New Keyboard ahem*chewy* ahem

[locoeng]

I'm in the market for a new keyboard...my requirements are backlit or lighted keys and soft touch keys. I've done a little research (very little) and the only one in a decent price range is the Saitec Eclipse I and II.

I don't want to spend over $40 or $50 dollars on one, but can go higher if I have to. I can deal with either PS/2 or USB, but I want it to be wired.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175103

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175001

99% of my computing is on these forums. I don't do much if any business, personal or otherwise, little if any gaming and some media usage.

Any personal experience with this keyboard or any others that anyone can suggest. The reviews that I have read have all been positive.

[drfsupercenter]

I bought one for $3.99 but it wasn't lit. You get what you pay for

[locoeng]

I went by Best Buy this afternoon on my way home from work and looked at the Saitek...the keys were a little loud for me. I might just keep looking.

[Chewy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823200007

I usually just get a black one and wear certain letters off, lighted would be nice but would show the dirt too much

[soup]

I don't type fast enough to wear the letters off but the shift on the shift key is disappearing. Basic Microsoft black here.

[locoeng]

I need lighted becuase I'm usually sitting in the dark and I need nice soft quiet keys so I don't keep my 3 year old up who is usually sleeping about 20 feet away in the next room. I can touch type, but sometimes I get out of kilter...LOL

That creative board looks nice.

[locoeng]

This one looks good also: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823110004

[Phaction]

If you want my opinion (which I know you do Loco, c'mon ) then out of the 4 that have been linked to, I'd say the best one would be the creative Chewy posted.
Creative are a quality make whatever, and by the looks of it, that keyboard covers everything you're looking for.

I have some crappy eMachines kepyboard that came with PC. It's alright.. I've had to for a year or so and it's kept working, so meh. Also, I've got used to using it.. I never type well on other peoples keyboard for about 5 minutes **cough** freak **cough** :-P

-Jack.

[locoeng]

I have a Sony Keyboard that came with my Vaio...it's about 4 years old or better and there is nothing wrong with it other than being noisy, clanky and unlit.

One thing I didn't like about the Creative board was the black and white scheme. I went to their website to see if they offered any other lit keyboards, but that was the only one. I like the BTC because it's keys are blue vs. white and I can live with a silver case...I'd prefer Black on black like the Saitek, but there doesn't appear to be any others available. I want black because I'm getting a black LCD monitor for my birthday and just though they would look good (better) together.

[Phaction]

Ah I see; so it's more a asthetics thing then. I had a quick look on Logitech's website and found this..

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=11868

It's a bit expensive though, but I thought I'd drop it in the mix as they're very good @ pretty much everything.

However, it is a bit over the top with things like programmable buttons for gamers.. obviuosly something a lot of WoW addicts are loking for now-a-days

[locoeng]

Yeah...that would be alot of overkill for me. The only thing is I've looked at alot of logitech boards and they are all just as noisy as the one I'm using now. I can get it for $54 or roughly the same price as the BTC and Creative boards from NewEgg. I'm pretty sure I'm going with the BTC...I know their drives are crappy, but keyboards? Surely the whole company isn't bad.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126009

[Phaction]

Oh i see - I didn't realise they were noisy boards, I merely assumed they weren't and assumed wrong

The BTC does look good then, yeah.

[locoeng]

I think the difference is the scissor action keys...have you ever typed on a laptop? That is the same kind of key system that most of them use...they are very quiet. That is what I'm looking for.

/me has credit card in hand

[Phaction]

I've typed on laptops and desktop keyboards that use the same "scissor action keys" like you said and yeah, they are very quiet.
Personally, I don't overly like laptop keyboards.. probs cos I@m used to typing on my uber clunky desktop board

I take it you went for that one then?

[locoeng]

Yeah I ordered it...should be here Tues or Wed.

And so should I if you are around...I need to catch up with Geoff as well.