Keyboard

[Tisy]

Can anyone recommend a cheap and cheerful wired full size keyboard (with num pad) that is nice to touch type on with decent feedback?

I've been using a washable Logitech K310 for about 15 years and it's been faultless until the A and 2 keys started only working half the time and can't see any way to fully disassemble it to reach the membrane to clean the contacts,

I bought an £18 HP 150 keyboard and mouse combo from Argos as a stopgap and it is absolutely HORRIBLE to type on contrary to the glowing 5-star reviews . The plastic is the lowest grade scratchy garbage they could find, the spongy keys need a firm press to be sure they actually register and no chance of touch typing.

I really want another K310 but they seem to have a bit of a cult following and go for silly money on ebay on the very rare occasions they come up ;( .

[AlexC1981]

I think cheap and cheerful keyboards have got worse in recent years because they try to copy the laptop/Apple/Thinkpad look and the short throw feel, without putting decent scissor switches behind the keys.

The current Dell and Lenovo basic keyboards are horrible and look a lot like the HP one you mentioned. You could try to find a membrane keyboard with the regular (now old fashioned) tall key caps as that will have a longer throw, if that's what you like. Or pop down to Currys where they usually have a few different keyboards on display that you can try.

[Tisy]

AlexC1981 said:

I think cheap and cheerful keyboards have got worse in recent years because they try to copy the laptop/Apple/Thinkpad look and the short throw feel, without putting decent scissor switches behind the keys.

The current Dell and Lenovo basic keyboards are horrible and look a lot like the HP one you mentioned. You could try to find a membrane keyboard with the regular (now old fashioned) tall key caps as that will have a longer throw, if that's what you like. Or pop down to Currys where they usually have a few different keyboards on display that you can try.

Have to confess I'm not familiar with the key technology so no idea what scissor switches are I'm afraid!

I actually had a T500 laptop 20 years ago and it was made of the same nasty scratchy plastic as this HP keyboard. The keyboard on that wasn't nice to type on either. Not a patch on the old IBMs.

Good shout with Currys, there is a branch down at Cramlington so a drive out is in order .

I've just remembered I have a filthy Microsoft keyboard in the back of a cupboard with is about 30 years old but despite being full of cake crumbs, fluff, hair, coffee and beer it was still working OK. Will have to get it in the bath and give it a good scrub. Will also have to get an adapter as it's so old it's still PS/2 before USB became a thing.

[grumbledoak]

They all seem to be quite nasty plastics these days.
For cheap and cheerful I would just get a K120. Otherwise it's £100+ mechanical UK ISO.
The ones in the middle that I tried were all horrid

[wong]

Second the K120 Logitech. Using one right now.

[mmm-five]

You can get a Corsair K55 Core for about £30, but I think the keys may be too high if you're used to a K310...but at least it's not one of the clackety gaming keyboards that Corsair are known for...and of course it's only splashproof.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Corsair-Membrane-Wired-Ga...

[nvubu]

Thirded for the K120

[GlenMH]

I am using a Cherry G230 and it is built like a battleship but great to type on.

[wibble cb]

I’m switched from a cheap modem Lenovo keyboard to an older Apple one, it’s way heavier and better built, but also quieter.

It also has 2 USB ports, which frees up ports on the PC

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Logitech MX Master. Wired via USBC if wanted.