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I always buy reasonably cheap Logitech keyboards.
But if you want the creme de la creme, you need to check out Optimus Maximus keyboard[^].
Or just anything using Cherry switches.
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Intriguing, but if I have to submit a budget for a keyboard design, then I think I will look at something a little more reasonably priced. Very intriguing though, especially with the configurable buttons on the left with customized icons.
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But "Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard" unfortunately doesn't come with backlighting 
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I use a Unicomp Ultra Classic and love it. It is not a quiet unit but I like the old school clickity-clack for some reason.
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If it was good enough for IBM when they were a hardware company...
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I have three of the Das Keyboard 4 Pros:
Das
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- there are cheaper keys, which I found to have inferior feel, and they failed after a short period of time. Get something with Cherry MX keys. Though I did have a go with Logitech G keys and they were quite good, just that the keyboard that was shipped to me didn't have exactly the layout that was advertised, so I sent it back.
- you need to figure out what kind of feedback you like - personally, I don't like the maddening click of blue keys, or even brown keys, so I have Cherry Reds. You can also quieten a lot of the bottoming out sound by performing the "o-ring mod" (a quick web search should enlighten), and if you're going to do this, cheap-o silicon o-rings of the correct size are good enough: no need to pay for "keyboard-specific" o-rings. Get them on Amazon: Amazon.com: Dreamtop 250pcs Clear Rubber O-Ring Rubber Keyboard Dampeners with Plastic Storage for Mechanical Keyboard Cherry MX Key Switch: Computers & Accessories
- the keyboard vendor seemed to matter less, once you have selected for good keys, since good keys drives up the price anyway: I have a Corsair k72 and a CoolerMaster mk750. I actually prefer the Corsair a little more because it has a scrollable volume control and integrated palm rest (vs the magnetic one on the Cooler Master), but if you're into fancy lighting, the Cooler Master does full RGB where the Corsair I have came in 25% cheaper and only does red (which suits me since I use red at night and I'm too lazy to change colors anyway)
ymmv, and it's a good idea, if possible (considering the price) to try out physical keyboards if you can, ie find some friends who have them and feel what it's like. A lot of these are built for the long run, which is another reason I moved to mechanical after one of my membrane boards died (it had a good run, really), so, considering the price and longevity, it's nice to find what you want first time (:
------------------------------------------------
If you say that getting the money
is the most important thing
You will spend your life
completely wasting your time
You will be doing things
you don't like doing
In order to go on living
That is, to go on doing things
you don't like doing
Which is stupid.
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We have two types here at the home office. Dell "compact" mechanical(ish) and Logitech K750 "solar" wireless.
The Dell is fine for occasional use however the Logitech is really great.
Short travel keys (better for big-fingered folk like me),
Full width, slim, stable,
Keeps full charge easily with everyday lighting, rechargeable button cell is replaceable if ever it conks out (contrary to what Logitech say),
Silly blue function keys reserved for multimedia playback/shortcuts etc.,
My twopennyworth...
So old that I did my first coding in octal via switches on a DEC PDP 8
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I use two on a regular basis - a Unicomp Model M (full keyboard) and a Filco Majestouch 2 (TKL) with Cherry MX Browns. Both UK layout (so I guess that's ISO?)
I got the Filco first and when I first got it, I thought it was excellent. Then I got the Unicomp... The keys have a lot more resistance than the Filco, but that makes the feel more positive, for me... But it's all personal preference...
I lust after a new Model F, but damn, they're expensive - too much for me!
You might be interested in one of Chyrosran22's key switch reviews - he's done several 'best switch' videos, depending on what you're looking for in switches. His review of rubbish keyboards are best though!
Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p
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I have a G-SKILL KM780 R, gamers keyboard, with Cherry MX Blue switches. I love the sound and feel of the Blue's but you can have this one with other MX. It has several additional buttons, 6 for macros (for gamers, remember?), but I use those for store sequences of characters for working in Visual Studio. (Shortcuts like CTRL+M, CTRL+N or so). It also has buttons for multimedia, keys light intensity and programming macros. A nice characteristic is that it saves internally the macros, so if you carry it to use in another computer, the keyboard will have the macros ready for you to use, even if this new computer does not have the Macros Programming Software installed.
A con is this software. It is not so easy to use (more like a mess) but once you finish programming, unless you need to change something, this programed macros will stay in the keyboard forever, no matter if you disconnect the the keyboard, turn off the PC for months, or any other circumstances.
I fully recommend it and it is not too expensive.
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I'm on my 2nd Logitech keyboard. The first one lasted about 15 years. My current one is the K800. It's not mechanical, but the feel is responsive. The backlight is nice when working when it's dark.
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Joan M wrote: Are mechanical keyboards worth it?
Only in that finding a membrane keyboard with a non-adulterated layout is becoming a PITA. Cheap keyboards are increasingly using low travel non-chiclet style laptop designs  and randomly deciding that you don't really need an insert, or delete, or etc key as much as they need an extra $1/thousand keyboards in profit. 
The catch is that all mechanical keyboards are noisy. Even if you get a "silent" (lies) model; all that means is that it doesn't have a noise maker that goes click every time you depress the key half way; it still will go clack when it bottoms out. I have a non-click model with Cherry Red switches; and even after taking it apart to put rubber o rings as dampers on every key it's still loud enough that I wouldn't use it in a shared space.
Joan M wrote: If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world?
Only if you're going full keyboard dork. Otherwise they're another technology that failed by being absurdly expensive.
Joan M wrote: Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different?
Full. I also mouse left handed, so the number pad placement is a total non-issue for me.
Joan M wrote: This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it?
Tasty koolaid you're drinking there. 
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason?
Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful?
--Zachris Topelius
Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies.
-- Sarah Hoyt
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Joan M wrote: Are mechanical keyboards worth it?
My preferred is Unicomp New Model M with buckling springs. The classical "touch" of the original IBM PC.
Nice keyboard for programmers.
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I don't think I'd want to spend that kinda of money on a keyboard without being able to take it for a test spin.
Fortunately for me, when I decided to get a new mechanical keyboard I was able to go to a local brick 'n mortar store so I could at least test out the feel of the various mechanical switch types available at the time. That's how I ended up with a SteelSeries Apex 7 with blue cherry switches that I've been very happy with.
I'd love to compare the feel of these TOPRE switches, but I doubt there are any locally available to me.
If you end up in the same boat, make sure you purchase your new keyboard from somewhere with a liberal return policy!
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Since a few months I have been using the Microsoft Surface Keyboard, WS2-00025, Silver.
It is bluetooth, so there is no cable.
Other things I like about it are:
it takes up very little space: 4.5" front to back, and 16.5" left to right.
it is very low: 1/4" in the front, 3/4" in the back, so it is easy on my hands
keys have sufficient resistance
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Haven't read other replies but, Keyboards are personal choice, I prefer the old Dell keyboards from about 10 years ago! my previous employer was binning a load as we 'upgraded' to Lenovo PC's (which is a story in it's self! Quality Control?), I grabbed about 5 or 8, two have since bitten the dust. The others fine. Why?, simple, the keys feel like a typewriter which I learned to type on as my hand-writing was awful due to an injury I had to type school assignments (before my Amiga got a printer).
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It's not exactly easy to get used to but my RSI issues improved quite a bit after I switched to an Ergodox EZ. I haven't tried to go too crazy with customizing the layout but it's noticeably less comfortable to type on a regular keyboard now and I can't see going back to one for regular use. YMMV.
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Well, in most cases, if you are asking the question ... probably not.
In my own case absolutely. I am currently using a Razer Blackwidow Chroma with green keys. Short of an IBM model M keyboard it's the best thing I have used. I like clicky switches with tactile feedback.
Questions to ask (and possible answers):
* Do you like silent fairly silent keyboards? (if you do - then IBM model M, Unicomp or anything with a blue or green switch is not for you).
* Do you like tactile feedback (So you can feel a key is depressed before it bottoms out)? If so - blue, green, brown and Model M style keys offer this. To a lesser extent - lighter keypress, and more quiet action - but still with feedback Romer-G from logitech.
* Do you want to use the keyboard for gaming? (Mechanical switches are recognized as better for gaming because the key does not have to bottom out to register, which enables you to press the keys much faster. How much faster - I'm not a high end gamer - but I can notice the difference). Definitely avoid an IBM model M for games.
* Do you like a light action, or are a heavy typist? (Some people claim that heavier keys make them tired after a day of typing. The IBM model M has among the heaviest key presses, and the strongest feedback. Logitech Keyboards with the Romer-G switches are among the lightest).
Other than that - my only recommendation would be to try a few out and see how you feel. Often in places like Harvey Norman (in Aust.) and other chain tech stores they have a few left out that you can try.
Paul.
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You Only Live Once
Who has time for testing? QA? Software design? Life is short, get to the code!
That's what I think when I see a project named YOLO.
Thank heaven I will never use it. 
Real programmers use butterflies
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It's weird: I think of "You Only Live Once" very differently from the "general view".
I figure "you only live once, so let's make sure I don't have to waste my valuable time doing it again, and oh, by the way: let's try to make sure it doesn't kill us".
This is directly at odds with the common interpretation which is "you only live once so what the heck - do it, if we crash and burn, so what?"
"I have no idea what I did, but I'm taking full credit for it." - ThisOldTony
"Common sense is so rare these days, it should be classified as a super power" - Random T-shirt
AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Yeah but that's reasonable, and the kind of people that use the term YOLO... not so much.
Real programmers use butterflies
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Anyways... both would be wrong in this case, because YOLO = You Only Look Once (python library for object detection in image analyse)
As it seems pretty wide used in Machine Learning...
M.D.V. 
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
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Kind of mandatory[^] 
EDIT: After a bit of research I found out that the YOLO is not "You only live once" in this case, but "You Only Look Once" a library for object detection in image analyse...
I suppose it was done in purpose, but for me... it is a bad name selection.
M.D.V.
If something has a solution... Why do we have to worry about?. If it has no solution... For what reason do we have to worry about?
Help me to understand what I'm saying, and I'll explain it better to you
Rating helpful answers is nice, but saying thanks can be even nicer.
modified 30-Jan-21 8:38am.
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