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by jqm 4151 days ago
Does anyone have any a recommendation? I've been wanting to get a mechanical keyboard.
8 comments

Unicomp (http://www.pckeyboard.com/) produce modern IBM Model M keyboard, with real buckling spring tech. Mine's been working beautifully for 8 years now. It is loud though, you won't make friends from the noise levels. I did have some issues with the quality of the caps, some of the function keys get stuck due to the tight fit between the cap and the bezel, but you can probably file down the bezel or the cap. My model doesn't have media keys, which sucks.

Anyway, if you want to feel like you're writing on a mechanical device, it's fantastic, and when you're in the zone you get that audial and tactile feedback to say "Yes! You're winning!".

I need to find a keyboard I can use at work, one with tactile feedback but a lot quieter.

For coding and most general work, I've gotten a lot of mileage out of my Filco Majestouch 2. It's middle of the range pricewise, has the Cherry Brown switches (tactile and audible feedback), and is built pretty solidly. From memory, when I bought it, it scored above the median on reviews as well.

It's the first mechanical keyboard I've used after years of mushy keyboards, and the difference was like night and day.

I tried a few different configurations of the WASD V2 (http://wasdkeyboards.com), and really liked the Cherry MX Blue switches with 0.2mm o-ring dampeners. There's a Mac keyboard layout option, too, which is part of what sold me on it. If you're anywhere near Milpitas, CA you can actually just drop by their office and try them out before buying.
Highly depends on your own personal preference and how you'll be using the keyboard. Check out http://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ It's a great subreddit and the users are super passionate, it contains anything you would want to know about the different brands and switch type.
Check out the different switch sounds (http://techreport.com/review/23405/rosewill-rk-9000-series-m...) before you buy a mechanical keyboard, each switch type has a distinct sound, and getting the wrong one can drive you crazy.
I have a Das Keyboard (http://www.daskeyboard.com/), specifically the Das Keyboard 4 Professional. A little pricey if you're used to generic $10 keyboards, but it's fantastic to type on.
I've found the Realforce to feel great and to be quiet.
Used IBM Model M + ps2->usb adapter