Looking for a new gaming keyboard (tldr included)

[Ai-Samurai]

So I've decided to return the G910 Orion Spectrum. I'm a little disappointed because I did REALLY like the customizable RGB.

 

I've been looking around and I'm really not sure what keyboard to get to replace it. 

 

I would prefer a wired keyboard with customizable RGB (I really liked assigning different colours to different zones)

But I think a big issue for me was the feel of the keys, I'm not used to mechanical keyboards and the keys were a bit too pronounced for me. 

 

I did really like that the switches weren't too loud or clicky, so a keyboard with similar quiet keystrokes would be really nice.

Maybe I'm a bit nitpicky but I felt like the modifier keys required a bit of pressure for them to register at times as well.

I think I DEFINITELY need a keyboard with lower profile keys though. The full height caps were really something I just couldn't get past, I'll attach pictures of the keyboard I've been using for the last 4-5 years.

 

I was looking at the SteelSeries Apex M800 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

But the price is a little steep and I've been hearing reviews about it being abysmal for regular every day typing (which I'm not that sure about, I really like the flat mid-height keycaps though)

 

Also macro keys are nice but not entirely necessary.

 

tl;dr

What I'm looking for:

• Wired
• Low or mid-height keycaps, preferably flat/smooth surface
• RGB (zone customization software)
• Switches that aren't too loud & clicky and don't require too much force
• Preferably under $200 AUD

 

Sorry for unloading all these specs on you guys, I was just wondering if any of you had any suggestions?

 

---

Here are some pics of the ancient keyboard that I was using before. I miss those keys.... Even if they did produce an ungodly amount of noise 

 

[xdeathshot20]

i would look into corsair keyboards.  I know that they do make some low profile models and most of them support full customization through there software.  I have the strafe mk 2 with mx silent switches and i love it personally but they arent low profile

[Ai-Samurai]

I've done a bit more research and I don't think I would mind sticking to a membrane keyboard.

 

Or at least a low profile mechanical keyboard with more linear switches, another thing I didn't like with the Orion Spectrum was the tactile resistance and the mechanical ping under the keyboard when you type.

 

Razer yellow switches and Cherry MX speed/silent are kinda more appealing to me. 

 

I think it's also worth mentioning that everyday typing is first priority to me

and gaming second.

[Ai-Samurai]

On 5/30/2019 at 10:49 AM, xdeathshot20 said:

i would look into corsair keyboards.  I know that they do make some low profile models and most of them support full customization through there software.  I have the strafe mk 2 with mx silent switches and i love it personally but they arent low profile

I just bought the Corsair K-70 Mk-2 low profile rgb keyboard

There's a couple of things I will need to get used to... But I absolutely adore this keyboard and the lovely (and quiet) linear switches 

 

Thank you so much!

 

P.S. Sorry for bumping this thread, I just really wanted to thank this user.

[smiley125]

3 hours ago, Ai-Samurai said:

I just bought the Corsair K-70 Mk-2 low profile rgb keyboard

There's a couple of things I will need to get used to... But I absolutely adore this keyboard and the lovely (and quiet) linear switches 

 

Thank you so much!

 

P.S. Sorry for bumping this thread, I just really wanted to thank this user.

 

How do you feel the typing experience compares to your old dell? I have a very similar Dell that hive been using for years but it is starting to play up so looking for something similar.

 

Cheers

[Ai-Samurai]

2 hours ago, smiley125 said:

 

How do you feel the typing experience compares to your old dell? I have a very similar Dell that hive been using for years but it is starting to play up so looking for something similar.

 

Cheers

 

 

The low profile Corsair K70 mk2 (Rapidfire. Not sure if that's worth mentioning, it probably is) has similar keys. 

 

Here are my pro's and cons

 

Key caps

 

Pro: The keys are larger, the letters are larger (although some might not like the font)
Con: There is a somewhat noticeable slant to the keys that could take some getting used to, so I highly recommend trying before buying. Just to see if it's something you can live with. I'd say another con is that the symbols (!@#$% etc) are underneath the numbers on the key caps. and , . / are under <>? on the side, which is a little confusing but it's still programmed the same way so you still need to shift+3 to get # and shift+' to get " 

 

 

Switches

 

My corsair has Cherry MX Speed key switches which are linear so it's sooooo nice to type with this keyboard. I've not yet used it to play games though so I'm not sure if there's a downside to that but I'd say that the switches are fast as they are quiet and smooth. I absolutely adore that this is a mechanical keyboard, but the feel could just put membrane keyboards to shame (I honestly decided this was the better keyboard after having testing the Steelseries APEX M800 and the APEX 150)

 

Body

 

Pro: It's really light and easy to move (which is good if you like to clean your desk frequently) 

Con: For me, personally, I'm not a huge fan that the casing is metal. Simply because it's cold to the touch and it's the middle of winter where I am right now... Also, this is a wired keyboard and while it has a braided wire (which is DEFINITELY a pro) I've never seen a keyboard with such a thicc wire 

 

RGB lighting

 

Pro: FULLY. CUSTOMIZEABLE... Like you can make each key or each zone static colours and then set the corsair logo to rainbow wave if you want to. 

Con: Because the keyboard has exposed switches (which some would find stylish) the colours kinda bleed into each other and if you want to colour each zone differently, it doesn't really look good if you put a dark blue key next to a purple key for example. 

 

Overall

Compared to my old dell, which I was very attached to because of the smooth/flat, mid-height key caps. This is better.

My old Dell keyboard was a membrane but it was pretty loud and clunky. 

 

Compared to the G910 Orion Spectrum I bought, I think this keyboard has more customization than that keyboard. Unfortunately it doesn't have much in the way of macro keys but the sales rep recommended setting the numpad for that stuff since few people really use the numpad anyway.