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[nenjin]

Broke a key on my keyboard in half, so it's time for a new one. And I figured I'd try to get a good one instead of the generic ass keyboards I've used for years. (i.e., I'm willing to spend some money.)

If you've read the RAAAGGGGEEEE thread, you know where I'm at with this. Kind of fed up trying to find what I'd like.

I need it to be:
-Light. (I typically keep my board in my lap, and trust me, you notice that weight after a few hours of gaming.)
-Have longer than a 4' cord. (Being that I have it in my lap, I need some extra cord length so it doesn't catch and snag.)
-Not blocking key combinations, as I do want it for gaming.

I'd appreciate:
-Backlighting
-It costing less than $100.
-Headphone/mic jacks on the keyboard.

I don't necessarily need:
-It to be Mechanical. I'm open to the idea, but I know what they cost and benefits aside, hearing my keyboard more than I already do isn't a desire. Also, mechanical = more weight.
-Macro keys. Function keys. Accessibility and media keys. While they're not deal breakers, I don't want a bunch of crap, because I hate installing software for peripherals. It usually leads to them not working with some game and me just deactivating all of it anyways.
-Ergonomic features like a wrist rest.

I don't want:
-Full gamer Xtreeemmmmeeee keyboard features, like a heads up display and well, you know. Stuff that makes it clunky and heavy.
-Ergonomic design (again, doesn't go well in the lap.)

I've trolled Newegg for about half an hour and it seems like if you're not getting a standard, disposable keyboard, suddenly there's a lot of junk on everything else you may not want.

Recommendations, testimonials, links welcome.

Looked at these two: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823239024

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823162029

The Steel Series almost verges on too much stuff, and has extra directional arrow keys which I don't want.
The Poseidon Z is pretty much what I want....but it's mechanical and I don't really know much else about it, which for $80 for a keyboard seems like a problem. What I do read is that it's heavy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043 - This is pretty much what I want. Now if I could just get it with a green back light I'd be happy. I'm not exactly crazy about Logitech products anymore, so I'd prefer to buy from someone else.

Nope:

Designed with phantom key blocking to disable any combination of SHIFT + W + SPACE, which specifically renders the board useless to gamers.

Any one have experience with the Microsoft Sidewinder? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA4T01GS3515

This seems right up my alley: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA2E11AW1926
But the reviews mention it being a cheaper keyboard...and all sorts of manufacturing inconsistencies. I've never heard of LOGISYS.

[lanp]

Laugh if you will but there is some decent information here. The image guides at the bottom have a whole ton of suggestions.

http://wiki.installgentoo.com/index.php?title=Mechanical_keyboards

Personally I've owned a Das with browns and now a Poker II with blues. I must say that I wouldn't want to go back to rubber dome or anything else really. Considering how much use your keyboard sees and how long mechanical switches last you may want to splurge just a little if you can manage it. It really is more of a long term investment.

[nenjin]

Ah yeah, someone at work already got me a good page on mechanical keyboards. Like I said, I'm not opposed to them. But if anything the weight of is what I care about.

[Blargityblarg]

I've got a handmedown Sidewinder from my cousin; I'm quite happy with it. It's somewhat heavy but not hugely so, I've put it on my lap to see how it feels just typing this post and it's not bothering me at all. Cord is quite long, I'd say 4 feet at least. It's got a bunch of function keys along the top edge, stuff like media pause/play, audio controls, and the brightness level of the backlighting (3 levels of light plus no backlight at all for options)

Never had any trouble with key blocking for gaming or anything, and I game quite a bit.

Action on the keys is nice, it's not outright mechanical but is moderately noisy (I do type heavily according to some folks so it might just be me)

There's a sorta weird wristrest thing at the bottom that sorta just tapers off to the level of the desk. It's not bothering me much as I type this, though.