[ozar]

I've been searching over the last few days for a better keyboard.

Of course, with keyboards it's like it is with most anything else... "the best" can be very subjective. However, I'm not a big fan at all of extra buttons, media buttons, internet buttons, Windows buttons, backlighting, blinking blue LEDs, or any of the other dozens of marketing ploys manufacturers are using these days trying to lure buyers. I simply want a keyboard that feels right and performs correctly when it's used for typing.

During my search, I came across this article regarding the best keyboard ever made:

Scott Bradford: Off on a Tangent » Blog Archive » The Best Keyboard Ever Made (Updated x2)

That sounded like something that I might be interested in, but it didn't take long to see that very few of older IBM model M keyboards came in a black version, so I've ordered a black (buckling spring) keyboard from Unicomp, the company that bought the rights to the buckling spring design previously used by IBM.

While I really wanted the black Customizer 101 that comes without any Windows keys, they no longer manufacture that version, so I've ordered the Customizer 104/105 which only comes in black.

Once it arrives and I've played with it a bit, I'll report back on well it works.

In the interim, do any of you have any experience with any of these keyboards, or the others mentioned the best keyboard article above?

[elija]

The best keyboard I have ever used was a clunking great IBM thing that attached to a System 38 terminal. [edit]Very like the Model M but BIGGER[/edit]. The best PC keyboard would have to be the one I am using now. A Microsoft (boo hiss) Natural ergonomic 4000 keyboard. Yes it has extra buttons but it is just so comfortable!

[gruven]

I can't stand desktop keyboards anymore. They are loud, clunky, and just plain uncomfortable.

I have been using Kensington keyboards for a while now.
The one I am using now: Ci73 Wired Keyboard
The one I used until it died: SlimType Keyboard - PC

I am pretty hard on keyboards, and these stand up like a champ. Of course, they don't cost much, but I will stay with them because I feel they are the best.

Also, the layout is a laptop layout, not a desktop layout, so the extra keys (delete, home, etc...) will be in a different place if you aren't used to it.

The only multimedia keys I have are play, sound, and next/forward buttons.

[GNU-Fan]

At the time being, I don't use a Model M, but I remember it as a great pleasure to work with, even if it was a bit noisy.

[bigtomrodney]

I had a Model M for a while, but one of my favourite keyboards I've used in the past 10 years was a Dell keyboard that was based on the Model M. It was loud as hell but satisfying to type on and comfortable. It was rock solid too. Everyone else in my office had the Dell QuietKey keyboards which are quite nice too but I specifically raided the basement to get this older Model M type board.

I think it's safe to say the whole office was puzzled by my choice for a louder keyboard but it was definitely easier on the fingers and didn't have 'misfires' on keys.

EDIT - I see I may have been a little wrong on this. It seems the Dell I was using used Alps switches rather than the famous buckling springs of the Model M. Still quite similar. Check out details here. I had a beige one like this most of the time but I did have a black one too when I upgraded to a newer Dell tower.

[questio verum]

It's hard to find any old-school hackers who'll slag the original AT-style IBM or Keytronics keyboards. You know... the ones that went "clatter-clatter... clack-clack-clack!" when you used them. Good tactile and aural feedback. None too subtle, but very effective. I wish I they would start remaking them in black. I had 3 of the big beige boys with ps2 adapters, before the fire. Weighed ten lbs apiece with thick AT cords that could stand up to a tractor pull.

These days I'm using a backlit Razer Lycosa. Not bad looking, but it's crap, like most everything else made today. I'd trade it in a heartbeat for an old IBM.

qv

[bigtomrodney]

What about Das Keyboard

Overpriced certainly but pretty cool. And I'm intrigued by the blank version of it!

[ozar]

Originally Posted by bigtomrodney

What about Das Keyboard

Overpriced certainly but pretty cool. And I'm intrigued by the blank version of it!

Yeah, I did think briefly about ordering the Das Keyboard, but it seems a bit overpriced in my opinion, although I do like the very simple design of it.

[ozar]

Originally Posted by gruven

The one I am using now: Ci73 Wired Keyboard
The one I used until it died: SlimType Keyboard - PC

Gruven, I really do like the looks of both of those keyboards and believe that I could get used to the difference in key arrangement fairly quickly.

If the keyboard that I've ordered doesn't work out, I might try one of those. The one with the chrome trim around it would match my setup a bit better, but either looks like it would work pretty well.

Thanks for the links.

[b2bwild]

the best i ever saw