You're gonna think I'm crazy, but ... (Score 1)

The best keyboards are original IBM PC AT keyboards.

Back in the dawn of history (1984-86 or so :), IBM's keyboards were made by the Selectric typewriter division. Cost $200 or so to replace, had a big iron plate in their base to hold 'em on the desk, proper switches under every key. Depress the keys and they go 'click' with a lovely positive feel -- you don't need to hammer them and you always know when you've mistyped something because you can feel it in your fingertips.

It's just a standard layout keyboard, but in tactile terms it's like the difference between a concert grand piano and a cheap consumer-market midi keyboard.

Those keyboards are built like brick outhouses; most of 'em are still soldiering on. The later keyboards are flimsy and plasticky, but in my experience there is nothing quite like an original PC-AT keyboard.

NB: They began cutting corners in 1987, around the time the PS/2 models began coming out. Later models look the same, but have cheap membrane switches underneath instead of being properly spring; basically a cheap plastic imitation of the real thing. I am talking about original PC-AT keyboards made between the introduction of the PC-AT in 1984 and the arrival of the PS/2 range in 1987, with the positive clicking action and the genuine electric typewriter feel. I picked this one up about two weeks ago for two pounds (UK currency -- about US $3) and it's great.