Where do I buy computer parts nowdays?

Submitted ⁨⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago⁩ by ⁨TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee⁩ to ⁨technology@lemmy.world⁩

I just need a new keyboard, this one is dying on me. I haven’t bought computer parts in the US in a long time. What am I supposed to do, BestBuy? Amazon? NewEgg? The last time I built a computer was 2018 in Asia. Idk what I’m doing but my space bar is sticking and my patience is running low. Duct Tape is holding the metal bar together right now lol and the ctrl key is giving out too

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HootinNHollerin@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I like the keyboard without the num pad and a separate num pad that i put on the left, so i don’t have to take my hand off the mouse. 3Dconnexion

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They also make mice that have very high resolution sensing and high refresh rates that are good for 3D modeling, gaming, etc.

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SeeFerns@programming.dev ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
For common things like monitors keyboards and mice, I go to the thrift stores around me. I typically find some decent stuff. Sounds silly but I live in a decent city for tech jobs so, lots of second hand things like that around here.

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sugar_in_your_tea@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
Best Buy

Definitely not, unless you absolutely need something same day. Their selection and prices suck, though they do price match.

My preference is:

Direct from the manufacturer

B&H Photo

Newegg

Amazon

EBay - used, if it’s a really good deal

If the keyboard is the only problem, get a good mechanical one. As others have said, Keychron is good if you want a pretty good keyboard for a pretty good price, though there are some other decent options around $50. Be careful though, because there’s a lot of crap out there.
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Kolanaki@pawb.social ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
If you can reach one, MicroCenter is great.

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wjrii@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
If you’re ready to take the plunge into mechanical, Keychrons are a solid way to get one that is not absurd if all you want is “one nice keyboard,” but usually has enough customizability to be satisfying if you fall down that particular rabbit hole. For a bog standard board, any of your listed options are fine, as are most of the options on pcpartpicker.com, and even dumb ol’ Walmart will have a couple of logitechs and some rebranded thing stuff no worse than your average pack-in desktop keyboard, and potentially even a couple of mildly satisfying low-end mech boards, once you turn off the godwaful RGB.

If you shop the actual electronics at Amazon, I’d recommend “sold by Amazon” or at a minimum fulfilled by them. If you do Prime, limit to Prime listings. Your includion of BestBuy implies you’re in the US, in which case I might avoid vendors that ship from China, at least until the tariff situation stabilizes.

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BombOmOm@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
B&H is my go-to, with Amazon as a backup. If you have a Micro Center near you, they are a great option as well.

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bismuthbob@sopuli.xyz ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
It depends on what you’re looking for. If size and weight aren’t a concern, Unicomp is making slightly modernized Model M keyboards in the US and you can order directly from their website.

I have a Classic and an EnduraPro, both of which work just fine and could be used as a hammer if necessary.

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Bluefruit@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I typically buy parts and peripherals from Amazon. Newegg can be good for the mail in rebates or discounts that you can get.

I typically don’t shop at bestbuy unless I have to but I also live 20 minutes outside of town where I am so thats 40 minutes of driving that I don’t wanna do typically.

Keychron was my last keyboard purchase, very happy with it. Full size mechanical keyboard, replaceable switches, so heavy I could probably kill someone with it, good keyboard.

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- SinningStromgald@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Second Keychron. I own two of their keyboards. An Alice and a 65%. The Alice is a deadly weapon. The 65% is much lighter but the build quality is still great. I’m not left handed but they even have some southpaw keyboards as well. Alice is as unusual as their layout options go so if you want something exotic you would have to look elsewhere.
  
  If you are not going to buy direct from someone like Keychron then sadly Amazon is the best due to their return policy. They have never denied me a return whether for a refund or replacement.
  
  As the other poster linked with the Gamers Nexus video Newegg has gotten a bit shitty/shady. Not that Amazon is spotless but at least getting your money back or a working product won’t be a hassle.
  
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- RedditRefugee69@lemmynsfw.com ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
  Glory to Bezos and his support of the Fourth Reich?
  
  Seriously get off Amazon.
  
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  - Blue_Morpho@lemmy.world ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
    Then post an alternative. Newegg isn’t a good choice: youtu.be/2fnXsmXzphI?si=H2A3652mD73uBRo5
    
    For keyboards and some other parts you can window shop at Amazon and then go direct to the manufacturer’s website to make a purchase.
    
    That leaves Microcenter. Which the poster above mentioned.
    
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bratosch@lemm.ee ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
I’m not in the US but wouldn’t it be better to find a good keyboard that you want, maybe ask a friend for a recommendation or ask here on Lemmy, and then check and see who sells it? That’s how I usually go about it

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sentient_loom@sh.itjust.works ⁨1⁩ ⁨year⁩ ago
eBay for used parts.

I love my Keychron keyboards. I have one that I built and another low-profile one that I bought pre-built. I got them from their website (keychron.com) but they also sell them on Amazon.

I also built a nice Drop CTRL keyboard that I got on their website.

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