What Do You Look for in a Gaming Keyboard?

[Boatly]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking at getting a gaming keyboard, and I want to get as many different viewpoints as possible before I make any decisions. I know there are some other discussions about gaming keyboards, and they're full of good info. I just want to make sure I learn as much as possible before committing.

So, what are the primary things that factor into your gaming keyboard purchasing decisions, and what should I look for behind the marketing prose?

Thanks in advance!

[Veristä mössöä]

I prefer solid quality, sleek/clean looks and mechanical switches (much better feeling when writing and NKRO (you can press as many keys as you want at the same time). Laser printer caps & backlighting are nice but not obligatory.

Ducky/Filco keyboards are nice.

For example:
http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=772
http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/DK9008_G2Pro.html
http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/ZERO_DK2108.html

"Real" gaming-brand keyboards are ♥♥♥♥ in long-lasting quality and tend to look like teenage dream spaceships.

[Joker]

I'd look for full mechanical keys so the button presses maintain quality over use & good anti-ghosting. The rubber membrane keyboards start to wear out after long use and ghost badly or have bad anti-ghosting only for certain keys. Some keyboards are a mix of rubber membrane and mechanical. It's best to get a 100% mechanical. Mechanical keyboards are louder so look for one with quiter key presses if the noise would bother you. It shouldn't be a problem if you use headphones or good sound system. Some have backlighting if you sometimes play in the dark or just want it to look cool. You can also pick one with macro capability and MMO keys.

The last thing is to pick a good brand and read reviews.

[Boatly]

Thanks for the replies thus far!

Messaggio originale di ontelo:

"Real" gaming-brand keyboards are ♥♥♥♥ in long-lasting quality and tend to look like teenage dream spaceships.

Haha. love that phrasing. I've noticed a lot of them look gaudy to me. Just too much going on.

I've done some research and I know that mechanical keyboards have different types of keys. For example: the Cherry MX Red, Black, Brown, and Blue. From what I understand, the difference is in how difficult/noticeable pressing a key is. If anyone could shed some more light on this for me, it'd be great. Heck, I'd like to hear what you prefer, and why.

[Veristä mössöä]

Well I'm using Brown switches.

Basically you need to know mostly three different types. Others are just between them

Black (linear): Fully linear, it doesn't have the click sound or feeling that key has been pressed.
Brown (tactile): Between these.
Blue (click): Clickety click, heavy response and click sound.

People are saying that click is better for writing and linear for gaming. But you really should try out.

Here's a great article:
http://elitekeyboards.com/support.php?lang=en#1a

[Jamebonds1]

Cyborg v7 keyboard are great. I have it for one year, still work and no problem so far.

[Benny (Y3K)]

Switched from a Logitch G510 (black) to a mechanical kb- Cool Master Rappid fire- Much better of a quality- not as many features .. but overall much better build.

[mcdunn]

usually I look for a keyboard with keys on it, you know, something that makes that little dude on the screen move when you press the buttons.

[Element]

What I look for is mechanical keys, preferably MX blue switches, good backlighting, and the ability to record macros. The keyboard I'm currently using is the Razer BlackWidow, and I can easily say it's the best keyboard I know of

[Boatly]

Thanks, everyone. I'll mull over everything here and see if I can find some friends who own mechanical keyboards with different switches. I think trying them out might be the best thing to do.