Logitech G110 $130, Dick Smiths, EB, JB
http://www.logitech.com/keyboards/keyboard/devices/5902

Razer Lachesis $90 Dicks Smiths, EB, JB,
http://au.razerzone.com/razer-lachesis

Thermaltake Challenger PRO Gaming Keyboard
http://www.umart.com.au/pro/products_listnew.phtml?id=10&id2=40&bid=2&sid=65903

Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Microsoft-IntelliMouse-Explorer-3-0-Optical-Mouse-Grey-/130590265431?pt=UK_Computing_ComputerComponents_KeyboardsMice&hash=item1e67c95057

Keyboard:
Microsoft X6

Mouse

Razer Naga

Keyboard - Razer Black Widow
Mouse - WoW Cataclysm Mouse.

The keyboard is mechanical and by Gods it is awesome. However the mouse I use isn't actually at all intended for WoW use, it was a friends one that I traded for my old CoolerMaster Sentinel (another one I recommend) and I just really like it.

Keyboard:

steelseries 6g v2.
Pros: Mechanical (though that doesn't really bug me either way)
Built like a brick (it weighs several KG's this is why i bought it, so it'd last another 8-10 years like my last keyboard).
Oh also it seems to have pretty much no ghosting and very good NKLM or whatever the key rollover thing is called this thing i can pretty much press more keys than i have fingers and toes and no wrong buttons get hit, and all of the ones which are depressed light up in the correct order of pressing them.
Cons: No windows button. Seriously, didn't know that before i bought it (on a whim) and now i can't press windows E or windows R or windows D or windows L. I use those commands like 30 times a day each. Sigh.

Mouse:

Gigabyte Aivia m8600
Pros: Wireless, has two batteries, can become corded, heavy
Cons: Is heavy for those who don't like it heavy, the plus and minus sensitivity buttons aren't ideally placed.

In total both together cost me 164 dollars from Computer Alliance, but i bought them through my work corporate account.

Keyboard:

steelseries 6g v2.
Pros: Mechanical (though that doesn't really bug me either way)
Built like a brick (it weighs several KG's this is why i bought it, so it'd last another 8-10 years like my last keyboard).
Cons: No windows button. Seriously, didn't know that before i bought it (on a whim) and now i can't press windows E or windows R or windows D or windows L. I use those commands like 30 times a day each. Sigh.

It has a windows button just the one one on the right instead of one on the right and one on the left.

CoolerMaster Spawn mouse is the best gaming mouse ever if you use a claw grip. I think gamer was the one who recommended it on qgl ages ago after trying every mouse out there.

http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3021&product_name=CM%20Storm%20Spawn

Only costs like $30 or $40 or so too!

I'd buy any CM product after using the spawn - the quality, design and price is beyond anything else I've seen.

G110 looks like a G19 minus the LCD, which is shit for the price of it. I got one thinking aww great kippers knickers, but the built quality is pretty low considering how much you pay for it. Also the spacebar sometimes doesn't work if you're a speed typer and don't put much force on it. Coming from an MS natural keyboard, I'm quite disappointed in the quality of this G19. You can push on any part of the keyboard and it almost folds in half, feels like there's no metal bracing inside and the plastic is quite weak.

To be honest, the build quality feels similar to a $20 USB keyboard I bought

Whoop the G19 is still a 'premium' keyboard by comparison.

The G110 and G510 are 'the same' except that the G510 has the screen (like it's predecessor, the G15).

My only gripe with the G19 is the requirement for the AC power pack (to run the tiny colour screen on it).

I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned the G700 as yet. It's awesome.

One of the guys brought in his 'RAT' Mouse (Saitek Cyborg R.A.T.) and it's of reasonable quality, but it cost him $165.
I dunno... I just don't really trust 'Saitek' hardware... it's always held a special place in my heart just above Razer hardware :\

Khel can you tell me what the difference is between all the different 'Cherry' switch options on the Mechanical keyboards?

I'd be mildly annoyed (but not really) at the loss of the 'on-the-fly' Macro setup the Logi G keyboards now have me accustomed, and I don't *really* use the screen lots... I'd switch to the IBM Model M in the house, but I have an outright hatred for PS/2 connectors and a lack of 'Windows' or 'Utility' keys.

Keyboard:
Logitech G15 (love it).

Mouse:
Coolermaster Sentinel Zero-G (Best damn mouse I've ever had)

Khel can you tell me what the difference is between all the different 'Cherry' switch options on the Mechanical keyboards?

http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide#post_6009482

Read and watch the gif's and text.

who makes use of all those macro keys but? I've been rocking a g15 for yonks and haven't touched them save for binding one to auto run in WoW.
personally I feel its a bit of a wank, I'll def be going for one of those steelseries or something similar in the future.

Mike - where did your friend get his Saitek gear?

I don't use these M1 keys for anything in-game, I've always preferred keybinds like Shift+F for autowalking etc. I use them however for windows shortcuts like browser, skype, mail etc.

anything that isn't branded "the witcher 2"

TLDR? Not my problem. I don't care, At this point, I've done all the reading, buying, whatever.
Stick with Logitech? They haven't made a mechanical keyboard yet -- and that is all I have to say on that issue.

http://forums.logitech.com/t5/Keyboards-and-Keyboard-Mice/Any-Current-Non-ghosting-keyboards-tested/m-p/278488
- I make no comment about Logitech *poke poke poke* *wink wink nudge nudge*
Mind you though the Logitech MX518 was pretty cool back in the day. I had the chance to buy one about 6 years ago but I was 20 bucks short. Damn. G500 was is pretty cool as well if you can get it before certain serial number conditions.

- - - -
Currently using:
Keyboard:- DUCKYGK9008G2 - Brown Switch / FILCO Brown Switch (NKEY Rollover) / Razer Blackwidow Ultimate (pending and I tend not to use the Blackwidow as much. Think of it as a trophy wife to add the collection of plastic crap.)
Mouse:- Deathadder 3.5G / Steelseries Sensei or Xai (Depends on the game)
Mouse Mat:- Goliathus Control Mat / Goliathus Speed Mat / Mantis Speed Mat (Not produced anymore) / PureTrak Talent Mouse Mat.
Links to shop resources listed below.
- - - -
Here's what Team Liquid uses/recommends:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=174311 - Mouse
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=260143 - Keyboard
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=172579 - Here they discuss what the professional people use.
- - - -

Keyboards
Ducky 9008G2 Brown Switch (Has NKEY Rollover)
http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_list&c=76
- They're expensive but its a Taiwan importer. So you get what you pay for. (Also with the USD get dominated by the AUD at this time take advantage.)

The FILCO Brown Switch Keyboard (NKEY Rollover edition - usually avaliable from Amazon.)
http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/#15810866621634334106 - You might be lucky enough to get it from Japan.

Which leads me to point #2, a lot of people sell boxed/pre-owned mechanical keyboards on E-bay.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?29879-Ripster-s-WW-Keyboard-Shopping-Guide
- Ripster's big list of shipping links. Unlike OCAU. Geekhack is where most of the original information came from. Although OCAU is usually good for overclocking information.

Brief low down on the switch types:
Cherry Brown Switch - good to type and game on
Cherry Blue Switch - Slightly lighter than brown, but clicks more and takes less actuation force to press down.
Cherry Brown Switch - Harder than Blue and Brown and takes a fuck-ton of force to press.
Cherry Red Switch - Slightly less than Cherry Brown, but actuation force varies from keyboard to keyboard.


Mice:
Razer Deathadder
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/40409-rz-deathadder-bk
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/35672-rz-deathadder-v2
Avago 3888 Sensor.

Steelseries Sensei
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/42228-62150/
Avago 9500 Sensor

& Steelseries Xai
http://www.umart.com.au/newindex28.phtml?id=10&bid=2&sid=72684
http://www.netplus.com.au/product/MSSTXAI/SteelSeries_XAI_Gaming_Mouse/
Avago 9500 Sensor.

Additional Notes (Tips Hat to these mice)
- Microsoft IMO 1.1 (STMicroelectronics OS MLT 04 Sensor).
- Microsoft IME 3.0 (STMicroelectronics OS MLT 04 Sensor).
and interestingly enough:
-Logitech G400 (Avago 3095 Sensor)
-Cooler Master Storm Spawn (Avago ADNS-3090 Sensor)
and finally the original:
-Razer Deathadder 3G (Avago ADNS-S3668 Sensor) - If you can still get it; if you see it, buy it.

I do have a few other older mice like the Copperhead and two of the original Lachesis 4000 DPI Mice (shamefully) but I hardly ever use them. I still think the Avago Sensor 3888 is where it is at.

Mouse Mats:
Razer Goliathus (Not the first plain editions -- they had a bad weave problem, but the ones with the green splash of paint on them.)
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/41401-rz-golia-f-ctl-std-r - Control edition is more rigid and you get obviously better contour (Usual CPI around 1800~3500?.
http://www.scorptec.com.au/computer/41273-rz-golia-f-sp-std-r - Speed Edition is like the PureTrak Talent listed below and is about as close as I've come to anyone who uses CPI of 400~1600 (Think sniping)
&
PureTrak Talent - Which is the one I recommend to people who have drinks around their machine cause you can chuck it on the washing machine.
http://www.puretrak.com/products/item/6

Other important things you might want to consider reading: (More technical orientated)
http://www.nextlevelgamer.com/tweaks/dont-modify-your-windows-sensitivity - Why you don't touch your windows sensitivity and you just leave it at 6.

http://www.ngohq.com/news/15043-how-to-increase-usb-sample-rate-in-windows-vista-7-a.html
- Hack your mouse rate (If you use a generic mouse)
Be careful, has been known on older boards to screw with the USB or Windows and its hard to get rid of the driver.
But it should logically be, Ok and most gaming mice have software that does this for you anyway.

http://donewmouseaccel.blogspot.com.au/2010/03/markc-windows-7-mouse-acceleration-fix.html
- Mouse Acceleration fix for Windows 7

http://www.gamebanana.com/cs/tools/717
- Mouse Acceleration fix for Windows XP (Although tried it once in Windows 7, results were promising.)

http://www.esreality.com/index.php?a=post&id=2024663 - Sensor information about prediction, z-axis on various mice.

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?29596-Ripster-s-N-key-Rollover-Guide
- Ripster's guide to NKEY Rollover under PS/2(NKRO) or USB (6KRO) (If you're interested in how many keys your keyboard can press down and why not 'every' keyboard is a 'gaming keyboard'. Albeit some keyboards have certain clusters of keys wired to act as 6KRO or something close to it.

Sweet jebus Kimbo, looks like you've done some massive digging about for that sorta info.

I know I USED to be really bloody specific about mouse settings (and about making sure the keyboard I bought had the more modern 'NKEY Rollover' setup) but since I've dropped out of the FPS Tourney scene I just haven't really bothered with it I s'pose.

What do you play that warranted the pursuit of that info?

I'm starting to get back into some BF3 atm and I noticed some players are getting pretty fuckin specific (mathematically/scientifically) with mouse sensitivity.

Also +1 on the mouse mats. I'm using a 'Func industries' mouse mat I paid $60 for a number of years ago now, and it's getting a little long in the tooth (the surface in the middle is literally 'too smooth' and the mouse gets just a little 'grippy' when moving over that section) but I'm looking to replace it with something similar in the not too distant distance.
I dunno what happened to FUNC tho, they used to be fairly easy to get here, but now NO-ONE stocks their gear within Aus.

Keyboard:
Corsair K90 Mechanical keyboard (BTW has Cherry Reds, nice to type on).

Mouse
Logitech G9X

Very happy with both.

BTW Got a G510 that I don't need. Would sell it for $20+postage, it's in excellent condition.

Sweet jebus Kimbo, looks like you've done some massive digging about for that sorta info.

I know I USED to be really bloody specific about mouse settings (and about making sure the keyboard I bought had the more modern 'NKEY Rollover' setup) but since I've dropped out of the FPS Tourney scene I just haven't really bothered with it I s'pose.

What do you play that warranted the pursuit of that info?

I'm starting to get back into some BF3 atm and I noticed some players are getting pretty fuckin specific (mathematically/scientifically) with mouse sensitivity.

Also +1 on the mouse mats. I'm using a 'Func industries' mouse mat I paid $60 for a number of years ago now, and it's getting a little long in the tooth (the surface in the middle is literally 'too smooth' and the mouse gets just a little 'grippy' when moving over that section) but I'm looking to replace it with something similar in the not too distant distance.
I dunno what happened to FUNC tho, they used to be fairly easy to get here, but now NO-ONE stocks their gear within Aus.

Well I basically took an interest in what competitive players were using; because they'd go to tournaments around the world and thus they'd have a want to have their gear lasting for a long time. Based on this principle and idea, you would probably want gear that is uniform, common themed (i.e: mouse sensors that work over and over again for multiple people but those people would have a similar general feel that was what they wanted -- although people may need to find a try something different, cause no one single mouse may be right for everyone.) and that keeps working on a regular basis. So in a nutshell: consistency, reliability and replicable experiences based on what people write.

The short version: If it works on a basis and lots of people say it works for them, then they must be doing something right.

As for what I play. Well currently: TF2, Tribes Ascend, sometimes Warsow, Nexuiz (not the new one, although once the Nexuiz beta gets sorted out -- we'll see), Urban Terror, Quake 3 Pro Mode (on and off hardly on -- Yes I know I should get into Quake Live or something), Sometimes Counter Strike 1.6 or Source, Super Monday Night Combat. Also I'd see a lot of competitive players sometimes drop into http://www.respawn.com.au/ and play competition SC2 and the SC2 crowd has a very big emphasis on "actions per minute" so therefore they'd need a reliable keyboard that would warrant such input, durability and more importantly concurrence.

I just miss the LAN events of the early 2001~2004 era. (minus the biege box & the bulky CRT monitors, of course.) or where you'd have a Quake 3 tournament on a projector or a big screen and everyone would be cheering and stuff.

I also wouldn't say I conform to one sort of brand because everyone has their own favourites. Razer; Steelseries, Filco, Leopold, Roccat, Thermatake (the new gaming company side of it) or Logitech.

Oh and here is one for the road: