ABS M1, 19.99

[Aynjell]

ABS M1, is a lowcost slightly lower end mechanical keyboard. Per Manyak on overclock.net:


ABS M1
http://c1.neweggimages.com/productimage/23-224-001-16.jpg

If you're looking for a bang-for-your-buck keyboard for gaming, look no further. The key feel isn't the greatest, but you won't find a better mechanical board for gaming at this price. But if typing feel is important and you are unsure about how all these different switches feel, just skip this board and read on.

Link: Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001)
Price: $44
Switch Type: Black Alps Copies (http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsandy55.fc2web.com%2Fkeyboard%2Falp s_sw2.html&sl=ja&tl=en&history_state0=)
Key feel: Moderate
Tactile feel: Light Tactile Feedback
Noise: Clacky when bottoming out keys, but not too loud
Rollover: 6-key + modifiers, but rumors say it's not implemented well
Key Delay: Untested
Key travel: Unknown
Key Shape: Sculpted
Typing: 7/10
There's not much to say about this keyboard when it comes to typing. It's just a basic board and doesn't stand out in any area.
Gaming: 9/10
There's only one reason it doesn't get a full score, which is because it's not full NKRO.


The keyboard rates very well against the competition on his thread, here (http://www.overclockers.com/forums/newthread.php?do=postthread&f=19). I hope my blatant copy-pasta sufficiently puts credit where credit is due.



It is for sale on newegg for 19.99
Use Coupon Code EMCYRZT43
Free Shipping

CLICKY! (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823224001&nm_mc=EMC-IGNEFL041610&cm_mmc=EMC-IGNEFL041610-_-EMC-041610-Latest-_-Keyboards-_-23224001-LA3D)

[Pandam00nium]

This is the first time I've actually read up on keyboards... I think I'll order this and sell off my G15.

[Aynjell]

This is the first time I've actually read up on keyboards... I think I'll order this and sell off my G15.

20$ for a mechy is unheard of and way too hard for mere mortals to pass up.

[Pandam00nium]

I was actually going to order it earlier, but questioned it cause I simply love Logitech. Great quality, and I hear they have great customer service too. Never had any issues with either G15 I've owned, and the "not implemented well rollover" made me question things a bit. For $20 I think it'll be worth checking out.

It's been a long time since I've ordered anything from Newegg. I usually avoid them due to taxes and shipping, but $2 isn't a big deal especially when I can probably sell my G15 for around $50 or so.

[WonderingSoul]

WTF. I just bought one for $40 in the other thread. Dammit.


Oh well. I have one and love it. I use it over my G15 now. Only thing I miss are the keys to skip tracks and volume control. That's about it.

[Pandam00nium]

WTF. I just bought one for $40 in the other thread. Dammit.


Oh well. I have one and love it. I use it over my G15 now. Only thing I miss are the keys to skip tracks and volume control. That's about it.

Chiefvalue and Newegg are the same company. Maybe see if you can get a price match since you purchased it only 2 weeks ago?

[CharlieCS]

WTF. I just bought one for $40 in the other thread. Dammit.


Oh well. I have one and love it. I use it over my G15 now. Only thing I miss are the keys to skip tracks and volume control. That's about it.

What is better about it , over g15 ?I use g15 and it is good and like you sad am kinda accustomed to the media control buttons:D

[WonderingSoul]

What is better about it , over g15 ?I use g15 and it is good and like you sad am kinda accustomed to the media control buttons:D

I can't really explain it other than the way the keys feel.

The G15 is like mushy this one has an unquestionable *click* that you feel while typing.

[Pandam00nium]

You folks can read this if you wanna know the difference. :P

http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

[Aynjell]

Exactly. It's for elitest PC snobs. If you like tubes, I'll bet you'll like mechanical key switches. :)

[IKIKUINTHENUTZ]

bought one, never experienced the hype around mechanical due to price

Lets see if what people say are true

[Mpegger]

I actually have an old M keyboard, that I've since put away in favor of my Logitech Wave keyboard. The media keys and shortcut keys, not to mention the feel of the keys, and pattern that help me avoid hand fatigue and pain, way outweigh the feel of the old mechanical keyboard.

Just my 2 cents on old tech vs new.

[Old Thrashbarg]

Just my 2 cents on old tech vs new.

The feel of the keys has absolutely nothing to do with "old tech vs. new." Not all mechanical keyboards are created equal... not even close... and the Model M has one of the heavier key weights of them all.

I'm still debating whether or not to pick up one of those ABSs. The price is hard to pass up, but OTOH I understand it to be functionally pretty similar to the Dell AT101, and I already have two of those...

[petteyg359]

I'll wait for some random anoymous donor to send me an Optimus Maximus :)

[Aynjell]

The feel of the keys has absolutely nothing to do with "old tech vs. new." Not all mechanical keyboards are created equal... not even close... and the Model M has one of the heavier key weights of them all.

I'm still debating whether or not to pick up one of those ABSs. The price is hard to pass up, but OTOH I understand it to be functionally pretty similar to the Dell AT101, and I already have two of those...

I picked one up so that it could be my girlfriend's primary keyboard for her gaming rig, that way she can use the wireless for work, and set it aside when she's not on the job. Should actually reduce desk clutter.

:bday:

[Old Thrashbarg]

I decided to take a pass on the thing after reading a bit more about it over on Geekhack. It seems that the key rollover specs are a bit overstated, and the controller has some issues with input lag. (Not to mention the fact that it's USB-only, which would be a pain for me... I really need a PS/2 capable board.)

While I'm sure it'd be fine for most people, and it would certainly still be a major upgrade from the average cheapo rubber-dome unit, for me it seems it'd be a step down from the keyboards I already have. I guess that's kinda to be expected for $20.

[shadowdr]

I picked one up so that it could be my girlfriend's primary keyboard for her gaming rig, that way she can use the wireless for work, and set it aside when she's not on the job. Should actually reduce desk clutter.

:bday:
If you have software installed for the wireless,many of the function keys may not work in games or have to be set in the game options. At least that is what happened to me on my MS wireless. I love my old packard Bell mechanicl because i don't mis type like the MS but it doesn't work in games because of the MS software. Caps lock, ctrl, alt don't work on my mechanical.

[Aynjell]

If you have software installed for the wireless,many of the function keys may not work in games or have to be set in the game options. At least that is what happened to me on my MS wireless. I love my old packard Bell mechanicl because i don't mis type like the MS but it doesn't work in games because of the MS software. Caps lock, ctrl, alt don't work on my mechanical.

Yeah, that's why the ABS will be on her gaming PC, and the wireless on her work PC. the abs will always be in use. The wireless only during work hours which should let her move it off the desk when not needed.

:chair:

[Chixofnix]

If you've ever been on the fence and don't already have a spare keyboard for emergency situations (egads... maybe I am a nerd), at $20 for a decent quality mech keyboard you really ought to give it a plunge. I regularly use both types (mech at home, rubber @ work), and there is most defintitely a tactile difference you can't help but notice. It is almost impossible to put into words, but I would easily pay a premium in the future if I had to replace my home mech keyboard to get another. (it's an enermax aurora (http://www.enermaxusa.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=28_48&products_id=137)).

[Aynjell]

The aurora isn't mechanical, it's scissor switch. Perhaps a higher quality unit, but still not "mechanical". Buy an M1 and you'll understand. :)

[Chixofnix]

The aurora isn't mechanical, it's scissor switch. Perhaps a higher quality unit, but still not "mechanical". Buy an M1 and you'll understand. :)

Understood! I'll stand by scissor-switch also being a noticeable step up though =).

[petteyg359]

Does Filco/elitekeyboards.com make (or have they previously made) a board with blank keys and Black switches?

[Aynjell]

Understood! I'll stand by scissor-switch also being a noticeable step up though =).

It is, but most scissor switch don't have enough travel for my preferences.

[Old Thrashbarg]

Does Filco/elitekeyboards.com make (or have they previously made) a board with blank keys and Black switches?

It's possible to special-order boards from 'em, so I imagine you could get one in your desired configuration, even though it's not specifically listed on the site. They do have black switch keyboards (the Majestouch N-key Rollover) and also blank keycaps, so it probably wouldn't be a big deal for them to combine the two for you.

[petteyg359]

I've decided the review on the OP board make it not worth the gamble, but haven't found anything but great reviews for the Majestouch Filco stuff, so went ahead and dropped a wad of bills on the Linear Force. Also got a set of blank keys, just for WTF value, since I don't ever look at the keyboard when I type anyway.

[benbaked]

I just picked up another used Model-M (p/n 1391404, May 1989) with the detachable PS/2 cable for $14 last weekend. All it needs is a scrubbing of the top with 409 and a brush and it will be clean enough for me. I still say a used Model M is the way to go for a solid and bulletproof mechanical keyboard, provided you can find one for cheap enough. Buckling spring keyswitches ftw.

[rumbl3]

how long this deal going?

i want 1 but their sold out

[Aynjell]

Guesstimation says that by the time of restocking the deal will be over.

[Luie]

Mine came today.
Typed on typeracer.com for a bit.
Still adjusting to it from Logitech UltraX, a scissors-switch keyboard.
It's so loud. O_O The construction is very sturdy and relatively high quality.

[Pandam00nium]

Mine came today.
Typed on typeracer.com for a bit.
Still adjusting to it from Logitech UltraX, a scissors-switch keyboard.
It's so loud. O_O The construction is very sturdy and relatively high quality.

I just got mine today too and I totally agree. It's very loud, but its very well constructed. I don't mind it too much.

Haven't tested it in any games yet, but for $20 it seems quite nice other than the loud clicks.

[IKIKUINTHENUTZ]

I got mine and my god it is LOUD but it feels nice. Unlike my Logitech keyboard, I seem to type more actuate due to it's raised keys vs the scissor keys on the Logitech. Too bad there is a chance I may not use it because I do know I can wake the whole house if i'm typing papers at like 1AM.

[Aynjell]

key feel is not unlike the deck, but it is substantially louder. the sound is not a mechanical sound, it's something else. Every mechanical I've ever used had a metal click, this sounds like something they designed into the board to make more noise.

[WonderingSoul]

The sound is very loud. It almost sounds like an "echo" after you strike a key. Like the sound is stuck resonating inside its shell. If I opened it up and filled any gaps it would probably quiet down.

Either way, I like it more than my two logitech keyboards (Media Pro and G15) and my Microsoft Digital media 3000.