I spend a lot of time at my PC, both for work and in my personal life as a blogger and gamer. Besides the mouse, the keyboard is the most important input device for me. Accordingly, I’ve had quite a few of both in my hands. When it comes to mice, I’ve never been completely satisfied since the original Logitech MX518 and am still searching, but with keyboards, I’ve found what I’m looking for.

Well, not just one keyboard. Currently, two keyboards have a place in my heart. At home, I’m still using the first-generation Razer Ornata, which replaced the Roccat Ryos MK Pro a few years ago. The Roccat was a keyboard with mechanical switches, which I never really warmed up to even after two years of use. The keys are too high for me, and the typing feel is too firm. With the Ornata, Razer combined the best of both worlds for me: the soft typing feel of a membrane keyboard paired with the actuation of a mechanical one. The keys are also comparatively low-profile. The keyboard itself is not, which is why the included wrist rest is a must. Besides needing software to keep the lighting out of demo mode, the wrist rest is my biggest complaint. The stretched faux leather is extremely thin and has worn through after a few years—and replacements are no longer available.

At work, I use the Cherry Stream Desktop Set, which consists of a wireless mouse and keyboard. The mouse is functional and could be lighter. The keyboard, on the other hand, I’ve now bought several times—first the wired version and now the wireless one linked above as a replacement. For me, this keyboard is simply perfect for writing. It’s relatively quiet, with low-profile keys that have a great typing feel. This is achieved by an additional scissor mechanism that supports the rubber dome. It’s also relatively inexpensive and extremely durable. I haven’t managed to break one yet. Oh, and it just looks good in its simplicity. No unnecessary keys, but it does have a number pad. It’s flat enough that you don’t need a wrist rest, and thanks to the lack of gaming features (RGB lighting), it doesn’t require any software. Plug it in, start typing, and be happy.

So why don’t I use the Cherry at home too? I’d actually like to, but Cherry throws a wrench in the works. When I’m gaming, I often press several keys at once. Running forward with W while crouching with CTRL and simultaneously moving left around a corner with A to throw a grenade at an enemy with G. That’s four keys pressed at the same time. According to a test site, this combination does work with the Cherry, but it’s only rated for a two-key rollover, whereas the Razer can process up to ten inputs simultaneously. Cherry has apparently created functional groups. W+A+D works, but then S doesn’t. All modifier keys work at the same time, but the spacebar only works in specific combinations. I probably wouldn’t notice it, but the mere existence of this limitation puts me off. I might test the keyboard for gaming when my Razer finally gives up the ghost.

What both keyboards have in common, however, are the low-profile, soft keys with a clearly perceptible actuation point. Mechanical keyboards also offer the latter, but with high keys. Not for me.