Hi all - As I'm playing Skyrim, I'm having trouble with my Razor Lycosa - looks pretty, but drivers are buggy and keys sometimes just blank out, requiring unplug-replug from USB slot in tower (pain in the rear), and lights turn off inexplicably from time-to-time. So, I'm in the market for an upgrade. Considerations:

- I like LED backlit if I can, prefer playing in lower light environment
- don't currently use a bunch of preprogrammed keys or macros, but not closed to idea
- durability helps (I have two enthusiastic cats)
- mini LCD screen - I have a strong desire to be monitoring my CPU/temp/system info while playing without setting up a 2nd monitor...I could install a LCD monitor device in my front bay of my case, but I thought if I can get this AND fix keyboard situation all-in-one, would be ideal
- mechanical or no? I don't know if I'm so hardcoe as to require mechanical, but not closed to idea
- not against Razor, but my only foray into their equipment hasn't been positive
- price not a problem (hopefully, my wife won't notice new hardware)

Given what I'm looking for, any advice is greatly appreciated.

cheers!

http://www.logitech.com/gaming/mice-keyboard-combos/devices/4956

I'd suggest looking into mechanical keyboards. They feel a hell of a lot better than non-mechanical ones.

I'd also suggest to avoid Razer, but I'm probably biased in that regard.

I'm still using my ￡5-15 dell keyboard after 6 years of constant use, i just don't know how this keyboard has survived to be honest.

One of these, can't seem to find it anywhere :/

http://www.digitalsoftwarereview.com/laptop/img/2/108.jpg

I would have this over any other keyboard

No need for backlighting on this one.

Check

Looks pretty durable to me.

Sorry, doesn't have one.. This is a no non-sense keyboard

Mechanical it is.

Not a Razor, so check

Glad to here! Here's a picture.

http://muneebtech.files.wordpress.com/2006/09/das-keyboard.jpg

@ 8 Fishes - this appeals to me greatly...will look into this

thanks everyone for input so far!

I have a similar one (http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-ultimate-silent/).

I have a bazillion of those Dell keyboards at work. They are durable and work well but I prefer softer keys strokes with not as much sound.

Why no need for back lighting. I am also looking for a good back lit keyboard with full n-key rollover support.

why would you want a blank keyboard? besides the fact it looks kinda cool

Mechanical is the way to go. Feels so much better than a regular keyboard. Illuminated ones are hard to come by. I tried the Razer Black Widow and it was horrible. Key font was to weird for me and it uses Cherry Blues, different type of mechanical keys. The Blues are super loud! Every click sounds like it smacks the board. You want Cherry Black or Red keys for a quieter time.

I have used this one for a few months and love it so far. A bit pricey, but so far worth it:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823580001

This one looks promising as well, but corsair is not known for their keyboards. This one also has a ton of macro keys if you're into that:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002

There are a few other companies out there that have illuminated mechanical keyboards, just search the web but the first one I listed has media control short cuts in the F keys, the left Windows key is the function key for them. I really like simple and not oversized boards with some functionality.

I don't think either can use the PS/2 connection which you need for full key roll over, but it's rare that I find that is needed. Illumination, simplicity, and mechanical keys (Cherry Black or Red) are key for me, still searching for the perfect keyboard. Logitech used to be a sure thing, but IMO their quality has really dropped recently, and this is coming from a fan boy.

This one supports the PS/2 port for full key roll over, but no illumination:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162014

You just need to figure out what you are willing to sacrifice in the end.

Good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004WMB8QM

I use a Logitech G510, and it's great. It has a full backlight for all its keys, with a full array of RGB colors to choose from to fit your mood. There are three hotkeys which are programmable with the software, to which you can map three different colors for the backlight. These three keys are also responsible for the three sets of 18 fully programmable macro keys each (for a total of 54 custom keys), which you can bind to any key on the keyboard, or a macro of key presses. Recording a new macro is easy and can be done even without going into the software; just press the record macro button, press the custom key, and proceed to record a limitless amount of key presses, complete with pauses so that they don't all get pressed at one time. This can be useful for automating actions within any game.

There is a backlit LED screen. I say LED and not LCD because it's one color -- whatever color your backlight is set to -- and not full color like the G19 has it. There is a windows key disabler switch which disables the windows key from doing anything in case you often accidentally press it. There are media buttons and a volume control scroll wheel. The keys have a nice tactile feel to them, while at the same time not being very loud.

Personally I do not use the screen at all, and I barely use the programmable buttons. I got this keyboard mostly because I needed a new keyboard and wanted Logitech quality, and for the full array of backlight colors. However, I've been using red almost exclusively for the past few months. It's still a very nice keyboard though, and it looks like it would suit your needs very nicely and even moreso than mine.

Backlight color selection screenshot: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v334/Diab64/g510colors.jpg
Logitech page for it: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/gaming/mice-keyboard-combos/devices/gaming-keyboard-g510
More information and a video on newegg.com: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126100
They actually have it on a very nice sale price on newegg right now.


Hope this helps.

I appreciate everyone's input...When I first starting looking into this, I was leaning towards the Logitech G510. Actually, I had decided to order it...but then thought I should come here and put it to the enthusiasts for maybe a sober 2nd look. Wanted to hear opinions on mechanical, and wanted to know if anyone owned the G510 and would step forward and say it svcked or rocked for them. Thanks for taking the time to help me out

This is a great keyboard. I used one for 5-6 years before keys started sticking. I would recommend this one as well, but I really think mechanical keys are lightyears ahead of regular keys. Trust me, the difference is amazing. You will never go back.

Because the backlighting would be useless as the keys are not labelled nor allow light to pass though the keys like all the other backlit keyboards.
All it would do is illuminate the key outlines, which I suppose you can use if you don't know where your keyboard is in relation to the desk.

Hopefully you've been learning as you type and by now, you don't need to look down to the keys to know what you are pushing.
Also, it makes you look like a ****** when others see your keyboard and go 'wwwoooaaahhh".

I've been using http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126194 for a while now and just love it.

Forget Keyboard, get a N52 TE. I don't even touch my keyboard anymore when I game

I didn't read all the replies, but I'm happy with my Logitech G15. It is mechanical and corded.
The only thing I don''t like about it are the multimedia controls.
They are not laid out intuitively (for me) and I prefer a round volume knob over the existing back-lit flat buttons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Logitech_G15

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=logitech+g15+keyboard&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=12518841286586151121&sa=X&ei=hgTuTtbfEqqBsgLimv3lCQ&ved=0CGoQ8wIwAw

Currently using a http://cyborggaming.com/prod/v5keyboard.htm. Works good.

http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-6gv2

I use http://steelseries.com/products/keyboards/steelseries-merc-stealth.
Has three colors of lights, different brightness on the lights.. and the game pad part is programmable. It also has a ton of pre-programmed setups you can use. I play mmo's rpgs, fps.. etc.. I love it so much that I have issues going back to a regularly configured k/b because of their layouts.

The G15 isn't mechanical.

me·chan·i·cal/m??kanik?l/
Adjective: Working or produced by machines or machinery: "a mechanical device". Noun: The working parts of a machine. Synonyms:
adjective. mechanic - automatic
noun. mechanist - fitter - engineer
https://www.google.com/url?q=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mechanical&sa=X&ei=O_zzTsCZJ4-4twf7kMHPBg&ved=0CCgQkg4oAA&usg=AFQjCNFsgmZyP_inYUvtKb3yyn6ovqH-0A - https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.answers.com/topic/mechanical&sa=X&ei=O_zzTsCZJ4-4twf7kMHPBg&ved=0CCkQkg4oAQ&usg=AFQjCNG44vwjobxZxkE20v7CM13ejS_UXw - https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mechanical&sa=X&ei=O_zzTsCZJ4-4twf7kMHPBg&ved=0CCoQkg4oAg&usg=AFQjCNELoPDgTzoYV4-gUPV000GAZ4HI-A - https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.thefreedictionary.com/mechanical&sa=X&ei=O_zzTsCZJ4-4twf7kMHPBg&ved=0CCsQkg4oAw&usg=AFQjCNHHFyioWfTIsyxvV1jLfzgFXos6QA

A mechanical keyboard is clearly defined as a keyboard using mechanical switches. Please don't confuse people by redefining commonly used terms. For instance, the Corsair K90 is a hybrid mechanical keyboard as it has a few keys using rubber dome (specifically all the keys at the very top and Macro keys), while all the others are mechanical. Still I'd like to get this keyboard for myself.

That said, I don't really think you need a mechanical keyboard unless you can spend the extra money and want that extra responsiveness. The G510 / G15 is fine.