Mechanical keyboard durability?

fred4 · January 2021

My odd gaming setup consists of a PC that's connected to the TV in my living room. I have been using a Thinkpad travel keyboard on my lap. This is a compact keyboard with an integrated palmrest and a "Trackpoint" pointing stick instead of a mouse, which I am completely accustomed to.

The problem is that these keyboards break. I use a custom key mapping, placing my middle fingers in fixed positions, whereas my other fingers roam around their natural resting places. This means I press many keys at the edges only. Two to three years of daily ESO and those Lenovo membrane keyboards are done for. Good (not fake, used, broken) replacements are hard to come by. Lenovo doesn't make ones with the essential integrated palmrest anymore, so you're limited to eBay.

I thus got something called the TEX Shinobi keyboard. This is a mechanical keyboard using Cherry MX switches, based on the IBM / Lenovo design, e.g. with palmrest and Trackpoint. It's made by a small enthusiast company in Taiwan. I wonder how long this one will last? Due to it being such a small company with limited production runs (it took 4 1/2 months to arrive), these keyboards may not be around forever either. I suppose, since they are based on Cherry switches, they should be more repairable than Lenovo keyboards, but I may simply buy one or two more.

What experiences have you had with your (Cherry) mechanical keyboard(s)? Do they stand up to abuse, such as constantly pressing keys at the side? How many years have you had yours?

WiseSky · January 2021

million clicks or 1 beverage spilled on them... till they break

Bergzorn · January 2021

Playing with a Cherry KC 1000 for, hell, I don't know, maybe 4+ years. It's starting to wear out at bit (not that it would matter with the low cost...), but it's still doing the job.

Nyladreas · January 2021

I've had a limited edition MSI laptop with steelseries mechanical keyboard for nearly 4 years now which I used to play WoW, GW2 and ESO on like every day. That thing still works like it's new. So I guess it depends how much you're willing to spend on the keyboard.

And mine's basically "irreplaceable" too.

Get some kind of dish tray to put over your legs while you play on the couch to get better stability/resistance for the wireless. That's how my friend plays his games in front of TV.

Nestor · January 2021

Nice thing about Mechanical Keyboards, is you can replace bad keys. Usually.

As for reliability, you will break the keyboard in some other way before you wear it out. Like sit on it, or smash it on the coffee table.....

LalMirchi · January 2021

I have the Cherry MX on my PC https://www.cherry-world.com/cherry-mx-board-3-0-s.html

volkeswagon · January 2021

Maybe you don't take care of them. I've never had one break

fred4 · January 2021

volkeswagon wrote: »

Maybe you don't take care of them. I've never had one break

You're right. I've used my current Lenovo business laptop for 8 years and the keyboard is totally fine. This is why I provided some information on how gaming with my setup differs from regular keyboard use. Due to the way I keep one middle finger on the run forward key, the other on the trackpoint at all times, I end up pressing other keys at weird angles with my other fingers. You'd be surprised what happens when your fingernails dig into the keycaps year after year. While that damage is cosmetic, it's the pressing of keys at the side that gradually destroys those particular keyboards at least. Eventually one heavily used key fell off and several others were crooked and about to do the same.

You may continue to believe you're the only one who takes care of their equipment. I probably can't convince you otherwise. For everyone else: The abuse I put my gaming keyboards through is as described, not general carelessness.

YandereGirlfriend · January 2021

I've used a Filco Majestouch Ninja keyboard with Cherry Red switches for... eight years now. Absolutely love the board.

During that entire time, I've never even had to replace a single key - and it's been used for all manner of action games as well as programming for the whole span.

Could not recommend it highly enough. It's not flashy but it's as close an heir to the legendary IBM keyboards from back in the day that you'll find around.

HumbleThaumaturge · January 2021

I have 3 such keyboards. They have worked great a long, long time without any bother.

However, one may need to use air to blow out the keys from time to time (if key-presses get no input, or if 1 key-press gets multiple inputs). Just remove the key covers and blow with oil-free compressed air (from can, not a compressor), or simply use your own lungs. There are many videos on YouTube. Just search for: Mechanical keyboard cleaning.

If air does not clear keys, one may put the keyboard in a dishwasher. Yeah, I know, it sounds crazy. Just search Google or YouTube for: Keyboard Dishwasher. You remove all the keys (key covers) first, and wash them separately in mild soap and water. Then place the keyboard facing down on top shelf. Refer to YouTube videos or Google for details.

Gundug · January 2021

I used to love those old IBM keyboards and still used them decades after they were built. Best key click and typing feel for me. I would use one of my old keyboards now if any of my computers featured a PS2 port anymore. If you get a modern one built as well as the originals, it should hold up for ages.

DMuehlhausen · January 2021

I work from home as phone tech support. Play ESO 3-4 hours a night. So in all my keyboard is being used probably 12 hours out of the day. Has been this way since March and no issues. I have the Razer Huntsman Elite

Nestor · January 2021

Gundug wrote: »

I used to love those old IBM keyboards and still used them decades after they were built. Best key click and typing feel for me. I would use one of my old keyboards now if any of my computers featured a PS2 port anymore. If you get a modern one built as well as the originals, it should hold up for ages.

@Gundug

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=PS2+to+usb&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Katheriah · January 2021

If I actively play ESO I have to buy a new keyboard every month, because I keep smashing them against walls.

Enemy-of-Coldharbour · January 2021

Mechanical keyboards don't last long for me since the keys are higher than on regular keyboards and I keep snapping them off from excessive button smashing.

Goregrinder · January 2021

Nestor wrote: »

Nice thing about Mechanical Keyboards, is you can replace bad keys. Usually.

As for reliability, you will break the keyboard in some other way before you wear it out. Like sit on it, or smash it on the coffee table.....

The keycaps that sit ontop of the actual switch? Yes, those are easy to replace. The switch itself? Can only be replaced if the keyboard has modular switches, OR you're willing to open up your keyboard and desolder then resolder new individual switches.

CyberOnEso · January 2021

Had the Steelseries 6Gv2 for ~6 years. It weighs a tonne but I have never had any issues with the durability.

silvereyes · January 2021

YandereGirlfriend wrote: »

I've used a Filco Majestouch Ninja keyboard with Cherry Red switches for... eight years now. Absolutely love the board.

Me too! It’s a marvelous board. I’ve had my Filco majestouch ninja cherry Mx brown switch version for 8 years. I’ve had one switch break, but they are easy to replace. The tenkeyless is my preferred form factor to get my mouse better aligned and avoid repetitive strain.

Nestor · January 2021

Goregrinder wrote: »

Nestor wrote: »

Nice thing about Mechanical Keyboards, is you can replace bad keys. Usually.

As for reliability, you will break the keyboard in some other way before you wear it out. Like sit on it, or smash it on the coffee table.....

The keycaps that sit ontop of the actual switch? Yes, those are easy to replace. The switch itself? Can only be replaced if the keyboard has modular switches, OR you're willing to open up your keyboard and desolder then resolder new individual switches.

https://www.reviewgeek.com/34512/the-4-best-hot-swappable-mechanical-keyboards/

Granted, the switches should take in the mid 8 figures cycles before they fail. Most of my keys the lettering wears off before the key quits working. Oddly, it is usually the A key, not like I strafe left all that much...