[Palomine]

Just a minor update as perhaps someone else might benefit from my trials and tribulations keyboardwise...

...not being able to use any of the dozen+ never-used PS/2 keyboards in my garage since the KVM switch I'm now using isn't compatible with PS/2 keyboards plugged in via USB adapters, it was finally time to go get an actual PC-layout keyboard with a USB interface since I've mostly switched to Linux and the two battered Mac-layout USB keyboards I've been using are well past their useful lifespans (plus they both lack a Scroll Lock key, which is what the KVM prefers as the key to press to 'switch' between computers).

As mentioned before, I mostly just type. I don't really need or ever much use gaming controls on a keyboard, or media controls, or hotkeys for programmable functions, etc... I just want a good comfortable fast keyboard, and I want it to be wired not wireless as I've yet to actually find a decent wireless keyboard that doesn't have signal problems when used on a metal desk. Though I can manage to get comfortable with most any kind of keyboard eventually, I find myself drawn to standard layouts (as opposed to 'split' ergonomic layouts) mostly because of the larger selection available. I've been thinking of getting one of the Unicomp (IBM buckling spring Model M) keyboards as they're durable and appealingly retro albeit a little pricey and noisy... and I may still wind up with one of those in the end.

In the meantime, I did pick up a 'temporary' keyboard which, if experience is any guide, will probably be in use for a while... until one of those Unicomps (with a USB connector) crosses my path. Despite this new 'temporary' keyboard being probably the cheapest I've ever bought (new), it's actually pretty good and has a two-year warranty. It's a USB Mini Multimedia Keyboard from a company called SIIG ...it seems like a lightly-made generic flat black keyboard (maybe with a laptop keyboard assembly inside) and it normally sells for all of $17.99 at Fry's but was on sale for $15.99 and after a mail-in rebate, will have cost the grand sum of $5.99.

Yes, a $6. keyboard. And yes, it looks and feels like a $6. keyboard: small, lacking a separate numeric keypad and very lightweight. But despite this, it's actually VERY decent to type on, at least for me and my habits, which approach 120 words per minute. Again, I have no idea how long it'll keep working (and I haven't tested it yet on the Mac via the KVM, though it should work like any similar board with the Windows key subbing for the Apple/Command key). Even when that Unicomp someday finds me, having a small/light/cheap 'extra' keyboard like this will be handy, as it's the only PC-layout board in the house with an actual USB cable. So, I'm just mentioning this in case anyone out there is looking for a 'temporary' keyboard... you could do worse than this one.

http://www.siig.com/ViewProduct.aspx?pn=JK-US0312-S1

[RDaneel]

I've been happy with the Apple "chicklet" thin USB keyboard for a couple of years. I've got one for the MBP and one came with the Mac Pro. I tried one of the old style Apple keyboards, but like the feel of the thin one better (maybe because it feels like the MBP keyboard which I'm quite used to. I've not tried other mfgrs keyboard but I have their mice.

And I've got to say none of them seem to work well with the Mac. The closest I've come to a good mouse is the one that came with the Wacom Intuos 6 tablet. I tried the latest Apple mouse but for $70, I'll look elsewhere first. I'd be interested in recommedations for those, and I don't mean to hijack this topic.

Pal replies: I've used all kinds of mice on all kinds of Macs w/o any trouble at all (excepting my previous caveat about wireless devices used on metal desks and signal degradation... but even that seems to impact keyboard use more than mice). Currently (and for a while now) I've been using a Logitech MX500 mouse: pretty much a standard wired optical mouse with a bunch of extra buttons and a scroll wheel... the same kind of mouse you can get at Fry's or online for $15. I like the latest Apple mouse too (despite the fact that it's wireless) with the touch-sensitive top, but I agree, $70. is steep.

PS: I'm jealous of the fact you've got a Mac Pro.

[Palomine]

FWIW, I just thought I'd mention: after getting that compact keyboard I described on the 15th of July, I got another full size plain black keyboard (also from Fry's) less than a month later and have been using it ever since. So, at most, it's been in-use for no more than 8 weeks tops.

And I've already begun to wear the text off of a few of the keys.

[Palomine]

Bumping to mention that I recently switched from a standard (salvaged) Dell full-size keyboard which was noisy but had good full-distance keyswitch travel to an inexpensive backlit keyboard purchased new from Amazon (Azio Large Print Tri-Color Backlit Wired Keyboard #KB505U). It took a couple weeks to get used to it (very modest keyswitch travel) but I do like the large print backlit letters. I have experienced a wee bit of the sticking key issue some users complained about (still, 4 stars out of 5 with over 1,000 reviews ain't bad) but it's only the lower left control key and only a few times a week so far, so not worth doing anything about.

As mentioned elsewhere, I've been having PC issues and am now back yet again on my 'temp' (backup) machine, a 2005 Dell (Foxconn) Optiplex that I literally saved from the trash heap last year. It's smallish (there were four sizes of Optiplex, mine is the second-smallest 'pizza box' version), fairly quiet and with an old Core2 CPU not particularly powerful, but while running Linux Mint, it's reliable as hell: I haven't had a PC that crashed this infrequently since my G4 PowerMac more than a decade ago. I made a nifty little wall-mounted cabinet for the Dell, so you hardly even see it behind my 23" display. This stock photo is from a prior post:

In case anyone's interested, here's a few observations about the new backlit keyboard:

1) it has decent 'feel' for the price (don't expect perfection for $20-30) ...it's no Unicomp SpaceSaver in black/USB/buckling spring switches -this pic of the Unicomp that I still lust after is from a prior post:
2) backlight stays on when computer is **83**, shuts off when computer is powered off
3) on power-up, backlight defaults to blue, not red or purple even if that was the color you had it on before
4) doesn't seem to be any brightness adjustment (or off setting) for the backlight, but the default level seems OK to me for a dark/dimly lit room
5) sadly, green (the color I'd most prefer given my retro sensibilities) is not one of those available, either on the 3-color model I got or on the more expensive 5-color version
6) there's no USB 'pass-through' ports on the keyboard

Stock photo of the Azio #KB505U I got:

[Palomine]

The five keyboards on running PCs in my house (the top one is my 'main' PC, used 95% of the time).

Added later (August, 2014) just a note to mention that the Azio #KB505U I got barely half a year ago has now been retired (picture at the top of the image attachment on this post and in the prior post). With my normal use, the keyboard just became unusable... you had to push absolutely straight down in the middle of keycaps, sometimes with considerable pressure, to get a keypress to register. I guess you get what you pay for... it was a cheap keyboard (though pretty) so they must use very cheap keyswitches. I've swapped it with the Dell/OEM seen at the bottom of the collage image in this post.

[TheZookie007]

My favorite keyboard still remains the springy, tactile, noisy IBM Model M keyboard.

[Palomine]

My favorite keyboard still remains the springy, tactile, noisy IBM Model M keyboard.

Yes, I'd love to have one of those. They're still made (by Unicomp) and come in black with USB. A bit pricey but a true computer geek fetish totem! I gather old/original IBM Model Ms with that huge round DIN connector (predates even PS2 connectors) can be modified to USB, but I haven't looked into the details. Finding a old Model M (or that Apple Extended Keyboard/II from the Mac II and SE days) that hasn't been beat up or turned yellow from age can be tough/pricey though.

The five keyboards on running PCs in my house (the top one is my 'main' PC, used 95% of the time).

Added later (August, 2014) just a note to mention that the Azio #KB505U I got barely half a year ago has now been retired (picture at the top of the image attachment on this post and in the prior post). With my normal use, the keyboard just became unusable... you had to push absolutely straight down in the middle of keycaps, sometimes with considerable pressure, to get a keypress to register. I guess you get what you pay for... it was a cheap keyboard (though pretty) so they must use very cheap keyswitches. I've swapped it with the DEL/OEM seen at the bottom of the collage image in this post.

Just an update:

That inexpensive backlit Azio #KB505U keyboard was retired (only lasted about six months... I gather there's a known problem with the keyswitches on early production models and that it's since been rectified) and was replaced with Azio's Levetron Mech 5 gaming keyboard (picture attached... I don't have the numeric keypad or extra pod of function keys attached). I chose it mainly because it has Cherry "Black MX" mechanical keyswitches and they're rated for heavy use. Azio kindly swapped my prematurely-dead keyboard for (a demo model, which I was fine with) of the more-expensive gaming keyboard... based on that customer service alone, I will definitely look first to an Azio product the next time I need something that they make. I mean it: customer service like I received from Azio is rare and (to me) counts for a lot.

Other than the look of the Mech 5, which I'm not crazy about (I'm not a gamer, but even if I were I'd feel that this keyboard looks silly... they should offer the exact same internals in a non-"gamer" case also) I can't say enough good things about this keyboard, due mainly to the mechanical keyswitches. It's a bit clicky (compared to the cheap OEM rubber-bubble keyboards that come with most PCs) and the springs seem a bit stiff at first but after just an hour, it becomes clear that this is a GREAT keyboard for fast typists. I can easily hit my approx. 120 word-per-minute speed on this, and so far, it never registers a double (or missed) keypress. Really: it's truly great for typing.

Pros:

Fantastic Cherry Black MX mechanical keyswitches for great feel, speed, durability.
The volume knob is a nice touch: I never adjusted the volume using the up/down media buttons on other keyboards, but I find myself using that knob all the time.
Modular design: the numeric keypad can be attached to the left or right side, or left off/used separately. The extra pod of function keys can also be removed if you don't use them (they're intended to be programmed with game playing key sequences, etc...).

The cons are minor, but I'll list them for your reference:

Looks silly if you're an adult.
The vertical row of programmable keys at the left side sometimes gets in the way when you're quickly reaching for Control-whatever key combos; I'd prefer they were at the top (even if a second row were needed) in order to avoid making the keyboard wider than necessary.
The Enter key could/should be a little bigger: reaching into the row above (which would offset left a bit).
The printing of the letters on the keycaps could be a bit bigger/brighter. Though it hasn't worn off yet (after about four months of heavy use) I honestly don't expect the printing to last as long as the keyswitches probably will. In a perfect world, this keyboard would be backlit.
I don't use that floating pod of extra function keys, but the switches in it are not the mechanical Cherry Black MX switches, so they feel crappy in comparison.

AZ-KB577U_0

[Nimrod]

I too like the same Dell keyboard shown above - I have had many but it is just the right balance between different key feel.

Unfortunately my computer has finally decided to die, but it was almost ten years old. So it had a nice long life. The keyboard is USB so the "press F12" to change boot sequence does not work allowing me to boot from the recovery CD and there is no serial port... anyway it was running XP and would not support much higher... So this is a good death.

I will be off line for a while  

It has been a while (years) since my last bad crash - but this time we had back-ups in place so we will not suffer too much.

As I would like to update my keyboard - so what is the consensus... Best Buy or Micro Center - which keyboard has the best feel (full size).

[Palomine]

I was at my favorite tech salvage place the other day and in the massive (mostly outdoor) pile of old keyboards, I found a few of those Apple Extended Keyboard II keyboards... the ones from the Mac II with the ADB port renowned by keyboard enthusiasts for great feel/feedback: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Extended_Keyboard (I've owned a few in the past but haven't had one in the house for years). They can be converted to USB.

I picked the best one of the half dozen or so there (that looked as if it had been exposed to the least amount of weather) and took it inside to ask how much. Turns out he wanted $15. for it, which was too much given that there was no way to test it, no returns of course, and even a single keyswitch being bad would render it worthless. I briefly considered offering him $20. for two (so I'd have a spare for parts) but decided that I had too many other projects on my kitchen table already.

Of course, I've been kicking myself a bit since then for not just buying it anyway, as is often the case.

extended-keyboard-ii-iwy-800

[Palomine]

Despite its silly looks, I'm still using and enjoying that Levetron Mech 5 gaming keyboard... it seems to be holding up well (aside from slight print fading and the texture starting to wear off of the spacebar and most oft-used key caps, which is normal). Another big plus (IMO) of keyboards like this one... those that have mechanical switches: the typing feel tends to stay more consistent over time vs. a regular (non-mechanical) keyboard. I think that's probably due to the rubber bubble switch in non-mechanical keyboards degrading far faster than the metal spring mechanism in most mechanical keyboard keyswitches.

[bignatslover]

Despite its silly looks, I'm still using and enjoying that Levetron Mech 5 gaming keyboard

That keyboard strikes me as much more impressive than it does silly.  Even today it costs $75 to replace:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=levetron+mech+5&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=3527174669&hvqmt=p&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_85arn10zdl_p

Hopefully it will continue to serve you well, and you can definitely remain confident in its potency over that of the aforementioned sentimental winners, the Apple Extended Keyboard II or IBM Model M keyboard - which can remain in a soft spot in my heart but nowhere near my modern-day rig.

[Palomine]

That keyboard strikes me as much more impressive than it does silly.  Even today it costs $75 to replace:
http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=levetron+mech+5&tag=mh0b-20&index=aps&hvadid=3527174669&hvqmt=p&hvbmt=bp&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_85arn10zdl_p

Hopefully it will continue to serve you well, and you can definitely remain confident in its potency over that of the aforementioned sentimental winners, the Apple Extended Keyboard II or IBM Model M keyboard - which can remain in a soft spot in my heart but nowhere near my modern-day rig.

I've had the Apple Extended Keyboard II and the IBM Model M in the past, but they left with old computers years ago. I'd still love to get another Model M (or a Unicomp version)... after all, at my place no one's gonna be bothered by how loud and clicky it is.

A few months ago I was driving home from work along Highland and right there on the grassy strip next to the street my eye instantly spotted (from half a block away) what looked like an IBM Model M keyboard propped up against a tree just inches from the curb (where houses put their trash cans for pickup). You can imagine my delight: it shone there in the SoCal afternoon sun, gleaming white and bright (so even from a distance you could see that it was clean and not yellowed with age/UV exposure). Of course, I turned the next corner and grabbed the first parking spot I saw (no parking/standing on Highland during rush hour) and walked back. There against the tree was the keyboard, looking absolutely unused, along with a couple old Thinkpad docking stations (also looking unused). I reached down for the keyboard and the moment I picked it up it was obviously not a Model M since it was lighter and the keyswitches were regular/not mechanical spring. It is an IBM keyboard... one they purposely made to look very much like their own vaunted Model M but cost less to make.

I still keep my eyes peeled at garage sales, thrift stores, flea markets, etc... since you never know what you might find. Pic of the Highland keyboard (among my other spares) attached.

NotaModelM ULd pal kbd

[Palomine]

I probably should've mentioned this earlier, but if you're into keyboards (like me ) you should definitely check out the Geekhack.org forum: https://geekhack.org/ for "keyboard enthusiasts" ...and thanks to Rentahero for pointing me to it.

Though my favorite keyboards tend to be the ones that I personally find to be the most usable (i.e.: good for fast, error-free typing) ...that's to say: full-sized, with mechanical keyswitches, traditional layouts and full key travel, I still like weird, off-beat examples even if form triumphs over function in some cases (just like I enjoy weird, small PCs .

I don't have any sort of steampunk-themed keyboard myself, but I do appreciate the effort in design and craftsmanship that can be found in the best examples of that genre (pic attached).

Added later: I may be mistaken, but it seems like the prices for Unicomp's buckling spring keyboards http://www.pckeyboard.com/ have gone up by about 15% each... IIRC (last time I checked, which was less than a couple years ago) it was possible to get the one I wanted for about $70ish. whereas now a keyboard like that seems to run about $84-105. depending on the model/options.

[bignatslover]

you should definitely check out the Geekhack.org forum: https://geekhack.org/ for "keyboard enthusiasts" ...and thanks to Rentahero for pointing me to it. 

Wow!  Good stuff there.  And thanks too, Rentahero!
This one would look even better with a little more dirt/oil rubbed into it for the full "patina" effect.  I do like the front wrist rest, as I use those in normal daily life as well:

[Palomine]

This Feenix Autore keyboard http://www.feenixcollection.com/autore.html is very nice, but for $150. it should include dimmable white backlighting. Then I could probably manage to rationalize it.