Mechanical keyboard? Thank you, sir, may I have another?

I've been working around computers since 4th grade (I'm 41 years old now), and spent almost twenty years actually "working" on computers for a career. In my time, I've had to use probably a thousand different keyboards. Some I liked, some I hated, but for the most part, I didn't really pay much attention to any keyboards other than having a "cool gaming keyboard" for my main computer.

A few weeks ago I was digging through the massive boxes of old computer equipment, deciding what to throw out and what to keep, when I happened across one of the older IBM mechanical keyboards. You know, the one that is ivory colored, kind of huge, and has the awesome "clicky" keys that sound like an old electric typewriter (and of course, the kb has the curly cable and the old, big PS/2 style connector that motherboards haven't had for more than a decade). I put it on the table and gave a quick type-test, and suddenly remembered how much I loved these things.

So I went on a search to find a newer version of mechanical keyboard, and come to find out, writers have been praising these things for a while now. In fact, there's a couple of websites dedicated to refurbishing the old clicky mechanical keyboards and selling them at a premium ($75-$200+). I didn't realize these types of kb were in such high demand. So I googled around and found a few sites for writers that talked about mechanical keyboards and even had some suggestions as to what was available that other writers swear by.

So I spent my usual 8+ hours driving my wife crazy while I searched and searched and thought and compared and all that good stuff (you never want to go shopping with me, trust me). To make a long story short, here's some links, then I'll link to the keyboards I just purchased.

Five "best" mechanical keyboards for writers:
http://www.lifehack.org/articles/technology/5-best-mechanical-keyboards-for-typing-you-need-know.html

Some info about what mechanical keyboards are and why you should care:
http://www.tested.com/tech/accessories/460198-you-should-use-mechanical-keyboard/

The different mechanical switches and what they are good for (gaming / writing / balance):
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/mechanical_switches.php

Another list of good mechanical keyboards:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/242036/mechanical_keyboards_which_one_is_right_for_you_.html

And finally, here's what I settled on:
http://www.amazon.com/Razer-BlackWidow-Ultimate-Mechanical-Keyboard/dp/B00IG3GPTS/

I bought one "Ultimate" (backlit keys), and one "normal" (same keyboard but no backlighting). The "Ultimate cost $108 when I bought it, but is now down to $89.99 (probably a sale of sorts, always after I buy the damn thing). I replaced a Logitech G15 gaming keyboard on my main writing computer, and the non-LED version will be the keyboard for a new standing desk that should arrive any day. Both keyboards are identical other than one has LED and one does not.

I almost bought one of the DAS kb's, but I still love to game too much, though of course gaming can be done on any keyboard. Anyway, now that I have the Ultimate set up, I absolutely, positively, definitely love it more than any keyboard I can remember. I could have purchased the "Stealth" version which has "Cherry MX Brown" switches, which are a lot quieter when pressed, but I really, really like the click of the keys and wanted to hear them. Well, since I wear noise-canceling earbuds, I will only feel them when writing, but for everything else, there's such a satisfying "click" with each key press that I hope it drives everyone else crazy while it soothes me.

For me, there is simply no comparison to the "mushy" gelpad type keyboards, even my beloved Logitech G15 that I've had for I think six years. I don't know if it is a mental thing, but I find myself typing even faster than before, with less errors. I will say that it has taken me a day or two to get used to it (I got the feel of it by yelling at idiots on Facebook and writing mean emails to Dorrance Publishing who somehow can't get the hint that I'm not interested in signing with a vanity press no matter how many insults I toss their way).

Anyway, thought I'd stop in and be friendly for once in a year or so, and see if anyone wanted to talk about mechanical keyboards. If you haven't tried one... try one. If you hate the clicky noise, keep in mind that you can get mechanical keyboards with different switches that are much quieter.

Here's one of many videos comparing the different switches (sound) between the Razer Black Widow Ultimate ("Blue" clicky switches, though Razer uses their own version) vs the Razer Black Widow Stealth ("Brown" silent switches):

PS: these keyboards are MUCH heavier than you might imagine. I was surprised that the two Black Widow keyboards weighed as much as the 20+ year old IBM mechanical keyboard, but it seems all mechanical keyboards are this hefty. The only negative I can find in my Razer keyboards is that the USB + headphone/mic jacks are on the right side of the keyboard, which is odd since about 95% or more of us use a right-handed mouse. However, I have a very wide kb tray on my desk, so it isn't as bad as could be, but still annoying (though most people don't plug anything into these jacks when not gaming).