http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/4917 ... guide.html

I have yet to buy a new keyboard, but I know that mechanical keyboards are much better than the rubber dome variety and I am researching the various types of mechanical switches to find the right one. Some are extremely loud and there are a few which have the same relative loudness as a 'regular' keyboard (before keyboards were being produced and designed strictly to maximize profits, pretty much all keyboards were mechanical like the old IBM ones for a point of reference).

Go mechanical, your hands will thank you for it.

Get a das keyboard.

yeah, that's my main choice. even if I found an old model M, I could just replace the switches (and model M's are damn 30 year old keyboards and they still work).

This article is mainly for educational purposes.

Haha I am glad I am not the only one around here who is crazy about Das/M. I'm actually considering getting one of the Customizers from Unicomp - http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html.

For gaming I'll stick to everything else, but for productivity nothing can beat the M/M clones.

I would look into getting a das silent (cherry MX browns) or another variety with the clears or blacks (steel series). Those three are best for gaming with the browns being the trade-off between productivity/gaming.

lol i actually read that thread, im a member there lol, its a pretty good site. but yes mechanical keyboards ftw imo

I(/O) have a IBM model m that i use as much as i can but its way too loud. My silent keyboard (cheap logitech clasic 200) I have modded by putting foam under the keys so there is very little travel to trigger the button press, its not model m good but its hella better the stock membrane keyboards.

I just got a '94 model refurbished authentic Model M which I am using as my development/college work keyboard, and this brings back memories :) It truly is a pleasant experience, though I love the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 because it is easy on my wrist (and helped me when I had tendonitis).

It is certainly very loud, but I'm used to my tower making a lot of noise so this is not a problem. I wouldn't think about using it for gaming though.

I've had a couple Model M IBM Keyboards. They suck ass. The Keyboards that come with a DELL are better. You can still pop out all the keys and clean it. The problem with old keyboards is that sometimes it can only register 1 key at a time.

The only thing different about the new keyboards versus the old ones are that the new ones can connect to USB, are lighter by about 2lbs, and not so loud.

Obviously you are going for questionable quality vs high quality and badass sounding keystrokes.