The Cover Project

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: shenske on April 12, 2010, 11:48:13 AM

Title: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: shenske on April 12, 2010, 11:48:13 AM
I do all my schoolwork, covers, movies,music etc from my laptop. Unfortunately my computer is starting to show its age. The keyboard isnt functioning very well and some keys are almost inoperable like the spacebar (you know how hard it is to evenwrite this message let alone all the papers i have to write when the space bar only works 10% of the time!?!?!)

Is there a certain type of keyboard i should avoid that often has problems? Are there any affordable ones you recommend? Is one USB keyboard pretty much the same as the rest?

thanks  :)
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: nipe on April 12, 2010, 12:29:05 PM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126013

We use these at the shop.  100% bulletproof, basic, no drivers needed, cheap, last FOREVER.  I find that the more a keyboard "offers", the more likely it is to crap out...
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: Zelimpdna on April 12, 2010, 02:45:23 PM
In my experience, generic usb keyboards don't last too long before, like your keyboard, keys start to just randomly stop working. I use my keyboard a lot, which doesn't help. My mum's keyboards lasted longer, but she doesn't use them as much. A while ago I started using cheaper Logitech keyboards, which were a huge improvement.

Not sure what you classify as affordable, but my current keyboard, the Microsoft Sidewinder X6, is very good. I also recommend the Logitech G15, which has a great build quality and a number of my friends have had them for many years without any issues. If you're not a big PC gamer, though, these two are probably a bit overkill.

Basically, you can't go wrong with Logitech, so I'd recommend you find a Logitech keyboard in your price range and go with that.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: satoshi_matrix on April 12, 2010, 03:41:24 PM
I recommend Mac keyboards even if you have a PC. Mac keyboards are very small highly durable and lightweight, making them ideal for laptop use.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: juan0tron on April 12, 2010, 06:23:11 PM
Seconded with the mac thing. I prefer flatter keys to ones normally seen on desktop computers, so this works nicely for me. Been using it for a little over a year with absolutely no problems. It even has two usb ports on it. The last one I had was one of the older style keyboards that had a lot of space between the keys, and three years of dust buildup plus a spill of some water finally made it go crazy. MAc user here, so I don't know how it works on PCs. Only con is that it'll probably run you $50.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: shenske on April 12, 2010, 06:41:43 PM
Only con is that it'll probably run you $50.

Yeah, it seems anything with the mac logo will run you at least $50. I may just get some cheap crap at biglots for the mean time untill i can figure out a longer term solution.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: Beastman1975 on April 12, 2010, 07:01:32 PM
im using a microsoft wireless keyboard 6000 v3.0 also has a mouse  got it as a present so not sure on the cost but i like it so far
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: Jonesat on April 12, 2010, 11:38:46 PM
you should just get your laptop keyboard replaced, its not very expensive at all, i had mine changed after a year and a half, and the replacement is awesome
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: shenske on April 13, 2010, 02:12:06 AM
you should just get your laptop keyboard replaced, its not very expensive at all, i had mine changed after a year and a half, and the replacement is awesome

I probably will eventually but i need a solution within the next few days  :-\

I'll figure something out and i appreciate the feedback from everyone  :)
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: MisterCreazil on April 13, 2010, 04:40:03 AM
Huh, I've never really worried about keyboards before, I have like 5 or 6 that just sit in my closet and can't say I recall a keyboard ever crapping out on me.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: Drakul on April 13, 2010, 10:55:24 AM
It's a very personal choice I think.
you're best bet it to go into a store and try some on for size.

Do you like straight KB better than Wave type KB? Inclined or flat? soft keys or hard keys?

Personally I like Logitech and at home I use the G15. I love the backlighting feature but everything else is a bit gimmicky for most people.
Title: Re: Recommended USB Keyboards?
Post by: Thaddeus Grey on April 14, 2010, 04:33:24 AM
I really like my Saiitek Eclipse II. Not too many features, godd, solid build, and backlit.