Peripheral periphery!

[Loop Stricken]

I think I know what periphery means.

Anyway;
I'm in the UK and I find myself in need of a new keyboard. I had a quick shamble on Play.com and it looks like the cheapest 'gaming' keyboard is a Razer Arctosa [http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/3293/2560/-/8116172/Razer-Arctosa-Black-Keyboard/Product.html?ob=4] for about £35. I can't touchtype yet, for my sins, so black on black in darkened rooms seems a bit iffy.

Of course there's the Razer Black Widow for about seventy quid [http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/-/3293/2560/-/16887216/Razer-Black-Widow-Keyboard/Product.html?ob=4].

I suppose this thread is twofold;

1) do you have any recommendations for a new keyboard that aren't going to gib my wallet ludicrously (but if they light up, well the shiny is better) ; and
2) as a cop-out, why not share YOUR experiences of peripheral madness?

 

[Loop Stricken]

Man, but my topics always bomb.

 

[orangeban]

Well, I can't advise on keyboards, but I can try to keep this thread alive and share an experience.

I've had my computer for about 3 years, and my Dad owned it for about a year before we swapped computers (long story). Anyway, so far every single peripheral on this computer has died on me. The mouse kept jerking to the top right corner of the screen (I closed so many windows accidentaly that way), the keyboard lost half it's keys, the speakers just stopped working and the moniter kept turning on and off very fast. All the replacements I found for these were worse than the originals (except for the speakers). Through this all, the main PC kept working (despite someone once kicking right through it). There, that's my story. It's not great, but hey, it's a post.

 

[CrashBang]

I really thought this thread was gonna be about the band Periphery. As in the most talented group of men since Mastodon! Sadly not...
And no, I know nothing about keyboards, sorry

 

[Stall]

I've never understood the point of getting an expensive keyboard. All the crappy 10 dollar Wal-Mart ones I've bought have always just worked perfectly.

I would just get a cheap keyboard and bank the saved money if I were you. About the only gaming keyboard I could see the point of is the Logitech G series (I think the G510 is the replacement for the G15), but I can't bring myself around to spend that much money.

 

[smearyllama]

I will share with you the greatest gaming peripheral ever made:

The Gameboat

This is the greatest accomplishment of humanity. Ever.

 

[achilleas.k]

I was never interested in gaming keyboards; I'd much rather spend good cash on a gaming mouse. Razer is always my no.1 choice for peripherals and my Imperator has been serving me well.

That said now, I've been very happy with my G13. I have a pretty old Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard (the first version) which is OK for normal usage and the G13 is GLORIOUS for gaming.

I think what I like most is that I can keep my keyboard in the middle of the desk while I spread my arms to the left and right (symmetrically) for mouse and keypad, which is the most comfortable position for me. I used to hate that I had to move the keyboard to get into that position, which always made for a very awkward typing position when playing.

So what am I suggesting here? Get a white plain Microsoft keyboard for typing (I don't think I've ever seen a MS keyboard die) and a G13 for the games. I know you said you wanted cheap suggestions but there's no harm in considering this too.

 

[Hafnium]

I also like to have a good keyboard, the shape and feel of buttons on lesser models annoy me! I was lucky to find a Logitech G15 for 400dkkr recently (about £45), where normal shops carried it for exactly double that amount.

I considered buying a Razer keyboard, but read a lot of mixed reviews about the feel and button-lighting. I don't use the macro's atm, but it's a high quality product all-round.

 

[Jeremy Christian]

Well at the moment I'm typing on a razer lycosa that I got for something like £50 and I'm using a razer naga as my mouse that cost something similar. In my experience I find the technology that is supposed to set gaming peripherals apart, such as 'anti ghosting' and 'real-time macro control', can be rather inessential since all games are designed to be used on your standard keyboard and mouse set-up. In reality the best qualities (in my experience) of a good gaming keyboard is decent back lighting, wireless functionality and maybe some standalone keys for macros (just seems to help).

Logitech do very reliable products, and my old wireless keyboard I got from them is still kicking 8 years on, so http://www.logitech.com/en-gb/keyboards/keyboard/devices/7288 is probably my top recommendation.

Word of caution don't be mislead by razers marketing division. They make you want tech you don't really need. That said their products are of very high quality and make you feel like batman when you first open the box.

Also

I really thought this thread was gonna be about the band Periphery. As in the most talented group of men since Mastodon! Sadly not...
And no, I know nothing about keyboards, sorry

was totally thinking the same thing XD , saw them both at sonisphere a fortnight or so ago (MENTAL)

 

[CrashBang]

Also

I really thought this thread was gonna be about the band Periphery. As in the most talented group of men since Mastodon! Sadly not...
And no, I know nothing about keyboards, sorry

was totally thinking the same thing XD , saw them both at sonisphere a fortnight or so ago (MENTAL)

You, sir, are the luckiest twat alive! I didn't have enough money to go. I missed The Damned Things!! But don't fear, got tickets to see ETID in December, all is right with my world

 

[Loop Stricken]

...good gaming keyboard ... wireless functionality ...

I've never really understood this; I was always told that wired devices offer superior information transmission times or somesuch guff.
Also batteries.

 

[Zer_]

Avoid wireless. Also be warned that Razer mice have their own distinct feel. If you get one, I suggest the Razer DeathAdder 3500. The naga is big and comubersom, the DeathAdder is a slick balance. (FPS player here).

My Keyboard is a Logitech G510, which is a very good KB. I'd recommend it, but it is a bit pricy. One thing you should keep an eye on when it comes to Keyboards is how many simultaneous keypresses it supports. That should be your priority.

 

[RYjet911]

I managed to score a G15 on eBay for £27. Works like a dream, brand new, the only problem is it's French keys. Nothing a screwdriver didn't fix :3

 

[Jeremy Christian]

...good gaming keyboard ... wireless functionality ...

I've never really understood this; I was always told that wired devices offer superior information transmission times or somesuch guff.
Also batteries.

Well again this is just my opinion, I use a HTPC setup so wires can be a real pain for me. I have never noticed a difference in response times between wire and wireless keyboards, but battery limitations can be a really irritating in real-time gaming and wireless keyboards do have more compatibility issues that your standard plug and play wired keyboards so if you just have a standard desktop PC then wireless functionality isn't worth it.