Are mechanical keyboard worth it?

[JackBeePee]

I'm currently using a cheap-as-chips keyboard (not mechanical obviously) and I'm sort of considering buying a mechanical keyboard.
I do a lot of gaming and a fair bit of typing (mostly programming but also work).
I'm also not looking to spend crazy amounts (which is ~£100+ in my books right now).

So, any recommendations in terms of which ones to buy, and whether to buy one in the first place? Thanks.

[kalniel]

Go try one (or several) out yourself, it's a completely subjective decision so other people can't really help. I prefer a good membrane keyboard, and among my colleagues about 1 in 7 prefer a mechanical.

[JackBeePee]

Go try one (or several) out yourself, it's a completely subjective decision so other people can't really help. I prefer a good membrane keyboard, and among my colleagues about 1 in 7 prefer a mechanical.

Right, thanks. I noticed that mechanical keyboards didn't exactly have a huge following, but I didn't realise liking them was that uncommon.

[Ttaskmaster]

I'd have guess far more than 1 in 7 use mechs, especially among the hardcore gamers on forums...

Then again, I use a G19 but I like shiney features and stuff!!
I do like the feel of some mechs, though...

[shaithis]

Right, thanks. I noticed that mechanical keyboards didn't exactly have a huge following, but I didn't realise liking them was that uncommon.

Most stay away due to price.

I have yet to find anyone who has used mine and preferred their membrane over it.

[MrJim]

It is very much down to personal taste. Mechanical keyboards are expensive, but they don't have to cost £100+ Coolermaster Cherry keyboards start at a lot less than that:

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/coole...g-keyboard-usb

It's worth trying out a few mechanical keyboards, & see what you think. I love the Cherry MX Red switches on my keyboard, because they're the lightest pressure switches I could find. Everyone has their own preferences though...

[GeorgeStorm]

For me 100% yes.

I've gradually introduced lots of my friends to mechanicals and almost all of them have switched from membrane boards.

I would definitely try some out if you can, since they can vary quite a lot, I would certainly hate going back to a membrane board.

[JackBeePee]

Alright, thanks everyone! I'll go try out some and see if they are for me.

[mynameissi]

I tried out my mates razer blackwidow mechanical keyboard. The keys felt very soft when pressed down, much more satisfying than my keyboard, which is a cheap perixx one. The clicky sound it makes also sounds quite cool, but it can be annoying to some people. If you are willing to spend a whole lot of money on one then go for it, they feel great, but I'm fine with my good ole £20 keyboard

[Askew]

Absolutely yes, I previously used a Razer Lycosa membrane keyboard, and after all the rubberized keys wore off and it was time to replace it I went for the QPAD MK-50 with Cherry MX Red switches and coudn't be happier with it, typing and gaming feels a lot better indeed.

I highly recommend going out and trying some mech boards and the different switches to see what is for you, yes some of them can be expensive but there are boards like mine that still have the decent switches in but are no frills, what there is is of good quality though so it works for me!

I have been using this board for about a year now, I type thousands of words per day and there is only very slight signs of lettering wear, the keys all feel as they did when it was new, for the money I have yet to see a better mech.

QPAD-MK50 you may be pleasantly surprised by the price.
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/qpad-...-cherry-red-mx

[MrJim]

I have been using this board for about a year now, I type thousands of words per day and there is only very slight signs of lettering wear, the keys all feel as they did when it was new, for the money I have yet to see a better mech.

That's another advantage of Cherry switches in particular: you can easily replace worn caps, or change colours, etc. It can be a bit pricey to change all keys on a keyboard, but there are so many manufacturers using Cherry switches, so there are plenty of retailers supplying caps.

[csgohan4]

Go try one (or several) out yourself, it's a completely subjective decision so other people can't really help. I prefer a good membrane keyboard, and among my colleagues about 1 in 7 prefer a mechanical.

Agreed, it depends on your preference, I use to use a mechanical keyboard as well. But the noise was driving my missus round the bend, the membrane keyboard, Razer Deathstalker, actually surprised me, I was expecting a cheap and nasty one, but the quality was pretty good and importantly it was quiet and responsive.

There is no such thing as a quiet mechanical keyboard. I bought the Logitech G710+ and it isn't quiet.

[kalniel]

I'd have guess far more than 1 in 7 use mechs, especially among the hardcore gamers on forums...

Sure, but luckily for me, most of my colleagues are programmers, not hardcore gamers on forums

[Askew]

That's another advantage of Cherry switches in particular: you can easily replace worn caps, or change colours, etc. It can be a bit pricey to change all keys on a keyboard, but there are so many manufacturers using Cherry switches, so there are plenty of retailers supplying caps.

I've seen all kinds of cool caps (even shiny metal ones) available for my switches and that definitely is a plus point, when these ones wear more I will look into replacing them with a nice new set but for now these caps are doing fine.

It did come with some orange keys, I have an orange Windows button and also orange F5 and F8 for quicksave/quickload.

[JackBeePee]

I've seen all kinds of cool caps (even shiny metal ones) available for my switches and that definitely is a plus point, when these ones wear more I will look into replacing them with a nice new set but for now these caps are doing fine.

It did come with some orange keys, I have an orange Windows button and also orange F5 and F8 for quicksave/quickload.

Right, the caps are definitely an advantage, I've seen so many cool ones.
I've been looking around, and the Cherry MX Browns feel pretty good for me as a compromise between typing and gaming...
I like the Corsair k70, but I hear the RGB version with browns is going to be released late August (idk if this is true). It's stupid, but the gimmicky colour changing thing... I want it. So - I might wait it out!

[Noxvayl]

I love my Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Red switches. I thought I'd try the mechanical keys when I needed a new keyboard and thought the red switches would be the best for me because I've always liked the smoother membrane boards.

As others have said keyboards are a personal choice. It helped me to use my preferences of the keyboards I used to help me choose the right switch. I was surprised to find how much I prefered the response time. It is only a fraction of a second but getting the key press registered before you bottom out feels better to me when games and typing.