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Comment by drewg123 | Hacker News Reader

Maybe just make it one row wider or taller so that it can have an escape and a `~ key simultaneously? The need to make these things so small that compromises like having to choose between esc and `~ is very strange to me. This is not a portable device.

I have had a Mistel MD650L for the last 6 weeks, and I didn't notice that it had the same issue as this one -- you need to press a mod key to switch between esc and `~. I use both enough that this is a major PITA. I remapped the "del" key to `~ for a while, but then I started to have to hunt around for that key on my laptop.

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You can remap the ~ key on the UHK to be Esc by default and ~ via the Mod layer if you want to.

We plan to design further UHKs of different form factors. I don't get however why you don't consider the current model compact.

> I don't get however why you don't consider the current model compact.

Are you referring to this?

> This is not a portable device.

The way I read it, drewg123 wasn't saying that this particular keyboard is not compact compared to other keyboards. Rather, a keyboard in general doesn't need to be particularly portable, so why attempt to shave an extra inch off by eliminating useful keys?

Yes, that's exactly what I'm trying to say. I didn't notice the tradeoff on the kbd that I have now before I bought it. So every time I go to use tilde, I need to stop, think, and hit the mode key. I'd much rather have another row with fn/esc above the numbers, just like on regular keyboards. I was actually hoping this keyboard had that. I can't seem to find a "mild" ergo split mechanical keyboard with enough keys; I'd buy one if I could find one..

Gotcha, thanks for clarifying! Well, 60% keyboards are not for everyone.

There is the matter of desk estate, because of which some people prefer more compact keyboards, to have more space available. Some also prefer this 60% keyboards because it force them to avoid "harmful" keys and let them focus on their touch typing-usage. And other just take it it as a matter of aestetic. Though, this keyboard isn't really looking good, so I say not many will choose it beacuse of look.

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