Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Looking for a mechanical keyboard for starters

Mar 15, 2017 5:13PM PDT

I am totally new to this. I am really hesitant to get one since I believe the formula "skills > peripherals".
Been reading reviews, watching vids online and friends that kept on teasing me made me feel left behind
and that made me decide to go and try mechanical.

I am looking for a mechanical keyboard for a beginner budget conscious me. Searched for those cheapo ones and found this.

BIOSTAR GK3
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa74/moab999/312321313132_zps66ylhqq1.jpg

A mechanical gaming keyboard for $50 below. Yes, there are those Chinese brands with the same price tag but
I think it would be better to get one from a established manufacturer.

I am now using a led backlit gaming keyboard from dragonwar, yes lights are important,I love playing in the dark.
Feel free to suggest anything within that price tag.

Thank you so much.

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
So far, the mechs seem to be over 100
Mar 15, 2017 5:21PM PDT
- Collapse -
I want full keys layout
Mar 15, 2017 6:41PM PDT

Sorry man I forgot to mention that. I also prefer full keys layout since Im also an old dota 2 player who still uses numkeys to use items. And also for calculator purposes.

I'll go for the cheap ones as a start. Thanks for the link, red dragon also got cheap and good-looking choices.

- Collapse -
Then the k 552 and k 551?
Mar 15, 2017 6:49PM PDT
- Collapse -
Awesome
Mar 20, 2017 10:25AM PDT

It looks plain but I like it. Also I could easily get one locally, thanks man.

- Collapse -
This is what I use
Mar 20, 2017 10:58AM PDT
https://www.amazon.com/EagleTec-KG010-Industrial-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B015MPQQ0A

Works fine in Windows. In Linux it works from reboots, but when using suspend function, a "quirks mode" entry needs to be made in the grub boot file to wake up the keyboard again when coming out of suspend.

This line in Linux needs to be added to the grub.cfg file on each boot line which starts with "linux /boot/vmlinuz-******************************"

usbhid.quirks=0x058F:0x9410:0x20000000
- Collapse -
Switches?
Mar 23, 2017 4:13AM PDT

That was a pretty solid build. I wonder what switches does it have.

- Collapse -
switches
Mar 24, 2017 4:12PM PDT

adjust light level on keys
has "breathing" light level
can switch to the 4 gaming keys
a lock key function
The "f" keys can be used for multimedia in conjuction with FN key
some others I don't recall now, but can be found on internet if you read the reviews.

- Collapse -
PS
Mar 20, 2017 11:02AM PDT

This is a heavy keyboard, it won't move under you while typing and can be used as a defensive weapon if needed, it can knock someone out! "Heavy duty" in full sense of that phrase. Learn the functions of the FN key or may accidentally switch some key assignments and wonder what's going on.

- Collapse -
From what it looks
Mar 23, 2017 4:17AM PDT

I could tell that one got a pretty tough build. How's the LED lights?

- Collapse -
blue
Mar 24, 2017 4:13PM PDT

All blue, only the single color.