Ask HN: What Keyboard do you use? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What Keyboard do you use?

12 pointsgamesbrainiac35 comments

I use Das Keyboard professionals, the ones with labels on the keys. I have one on my Linux system and one for my Mac. I have nerve damage from cervical spine surgery that makes many of my fingers numb to varying degrees. My typing accuracy is much higher on a mechanical keyboard with both tactile and audio feedback. I also got work to buy me the version with Cherry Brown keys, which are a little more quiet.

Seconding Das. It's my first Mechanical Keyboard and by no means a slouch, but understandably one of the more bland offerings out there. I Have MX Brown switches and really enjoy the tactile feeling. It's marketed as less "clicky" than Blues, and while true, it's still plenty clicky, enough to keep me second guessing if I type too loud on it sometimes to bother others. Also, this keyboard is 4 years old and still going quite strong. Definitely recommend.

Kinesis Advantage

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage-for-pc-mac/

I have yet to put my hands on a better input instrument. I'm considering the purchase of a second one.

I borrowed one once, not long enough to get over the learning curve, but long enough to appreciate how nice it was. :D

Currently considering an Advantage but have read not-so-great things about the quality of its keys. How happy are you with the key quality?

Supposedly there's a version 2 on the way...

The regular keys are top notch. I mean, they're Cherry MX switches (browns).

The function keys at the top (Escape, F1, F2, ...), not so much. They're small rubber keys like those you would find on a remote control.

Northgate OmniKey Ultra (http://www.northgate-keyboard-repair.com/101-ultra.jpg)

Built my own (from a kit), the Atreus: http://atreus.technomancy.us/

I like that it's small and portable and has forced me to learn to type with all 10 fingers rather than doing rapid-fire with indexes and middles on a regular layout.

I've also used the TEK, which was equally awesome, just bigger.

I've previously used a Goldtouch split keyboard. It was very comfortable because you could adjust it to any split angle and tent angle you want. It's also relatively cheap, in case the pricetag of mechanical keyboards makes you hesitate.

1. Thinkpad X201.

2. Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000.

Symmetrical Alt & Ctrl [or X- & M-] are a requirement. Xah Lee's Keyboard info is invaluable... http://xahlee.info/kbd/keyboarding.html

I bought a Cooler master mechanical keyboard for 10000 Rs (nearly $150), For comparison I could have got a wireless keyboard/mouse combo for below 2000 Rs.

One of the reasons I bought it was that it was backlit. But now the LED's of a dozen keys have gone out. (This is after one replacement from the company due to the same issue, and I had to pay the shipping charges from my own pocket).

Also, it has a very delicate usb port on the keyboard (Yes the cord is not permanently attached), so after a while you end up frequently reattaching the cord. I have now tied it to the keyboard body.

If you ever find this keyboard online. Don't buy the backlit version. And don't buy then one with a usb port instead of cord being permanently attached.

At home I use HappyHacking 2 with a Magic Trackpad.

At work I use Microsoft ergonomic (the new model) with a Magic Mouse.

I used apple wireless for a very long time as well, ended up with fingers hurting after a long day of typing.

I also tried truly ergonomic keyboard but could never get used to the keys layout

CM Storm QuickFire TK[1]

I like that it is a very solid build, with a satisfying key press, backlit, and that it has a reduced width (so the mouse is not too far to the right), but at the same time has all the regular keys in the regular places (in the main keyboard section).

[1] http://www.amazon.com/CM-Storm-QuickFire-TK-Mechanical/dp/B0...

I have a WASD mechanical, but lately I have just been using my Apple Magic Keyboard. For awhile I hated it because it's so small and compact, but have really fallen in love with it recently.

I spent far too much time trying to come up with the perfect custom build for the WASD keyboard. Ended up getting a CODE keyboard which is also made by WASD just to stop myself from wasting more time on the decision making process.

Mostly the MacBook Pro and Thinkpad X250 keyboards.

At home I type with the Microsoft Sculpt which is the best keyboard I tried to date.

I find mechanical keyboards uncomfortable. Tried MX browns/reds and hated them because of the low actuation force (resting my fingers on the keyboard means accidental key presses so I need to hover my fingers which can lead to injury), MX blues are an improvement but too noisy, MX blacks are very nice but tiring on the long run...

So basically mechanical keyboards were nothing but an expensive fad for me.

Ordered by purchase date and, incidentally, size

1. Lexmark IBM Model M, 1993, Black modifiers from Unicomp, 100%

2. Noppoo Lolita Spyder, Kailh Browns, Granite Keycaps, TKL

3. Poker 3, Cherry MX White, and Granite keycaps, 60%

4. (on order) Planck (MIT layout), Cherry MX Tactile Grey, Black DSA Keycaps, 40%

I plan on giving the Spyder to a friend for Christmas, replacing it with a Novatouch someday. Also looking to build a better numpad, as the last PCB i got was just terrible.

I'm practically fused to my Macbook Pro's keyboard and trackpad arrangement.

I'm getting the new versions of the apple wireless keyboard and trackpads in a few days and I want to be able to toss them into a tray that holds them the same way that the macbook chasis does. I'm finished drafting a custom tray for it, and I'll be 3d-printing it this week! :)

Be aware that the new magic trackpad is very large, easily twice the size of what you're used on the actual macbook...

Microsoft Sculpt. MS's ergonomic keyboards tend to be very well laid out, have excellent key travel, and be reasonably priced.

I use the Das Model S Keyboard for Mac [1]. After switching to a mechanical keyboard, I find it much more enjoyable to type on.

[1]: http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional-for-mac/

A shitty laptop keyboard way too often (hp dv7) and, when I have space to get it set up, a Apple Extended Keyboard II with a ADB converter that I built.

I'm currently looking at the Das Keyboard or the CODE keyboard.

I use Matias Ergo Pro, http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/

I also have a Poker and Filco Majestouch 2

I use the keyboard that came embedded in the Lenovo ideaPad Z510.

I never got the obsession with keyboards, I've been coding for 5 years and I always just use the one that comes with the laptop.

Bikeshedding about switches and layouts aside, I've always found that using a laptop directly for more than an hour or two to be unergonomic. Whenever possible I plug in a keyboard and raise the laptop so the screen is closer to my eye level.

Mechanical switches are incredibly reliable and durable. After that its really just about how configurable you want your keyboard: switches, keycaps, layouts, layers, programming the firmware, etc. The hype is about 50/50 hardware and aesthetics.

I really please with my hhkb pro 2. The topre keys are perfect imo.

I second that. https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hh... First time I felt really happy with a keyboard! I love that I don't have to reach far for my mouse when I need one, plus Control is in the right place.

Using Logitech G310 Atlas Dawn. Good sturdy keyboard, but the key caps sucks. Keys are not wobbly, and actuation is very low. Nice matte finish on the keycaps though.

CODE Mechanical Keyboard - https://codekeyboards.com/

I like the simplicity

At work: Tesoro Durandal (brown switches)

At home on desktop: Blank Das silent (also brown switches)

But most of the time outside of work I use my Macbook Air and its standard keyboard.

Wow, no love for the model m? Well, I'm using a Unicomp model m. That's why I'm an 11xer and you're not.

Work Laptop Lenovo L450 + Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 800

Mac Mini + Apple Wireless Keyboard

Gaming Rig + RAZOR BlackWidow (2013)

Zenbook or Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000

Go through a 4000 every year or so, but they are cheap.

Just ordered Rosewill RK-9000V2 (brown) as my first mechanical keyboard.

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