it all depends on the user - you.
if you don't have enough desk space, a tenkeyless board should do. else, go for the full size.
as for the switch, i suggest you try it first (in the shop or pm kaiserreich for the travelling numpad test) before regretting getting something which you don't really like.

backlit is not a big deal if you don't look at your keyboard to type / during gaming session / etc.
if you want something which is more wallet friendl (LOL) and promising and with blingy backlit, you can try to go for the KBT Race from kaiserreich.

if you really like backlit, there's no more reason to compare with filco as there's no backlit filco available.
just go for Ducky Shine then. 

not necessary must be a filco la, other boards like leopold is also nicely built.
depends on your budget,

Filco: PS/2 NKRO, USB 6KRO, effin nice keycap texture but it'll fade if you did not take good care of it
Leopold: PS/2 NKRO, USB 21KRO, comes with blank sets if get from TS, nice blue LED which is not blinding like those on SS, laser infill caps which will fade  pretty fast if not taken good care of it

well it really depends on how you use the board...

I dont find the keys fade that easily tho... but you know we're comparing amongst mechanical keyboards    they're considered fast

Not really fast I think....... I cannot say that since I haven't used one, but that is what I worry, and saw some video on Youtube sometime ago,
shown that backlit keyboard with faded printing, which is really aweful to look at.

hmmm..... If I were you, I would:
Get some decent China brand Mx Brown(Est RM200++), then get a set of PBT sub-dye keycaps(Est RM300)?

IMO the keycaps effect the comfortable feeling of typing as much as the key switches.
and the look of it, if I have faded keycap(s) I cant stop staring on it every time I look at my keyboard...... 

There is a thread in GH which made it. If different then find similar board and PS/paint/edit them to the one you like.

---

Added on June 4, 2012, 11:21 pm
Do note that when discussing about keycaps, we will want a long lasting legends(printings/fonts) and also texture. As you use your keyboard, both legends and textures will be worn out day by day.

The one which preserve its texture long are PBT and POM.
The one which preserve its printing/fonts long are dye-sub(only compatible on PBT) and double shot(only compatible on ABS).

Do note that all those stuffs I mentioned above are not normally bundled together with the keyboards in the market right out of box, because it will incur extra cost(thus lower profits). Normally you need to get them separately as aftermart accessories or so on.

Extra: Those stuffs I mentioned above are also not backlit compatible. Currently the most durable backlit keycaps are probably the doube-shot PBT made by DECK(TG3).

yes, they are... grab them while there's still stocks left

er.... Green LED is being EOL by Ducky already
Btw, sorry for late response about the PBT question,

Yes, Ducky has EOLed the 9008G2 series, incl the PBT edition.
But they will release another PBT edition base on 9008G2 Pro

Finally received my Ducky 9008G2 PBT from heavyarm 

Back to mech keyboards after 1 month. 

The feeling of Brown switch is  Feels like Red but with a tactile feeling. Only thing is missing is a wrist rest, might look for those Gel ones instead.

Even G80-3800?

---

Added on June 9, 2012, 11:31 pm
Swap Ninja with Ninja then? Search in taobao for "KBC 侧刻"

few days in, and already one of the filco keycaps coating are starting to wear off :S