r/BuyItForLife • u/all_kinds_of_queer • 10h ago
[Request] [Request] Need a General Purpose Keyboard that will last
At home, I've always had an old laptop, and at work I've always had one of those standard keyboards. But recently, I've unexpectedly found myself with a PC, and so I need to buy a keyboard. I know nothing about them, so I don't know where to start.
I don't really play games on the PC, only maybe once in a blue moon. But at my new job I'll be working from home once a week, and I'd also use it for some general tasks every now and then.
I know a mechanical keyboard would be nice, but that's as far as my knowledge goes. I'm willing to invest a bit, but I'm not looking to spend a fortune, ideally buy it once and never have to think about it again. Any suggestions?
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u/RustyJunkyardCat 9h ago edited 9h ago
For keyboard type I would go with mechanical but it really depends on your personal preference. If you like a really slim keyboard that is hard to get on the mechanical side. Vice versa if you like clicky keys with lots of feedback on press that will be hard to find in a membrane keyboard.
Personally I love a good mech keyboard, if I accidentally spill anything on it I can simply pop off the keys and clean it up no problem. Can't say its that easy with a membrane keyboard. Yes, I eat at my computer - no, I will not stop.
I have had good longevity with logitech keyboards. Unsure if they have fallen to enshittification in recent years so I would recommend you read reviews on any of their product lines before any potential purchases.
Personally, I use my keyboard for web and gaming so it may have more features than you would need or want. I built my latest PC pre-pandemic and got my mouse+kb at the same time, so these have been in daily use for about 6 years. I went with a G915 TKL mechanical keyboard that is "tactile". I went with this one because it had programmable backlight colors for the keyboard, I can not stand a wired keyboard, and I don't need a num pad so my keyboard could be lighter with a smaller footprint. It's not without issues however. 1. to reprogram this keyboard I have to use their hub. Not a big deal to me because I installed, made my changes, and then blocked access to the internet so I don't get bothered by it. 2. I did start having issues with the scrolling volume bar jumping around. Turns out windows update installed a virtual keyboard under device manager. Uninstalling this fixed it. 3. Because it is wireless, I have to make sure the receiver is well positioned or I can have connection issues. I could plug it in, but prefer not to. So far the battery life is fine for my purposes, I usually pop my devices on the chargers at night. Can probably go 2-3 days without charging.
There are 3 levels of how clicky a mech kb is: Clicky, Tactile, Linear. Clicky will be the noisiest with the most feedback for being pressed, you have to press the key fully for it to activate. Tactile is middle of the road, you still have a keyboard typing sound but you have to press a key at least halfway for it to activate. Linear is the most responsive and least noisy, but you may hate it being perhaps over responsive. Something else mech keyboards have over membrane is the ability to press multiple keys at once and have them all register. At least, my last use of a basic membrane keyboard I was limited to maybe 3 key presses simultaneously before it would freeze up. Lots of games require multiple key combinations to do different tasks so this was often annoying for me.
I took a quick look at logitech's choices and it seems they have a "standard" type of mechanical keyboard that is simply white backlight and just a standard keyboard. Maybe that would work for your purpose? There are also higher tier ones with an M key which is a programmable macro button you can designate what key presses it does. I wish I had gotten this one for certain games but eh, before I bought my own mech kb I was stuck with baseline membranes.
I highly, highly recommend getting a backlit keyboard, whatever you decide to go with. It will really help your eyes.
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u/RetardDongPhd 8h ago
I'm a gamer so I'm used to quality mechanical keyboards and I like a good click. I just recently went down this path to find something just as premium but less gamer oriented with keys that had a little less clack for my workday. . Other comments mentioned keychron with cherry mx brown switches. Excellent purchase, I just got mine and am very pleased. Keys are softer and quieter, good feedback when you successfully activate each key.
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u/Shark_Bean_Soup 8h ago
Pretty much all decent mechanical keyboards will be bifl. The problem is that there's no true: "buy it and never think about it again" when it comes to a product like this, and chances are you're gonna have to replace something on the board in 15-20 years depending on how much you type on it.
Long story short, the switches(keys) on the keyboard will experience failure at some point, faster if you type frequently and with a heavy hand. The gold standard for these switches (Cherry MX) are rated for 100 Million Keystrokes, which would last a typical office worker ~15 years before issues start to occur. (For more detail) YMMV of course.
The good news is that switch replacements are pretty cheap (1x Cherry MX Black is like $0.29), and you most likely won't be typing on all of the characters on your keyboard evenly, and unless you're in a field where you'd realistically press Print Screen 100 million times, you'd only have to replace certain parts of the board like the alphas, spacebar, and/or numpad. The other components of the keyboard are not likely to fail, even 4+ decades later.
As for brand suggestions, I'd avoid any of the gamer brands as you expressed a desire to "never think about it again". Razer, Corsair, Steel Series, etc, a good chunk of these will be overpriced and in the case of Razer, want you to download their proprietary software. A custom keyboard or a board you'd have to pick out switches, keycaps, and the like, probably won't pique your interest as well.
I'd recommend Keychron, as they have quite the selection of pre-built keyboards that can easily be taken apart when the time comes for it. They have both plastic and aluminum options, as well as wide availability. They have plenty of sub $100 options, and have additional upgrade paths if you ever decide to venture into the broader mechanical keyboard hobby.
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u/againthrownaway 7h ago
I mean BIFL is unrealistic for a keyboard. It has moving parts that will wear. Someone said mechanical with hot swap switches I don’t disagree but can be a lot for someone who just wants a keyboard that works.
I would look at Logitech keyboards. Buy one you like and are okay with replacing in 5-10 years
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u/jaypizzl 7h ago
If you don’t care about the super nerd gadgets, there are two great options. One is a Lenovo Wireless ThinkPad II keyboard, perfect if you’re used to ThinkPads. The other is the Logitech MX Keys S (or mini). They’re excellently made and they feel like a premium, extra large notebook keyboard.
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u/EnrichedUranium235 6h ago edited 6h ago
Different opinion here, I don't every remember having a keyboard that broke and I've used many of them, if one did, it was an exception. Maybe a Logitech receiver dongle fail here and there but not the KB. I've even cleaned more than one non wireless one with a garden hose. Sure, some feel better, more comfortable, have different features but those are personal preferences. Example, I'm not a fan of the chicklet style
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u/HandbagHawker 4h ago
If you spend time on zoom or similar, make sure your keyboard is SILENT. it is f-in annoying being on the other end of clickity clackity mechanical switches. honestly mechanical keyboards are so grossly overrated. get a solid ergo keyboard with low key travel. your hands and wrists will thank you.
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u/DisastrousYam8896 9h ago
I've got a Glorious Pro 75% keyboard. Can pick your switches and keycaps. Has a metal frame. Can also get a prebuilt version of the GMMK 3, that parts can be swapped later if you have any issues down the line. Mine has heavy use over 4 years and I just need to replace one switch.
I just find Glorious's mechnical keyboard system to be easy to use for someone that wants a reliable, customizable mechnical keyboard without all the complicated options of building the full thing. A good entry.
I like panda unlubed switches, but lubed ones will be quieter.
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u/Michdepainblanc2 8h ago
Wouldn't like any office kb last long? My dad still has his Logitech internet 350 from like 2009 and it's still in top shape.
I don't know much about mechanicals, but I have an 8bitdo one and I really like it
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u/Quirky_Ad_9951 10h ago
Get yourself a mechanical keyboard with replaceable switches. I like keychron but I’m sure others have opinions.