I was looking to get a nice typing board. Pretty much limitless budget (well hopefully not over £200/$350) :P
Preferably a clicky keyboard, although ive never used one - just an instictive want :)
Any thougths?
I was looking at daskeyboard but they seem to be somewhat difficult to get here in the uk. Anyone got one?
All suggestions welcome! :)
Colemak forum
Forum for the Colemak keyboard layout.
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What is the best keyboard money can buy?
- Started by MISTERCROW
- 18 Replies:
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I haven't typed on a Das Keyboard before, so the best I've ever typed on is a Keytronic: http://www.keytronic.com/home/shop/shop.asp?h_ck=T34T0I .
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A Cherry G80-3000 runs at 59 GBP:
http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_deta … RODUCT=510
It employs Cherry blue switches (same as Das Keyboard III), which are deemed to be the best current clicky keyswitches. If you don't like the looks of the G80-3000, you can look for a Filco, which will probably cost you double the price, and you'll have to look for where to get it.
For 69 USD plus hefty shipping, you can have a buckling spring based keyboard by Unicomp:
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html
There are other keyboards, but these are the best deals about clicky ones. Yes, quality keyboards don't cost that much.
There are other elite keyboards (HHKB Professional, Topre Realforce, ecc.), but they are not clicky, and maybe you could have to import them from Japan.
Last edited by spremino (22-Nov-2009 01:13:06)
Dvorak typist here. Please take my comments with a grain of salt.
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I just dug this up: http://www.nforcershq.com/das-keyboard-vs-keytronic/
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RevRal said:
I just dug this up: http://www.nforcershq.com/das-keyboard-vs-keytronic/
That seems like the beige version of the KeyTronic Designer-P2, which is available from Amazon for $35. This was the first iteration of the Das, before they decided to spring for mechanical switches. The Designer-P2 is a very good membrane keyboard: I use it at work, because it is less noisy than my blue Cherry board (SMK-88).
The audio feedback may not be quite as crisp as a true mechanical-switch keyboard, but it's definitely there. The best way I can describe the sound is that it's like the patter of dime-sized raindrops on a white plastic chair. It is not a super pretty sound, but it seems to travel less than clicks, hence its suitability for office work. Once I got used to it, I find I can type on it faster than on the SMK-88.
In terms of supporting hand health, this is a fantastic keyboard. It is not a cool-looking keyboard by any means, but seems fairly durable, belonging as it does to KeyTronic's Lifetime Series. It is a healthy, responsive, fast, non-fussy, inexpensive keyboard. The sound is a bit weird, that's all, for those coming from quieter membranes or from mechanical switches.
Note: It is a PS2 keyboard, so you need an adapter to connect it to a USB port.
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With a high budget you really should try a Realforce keyboard based on Topre capacitive switches. They aren't clicky but they are very special.
The Happy Hacking keyboard Pro is also Topre based if you like the idea of a minimalist board. Both available from https://www.elitekeyboards.com
The DAS boards can be bought from https://www.getdigital.de but be aware the old model III had known issues, and the new model S had even worse problems so they have recalled them, they are still working on a fix.
A safer option than the DAS is a Filco Majestouch or Tenkeyless, http://www.keyboardco.com sell these. At the moment they only seem to have US layout versions, and only ones using Cherry Brown switches (tactile but quiet) not the Cherry Blue ones (tactile and clicky) but they are planning to get other models soon. If you can't wait for Blues you can import from https://www.elitekeyboards.com The Filcos are very highly regarded.
If you keep an eye on ebay you can sometimes get an old IBM Model M keyboard for a fair price. Sadly they are much rarer here in the UK than in the US. But they are a benchmark for clicky keyboards. Very clicky/mechanical, too much so for some people. You could almost call them agricultural, lol.
Last edited by rajagra (22-Nov-2009 05:58:29)
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Ahhh this really isn't easy-
I think I would prefer the cherry blue switches (i don't have any colleagues to annoy) however elitekeyboards only have the pink majestouch in stock! Ahhh I love that site everything is so well layed out... but i dont want to have to wait for stock so it off the cards.
keyboardco.com don't sell any blue switch majestouches and dont have any of the brown switch models in stock. Grrr ... it would be easier to import myself to the US
They also don't have the G80-3000 in stock, except in beige, which looks like the only option at the moment - http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_deta … PRODUCT=12
Can anyone recommend this keyboard?
Also with regards to the Realforce - I cant see any benefit of having pressure sensitive keys and wouldn't want to compromise the clicky feel. Nice thought tho :)
Okay so,
I would like my keyboard to be clicky and good for typing obv :)
I couldn't lose my beloved numberpad.
I don't mind using an US layout keyboard - all the layout difference seem to be negligible and I could probably fix things like the £ symbol with an AHK remapping.
I don't like the idea of having blank keys - at first it seems like a cool idea, but surely it's nothing more than an impractical gimmick; I don't know about you guys but I can only touch type with 2 hands. As soon as I try to use the keyboard with only one hand, I realise I really don't where any of the keys are! (Sorry Das)
Any help much appreciated!
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The G80-3000 is a good keyboard, if a little light in weight. The Filcos are just a bit better built, which is why some people prefer them.
But being this side of the pond does make the Cherry's easier and cheaper to get hold of.
(BTW the Topres aren't pressure sensitive, they are full-travel and activate part way down like all good mechanical switches do. Not clicky though, so not what you want I guess.)
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Welcome to geekhack.org !!! ;)
Last edited by DreymaR (23-Nov-2009 09:26:15)
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MISTERCROW said:
keyboardco.com don't sell any blue switch majestouches and dont have any of the brown switch models in stock. Grrr ... it would be easier to import myself to the US
They also don't have the G80-3000 in stock, except in beige, which looks like the only option at the moment - http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard_deta … PRODUCT=12
The black version you are looking for is the Cherry G80-3000LSCGB-2. Search the Internet for a dealer.
MISTERCROW said:
Can anyone recommend this keyboard?
Cherry keyboards are deemed good quality. Filcos look better (however their keycaps get shiny fast). It seems that no current keyboard matches the quality of an IBM Model M (which already was a cost cutting model when compared to the previous IBM Model F).
MISTERCROW said:
I don't mind using an US layout keyboard - all the layout difference seem to be negligible and I could probably fix things like the £ symbol with an AHK remapping.
Keyboard drivers don't mind the keyboard you are using, hence the layout of symbols will be the same as an European one. However, you'll have to find a workaround for the missing key on the left of Z.
Last edited by spremino (23-Nov-2009 11:30:21)
Dvorak typist here. Please take my comments with a grain of salt.
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"Lets face it, many elite boards are cheap":
Dvorak typist here. Please take my comments with a grain of salt.
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Forget Cherry keyboards. I've just received one and it's no match for my Filco. And my IBM Model M is better than my Filco. That is:
IBM Model M > Filco > Cherry
Therefore, if you can stand Model M's loud sound, I'd say go for it (or a Unicomp if you need Windows keys).
Dvorak typist here. Please take my comments with a grain of salt.
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+1 for the Cherry G80-3000. I was at first shocked at the lightness of the thing, but a year on and it's just as comfortable as when I bought it.
"It is an undoubted truth, that the less one has to do, the less time one finds to do it in." - Earl of Chesterfield
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Obviously? They don't mention what kind of switches they use and I don't remember - could you fill me in please?
Anyway, the fact that they don't mention their switch technology is highly suspicious to me! I know that the Kinesis Advantage Pro probably has the best key placements and contour for typing, but I'll be damned if I want one if they use run-of-the-mill membranes. And if they aren't, then why aren't they bragging about their switches? *puzzled*
[Edit: It's Cherry Brown switches. Light, clicky and tactile, those are probably very nice (maybe a bit loud for some but I wouldn't mind). All good, but I'm still puzzled by the apparent lack of bragging. Maybe I missed it.]
If I wanted an expensive and really nonstandard but hella ergonomic typing device, maybe I'd go all the way and get a DataHand instead!!! Like WebWit, I'd of course map it to Colemak.
Last edited by DreymaR (25-Jan-2010 17:48:35)
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Oh, I totally forgot about DataHand, then that's totally the winner!
From Kinesis recomendations, I got this: http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/marblemouse.htm
Cheapest ergonomic mouse. Hell off a difference compared to a normal mouse. Now I can game for 6 hours straight without any wrist pain :)
I assume that their keyboard would be also up to standard.
Probably it will be amazingly good, however even that seems like no match to DataHand :)
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On a side note, I really liked this Kinesis mod (although I'd probably have gone for a slightly more low-key approach myself)!
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DreymaR said:
I can't shake the impression that the DataHand looks like something a cadaver would use in a cemetery on a cold winter's night.
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Right... *backs away slowly with a nervous smile*
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