Been thinking about getting a new keyboard and mouse set for a while now. My current set is what I got the first time I built a computer almost five years ago. I’ve got a Saitek Eclipse and a Logitech MX510 optical mouse. Now there isn’t anything wrong with them I’d just like a change of scenery. Also my mouse is getting too gritty despite the numerous times I’ve attempted to clean the thing out. As for my keyboard I’d just like something more responsive and tactile. Sure my Eclipse and MX510 have served me well over the years but I think it’s time I retire them.

Firstly I started hunting for a new keyboard. The number one thing I hate about gaming keyboards are the plethora of extra buttons that usually go to waste on me. My Saitek came with an extra panel where you could set macros. That quickly found its way back into the box and into storage after a few days. Another thing I wanted to avoid were laptop style keys. I like the feel of having full buttons and if I have to use laptop keys I better be on a laptop. I started browsing and found a few keyboards to my liking but nothing that really stood out. So I kept on searching when I came across the Das Keyboard. Initially attracted by its good looks (black finish and blank keys) I read on more about it and I learned that it had something called mechanical switches. Wondering what that was I looked into it. What I learned is that most boards today are usually membrane keyboards such as my Saitek. Now mechanical switches are basically the old style of keyboards with the loud, audible click. I remember our 15 year old Packard Bell having that style of keyboard. So basically to turn a long story a little less long thought I’d give the Das a try. And hey it’ll give me a good reason to start learning Dvorak again.

For the mouse I decided on the Microsoft Habu. At first I looked at Logitech’s offerings and immediately found the laser version of the MX510 but I’d rather keep mine than buying a new one. So looked around outside of the Logitech family and came upon the Razers but read some bad reviews about the ones I liked. Then found the Microsoft Habu which is basically a Razer mouse sanctioned by Microsoft. Read some pretty nice reviews on it and it has some pretty nice looks. Lastly it’d match the blue LEDs of the Das nicely.

So yeah there’s a nice little story about replacing a keyboard. I was board. KeyBOARD. Ha ha! Yeah.