My corsair k70 lux came today.

I have a Corsair Strafe, no going back now, they are nice.

I've never heard of these.

My all time favorite keyboard is the old Compaq keyboards. I bought a box of them on eBay several years ago and use those for everything that I can including my Dorio text only terminal.

The one problem with the Compaq keyboards is that they don't have USB. Are these USB keyboards?

If you like old keyboards that make a lot of noise (like old ones), it's probably because you like mechanical keyboards. Both of mine are USB.

I have some knockoff with imitation Cherry blues. It's super loud. I also have a "hybrid" keyboard, which is not quite as nice to type on, but is acceptable in an office environment.

Even my wife appreciates the mechanical. I took it to work one day as a joke (we're currently 3 to a cube as our main office was flooded), and she missed it.

aggietony2010 said:

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If you like old keyboards that make a lot of noise (like old ones), it's probably because you like mechanical keyboards. Both of mine are USB.

I have some knockoff with imitation Cherry blues. It's super loud. I also have a "hybrid" keyboard, which is not quite as nice to type on, but is acceptable in an office environment.

Even my wife appreciates the mechanical. I took it to work one day as a joke (we're currently 3 to a cube as our main office was flooded), and she missed it.

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For me, it's not the noise, it's the action of the keys.

Sadly, mechanical keyboards were the standard all through the 80s and 90s and they were much much cheaper back then.

I didn't phrase that well. Noise just tends to be a side effect of mechanical switches instead of a membrane like most keyboards. Do you know what the model number of the compaqs you like? If you can figure that out, you can likely figure out the switch type, and find a USB keyboard with a similar feel.

aggietony2010 said:

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I didn't phrase that well. Noise just tends to be a side effect of mechanical switches instead of a membrane like most keyboards. Do you know what the model number of the compaqs you like? If you can figure that out, you can likely figure out the switch type, and find a USB keyboard with a similar feel.

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The one I'm typing with here says that it is Part No 166516-006 and to replace with Part No 269513-006. The one on the Dorio terminal has the same info about the part numbers and identifies itself as Model KB-9860. Another has Part No 166516-001 and replace with Part No 166514-001. Yet another is Part No 296433-001 and replace with Part No 296434-001.

Looks like all of those are membrane keyboards. The bad news is finding something to replicate those in usb won't be easy.

The good news is you won't start down what can be the long, expensive road of mechanical keyboards.

aggietony2010 said:

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Looks like all of those are membrane keyboards. The bad news is finding something to replicate those in usb won't be easy.

The good news is you won't start down what can be the long, expensive road of mechanical keyboards.

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I hate membrane keyboards. The Compaq keyboards are far from that.

I like the old IBM PC keyboards but I'm perfectly happy with my Apple keyboard. I do, however, wish it had the number pad on it.

91AggieLawyer said:

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I like the old IBM PC keyboards but I'm perfectly happy with my Apple keyboard. I do, however, wish it had the number pad on it.

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I've ordered some replacement keys for my mechanical, I have the command and option keys coming to make it more mac-ish.

FWIW if the noise is potentially an issue for you, they have different mechanical switches, some are quieter than others.

http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

I have a K70 with cherry brown switches. absolutely love it.

Ah, there appear to be folks clacking in my language now. Welcome.

I've been into mechanical keyboards for a while and currently own 5-6 varieties. Here to answer any questions, give recommendations, or just chat about keyboard feels.

k70 black cherry red.

I love it. Wish I could use it at work. Corporate IT sucks.

Troy91 said:

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k70 black cherry red.

I love it. Wish I could use it at work. Corporate IT sucks.

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That's actually funny because I requested it through corporate IT with a 8 sentence paragraph of why I need it for my profession(programmer). The request went all the way to the CTO(who loves our department) and it got approved.

I have a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth mechanical keyboard. Fully programmable which I've done zilch with but I love it.

However, god help us all if these ever become cost effective and normal in the workplace and on laptops. As someone who is in meetings 8-5 where most people have their laptop, it will be a nightmare for noise. However, I guess it would force some meeting etiquette. Lord knows they wouldn't be allowed in any meeting I'm running or where I'm the senior guy.

I've got a Corsair K70 RGB Rapidfire for home that replaced a Razer Blackwidow Ultimate Stealth that I've since taken to work. Both a great keyboards.

boboguitar said:

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Troy91 said:

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k70 black cherry red.

I love it. Wish I could use it at work. Corporate IT sucks.

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That's actually funny because I requested it through corporate IT with a 8 sentence paragraph of why I need it for my profession(programmer). The request went all the way to the CTO(who loves our department) and it got approved.

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Yeah, I work for the state as a lawyer and regional administrator. No chance for special permission in that environment.

I get a laptop, a phone, an iPad, a wireless card and a docking station with multiple monitors. No keyboard or mouse of choice. Drives me nuts.

I used a Roswell for ages at work until we moved to an open office and I can feel the difference. I hate it.

Edit: difference on a non mechanical

Love my Corsair K95, although the LEDs have suffered over the past 5 years, lots of dead LEDs.

That said, the keys all work great, and the design allows for easy cleaning.

The fun part about keebs is that you can get a lot more affordable boards for less than the branding cost of Razer/Corsair type "gaming" boards.

Here is a read up for those unfamiliar with how these work. Basically red is the smoothest, blue is the clackiest, and brown is in between.

I love my cherry red corsair.

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mechanical-keyboard-razer-logitech-gigabyte,3505-2.html

I have this one and it's great. Just like the ones from my youth but updated to USB.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/UB4044A

When IBM shutdown the factory some guys that worked there bought it and continued making these.

Man...I can't imagine using anything but a mechanical keyboard for gaming.

My work computers are standard membrane keyboards and they feel weird.

eric76 said:

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aggietony2010 said:

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Looks like all of those are membrane keyboards. The bad news is finding something to replicate those in usb won't be easy.

The good news is you won't start down what can be the long, expensive road of mechanical keyboards.

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I hate membrane keyboards. The Compaq keyboards are far from that.

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I was wrong. I took a Compaq keyboard apart and was surprised to see that it is a membrane keyboard!

The action on it is so much better than any other membrane keyboard that I would never have expected that.

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I used to like the old DEC VT100 keyboards. The action was nice but after a year or two you would have to pop off keys and use some sandpaper or a nail file to rough up the contacts.

A decent number of older membranes have decent tactility - it's the newer models that feel mushy in an effort to be quieter for office environments.

Even now there are premium membrane boards, called Topre, that go for the tactile/silent feel. These are upwards of $200 usually.

Kick-R said:

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A decent number of older membranes have decent tactility - it's the newer models that feel mushy in an effort to be quieter for office environments.

Even now there are premium membrane boards, called Topre, that go for the tactile/silent feel. These are upwards of $200 usually.

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Every membrane keyboard I've used other than Compaq felt mushy.

One thing I also like about the Compaq is the weight. It is not a light keyboard that you barely notice. It feels more solid as a result.

aggiebq03+ said:

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So this thread did end up costing me money, as originally suspected.

Went to Fry's and the guy was cool and opened up several boxes for me to try them out. Ended up with a Corsair K70 RGB RapidFire. Very nice, and will add some color to my office.

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I've had it for a little over a week and love it.

Make sure you learn how to download profiles, a lot of people spent hours making cool effects for that keyboard.

Whether I will be able to use profiles at the office will depend on if I can talk the local IT guy into installing the CUE software for me. They've locked down installing 3rd party programs at our company, like many are doing these days. Can still use home computer to set up any custom static look I want, and it will save that in onboard memory.

Excellent choice, I love mine. The per game profiles are fun, especially for games like Diablo 3 when it flashes orange or green when things like set pieces drop.

I will say it might take a day or two to get used to the shorter key travel with the rapidfire switches. It's great when you get used to it.

aggiebq03+ said:

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Whether I will be able to use profiles at the office will depend on if I can talk the local IT guy into installing the CUE software for me. They've locked down installing 3rd party programs at our company, like many are doing these days. Can still use home computer to set up any custom static look I want, and it will save that in onboard memory.

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You can download the profiles straight to the keyboard. It's what I do to have those profiles show up using a Mac.