When I saw Mike's Kinesis I immediately imagine using it for gaming...

Tenkeyless, I suggest CM Storm QuickFire Rapid.
Full-size, I suggest Rosewill RK9000 (not RK9100)

CM Storm Trigger should be a better alternative. Razer keyboards are not recommended.

And for your information, Ducky had started making mechanical keyboards long before other "gaming" brands start to jump into the bandwagon, so their keyboards are very fine, and the latest Ducky Shine 2 has even more backlit modes to play with, compared to its predecessor Ducky Shine.

Razer Blackwidow is made by iOne, which has some QC issue before this. I am not sure whether they had improved or not, but I would personally find another keyboard made by OEM that has good feedback. For peace of mind.

If you are not into backlit, I recommend you to get a Filco.

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 16 2012, 03:22 AM

I have a Filco Majestouch 2 Camo with MX Blue, and now typing this on CM Storm QuickFire Rapid with MX Red.

These two keyboard are very solid and I love them very much. Basically I use the Filco during the daytime, while the Rapid when my housemates are asleep.
Both of these switches gives me different kind enjoyable sensation when typing. They are also fine for gaming.

MX Red is basically the light version of MX Black. I prefer Red than Brown because of the smooth linear characteristic. Brown feels almost similar to Red, but has a very weak tactile bump which I didn't like, because it makes the switch feels like rougher/scratchier Red.

There is no "better" switch for gaming/typing/surfing or whatever activity you do with the keyboard, but only the switch that you like/prefer. I suggest you try all the different kind of switches in some shop that offer demo unit before you make any purchase.

Actually if you can live without the backlit, your choices would be widen a lot more. Also, from what I read, LED should be the least durable component in a mechanical keyboard.

You should try visit Heavyarm in Subang, I haven't been there before but my friends told me that the shop has some demo unit for you to poke with.

As for backlit colour, I like white the most. It looks classy and also kinda easy for the eyes. Red should be fine also but I cannot stand with blue because of the glaring... Especially in the dark room. Now that I can touch type better than before, I didn't need to depend on the backlight to find the keys anymore

Ducky 9008S already stop production I guess. You can look for the upcoming Ducky 9008S2 though

Poker new batch?

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Added on October 16, 2012, 7:56 pmLogitech G710+

If you like MX Red, try Gigabyte Osmium

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 16 2012, 07:56 PM

it is black on (very) dark grey printing, so it is hard to see the contrast of the legends. I see mine become blank too sometimes, maybe because of the stains from my fingers I guess.

Dye sublimation

+1

hmm, hopefully Costar will make boards of this layout.


note that the RK9100 has tiny spacebar due to three 1.5x modifier on the left... left thumb may be harder to reach the spacebar while gaming lol

It is MX Brown if I am not mistaken

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 18 2012, 12:06 AM

Real man don't need backlit
Consider CM Storm QuickFire Rapid. It is tenkeyless and is around that price range.

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Added on October 18, 2012, 4:31 pm
ohoho Ducky.


This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 18 2012, 04:31 PM

Well, no dragon icon, no 2012 keycaps, and not limited edition.

It should have the exact same backlit features as DK9008S2. I don't think it will have the special features from the Year of the Dragon.

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Added on October 18, 2012, 7:09 pmWell, I usually rest my left elbow on the book rack beside me, so my palm usually slanted to the left a bit, which makes the thumb rests on the very left side of the spacebar
If the spacebar is shorten to the right by a wee bit, i will need to stretch my thumb to reach the spacebar already

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 18 2012, 07:09 PM

fixed

well, odd "+" holes positions for the PLUM96

Yes Ducky Shine 2 has internal memory now to store the last active backlit mode and also 2 user defined modes

And well Ducky S2 has the "Kamisama no Memo Chou" mode - the Reactive mode


This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 18 2012, 09:13 PM

Yui even cosplayed as Alice and make a MV for that opening song, you can look for it.
I like her voice very much

Back to topic, ya Costar style stabilizer really need to be careful when taking them apart, feel like they are so fragile...

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 18 2012, 09:23 PM

Rumour has it that the KBT One/Oni(made by Costar) has satellite switches (Cherry style stabilizers) that feel very very close to Costar wire style stabilizer

Well if you have the money to go for backlit bling bling, then then by all means go ahead.
If you have soldering skill, then you can buy a keyboard with pre-drilled holes, get some LEDs and DIY.
If you don't have such budget and soldering experience, why bother? Just learn how to touch type. It is a useful skill.

Edit:
DK9008 G2 Pro - Not sure still in production or not.
CM Storm Trigger Full Red LED - It is a good board.
RK-9100 Illuminated Blue Backlit - Not sure about build quality, and note that it has three 1.5x modifier at the left. Notice the short spacebar?

This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 19 2012, 12:19 AM

Most importantly, do you like MX Black?

You might not want to ignore CM Storm Trigger. It is Costar made.

If you still insist of choosing Corsair or Razer, well good luck. You'll need them.

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Added on October 19, 2012, 5:39 pmWell, sem break began a few weeks ago and I got the Phantasy Star Online 2 fever.
Both blue and red switches feel great for gaming. Tapping (double/triple/quadruple/spam) problem, none.


This post has been edited by zongeva: Oct 19 2012, 05:39 PM