I think that this is the right place to put this … :persecutioncomplex:
I want to buy a mechanical keyboard for under $200 if I can help it. I have narrowed my decision down to the Das Keyboard Professional or Corsair Vengeance K70. If you have any feedback about these keyboards or suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.
I’d recommend a DAS Keyboard… http://www.daskeyboard.com/
I’m not using a mechanical keyboard at the moment, and I’m sad. See, you could be happy and not like me, sad. Programming would be much better for me if I had a DAS, or any mechanical keyboard for that matter.
Thank.
I have the Corsair Vengeance K70 in Cherry MX Brown and I’m in love with it. It’s the best money I’ve ever spent on a keyboard!
@syszee
$173.00 for the DAS Keyboard! That thing is very sexy, but jeez the price is insane.
EDIT: Just noticed the DAS Keyboard does not come with a handrest. The K70, in my opinion, is far better than the DAS due to that, its style, and its gamer options too. If you are a gamer, you will appreciate the button that disable the Windows keys, the configurable alternate lighting (customize which individual keys are lit!), and the specialized WASD123456 keys!
@ra4king
I know, I like the way the DAS looks though. c:
Really any mechanical keyboard will work. I currently use a crappy logitech k330. It practically hurts to program for long periods of time. Especially at 120 wpm typing speed. 
I was sort-of leaning toward the K70 anyways because it has more features for the money. Thanks guys 
I have a das keyboard and really like it. I deliberately did not want all those extra features offered by other keyboards, I just wanted a keyboard that didn’t distract me in anyway and was nice to type on. Then again I type on it far more than I game on it. I imagine I would have been just as happy with a K70 once I turned the back lighting off…
Kwd-205
I am the proud owner of a low typing speed and this keyboard fulfills all my needs. But I guess it is one of the best you can get at 1$ at the second hand shop of your choice.
-ClaasJG
(Well is the keyboard older than I am?)
I use the Razer Blackwidow 2013. Very content with it :3
I wish I still had that keyboard rant I did a long time ago on the forum. It was f**king huge, I’ll post it here later.
If you’re looking for a tenkeyless, I can give a hearty recommendation to the Blackbird, by Max Keyboard.
I have two, both with Browns and the red backlighting.
If you prefer the tenkey and/or hate backlighting, I also very much liked the CoolerMaster Storm QuickFire XT. I won’t use anything but tenkeyless these days, though (thus the purchase of the Blackbirds).
Mechanical keyboard “expert” here. I’ve contributed to communities like /r/mechanicalkeyboards for a long time now, plus I’ve been buying them for 4 years and selling them for 3.
Here is yet another long-ass post about mechanical keyboards and how to buy one without wasting your money.
WARNING: GIF/Image Overload.
#1: The switches.
Switches are what make the mechanical keyboard mechanical, and there are a lot of them. There are two main types of switches: linear and tactile.
Linear switches are more geared towards gaming and less on typing, since they don’t give you any form of feedback to tell you when you’ve performed a keystroke. They tend to be lighter as well, and don’t produce the famous ‘click’ noise that tactile switches do. Some examples of linear switches: Cherry MX Reds and Cherry MX Blacks. Here are a couple gifs of them:
Tactile switches are known for their famous clicky noise. They tend to be a bit heavier and louder, and are most recommended for typing. Don’t believe the BS people spew out there about them not being good for gaming, they’re perfectly fine for that. Some examples of tactile switches: Cherry MX Blues and Cherry MX Browns. Here are a couple gifs of them:
It should be noted that Cherry MX Browns aren’t exactly as clicky as blues, for they have a tactile bump rather than a click.
The most popular Cherry MX Switches are: Cherry MX Blues, Cherry MX Reds, Cherry MX Browns, Cherry MX Blacks, Cherry MX Greens, Cherry MX Grays/Greys and Cherry MX Clears.
Cherry MX Switches aren’t the only switches though. There are also Buckling Springs, which are my personal favourite. These are used by the older IBM Model M keyboards, as well as their modern Unicomp counterparts.
Here’s a gif of one of them:
#2: Switch Weights.
Choosing the switches you want on your keyboard is one thing, choosing the weights of them is another completely different story.
To sum it up simply, here are the weights for most of the switches I have just covered:
If you don’t mind sacrificing your typing speed for a lighter switch that’s more optimized for gaming, go with MX Reds or MX Browns.
If you don’t mind being incredibly loud and putting a tiny bit more force into your keystrokes, go with MX Blues.
If you don’t mind making your hands incredibly tired, go with MX Blacks.
#3: Sizing.
With switches out of the way, you also have to think about how big you want your keyboard to be.
There are 100% keyboards (AKA the standard), which contain the number pad, arrow keys and QWERTY block, and
There are 80% keyboards (AKA tenkeyless), which do not contain the number pad, but still have the arrow keys.
There are also 60% keyboards (AKA compact) out there, which do not contain the number pad and do not contain the arrow keys, and only include the QWERTY block.
Here an example:
This is just personal preference, really. I like all of them. 
#4: Keycaps.
You can get these from places like WASDKeyboards, QWERKeys and many other online shops.
The only thing you really have to pay attention to are the price and the plastics.
ABS keycaps are okay, included on most boards by default, and give the keyboard a lighter sound. They’re thinner and shine a lot quicker than PBT keycaps.
PBT keycaps are amazing, but you generally have to buy them yourself. They give the keyboard a harder, blockier sound because of their thickness, and tend not to shine as easily.
Print is another thing to keep in mind, but it’s not as important. I tend not to get in-depth with it because I don’t like printed keycaps. ::).
#5: Buying.
The biggest thing on the list, for sure.
Some general distributors:
DAS Keyboards
Ducky
Filco
Realforce
Resellers:
The Keyboard Compoany
Elite Keyboards
WASD Keyboards
Unicomp
Max Keyboards
ErgoGeek
NCIX
Manufacturer online stores:
Cooler Master/CMStorm
DAS Keyboards
It’s also good to generally look on sites like NewEgg and Amazon if you’re new and have no idea what you’re looking for.
The most preferred brands out there are: Filco, Ducky, DAS Keyboard, Cooler Master/CMStorm, IBM/Unicomp, Corsair, and Rosewill according to reddit, deskthority and my own personal experiences.
Spend some time looking at reviews. That’s the #1 way to find a keyboard you like IMO.
An extra little note:
Please be careful with your money. Avoid impulse-buying and do your research!!! You have no idea how many times I bought crappy keyboards just to get my hands on one back when I was new. Please refrain from doing that.
Also, get a switch tester if you’re still unsure of what switch you want. Cooler Master has some good ones, but there are others on sites like WASDKeyboards and Max Keyboards.
Hopefully that summed it up. My grammar may have not been perfect here and there, but I did what I could.
Have fun click-clacking!
Add Corsair to that list, they make excellent keyboards. Otherwise, excellent description of mechanical keyboards.
Wow sorry guys been busy with school lately.
Thanks for all the information Jev, you have been most helpful. I want Cherry MX Blue switches because I like the way that they feel and sound. I think I’m gonna go with the Das Keyboard because it has everything that I need and its simple (like me). It is a little pricey, but I think that it is worth it. Thank you so much guys.
Cherry MX Blues are always a great switch.
Which Das Keyboard are you going for? The 3 or the 4?
The Das Keyboard 4 Professional because I too noob to type with the Ultimate