Keyboard questions
-
Almost forgot, The Original! Unicomp, Inc.[^] Or if you want to impress with your typing ability. Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard[^]
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
fwiw, I went through a bit of the "upgrade to mechanical" fun not to long ago, and here's my 2c from it: - there are cheaper keys, which I found to have inferior feel, and they failed after a short period of time. Get something with Cherry MX keys. Though I did have a go with Logitech G keys and they were quite good, just that the keyboard that was shipped to me didn't have exactly the layout that was advertised, so I sent it back. - you need to figure out what kind of feedback you like - personally, I don't like the maddening click of blue keys, or even brown keys, so I have Cherry Reds. You can also quieten a lot of the bottoming out sound by performing the "o-ring mod" (a quick web search should enlighten), and if you're going to do this, cheap-o silicon o-rings of the correct size are good enough: no need to pay for "keyboard-specific" o-rings. Get them on Amazon: [Amazon.com: Dreamtop 250pcs Clear Rubber O-Ring Rubber Keyboard Dampeners with Plastic Storage for Mechanical Keyboard Cherry MX Key Switch: Computers & Accessories](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BF6WW47/ref=ppx\_yo\_dt\_b\_asin\_title\_o01\_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) - the keyboard vendor seemed to matter less, once you have selected for good keys, since good keys drives up the price anyway: I have a Corsair k72 and a CoolerMaster mk750. I actually prefer the Corsair a little more because it has a scrollable volume control and integrated palm rest (vs the magnetic one on the Cooler Master), but if you're into fancy lighting, the Cooler Master does full RGB where the Corsair I have came in 25% cheaper and only does red (which suits me since I use red at night and I'm too lazy to change colors anyway) ymmv, and it's a good idea, if possible (considering the price) to try out physical keyboards if you can, ie find some friends who have them and feel what it's like. A lot of these are built for the long run, which is another reason I moved to mechanical after one of my membrane boards died (it had a good run, really), so, considering the price and longevity, it's nice to find what you want first time (:
------------------------------------------------ If you say that getting the money is the most important thing You will spend your life completely wasting your time You will be doing things you don't like doing In order to go on living That is, to go on doing things you don't like doing Which is stupid. - Alan Watts https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gXTZM\_uPMY
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
We have two types here at the home office. Dell "compact" mechanical(ish) and Logitech K750 "solar" wireless. The Dell is fine for occasional use however the Logitech is really great. Short travel keys (better for big-fingered folk like me), Full width, slim, stable, Keeps full charge easily with everyday lighting, rechargeable button cell is replaceable if ever it conks out (contrary to what Logitech say), Silly blue function keys reserved for multimedia playback/shortcuts etc., My twopennyworth...
So old that I did my first coding in octal via switches on a DEC PDP 8
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I use two on a regular basis - a [Unicomp Model M (full keyboard)](https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/NEW\_M) and a Filco Majestouch 2 (TKL) with Cherry MX Browns. Both UK layout (so I guess that's ISO?) I got the Filco first and when I first got it, I thought it was excellent. Then I got the Unicomp... The keys have a lot more resistance than the Filco, but that makes the feel more positive, for me... But it's all personal preference... I lust after a [new Model F](https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/product/f77-model-f-keyboard-ultra-compact/), but damn, they're expensive - too much for me! You might be interested in one of [Chyrosran22](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD0y51PJfvkZNe3y3FR5riw)'s key switch reviews - he's done [several 'best switch' videos](https://www.youtube.com/results?search\_query=chyrosran22+best+switches), depending on what you're looking for in switches. His review of rubbish keyboards are best though!
Java, Basic, who cares - it's all a bunch of tree-hugging hippy cr*p
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I have a G-SKILL KM780 R, gamers keyboard, with Cherry MX Blue switches. I love the sound and feel of the Blue's but you can have this one with other MX. It has several additional buttons, 6 for macros (for gamers, remember?), but I use those for store sequences of characters for working in Visual Studio. (Shortcuts like CTRL+M, CTRL+N or so). It also has buttons for multimedia, keys light intensity and programming macros. A nice characteristic is that it saves internally the macros, so if you carry it to use in another computer, the keyboard will have the macros ready for you to use, even if this new computer does not have the Macros Programming Software installed. A con is this software. It is not so easy to use (more like a mess) but once you finish programming, unless you need to change something, this programed macros will stay in the keyboard forever, no matter if you disconnect the the keyboard, turn off the PC for months, or any other circumstances. I fully recommend it and it is not too expensive.
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I'm on my 2nd Logitech keyboard. The first one lasted about 15 years. My current one is the K800. It's not mechanical, but the feel is responsive. The backlight is nice when working when it's dark.
-
I always buy reasonably cheap Logitech keyboards. But if you want the creme de la creme, you need to check out Optimus Maximus keyboard[^]. Or just anything using Cherry switches.
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
Joan M wrote:
Are mechanical keyboards worth it?
Only in that finding a membrane keyboard with a non-adulterated layout is becoming a PITA. Cheap keyboards are increasingly using low travel non-chiclet style laptop designs X| and randomly deciding that you don't really need an insert, or delete, or etc key as much as they need an extra $1/thousand keyboards in profit. :mad: The catch is that all mechanical keyboards are noisy. Even if you get a "silent" (
lies) model; all that means is that it doesn't have a noise maker that goes click every time you depress the key half way; it still will go clack when it bottoms out. I have a non-click model with Cherry Red switches; and even after taking it apart to put rubber o rings as dampers on every key it's still loud enough that I wouldn't use it in a shared space.Joan M wrote:
If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world?
Only if you're going full keyboard dork. Otherwise they're another technology that failed by being absurdly expensive.
Joan M wrote:
Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different?
Full. I also mouse left handed, so the number pad placement is a total non-issue for me.
Joan M wrote:
This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it?
Tasty koolaid you're drinking there. :rolleyes:
Did you ever see history portrayed as an old man with a wise brow and pulseless heart, weighing all things in the balance of reason? Is not rather the genius of history like an eternal, imploring maiden, full of fire, with a burning heart and flaming soul, humanly warm and humanly beautiful? --Zachris Topelius Training a telescope on one’s own belly button will only reveal lint. You like that? You go right on staring at it. I prefer looking at galaxies. -- Sarah Hoyt
-
Almost forgot, The Original! Unicomp, Inc.[^] Or if you want to impress with your typing ability. Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate Mechanical Keyboard[^]
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
-
I use a Unicomp Ultra Classic and love it. It is not a quiet unit but I like the old school clickity-clack for some reason.
If it was good enough for IBM when they were a hardware company...
Wrong is evil and must be defeated. - Jeff Ello
-
Personally, I like simple. I've never had a problem with the keyboards with the rubber membranes instead of mechanical keys. If you're used to them, I'd say why bother switching to something more expensive? I know gamers like them, but gamers are an odd bunch anyway. Personally i think they should just have keyboards with only W/A/S/D and a trackball on them, but nobody listens to me. KISS carries the day for me, in almost all things. More to the point - things should be as simple as they can be, and no simpler. A keyboard should be simple, IMO. The fanciest keyboard I have is LED lit because I sleep 4 hours a night so I often work in the dark and while I can touch type, it's nice to have some ambient light on my desk. I only have it though because it came with my PC.
Real programmers use butterflies
-
Gamer here. We pretty much use the entire left hand side of the keyboard and the spacebar. It's actually too much sometimes for my old reflexes to remember everything sometimes. :laugh:
I was just teasing. :laugh: I'm a fallout addict myself. otherwise i don't play much, but when i do i use a gamepad. keyboards are for typing, not greasing super mutants, IMO.
Real programmers use butterflies
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
-
I was just teasing. :laugh: I'm a fallout addict myself. otherwise i don't play much, but when i do i use a gamepad. keyboards are for typing, not greasing super mutants, IMO.
Real programmers use butterflies
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
I don't think I'd want to spend that kinda of money on a keyboard without being able to take it for a test spin. Fortunately for me, when I decided to get a new mechanical keyboard I was able to go to a local brick 'n mortar store so I could at least test out the feel of the various mechanical switch types available at the time. That's how I ended up with a SteelSeries Apex 7 with blue cherry switches that I've been very happy with. I'd love to compare the feel of these TOPRE switches, but I doubt there are any locally available to me. If you end up in the same boat, make sure you purchase your new keyboard from somewhere with a liberal return policy!
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
Since a few months I have been using the Microsoft Surface Keyboard, WS2-00025, Silver. It is bluetooth, so there is no cable. Other things I like about it are: it takes up very little space: 4.5" front to back, and 16.5" left to right. it is very low: 1/4" in the front, 3/4" in the back, so it is easy on my hands keys have sufficient resistance
-
My current Lenovo Preferred II USB keyboard is dying (currently my "Del" key sounds funny when I press it) and I've start looking for a replacement. And I have discovered an entire world of craziness... Are mechanical keyboards worth it? If they are, is really that TOPRE thing the best thing in the world? Are you using a full keyboard for your work or you are using a TKL + separate numpad or something different? This seems to be the best thing you can buy[^], but it uses ANSI layout, which is a no go for me (ISO here), but... is that thing worth it? And of course, having almost 15M of programmers and technology enthusiasts at hand... I thought I would ask this here... Thank you all! :beer:
www.robotecnik.com[^] - robots, CNC and PLC programming
This keyboard is less expensive and it has a wireless mouse Why wireless for me I have an abundant amount of static electricity fried one computer ages ago This keyboard never misses a beat and takes a beating only complaint is the letter "E" is disappearing Price US $70.00 it seems to be out of stock so that tells us where it is made
Kensington Pro Fit Wireless Comfort Desktop Set Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse Combo, Black (K72403US)
https://www.staples.com/Kensington-K72403USS-USB-Wireless-Optical-Comfort-Desktop-Set-Black/product_IM1LL9151?ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=IM1LL9151&KPID=IM1LL9151&cid=PS:GS:SBD:PLA:Paper&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8-36pIXJ7gIVq1PVCh3HVgn6EAQYAiABEgIWW_D_BwE[^]
-
Fair enough, lol. I rarely do any work on my home keyboard which is a Corsair mechanical without the 10 keypad. I would die without that on my work keyboard. :-D
I use a mechanical ten keyless keyboard (Cooler Master Quickfire) on all my home computers. Also, I don't think I've ever come across an instance when I used the 10 key pad at work (retired now). I vaguely remember having a game decades ago that used the keypad but that's about it.
-
I use a mechanical ten keyless keyboard (Cooler Master Quickfire) on all my home computers. Also, I don't think I've ever come across an instance when I used the 10 key pad at work (retired now). I vaguely remember having a game decades ago that used the keypad but that's about it.
-
I learned 10 key when I was younger so it's old habit for me whenever I have to enter numbers.
Yeah, old habits are hard to break. In Windows I still use WordStar control sequences when editing text. I remapped my keyboard to put the control key back to it's original position (where the capslock key is) and wrote an AutoHotkey script to use Wordstar control sequences in all the editors/IDEs/word processors that I use. Heh, nobody I know can use my editors unless they disable the script!
