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

Ask HN: What keyboard do you use?

29 pointstnecniv56 comments

I'm in the market for a new one for my work machine. I'm trying to familiarize myself with the market. I know mechanical keyboards are popular but I'm not going to limit myself to them.

Split keyboards seem pretty intriguing, so I'm especially curious to hear from someone who has experience using it as a daily driver.

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Has anyone tried Microsoft sculpt [1]? I use the 4000 series [2], and that's been amazing..

[1] https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

[2] https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

I’ve been using the sculpt since 2013 now. I use it all day at work and home. I love it. It has the chiclet keys that feel similar to 2015 generation MacBooks, which are my favorite keys, and the ergonomics are great. I also have some mechanical keyboards, but I simply enjoy typing on the sculpt so much more. In fact, I have a stash of new sculpts in storage, in case Microsoft ever stops making them.

I own two sculpt ergonomics. What I noticed is that the keys on the new one are not the same as the older one.

I think over time the keys on the older one have lost that feedback I have on the newer one. Have you also noticed this?

Yep. Use it for last couple of years. Got one for home too.

Nice feel and ergonomic. Proper arrow keys.

I don't like the little Esc key though. Also the Home/End/Pgup/Pgdon key layout take some getting used to.

Been using sculpt at work and home for the past three years. Love it.

Since you are specifically asking about split keyboards: I use a Kinesis Freestyle 2 and have done so at work for years. I use regular keyboards at home.

- not really any difficulty in terms of muscle memory remembering how to switch between regular and split keyboard

- it did take me some retraining because before using a split keyboard I had actually typed 6 button with right hand instead of left

- it does make a notable difference in terms of wrist pain after extended usage

Overall, I can recommend it, especially if work is paying for it. I don’t type enough at home to really justify one though as I don’t start getting wrist pain unless I’m at the desk for 6-8 hours.

I use the Kinesis Freestyle Pro with Cherry MX Brown switches.

It's great ergonomically speaking. The hand position is very comfortable, the keys are top quality, and I don't have to move the hand too much to use the mouse.

Also, very little re-learning required since the keys are in pretty standard positions. I highly recommend it.

CM Storm Quick Fire Rapid: http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/gaming/quickfire/r...

Wouldn't have mentioned it if I didn't love it.

I have the same keyboard with Cherry MX brown switches. 6 years and still going strong. The keys don't even have any signs of wear.

This is what I use, and it is a great keyboard.

As someone who exclusively switched to Thinkpad laptops for their keyboards, I've went with Lenovo Thinkpad Keyboards for my desktop and HTPC too (they've got USB and Bluetooth variants). They are supposedly T440 keyboards in standalone form, and surprisingly, not many people know about them (they are cool for sofa use since they have a trackpoint too).

I have been using Logitech K380 for 3 years now, both for my daily jobs and at home. I love it so much that I bought it twice.

Key travel and typing feels great, especially for programming. Also because I am using 2016 Macbook Pro so I need a replacement keyboard for work, but honestly this is the best keyboard I've been using so far.

+1 to Logitech K380. The only con I can think of are the arrow keys, but overall the key travel and typing is really good.

Apple wireless keyboard with numpad. Switched from a das keyboard with brown switches and my typing has markedly improved and so has the feeling in my wrists.

I use HHKB, both type-s and Bluetooth version. Type-s is far better than other HHKBS in terms of the feedback and the sound. It's by far my favorite.

I used several Filco keyboards like Majestouch, Ninja and Minila. The first two are good, and Minila key position is weird.

And I used several Cherry keyboards, including 3000 and others I forgot the name. Cherry feels more like plastic than Filco, which I find less well. Their switch are the same. Cherry has several rare switches like white switch though, I also have one but it's just too heavy to press.

Haven't tried split keyboards yet.

I'm also intrigued by Realforce Mac keyboard which allows you switch weight of the switch. I plan to give it a try when I go to Japan anytime soon.

I've been using the koolertron split mechanical keyboard for a year now and it's been pretty good so far. I can sit up straighter, my thumbs and pinky don't hurt anymore.

The connector cable in the middle is becoming a little loose and it did not ship with a spare. Would have been easy enough to replace but I can't find any micro-to-mini usb cables. I'm just hoping to splice one together myself once it goes kaput.

https://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Programmable-Mechanical-Ke...

I also use the koolertron and I love it. I've had it for over a year. I had a Comfort Keyboard ErgoFlex for over 10 years before. My favorite part of split keyboards is reprogramming the left spacebar to backspace. Second best part is the keyboards move slightly day to day, so you aren't always in the same rigid position. As for the koolertron, it's main advantage is space saving. Many split keyboards take up a ton of desk space. This one does not. Plus it looks nice and the keys are really smooth.

Used to be a big fan of mechanical keyboards. Tried a few, with blue and brown cherry switches, Chinese knockoffs, full size, tenkeyless, 60%, the whole journey.

Nowadays I'm happy with a 9€ Logitech K120. Go figure.

I use the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard [1], that despite it’s childish name, is the most solid keyboard I have owned so far~.

It comes with a GUI (built with angular [2]) to configure the key map / layers. This makes it extremely fast and simple to customize it. The split layout is very comfortable too.

There are also some cons: It is fairly expensive. Split is great for writing code, not so great for working with creative suite type apps. Custom key maps moving all relevant shortcuts to one half help keep the right hand on the mouse / pen, but it means I am unlearning the normal layouts... and this is maybe my biggest gripe with all the nice customizations:

Whenever I use a regular keyboard now, I feel like a giraffe learning to walk [3].

I still very much like it and would not go back.

1: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/

2: https://github.com/UltimateHackingKeyboard/agent

3: https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SelfishLinearCaudata-size_restrict...

~ Matias Tactile Pro, Vertex Poker II and a few generations of Apple keyboards

ergodox ez: https://ergodox-ez.com/

- very solidly built. perhaps best build quality of any keyboard i ever had

- the z and / keys are ctrl keys, and you need to type , and / twice to type those keys

- there are "mod" keys, which shift into secondary, third, ... layers

- you can control the mouse from the keyboard. i don't use it, but would like to see development in this area

- when you transfer back to a normal laptop keyboard, you have to orient yourself again

- firmware can be customized: https://configure.ergodox-ez.com. You register, "fork" the config, download the firmware and flash it. There's a graphical flashing tool that works on Ubuntu (probably other distros too) called wally (https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/wally)

- it's shipped from TW (Formosa!!), you have to pay a lot of money to ship it back if you want to do it within the return period.

- expensive

- my "a" key sticks sometimes. i haven't nailed down why yet.

have also tried kinesis advantage. recommend it. it takes up more space, but is also well built. it has a feeling like it's medical/industrial grade. above average build than even an expensive mechanical keyboard.

check out g305 for mice. it's small, accurate, and wireless

I used the GMMK[1] until one of the keys stopped working (I think one of my kids spilled water on the board since there was some oxidation). That happened in the middle of the week, so I bought a relatively inexpensive replacement until I had time to look into it further and ended up with the Tecware Phantom [2], intending it to be a spare, but have used it these last few weeks and haven't bothered trying to fix my old keyboard.

I really value the lack of branding on the surface of both keyboards and I've enjoyed both of them. I prefer the GMMK board, but that's mostly because I opted for 10-keyless on the Phantom because I intended it to be a spare. Both are good boards so far.

[1] https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/gmmk-full-customized [2] https://www.tecware.co/phantom

I don't know why I always feel compelled to post in these keyboard threads, but...

I've been using a Kinesis Advantage at both home and work for years. I love it, it only takes a week or 2 to get your typing speed back, and it doesn't completely ruin you for other keyboards.

I use the linear feel (LF) variant, though I do miss the tactile click feeling now and then.

https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2/ https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2-lfq/

Sculpt Comfort Desktop but I only use the keyboard from it, the mouse is pretty naff. I like the ergo aspect but I dont like a gap so this is a nice half-measure.

It has a decent wrist-rest but the best part is you can elevate the front so your wrists are perfectly straight when touch-typing.

https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

Drevo Gramr 84 - it's a 75% keyboard - very compact yet have all keys necessary. It's really cheap on aliexpress but worth every penny (I've got 2, both works flawlessly since ~2014). The only downside can be the fact that if you would like to customize it, you would need 3 or 4 special keys (right alt, fn, ctrl, shift) since they're in the same size as regular keyboard/letter keys.

I use an Ergodox EZ Glow and am very happy with it, with a combo of a Kensington trackball and the Mac's trackpad for mouse input.

Here's my work-in-progress firmware if you're curious: https://github.com/mnemnion/ergodox/

Kinesis Advantage 2 (https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage2/)

The company provides extra txt resources for 10 Finger typing excercises. I did this for 2 weeks before switching to this keyboard as my daily driver.

I researched a lot as I liked the feel of the wired Apple keyboard and wanted something similar for my pc at work. I ended up going with the Dell KM717. I comes with a mouse that I cannot stand using for too long, but the keyboard is absolutely awesome! I even bought another one to have at home as well.

Like a few others here, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000. I've been using it across Mac and Linux installs for years. It might be harder for some games, but it is the best keyboard I've tried. I think if they made a mechanical version, it might just be perfect.

Das Keyboard Pro 4 with blue switches. Honestly not that loud and I love the feel. Seriously solid construction (aluminium body and all that).

Has a decent WAF (wife acceptance factor) as long as I don't bottom out the keys too hard causing excessive thumping sounds ;)

I have two Diverge TM2s https://unikeyboard.io/product/diverge-tm/ , One with browns and one with blacks.

I love the layers and the grid layout.

Logitech K780. I have two of these and two Logitech MX Master 2s mice. I tried a mechanical keyboard but didn't really take to it. I underestimated the inconvenience of it not being made for Mac nor have any media keys (iKBC MF87).

Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Reds; I enjoy the feel of reds but would definitely like to get a version with blues or browns as my typing style causes them to bottom out more than I’d like.

Despite what was mentioned I find the keyboard enjoyable to use.

"Ask HN: Which keyboard do you use?"

17 days ago, 22 comments: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=20466157

Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard - it took me approximately 5 seconds to adapt to it.

Logitech MX Master 2S Mouse - a bloody masterpiece of industrial design and ergonomics.

I type code and do design and this combo is comfortable for both.

Ergodox.

In general, we should move away from the standard keyboard because it puts too much work on the right pinky, which is the weakest finger.

We should utilise our thumbs more.

Ergodox achieves that goal and reduces the chance of RSI.

wildcard the keyboard, just make sure to lift weights so your tendons in your arms stay strong and healthy to act as a buffer against RSI. esp important if your more of a skinny person

Poker 3. 60% size. Cherry MX clear switches.

I prefer a larger 10 keyless at a fixed office space, but 60% is nice if you are on the go. Flat keyed laptops are terrible for real work.

I use the Corsair K70 Lux keyboard, with red mecanical switches.

When working on my work's mac, I use a dell KB216 (much more silent, while still comfortable)

I have that one, I hate it because the key caps keep splitting

I switch between a Microsoft Natural and a $12 Logitech K120. I used to use Apple Aluminum Keyboards but my tastes have changed.

I like IBM "Model F" keyboard, which works well and has unlimited rollover. But, it not what I have on this computer.

I've tried a bunch of options but always come back to the Apple Magic Keyboard (the wireless one without a numpad).

Das Pro, brown switches. Picked one up to replace my aging daily driver at work (Magic Keyboard). No complaints here.

I use a pok3r. It's a 60% keyboard that's programmable. Being thinking of building my own one day though.

I use HAVIT HV-KB390L, it's a low profile mechanical keyboard, I absolutely love typing on this keyboard.

Logitech G413

I like the feel. But I suggest you try the feeling in a local store and choose the one that feels best to you

I use dactyl manuform at work and at home. so far, i really like it for typing and writing program.

I built mine using a DZ60 PCB, an aluminium case, and some ZealPC Zilent (revision 2) switches.

IBM lenovo USB wired KU-0225.

20ish USD, tough as nails, excellent layout and construction.

A Roland RD-700NX. It's cured all my RSI problems.

What key mappings do you use?

Equal temperament, 440 Hz.

WASD Code Keyboard, V2. 87-key version.

microsoft wired keyboard 600.

Cheap, got 10 for when they break/ get too dirty.

Nice soft touch.

Topre Realforce. I have a 110 key at work and 10 keyless at home due to the smaller desk. For “real work” I use the keypad constantly, I never related to the argument that travel distance to the mouse was worth sacrificing the keypad.

The Topre’s caps lock light doesn’t work with OS X out of the box but Karabiner can fix that.

I would have been open to a mechanical keyboard if I didn’t work within earshot of other people, and found the quiet mechanical switches to be inferior to the topre.

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000

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