Keyboard for programming

[Epimetheus]

Hey guys, i'm looking into buying a new keyboard, and i'm gonna use it mostly for programming, so that means a lot of typing and using shortcuts. What are my best options with a budget of 30-40 euros? I live in Italy, so maybe check prices on Amazon.it

[tatte]

I'd suggest finding a store with keyboards on display. See what feels good. It's not a case of one switch type being unarguably better than anything else. You might even like something without mechanical switches (Microsoft still makes some interesting ergonomic stuff). It's technically possible to get used to most keyboards, but some can be just so far off from your comfort zone that they'll never fully grow on you.

[Jurrunio]

best is to actually type on one. Even with the same mechanical switch different keyboards could still feel different with their different keycaps. If it feels good on the hand then many other drawbacks could be ignored.

[jj9987]

From personal experience - Cherry MX Red is not good for programming/typing. I do like Apple's Magic Keyboard though, but that is definitely out of your price range.

[nox_]

15 minutes ago, jj9987 said:

From personal experience - Cherry MX Red is not good for programming/typing. I do like Apple's Magic Keyboard though, but that is definitely out of your price range.

No one even mentioned that as an option, but it's very personal, some people like linear switches for typing, granted there are better ones than cherry.

@Epimetheus I assume the keyboard must be full size? For the budget you could consider Corsair K55, it's membrane keyboard, but it has a decent wrist rest, which is not too common on membrane boards, if you were looking for smaller board there are some decent mechanical options in your budget, but I assume you need full size, numpad and all.

[cluelessgenius]

theres nothing making a keyboard particularly good for programming. 

it all depends aon presonal preference.

on that kind of budget especially there not alot of variety to choose from. probably all gonna be rubber dome.

maybe find a shop with some models on display.

main diferences id look out for are:

 

key height/ travel height - doesnt have to be high or low it dpends on what you like. i got a g513 at home and love it but at work im stuck with the cheapet notebook style keybpards there are and as long as they are not too mushy i prefer the short travel notebook style over very high rubber domes.

 

then theres layout. a short shift or any other unusual layout throws me off so find what you are most familiar with.

 

if youre coding in the dark like a true hacker man then maybe some sort of backlight might be interesting.

 

and if youre really fancy, a row or 2 of programmable macro keys never hurt anyone. 

 

im not sure of pricing but i had the microsoft sidewinder x4 when i was in college and for the money its pretty decent although nowadays there might be better options out there.

[Epimetheus]

1 hour ago, tatte said:

I'd suggest finding a store with keyboards on display. See what feels good. It's not a case of one switch type being unarguably better than anything else. You might even like something without mechanical switches (Microsoft still makes some interesting ergonomic stuff). It's technically possible to get used to most keyboards, but some can be just so far off from your comfort zone that they'll never fully grow on you.

The problem is, i have no place where I can try out keyboards near to me as far as i know. I don"t really care about mechanical switches (even though it'd be nice), but i'd prefer them not to be squishy and to not produce much noise. Also I really need retroillumination, since lots of times I find myself using the keyboard in the dark. That's the main reason why i'm finally putting my CM Devastator 1 to sleep, the backlighting doesn"t work well anymore. I guess its layout feels comfortable, but idk 

[Epimetheus]

28 minutes ago, noxdeouroboros said:

No one even mentioned that as an option, but it's very personal, some people like linear switches for typing, granted there are better ones than cherry.

@Epimetheus I assume the keyboard must be full size? For the budget you could consider Corsair K55, it's membrane keyboard, but it has a decent wrist rest, which is not too common on membrane boards, if you were looking for smaller board there are some decent mechanical options in your budget, but I assume you need full size, numpad and all.

Yeah i'm looking for a full size keyboard, and I listed what i need in the answer above. The Corsair K55 actually looked like a really compelling choice but in Italy It costs around 70 euros, and idk how importing from the US works

[Epimetheus]

1 hour ago, Jurrunio said:

best is to actually type on one. Even with the same mechanical switch different keyboards could still feel different with their different keycaps. If it feels good on the hand then many other drawbacks could be ignored.

There must be something objective too, like keyboard shortcuts comfortable to reach or a good spot to rest my wrists

[nox_]

18 minutes ago, Epimetheus said:

Yeah i'm looking for a full size keyboard, and I listed what i need in the answer above. The Corsair K55 actually looked like a really compelling choice but in Italy It costs around 70 euros, and idk how importing from the US works

Then this one might be your best bet : https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-Multimedia-Mechanical-Dedicated-Detachable/dp/B07ZV2CKH4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Redragon+K512&qid=1575886203&sr=8-2 even with shipping from US it should be bellow your budget.

[tatte]

4 minutes ago, noxdeouroboros said:

Then this one might be your best bet : https://www.amazon.com/Redragon-Multimedia-Mechanical-Dedicated-Detachable/dp/B07ZV2CKH4/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Redragon+K512&qid=1575886203&sr=8-2 even with shipping from US it should be bellow your budget.

I really wouldn't recommend going with US layout if you're used to tall Enter-key (which judging by amazon.it Italy is using). Our (at least Nordic) keyboards have '/* where US keyboards have their extended Enter. It's not going to be fun programming with that, at least I never truly got used to 6Gv2's weird Enter.

 

Probably the only thing keeping you from not needing backlit keyboard is having one. Learning not to look at your keyboard is definitely worthwhile. I also wouldn't pick a lesser keyboard over something better for included wrist rest. There are aftermarket rests, and it probably isn't rocket science to makeshift one yourself, if not having one becomes an issue.

 

If you really can't find any keyboards to try out yourself (any place that sells any amount of electronics, even big enough grocery stores, can have a few models), you'll probably get the best result by reading the reviews on Amazon.

 

Apart from the clicky switches and being a touch over budget, this AUKEY seems to have a relevant amount of good reviews. Other believably not-complete-trash keyboards I saw are this Trust and this Excelvan. Your problem is that RGB is a gaming fad, and so is loudness. Getting one without the other, in a tight budget and outside of the big markets, might be tough. I'd try living without backlit, there's usually good sales after the Holidays. See if you really need the light.

[nox_]

@tatte AUKEY and Exelvan uses horribly loud blue switches, it will annoy people around. And that Trust one? Overpriced and will be loud without being mechanical. I used us layout for progaming for years, and us layout is very popular in Europe.

[Epimetheus]

48 minutes ago, noxdeouroboros said:

@tatte AUKEY and Exelvan uses horribly loud blue switches, it will annoy people around. And that Trust one? Overpriced and will be loud without being mechanical. I used us layout for progaming for years, and us layout is very popular in Europe.

Something that uses italian and isn't loud then?

[nox_]

25 minutes ago, Epimetheus said:

Something that uses italian and isn't loud then?

That's hard to find, all I can think is Logitech K120.

There's also this one : https://www.amazon.it/Logitech-Tastiera-Italiano-Supporto-Silenziosi/dp/B01ENKI4D2/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=Lenovo+Keyboard&pd_rd_i=B01ENKI4D2&pd_rd_r=b5060069-84fb-41f6-b69e-013a44a2f09d&pd_rd_w=hcSh9&pd_rd_wg=HPIFZ&pf_rd_p=c669ee59-54a5-43ab-9398-ae1acd19cd54&pf_rd_r=1DA2YQW4EGJX6PZ7YYE2&qid=1575894053&s=pc&smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H

Edited December 9, 2019 by noxdeouroboros

[Epimetheus]

1 hour ago, noxdeouroboros said:

That's hard to find, all I can think is Logitech K120.

There's also this one : https://www.amazon.it/Logitech-Tastiera-Italiano-Supporto-Silenziosi/dp/B01ENKI4D2/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&keywords=Lenovo+Keyboard&pd_rd_i=B01ENKI4D2&pd_rd_r=b5060069-84fb-41f6-b69e-013a44a2f09d&pd_rd_w=hcSh9&pd_rd_wg=HPIFZ&pf_rd_p=c669ee59-54a5-43ab-9398-ae1acd19cd54&pf_rd_r=1DA2YQW4EGJX6PZ7YYE2&qid=1575894053&s=pc&smid=A11IL2PNWYJU7H

nothing backlit?

[tatte]

@noxdeouroboros I just picked all rainbowsy, wired keyboards with useful amounts of reviews from the price range. And addressed noisiness. 

[nox_]

14 minutes ago, Epimetheus said:

nothing backlit?

This one https://www.amazon.it/SteelSeries-tastiera-retroilluminazione-interamente-personalizzabile/dp/B01MZF3YJG/ref=sr_1_20?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=2OUVS9OPZ95GP&keywords=steelseries&qid=1575898180&refinements=p_89%3ASteelseries&rnid=1688663031&s=pc&sprefix=stee%2Ccomputers%2C199&sr=1-20 would be great it's even on sale now, but the layout is not italian. Price is great though, and build quality is good, I tried this one in store, no flex at all. If not, there is this one https://www.amazon.it/VicTsing-Tastiera-Gaming-Cablata-Anti-ghosting/dp/B07WC2QPHX/ref=pd_sbs_147_1/260-9172160-5715952?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07WC2QPHX&pd_rd_r=859f2796-9dab-41bc-9c85-7be9cabf9248&pd_rd_w=yg1B1&pd_rd_wg=uMsZo&pf_rd_p=582ecf2c-0bd1-4c26-8c96-819ea7741f84&pf_rd_r=2MGJT473NC3YG0DC4V4P&psc=1&refRID=2MGJT473NC3YG0DC4V4P it's okay for the price.

Edited December 9, 2019 by noxdeouroboros

[Epimetheus]

46 minutes ago, noxdeouroboros said:

This one https://www.amazon.it/SteelSeries-tastiera-retroilluminazione-interamente-personalizzabile/dp/B01MZF3YJG/ref=sr_1_20?__mk_it_IT=ÅMÅŽÕÑ&crid=2OUVS9OPZ95GP&keywords=steelseries&qid=1575898180&refinements=p_89%3ASteelseries&rnid=1688663031&s=pc&sprefix=stee%2Ccomputers%2C199&sr=1-20 would be great it's even on sale now, but the layout is not italian. Price is great though, and build quality is good, I tried this one in store, no flex at all. If not, there is this one https://www.amazon.it/VicTsing-Tastiera-Gaming-Cablata-Anti-ghosting/dp/B07WC2QPHX/ref=pd_sbs_147_1/260-9172160-5715952?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B07WC2QPHX&pd_rd_r=859f2796-9dab-41bc-9c85-7be9cabf9248&pd_rd_w=yg1B1&pd_rd_wg=uMsZo&pf_rd_p=582ecf2c-0bd1-4c26-8c96-819ea7741f84&pf_rd_r=2MGJT473NC3YG0DC4V4P&psc=1&refRID=2MGJT473NC3YG0DC4V4P it's okay for the price.

By going above my budget, how is the logitech g413 in terms of typing and noise? 

[nox_]

7 minutes ago, Epimetheus said:

By going above my budget, how is the logitech g413 in terms of typing and noise? 

If you can go that high, there are better options, just let me know and will recommend something. G413 uses romer g switches, you must try them before buying, some people like them, but many also hate, me included, sound wise it's decent, nowhere near the loudness of cherry blues.

[Epimetheus]

1 minute ago, noxdeouroboros said:

If you can go that high, there are better options, just let me know and will recommend something. G413 uses romer g switches, you must try them before buying, some people like them, but many also hate, me included, sound wise it's decent, nowhere near the loudness of cherry blues.

i see. Honestly though at this point I might just go for a devastator 3, all the ones linked have some sort of caveat, so i'll just stick to what works for me i guess

[nox_]

1 minute ago, Epimetheus said:

i see. Honestly though at this point I might just go for a devastator 3, all the ones linked have some sort of caveat, so i'll just stick to what works for me i guess

Devastator 3 is decent option for a membrane keyboard.

[Epimetheus]

51 minutes ago, noxdeouroboros said:

If you can go that high, there are better options, just let me know and will recommend something.

What would be your better options?

[nox_]

20 minutes ago, Epimetheus said:

What would be your better options?

Not sure whats the exact budget is but https://www.amazon.it/Corsair-Tastiera-Meccanica-Retroilluminato-Italiano/dp/B014FV1KBC/ref=pd_sbs_147_18?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B014FV1KBC&pd_rd_r=fecfb1e0-59bc-447e-8d3e-af4cf9952a70&pd_rd_w=LOJAR&pd_rd_wg=Z3yCW&pf_rd_p=582ecf2c-0bd1-4c26-8c96-819ea7741f84&pf_rd_r=GTCRJCC8RYA3NSD2X6WE&psc=1&refRID=GTCRJCC8RYA3NSD2X6WE  or https://www.amazon.it/Cooler-Master-SGK-4060-KKCM1-Quickfire-Tastiera/dp/B01GA0PKZ8/ref=pd_sbs_147_1/260-9172160-5715952?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B01GA0PKZ8&pd_rd_r=fa52ee88-5e70-4178-8293-cb12fc03578e&pd_rd_w=8YiJ6&pd_rd_wg=nWfC0&pf_rd_p=582ecf2c-0bd1-4c26-8c96-819ea7741f84&pf_rd_r=RHFQT1MXMP0FQWA6RA13&psc=1&refRID=RHFQT1MXMP0FQWA6RA13

Cooler Master one is better and cheaper, not that far from your original budget even,it says italian layout, the pic shows us layout, but it's amazon, so you can return it if the layout is wrong, Even has brown switches, which is nice sound wise, not too loud.  Strafe is decent too, but CM has better build and bottom row is standard if you wanna change the caps some time later.

Edited December 9, 2019 by noxdeouroboros