Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

18 points by Kevindish 14 years ago | 46 comments

Hey hackers

I am standing for buying a new keyboard, but finding it difficult to find a really good one.

One thing I find is that many keyboards has numbers on them, which i never use, and i just makes the keyboard look more chunky.

I really like the Logitech Dinovo Edge - slim, good keys and looks good But it is some years old and use Bluetooth, the unify Ghz from logitech is a more seamless technoglogy.

I also liked the Logitech Media Desktop, slim, good keys again, but that is also years old, and do not work together with the new software that i use with the logitech MX Revolution mouse.

What keyboard do you use for your hacking? Help me hackers, I am curios to know! :)

-Kevin

Piskvorrr 14 years ago |

Best for what?

For programming and writing, I'm extremely happy with my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. No interference, pairing or batteries to worry about - just plug into the USB port (1.8 metre cable) and off you go. The key travel and resistance is just right, so that my fingers don't tire after a whole day of work, and the ergonomic design helps against wrist pain (I've had that with straight keyboards). It does have numbers, though: both in the top row and on the numeric keypad (not sure what your issue with numbers is, they're quite essential in all the typing I do).

It also has some cute additions like the zoom lever, browser and multimedia keys, but that's just icing on the cake :)

rpwilcox 14 years ago | |

Another vote for the MS Natural Ergo 4000. I've bought 3 total, on two continents. My wrists also feel better than with a flat keyboard.

jbarham 14 years ago |

I bought the standalone Thinkpad keyboard [1] and love it. It's compact as it doesn't have a separate number pad, and feels just like the legendary Thinkpad keyboards. At $59 it's not cheap, but IMO is worth it.

FWIW it also includes a TrackPoint, but I never use it as I prefer a mouse.

1. http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPo...

pasbesoin 14 years ago | |

IIRC, there have been two versions of this keyboard. The first included a trackpad. The current does not. Some user comments that I read also seemed to indicate a bit of difference in the flexing of the overall board, between the two models, but I no longer recall those.

The first version was also significantly more expensive.

If I can ask you, how large is the palm rest in front of the keys, on your model?

I was tempted by this model, but I have trouble when the front edge of a keyboard extends so far in front of the keys that it presses against my wrists, particularly when I'm typing on a surface whose height I can't control, e.g. a standard table where my forearms end up pointing somewhat upward instead of being level. (A design that, unfortunately for me, is quite prevalent in laptops, these days.)

jbarham 14 years ago | | |

> how large is the palm rest in front of the keys, on your model?

I'd guess it's about the same size as the palm rest on my T410 Thinkpad laptop. Certainly it's bigger than the non-existent palm rest on most keyboards, but I've never found it an issue.

drucken 14 years ago |

After having tried many keyboards in the past, now I only go for those that have the following features in order of priority:

1. mandatory: no built-in numpad, i.e. tenkeyless. This reduces the right hand mouse sweep and reduces strain on teres major, rotator cuff and right wrist.

2. mandatory: adjustable forward-back tilt, must be able to flatten to horizontal. Reduces wrist strain strain and makes it more comfortable to tuck elbows backwards and into your sides - the optimal position.

3. mandatory: wired and USB connectivity. Wireless/Bluetooth optional. Not a fan of worrying about input lag or driver support across varied hardware or OS.

4. optional: mechanical keys - tactical not clicky and equal to or lower than 45g actuation, i.e. Cherry MX Brown not the fancy clicky Blue (also has "bonus" of annoying coworkers), heavy Red, very heavy Black or quiet and heavy Clear. Topre switches are ok but hard to find and expensive. If normal rubber dome keys, then it better be a very good keyboard otherwise!

5. optional: full split with 40cm+ separation capability. I would rather have a Happy Hacking or normal tenkeyless keyboard than a full split keybard with less than 40cm+ separation.

Given all of the above, I use a Kinesis Freestyle Solo with Kinesis Low-Force Numeric Keypad.

Also, oddly enough some of the best keyboards are "gaming" keyboards due to how robust and well-spaced the keys are. But good luck finding one that is tenkeyless.

rmcrob 14 years ago |

I like a Steinway Baby Grand. It's expensive, but it doesn't have numbers.

sp332 14 years ago |

Here's an excellent (and funny) overview from Ars Technica of different kinds of switches in keyboards. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/02/ask-ars-ergonomi...

The "Happy Hacking" keyboard looks very nice, and has no numeric keypad. But it's ridiculously expensive. edit: apparently RMS http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?13526-Richard-Stallman-%2... and Bjarne Stroustrup http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?18556-HHKB-spotted-on-des... use them :)

To actually answer your question, the wireless Apple keyboards have nice scissor switches and are surprisingly decent to program on. And no numbers on the side!

cpcloud 14 years ago | |

I'm a huge fan of the Happy Hacking keyboard. Everything feels so close on it, and I always find myself wishing I had one when I have to type on other keyboards for a very long time.

sudonim 14 years ago | |

I have a "Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2" that I bought from an old co-worker. It's noisier than the apple keyboards. The keys are loud, but it's a great keyboard. Once you get used to it, you don't want to use other keyboards. My co-founder has the pro and the action is better. The keys are a little quieter too.

greyfade 14 years ago | |

I've been using the Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite2 for a few months now, and I can't imagine going back to anything else. Its small size and intelligent, minimalist layout just works for me.

It's well worth the $70 I paid for it.

tzaman 14 years ago | |

I second this, I've been developing with Apple wireless keyboard for years now, and I love it mostly because it's really small and I can access pretty much all the keys without moving hands much.

jejones3141 14 years ago |

I will join philh and sepeth in saying I really like the TypeMatrix 2030. Even if you don't make the switch to Dvorak, which the TypeMatrix makes trivial--like the old "DVORTYboards" the switch is done at the keyboard, no messing with translation on the computer side--the non-offset rows of keys will give your hands a break. It does have CTRL where IBM keyboards put it rather than where God/DEC intended (next to the left pinky), but most of us have had to get used to that, alas.

They offer keyboard skins designed to fit the keyboard: either translucent (with no labels, to work with all variants), translucent with labels, or black with labels. An anecdote: the translucent skin I first got with the keyboard had worn through in spots, so I ordered two of the black Dvorak skins. They arrived, and happily fit far more snugly over the keyboard than the first had--but after a few minutes use, though, something was clearly wrong. Turned out I'd pressed the num shift key, but the skin covered the LED that would have shown the problem. A call to TypeMatrix turned up that it was a communications issue with the company that did the skins--they recommended a leather punch of appropriate diameter as a temporary fix, and said that once they have corrected skins, I should contact them with explanation and email address, and they'd send replacements back at no cost, no questions asked. IMHO, that's service. (Now if they'd just get it out of their head that blue for labels for Fn functions is some kind of standard and make them orange on the black skins, it would be perfect--though they are aware of that issue as well.)

UPDATE: Once I am again among the employed, I will ask my employer whether I can bring in my own keyboard (just as I'll ask about being able to bring in my spare Logitech trackball to use instead of a mouse), and if I can, buy a second TypeMatrix for the purpose.

jejones3141 14 years ago | |

Duh. Make that "explanation and address".

bdunbar 14 years ago |

I'll second the motion for Unicomp, Ultra Classic.

It's an IBM Model M keyboard, with updates.

It's clicky. I like this, personally. My hands love they keyboard, the feedback from the 'clicky'.

You mentioned 'looks' twice. This confuses me.

When I use a keyboard, I don't spend a lot of time looking at it. It's an input device. A tool.

What matters is how well it works, not that it looks sleek and ready to spring into the air. Get one your hands like, not your eyes.

woodrow 14 years ago |

Filco Majestouch Ninja Tenkeyless [1]

It's a mouthful, but the important points are 1) mechanical switches (mine has Cherry brown switches), 2) heavy -- it feels solid and stays put on your desk, and 3) no numpad. I guess there's also 4) it looks cool. It's the best keyboard I've ever used.

[1] http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=775

aerique 14 years ago |

I was on a 3 month gig recently coding for iOS and I liked the keyboard that came with the iMac so much that I've bought another one for my main Linux development machine.

It does have a numeric keypad but there's also a wireless version available without: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Keyboard#Apple_Keyboard_.... (I've got the A1243)

It does have some issues with key placement but that was easily solved with xmodmap.

asselinpaul 14 years ago |

I've heard really good things about Topre keyboards but can't afford one myself since I am a student. Google around to learn more but good models are:

-Topre Realforce 87U (around $260)

-Happy Hacking keyboards (around $300)

I told you they were expensive. Otherwise older IBM keyboards tend to have a good reputation (model M).

To find some great keyboards, you can have a look here : http://www.elitekeyboards.com/ (no I don't work for them).

angdis 14 years ago | |

Elitekeyboards also offers models from Leopold.

(http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyles...)

These are a lot less expensive than happy hacking and also have a reduced size form-factor (no numpad).

I got the model with cherry-mx blue switches (very clicky and tactile like the old 80's IBM keyboards). I got the "otaku" model without the key markings and it looks very cool.

mattbriggs 14 years ago |

I find the feedback of a mechanical keyboard makes typing more enjoyable in a general way. At home I have a razor black widow which has cherry blue switches (which are my favorite), at work I have a dasKeyboard with cherry brown switches (much quieter so I don't irritate my team).

For me, nothing matches the visceral feel of mechanical keyboards. I have a friend who described it as feeling like he was typing with a machine gun

bdunbar 14 years ago | |

I've used a machine gun. Keyboards are a lot quieter, and have way less recoil. But your friend has a point.

Have you ever used a late-model IBM Selectric typewriter? Now that is the acme of keyboarding. IBM knew their users would spend hours at the keyboard, designed with that assumption in mind.

An IBM model M (now made by Unicomp) is the Selectric of keyboards.

jgeorge 14 years ago | | |

The old (late 70s/early 80s) IBM 5211 Terminal used to include a large solenoid in the keyboard that fired a metal rod into the metal base of the keyboard as a mechanical "clicker". Holding down the spacebar was very akin to the sound of a machine gun!

mcartyem 14 years ago |

Here's my question: why are there arrow keys on a keyboard?

And if there must be, why aren't they on top rather than the bottom?

It is precisely the movement of tilting your wrist to the right and moving it back that causes strain. If the keys were on top, there's enough flesh around your elbow to allow extending the hand straight forward without strain.

drKreso 14 years ago |

Two best are Dinove Edge & IBM model M... I have both and I prefer IBM (buckling spring is priceless when you grook it)

Piskvorrr 14 years ago | |

Ah, the venerable Model M - now that's a keyboard you could kill a bear with, without even scratching the keyboard :) Alas, I had to stop using that in open-space - cow-orkers complained that it was too noisy.

jgeorge 14 years ago | |

Unicomp still makes buckling spring keyboards with IBM's Model M (as well as other IBM) designs. They're loud as hell but feel great. http://www.pckeyboard.com/ You can ask them for Mac keycap replacements to swap out the ctrl/windows/alt keys with control/option/command keycaps. Works great on my Mac with swapping Alt and Option key functions in the keyboard preferences panel.

bdunbar 14 years ago | | |

They're loud as hell

I work in a semi-open plan office. I was concerned about this last year when I got my Unicomp keyboard.

I've been assured by my peers that the sound is noticeable, but not loud.

officialchicken 14 years ago | |

The IBM 5150 with model M was released in 1981. I still use the keyboard every now and then. It's a nice contrast to Apple keyboards which have no travel, no mechanical switches, and weird spacing/sized keys that float.

Here's a modern variant: http://www.daskeyboard.com (which refers to the Model M the "god of keyboards")

rizumu 14 years ago |

I have a Happy Hacking and a DasKeyboard, and often I prefer the Das because I like the clicking sounds it makes. They are both excellent, but the keys do feel much nicer on the HHK. You have to learn to live without easy access to the arrow keys on the HHK. On the HHK arrows, pgup, and pgdwn requries holding the FN key.

mattbriggs 14 years ago | |

Happy hacking uses topre switches, which are about as high quality rubber dome as it gets, but you really pay through the nose for them. Das uses cherry mx, which are spring buckling switches (like the model m), and are much cheaper then topres, even though they cost more to produce. I am also a big fan of cherry switches, but I know many huge keyboard nerds who swear up and down that topres are the best there is.

sepeth 14 years ago |

I love typematrix 2030 dvorak keyboard. http://www.typematrix.com/2030/why.php

But Control key position isn't good for Emacs users and there seems to be no alternative key to replace it with Control, like CapsLock on standard keyboards.

philh 14 years ago |

I'm a fan of the TypeMatrix 2030: http://typematrix.com/

It's not perfect - in particular, the double-height shift keys take too much good pinky real estate. But it's very comfortable.

I haven't tried any other ergonomic keyboards, so I can't compare.

mcartyem 14 years ago | |

It needs other improvements too.

The cut, app, play, calc, www buttons are largely getting in the way (particularly www.)

PageUp and PageDown are nearly useless, since you have to strain your wrist to get to them being down there.

And the Fn key is frighteningly useless, hidden as far left down as possible. How could anyone use the blue arrow keys with it?

Also, has anyone noticed the TypeMatrix 2020 was softer than the TypeMatrix 2030?

chx 14 years ago |

Kinesis FreeStyle with an Ascent. Your wrist will thank you for it.

Do not try to go vertical immediately. The Ascent is nicely notched, start at notch 1, work yourself up every 1-2 days. I know some people stopping before getting fully vertical. That's still better than all the horizontal keyboards.

jopython2 14 years ago |

I use the genius keyboard. No numpad and costs less than $20. http://www.amazon.com/Genius-LuxeMate-Compact-Stylish-Keyboa...

sellably 14 years ago |

I think one of the biggest failings of Macs/Macbooks is the "feel" of their keyboards. I'd love to see what their industrial designers could do if tasks with making an IBM Type M sort of feel with an Apple twist.

aerique 14 years ago | |

I guess there's no accounting for a person's preferences: I recommended them elsewhere on this page because I love their feel so much :-)

Never liked the loud "clickety" sound nor the feel of the Type M keyboards.

gergely 14 years ago |

I really love Dell's keyboard http://www.dpro.ru/netcat_files/catalog/1_12005.jpg I found it quite ergonomic.

kittxkat 14 years ago | |

I agree, especially in contrast with all those horribly overpriced "hacker"-keyboards. I've used it for 5 years now, and love it. My only complaint is that I wish it had no key pad as it takes up too much space between the typing keyboard and the mouse.

eddie_the_head 14 years ago |

This one for APL of course: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/adcolkey.html

bryanlarsen 14 years ago |

If you're looking for a cheap tenkeyless cherry blue that you can easily find locally, I recommend the cmstorm quickfire. Warning: it's gamer ugly.

wamatt 14 years ago |

Apple wireless keyboard is great. Really good form and function.

Of course, it helps if you've bought into the whole Apple ecosystem.

mcartyem 14 years ago |

What makes you believe there is a negative correlation between keyboard age and keyboard goodness?

pagekalisedown 14 years ago | |

Good question!

Case-in-point, this is the exact keyboard I use to this day:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MS_Natural_Keyboard_Pro.JP...

It's ancient, but I love it!

duiker101 14 years ago |

the one you are comfortable with