Mechanical Keyboards aren't Just for Gamers - Part 2

This is a follow up of my last post about Mechanical Keyboards:

Mechanical Keyboards aren't just for Gamers

In my last post (months and months ago) I wrote my thoughts on Mechanical Keyboards and which was the best for typing or gaming, and also made my opinion that these keyboards aren't just for gamers. I still stand by this today.

Mechanical Keyboards (MKs) should be more accessible in everyday electronic stores. You'll probably use the same keyboard for years and years, so why not buy a good one that is durable and improves your typing ability?

Choosing a MK is a very daunting thing. They usually cost more than $100 and most retails stores (in Australia) like MSY or uMart don't allow you to test out the keys. How lame! So you might end up buying the wrong type and have to either deal with it or refund it (if your lucky and can actually be bothered) and buy another one. This shouldn't be. 

Blue Key Switches 

I managed to get my hands on another Mechanical Keyboard with Cherry MX Blue key switches; the Ducky Shine II ( DK9008 ). The keyboard was great. It was a full-width keyboard (with num pad), something that I am used to, having grown up with a $10 Microsoft keyboard. The keyboard offers many back-lighting options, but I'll let you read up on it. 

The blue key switches were very clicky (feeling) and were also very clicky (sound). Although they were quite loud - which is mainly why I don't use this keyboard anymore - they still made typing very fun. 

I'm not using this keyboard any more as it was just too loud, especially in the middle of the night when doing an assignment. I also had a much different preference. 

From the very start of my search, I was looking for a keyboard that had really good haptic feedback, much like the rubber-domed Microsoft/Logitech keyboards! Because the blue keys were too loud, I went back to using the brown keys switches; the CM Storm: Quickfire Pro. 

Funny thing, I'm not actually using the Brown Switch keyboard anymore! I actually had to sell it to pay a bill! Pretty brutal! But I ended up getting an Apple Wired Keyboard! Might seem pretty unusual for me to be using an apple product with Ubuntu or Windows, but it is well worth it. 

The apple keyboard is a "chiclet keyboard" with thin keys and just feel great when your typing or even gaming! I highly suggest anyone to give this keyboard a try as it offers a quality typing experience. 

Yes, I've had to deal with the extra key (command key) since it is mainly for Apple computers, but it works fine on Windows and Ubuntu. I have looked both online and at a lot of retail stores and cannot find a Windows-suitable keyboard with this style nor with this quality. 

Choosing the right Key Switch

I've made a small list of which keyboard switches you might want to try, given your preference:

• If you like the rubber-dome feeling: 
• First try an Apple Keyboard
  Retail stores usually have apple keyboards on display along with the iMac, if not then there is a high chance they will let you test the keyboard itself -- just ask :)
• then look into Brown Key Switches
  These are a lot smoother than the rubber keys, as in, it requires less force to press the key. 
• If you love typing and you usually type during the day and you (or housemates) don't care about it being loud:
• Instantly get your hands on the Cherry MX Blues
• If you want a fluid experience and can be sensitive when typing:
• Cherry MX Reds

Choosing the right Keyboard

This is not a great recommended list, but I thought I'd mention the keyboards that I used and had no problems with them:
- Ducky Shine II (2)

- Any of Cooler Master's Keyboards

drassil