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Cheerful Ghost Radio Episode 87: The Cheerful Ghost Radio 2020 Holiday Special!

It's time again for the annual Cheerful Ghost Radio Ho-Ho-Holiday Special!

We talk about what we've been playing and watching, the recent console launches, and the stuff we might hope to find under the tree this year.

What kind of keyboard do you prefer and why?

Here's a quick question for ya: What kind of keyboard do you prefer and why? Mechanical (clicky), membrane (soft), or hybrid (both)? This year, I've gotten to know the difference between the two (I'll explain below). I kind of think I like the membrane (my Cynosa) more than my mechanical/hybrid (my Ornata). From what I've briefly read (mostly on the packaging), it seems "hardcore" gamers prefer mechanical keyboards. I'm not really sure why though. I think it has something to do w/ response time and being able to have a definite, hard feel of pressing a key, being sure that you press it. Since I'm not sure of this preference, perhaps someone here could fill me in,... Read All Here's a quick question for ya: What kind of keyboard do you prefer and why? Mechanical (clicky), membrane (soft), or hybrid (both)? This year, I've gotten to know the difference between the two (I'll explain below). I kind of think I like the membrane (my Cynosa) more than my mechanical/hybrid (my Ornata). From what I've briefly read (mostly on the packaging), it seems "hardcore" gamers prefer mechanical keyboards. I'm not really sure why though. I think it has something to do w/ response time and being able to have a definite, hard feel of pressing a key, being sure that you press it. Since I'm not sure of this preference, perhaps someone here could fill me in, especially if it's there preference. So let me know in the comments! Also, be sure to let me know what your favorite brand of keyboards is! Thanks for sharing!!!

Until this year I'm not sure I knew there were different kinds of keyboards, I thought they all were the same. I was wrong. When Re-Logic announced Chroma support for Terraria 1.4, and I realized what that is, I just had to have one of these keyboards. I don't know how I lived w/out a keyboard w/ keys that light up. I often play in the dark and even though I'm really good at typing, there are some keys I'm less familiar w/ and thus more likely to hit the wrong key. So, I went out and bought a Razer Cynosa Chroma (membrane) and absolutely loved it!!!! Unfortunately, I spilled soda on it this year and even though all the keys seem to be functioning, it still feels bad, so I decided to buy a replacement. I went to Wal-Mart looking for another Cynosa, but instead found a mechanical (hybrid I believe) Razer Ornata Chroma. That's pretty much when I learned the difference between the two and I was disappointed, because I loved that Cynosa so very much. However, a few months or so after getting the Ornata, the "N" key started sticking, as in it wouldn't pop back up after I pressed it. Then another key started doing the same. In the end, I did an RMA w/ Razer. I had to send them the Ornata before they would send me a replacement. I felt like I couldn't go w/out a Chroma keyboard, so I bought a Razer Cynosa V2 Chroma from Amazon. The only problem I've noticed is that the Space Bar sometimes squeaks (I can hear it now as I type). I find this to be a minor annoyance and I've noticed others reporting the same issue (perhaps w/ a different key). I decided I could live w/ it. The replacement Ornata finally came and I switched back to it. Then, I decided to see if there was a simple solution to the squeaky Space Bar on my Cynosa V2. Razer doesn't want end users to remove keys unless their keyboard came w/ a key remover. However from what I've seen on YouTube, it seems easy and safe enough to do, but I dare not do it as I don't want to chance voiding my warranty. So, I reached out to Razer and they decided (automatically) to go through the RMA process. This process starts w/ them deciding whether or not they'll replace it. Unfortunately, they deemed my squeaky Space Bar as damage caused by me, which is absolutely wrong. This Space Bar has been squeaking ever since I started typing on it. Sure, I could have possibly gotten Amazon to replace it or whatever, but again I didn't deem it worthy enough of going through all that trouble. Unfortunately, the replacement Ornata they sent me started doing the same thing a couple of months after I got it, the Back Space key started sticking. This behavior is definitely unacceptable, so I started the RMA process (again). They've decided to replace the keyboard (again). How many keyboards must I go through to get one that isn't faulty or doesn't fail within a few months of using it? Maybe this is a Razer thing, I don't know. I still like Razer, it's hard not to like these keyboards. I know there are others similar. Some are extremely cheap, while some are even more expensive than the Ornata. I believe Razer has one or two models that are more expensive.

jdodson Admin wrote on 12/21/2020 at 06:09pm

Promoting to main as this is a pretty cool question and relevant to a lot of gamers.

My preference is for an ergonomic keyboard with a fair amount of travel. I don’t care too much about click noises, just that my wrists are sitting in a good spot for blood flow to avoid issues. Historically the ergonomic keyboard I’ve used the most is the usb Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard. The original run was built well and I had for about 8 years until I spilled coffee on it. I tried buying the same USB model but newer and it literally never worked and I had to return many. I ended up moving to the new Microsoft Sculp Keyboard and Mouse combo which is a nice wireless redesign of the classic model.

Since I love the original Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard so much I’ve found two at various used shops in town so I’ll always have a couple on file if I want to go back.

Travis Admin wrote on 12/21/2020 at 07:14pm

Mechanical, 100%.

I don't care about whether it's clicky, in fact I get the quieter Cherry MX Brown switches. But there's just no replacing the efficiency and response of a mech keyboard.

I have a WASD brand mech keyboard for my main driver PC which has been in heavy use for about 5 years and still feels like the day I unboxed it. So when I went to work writing code, I bought another mech keyboard for my office. I honestly can't remember the brand and I've only been into the office about 4 times since March-- yay Covid!

And I have a Razer Blackwidow Elite mech keyboard for my gaming rig that I bought about three months ago to replace an old Logitech membrane gaming keyboard. To its credit, it still worked fine for the most part, but the volume knob on the keyboard started wigging out and changing volume whenever it felt like it. Like you mentioned Greg, I decided to go with Razer mostly because of the Terraria Chroma support ;)

I decided a few years ago that if it ever went out I'd definitely replace it with a mech, and I only wish I'd done so sooner. It feels so much snappier.

I have no experience with the hybrid and I'm honestly not sure how that could work-- how it could be both mechanical and membrane. But I haven't dug into it much.

Travis Admin wrote on 12/21/2020 at 07:26pm

(to be more clear about a point in that last comment-- the older Logitech keyboard was the one that had a failing volume knob)

Also Greg you may remember me using an absolutely ancient and loud-as-hell IBM keyboard when we lived together. Forget N-key rollover, that thing would freak out if you pressed more than 3 at a time. I was into mechanical keyboards before it was cool :D

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 12/21/2020 at 10:37pm

Wow! Thank you for promoting this to main and replying!

Jon, so what kind of keys do you prefer, mechanical or membrane? As it comes to the mouse, I have a cool Corsair that lights up, you can change it's color, too. A year or two, I started getting a callus on my right hand and realized I had to get a mouse pad w/ wrist support, which resolved my issue. I now have a beautiful mouse pad (w/ wrist support) that has the image of Van Gogh's Starry Night painting, it's beautiful!

Travis, The Blackwidow is at least one of the keyboards I was thinking when I mentioned in my post that even some Razer models are more expensive than the Ornata I bought. For some details, including the hybrid stuff, here's a link to Razer's site on the Ornata: https://www.razer.com/gaming-keyboards/razer-ornata-chroma/RZ03-02040100-R3M1 At first, I didn't like the "clicky" sound of it, though Vinny did. I think I got used to it though. I feel like the efficiency and response of each type was too similar to notice a difference.

Like Jon, one of the things I like about the Ornata is the wrist support, though I can live w/out it. My wrists are usually kind of hanging off the edge of the keyboard and desk anyway. One thing I like about it, too, is that the lights for things like Num Lock and Scroll lock aren't just little dots, but they show you what's active. So, the Num Lock notification light is in the shape of a "1," while the one for Scroll Lock in the shape of an "S," so you don't have to guess which is active. Even though the Cynosa V2 doesn't have this, it has a cool set of media controls above the numpad. I can change the volume, even mute it, or do so some skipping, it seems. The Ornata has this functionality, but you need to press the Function key "Fn" along w/ an F# key. I haven't really looked into details regarding Razer's other models, so I don't know much about them. Maybe the Cynosa was the only Razer keyboard in Wal-Mart and that's why I got it, but the Ornata was the only one there after I had to replace the Cynosa. As for the Cynosa V2, I decided I loved the original so much I'd check out this one and see what the difference was.

As for why I went w/ Razer, well it started when I decided to go to Wal-Mart and buy a gaming headset years ago. I don't know why, but I chose Razer for the first time and I really loved it. Now that it's been used a bit, it's a little bit fussy, sometimes cutting me off, causing me to restart the game I'm using it in or adjusting the wire or USB connection.

Oh, and Travis, I remember the old keyboard I had back then. It wasn't even a PS/2 keyboard, it was some kind of fat plug (maybe serial?). I'm not sure what happened to it or that PC, but that was the first PC I built.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 12/22/2020 at 12:57am

I will go mechanical over membrane purely for the click. Otherwise, I can do either.

Azurephile Super Member Post Author wrote on 12/22/2020 at 02:40am

>I will go mechanical over membrane purely for the click. Otherwise, I can do either.

That's what I'd like to know, what's so special about the click? I kind of think I prefer membrane, because it's more quiet and feels softer. However, since I've now experienced both types this year, I could do either as well, so long as my keys are backlit and functional.

Will_Ball Game Mod Super Member wrote on 12/22/2020 at 04:05am

Nothing special for me, I just like the sound of it.

jdodson Admin wrote on 12/22/2020 at 04:32am

> Jon, so what kind of keys do you prefer, mechanical or membrane?

I'm not sure I care much more than if it has a good feel and isn't too loud. I think the only times I had a mechanical keyboard were back in the day when all computers had them. I think now days membrane is the norm unless you get something clicky on purpose.

> Like Jon, one of the things I like about the Ornata is the wrist support, though I can live w/out it. My wrists are usually kind of hanging off the edge of the keyboard and desk anyway.

Makes sense. I've had blood circulation issues and when I get a raised keyboard that's ergonomic I haven't.

Travis Admin wrote on 12/22/2020 at 03:03pm

I had serious wrist pain until I took the wrist support off my keyboards altogether and trained myself to NOT let my wrists rest on anything, like this: http://ergonomictrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/closed-elbows-poor-typing-posture.jpg

If you rest your wrists you're making a serious bend there.

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