzen R5 5600 | Ryzen R5 3600
Motherboard Gigabyte B450 Aorus Elite (F61 BIOS) | B450 matx
Cooling DeepCool Castle EX V2 240mm AIO| stock for now
Memory 8GB X 2 DDR4 3000mhz Team Group Vulcan | 16GB DDR4
Video Card(s) Sapphire Pulse RX 5700 8GB | GTX 1650 4GB
Storage Adata XPG 8200 PRO 512GB SSD OS / 240 SSD + 2TB M.2 SSD Games / 1000 GB Data | SSD + HDD
Display(s) Acer ED273 27" VA 144hz Freesync |TCL 32" 1080P w/ HDR
Case NZXT H500 Black | HP Omen Obelisk
Audio Device(s) Onboard Realtek | Onboard Realtek
Power Supply EVGA SuperNOVA G3 650w 80+ Gold | 500w
Mouse Steelseries Rival 500 15 button mouse w/ Razor Goliathus Chroma XL mousemat | Logitech G502
Keyboard Logitech G910 Orion Spark RGB w/ Romer G tactile keys | Logitech G513 Carbon w/ Romer G tactile keys
Software Windows 10 Pro | Windows 10 Pro
G510 user and loving it, although i wouldn't hesitate to buy mechanical for my next KB purchase.
 

brandonwh64

Addicted to Bacon and StarCrunches!!!
Joined
Sep 6, 2009
Messages
19,542 (3.66/day)
I would like to pickup a mechanical keyboard later on when mine is on my nerves or it finally dies.
 

Binge

Overclocking Surrealism
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
6,979 (1.23/day)
Location
PA, USA
System Name Molly
Processor i5 3570K
Motherboard Z77 ASRock
Cooling CooliT Eco
Memory 2x4GB Mushkin Redline Ridgebacks
Video Card(s) Gigabyte GTX 680
Case Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced
Power Supply Corsair HX-1000
N-Key is the only option I consider, really. Sadly, it's not part of your poll.

Wouldn't put it past you to care about the rollover. I love some too. Just assume whichever option you pick has n-key. It didn't make it to the poll because #1 is the ONLY option which would have NKRO under the heading of a quality mechanical keyboard.

I would like to pickup a mechanical keyboard later on when mine is on my nerves or it finally dies.

I have a sweet mech I bought from Sneeky that I modded and I want to find it a better home. You interested bro?
 

TheMailMan78

Big Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2007
Messages
22,599 (3.67/day)
Location
'Merica. The Great SOUTH!
System Name TheMailbox 5.0 / The Mailbox 4.5
Processor RYZEN 1700X / Intel i7 2600k @ 4.2GHz
Motherboard Fatal1ty X370 Gaming K4 / Gigabyte Z77X-UP5 TH Intel LGA 1155
Cooling MasterLiquid PRO 280 / Scythe Katana 4
Memory ADATA RGB 16GB DDR4 2666 16-16-16-39 / G.SKILL Sniper Series 16GB DDR3 1866: 9-9-9-24
Video Card(s) MSI 1080 "Duke" with 8Gb of RAM. Boost Clock 1847 MHz / ASUS 780ti
Storage 256Gb M4 SSD / 128Gb Agelity 4 SSD , 500Gb WD (7200)
Display(s) LG 29" Class 21:9 UltraWide® IPS LED Monitor 2560 x 1080 / Dell 27"
Case Cooler Master MASTERBOX 5t / Cooler Master 922 HAF
Audio Device(s) Realtek ALC1220 Audio Codec / SupremeFX X-Fi with Bose Companion 2 speakers.
Power Supply Seasonic FOCUS Plus Series SSR-750PX 750W Platinum / SeaSonic X Series X650 Gold
Mouse SteelSeries Sensei (RAW) / Logitech G5
Keyboard Razer BlackWidow / Logitech (Unknown)
Software Windows 10 Pro (64-bit)
Benchmark Scores Benching is for bitches.
I like the clicky, clack, clack, clicks of mechanicalz.
 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
4,876 (0.83/day)
Location
Joplin, Mo
System Name Ultrabeast GX2
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory 2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card(s) 9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Storage 750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Display(s) 24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case Apevia
Audio Device(s) 7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
Power Supply 700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software winXP Pro
Benchmark Scores 17749 3DM06
I like the clicky, clack, clack, clicks of mechanicalz.

Only a matter of time before the clickity-click becomes mainstream.

My wife loves my keyboard, no matter how loud it is.

Enjoy your membrane while you can Solaris :D
 

Binge

Overclocking Surrealism
Joined
Sep 15, 2008
Messages
6,979 (1.23/day)
Location
PA, USA
System Name Molly
Processor i5 3570K
Motherboard Z77 ASRock
Cooling CooliT Eco
Memory 2x4GB Mushkin Redline Ridgebacks
Video Card(s) Gigabyte GTX 680
Case Coolermaster CM690 II Advanced
Power Supply Corsair HX-1000
Just an example for the people who may not have seen these... this is the most 'pure' example of a space saver keyboard with standard sized keys. This type of keyboard is the most extreme space saver concept to explain option 5. Option 5 would also include other space saver options like 10-keyless and 96key layouts.


 
Joined
Feb 26, 2008
Messages
4,876 (0.83/day)
Location
Joplin, Mo
System Name Ultrabeast GX2
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 @ 4.0GHZ 24/7
Motherboard Gigabit P35-DS3L
Cooling Rosewill RX24, Dual Slot Vid, Fan control
Memory 2x1gb 1066mhz@850MHZ DDR2
Video Card(s) 9800GX2 @ 690/1040
Storage 750/250/250/200 all WD 7200
Display(s) 24" DCLCD 2ms 1200p
Case Apevia
Audio Device(s) 7.1 Digital on-board, 5.1 digital hooked up
Power Supply 700W RAIDMAXXX SLI
Software winXP Pro
Benchmark Scores 17749 3DM06
You are way too young, and this shows it. :p Welcome to 1932. :shadedshu

Closing on 30, can't say that young.

I am not ignorant about older technology, but it seemed irrelevant when talking about the current mainstream.
 

95Viper

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 12, 2008
Messages
12,670 (2.23/day)
Did not vote, my option is not there.
This --> I want a comfortable, adjustable, quality keyboard with mechanical switches. Cost is usually not a concern should be reasonable for the quality. Don't need lights or gimmicks.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top