How their built and expected lifespan. A "normal" keyboard uses a rubber-dome membrane for all keys, while a mech keyboard uses a mechanical switch for each key.
http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html#post6009418

sad312

Canada56 Posts

August 01 2011 14:35 GMT

#822

Alright I've been using a Ducky Cherry Mx Brown ones.

I really love the keyboard. The buttons register easily, and since i usually don't miss type/click it is perfect. It is extremely EASY to double tap and this has allowed me to boost my APM by a whole big margin. I used to do 80-90 APM and now i have 100-150 Apm average!! I am more solid and have moved ranks to top diamond instead of mid diamond.

bo0

Belgium550 Posts

August 01 2011 15:31 GMT

#823

I've been using a Filco Majestouch2 with cherry blue switches for a week now and I'm really happy with it ^^ the blue switches make quite a lot of noise, that's true, but I find them really comfortable to use. The keyboard is quite expensive and you don't get any flashy lights or monitors but that's a positive thing for me :D just a standard, really awesome keyboard I'd say

Divination

United States139 Posts

August 01 2011 18:19 GMT

#824

Question for you guys...

I'm currently a masters player and I play on my laptop. Would buying an external keyboard (mechanical) help my performance? If so, in what way?

Virtue

United States318 Posts

August 01 2011 18:24 GMT

#825

On August 02 2011 03:19 Divination wrote:
Question for you guys...

I'm currently a masters player and I play on my laptop. Would buying an external keyboard (mechanical) help my performance? If so, in what way?

The only reason to get a new keyboard is if your own keyboard is limiting you because of some amount of discomfort that it causes you or if it has some flaw, like a broken key or a slow repeat rate or something. Otherwise, it is all about personal preference.

If you like scissor swich keyboards like a laptop has, you might want to get an external keyboard like that. If you switched to a mechanical keyboard it would probably take a long time for you to get used to the new style of keys and to get comfortable again with macroing on the keyboard, which wouldn't be a bad thing, but it is something you have to consider. If you are comfortable with your current set up you probably won't experience any improvement just by switching to a mechanical keyboard.

Gattaca.usa

131 Posts

August 02 2011 02:11 GMT

#826

I can't decide between a Razer BlackWidow or Thermaltake Meka G1 or a SteelSeries 6GV2

Any suggestions?

Madera

Sweden2672 Posts

August 02 2011 12:29 GMT

#827

I'm using a Zowie Celeritas with brown switches. Do I recommend it? Not really. I've tried both Das and Filco keyboards with brown switches and in my opinion the Celeritas is not the same quality as the other two, although they cost pretty much the same.

You're probably better off ordering something other than the Celeritas. The switches doesn't feel as good as the other keyboards and I had to order an extra space bar keycap since mine was broken when I first got the keyboard.

Has anyone else had a bad experience with the Celeritas?

ryan1894

Australia264 Posts

August 02 2011 13:37 GMT

#828

No.

Replacing keyboard will not help in any shape or form unless happen to be faster than JulyZerg was in his prime.

The only reason you should go with mech keyboards is because you want to/feel like it.

Nefariously

277 Posts

August 03 2011 12:37 GMT

#829

if anyone is interested in purchasing a mechanical keyboard anytime soon, check out wasdkeyboards. they have a customizable keyboard service where you can customize the keycaps and color of your keyboard for about the same price as other retailers.

althaz

Australia1001 Posts

August 03 2011 14:22 GMT

#830

Dude that's frickin' sick as hell! I just designed a set of keycaps and if they ship to Aus I'm going to be ordering them right away!

EDIT: Oh god that's so awesome! Now where the hell did I put my credit card...

ballasdontcry

Canada595 Posts

August 05 2011 02:49 GMT

#831

after a LOT of wrangling with my country's postal service (canada post, worst delivery service in the world), finally managed to get my das cherry browns in the mail today.

it's been very pleasant to type on them so far. i bought the unprinted keys version, doesn't really seem to affect my typing speed as I never look down when I type and I'm a proficient enough typist. trying to get used to the keys so I don't bottom out as much. i can see why some people get annoyed by the glossy surface, it's a dust/fingerprint magnet, and also prone to scratches - accidentally ran my fingernail across it and left some scratch marks already, so if you're very anal about aesthetics, you might want to reconsider getting the das.

otherwise, no complaints. my first venture into the mechanical keyboard world and it's been a blast so far.

Hierarch

United States2197 Posts

August 06 2011 07:44 GMT

#832

Just got a blackwidow ultimate, I like it, but I can't stand the macro keys, it makes typing normally harder for me. Also the 1st one I got had a broken spacebar and the second one after that had a broken "w" key. About to return it and order a Das silent professional.

Gattaca.usa

131 Posts

August 06 2011 14:09 GMT

#833

I just order a Das Professional S with the student discount so it was only $103.20, I'm super excited for it to come!!!!

Glioburd

France1911 Posts

August 06 2011 14:46 GMT

#834

If you have money, buy a filco with RED switch.
I have a Zowie Celeritas (brown switch), and I love this keyboard. But I was able to test the keyboard of a friend : Filco majestouch with red switch. And it's just the best for RTS. I recommend.

Airship

United States465 Posts

August 06 2011 15:00 GMT

#835

I spilled an entire pint of beer into my blackwidow because I am a walking disaster area. Left it to dry upside down for a few days. Works completely perfectly after a wipe.

Morta

Germany557 Posts

August 07 2011 10:06 GMT

#836

So guys,i'am also interested now in a Mechanical Keyboard since i destroyed my old G11 by accident and now i'am typing on a 10 euro keyboard which is absolutely horrible.

Can you guys recommend me a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches which also has a german layout?

There are countless keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches but they are ALL in American layout or japanese or whatever but i can't find any MX brown keyboard with germany layout.

Is there even any MX brown GER layout keyboard?

EDIT:
Finally got one.

Will get the Zowie Celeuritas Cherry MX Browns as soon as i get my money on my bank account.

Can't wait for that beauty. <3

Zaken_

Spain35 Posts

August 07 2011 13:12 GMT

#837

For the price of a celeritas i would get a filco, but that's me.

Wihl

Sweden472 Posts

August 07 2011 14:48 GMT

#838

getdigital.de also sels Das Keyboard Silent for about 130 euro with german layout.

linduxed

Sweden111 Posts

August 07 2011 15:17 GMT

#839

On August 07 2011 19:06 Morta wrote:
So guys,i'am also interested now in a Mechanical Keyboard since i destroyed my old G11 by accident and now i'am typing on a 10 euro keyboard which is absolutely horrible.

Can you guys recommend me a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Brown switches which also has a german layout?

There are countless keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches but they are ALL in American layout or japanese or whatever but i can't find any MX brown keyboard with germany layout.

Is there even any MX brown GER layout keyboard?

EDIT:
Finally got one.

Will get the Zowie Celeuritas Cherry MX Browns as soon as i get my money on my bank account.

Can't wait for that beauty. <3

Since I'm typing this on a Das Keyboard Ultimate (blue switches, but oh well), I have to say you should have gotten a Das Professional S.

Just my opinion

UserErrOr413

United States178 Posts

August 07 2011 16:52 GMT

#840

Just got a Filco with the Metallic Blue Body and MX brown switches from Amazon, now i just need to get the lavender/blue WASD keys. It is pretty awesome. Definitely a good upgrade from my Macbook laptop keyboard :D.
Only wish i knew about the wasdkeyboard listed on the other page. A checker board keyboard would have been so cool.

Would something like this work, besides the fact it is too late cuz you have the Zowie on the way.

http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_search.asp?SG=10040