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Comment by microtonal | Hacker News Reader

I used a happy hacking keyboard for years, and I absolutely loved it. It was small, allowing me to keep the mouse close by and had all the keys in the right places.

At some point in time I got an Apple keyboard, which has about the same size and flatter keys. In the beginning I hated the flat keys, but now that I got used to it, I absolutely love it.

Did anyone read the literature with respect to high/flat keys? What is the verdict with respect to ergonomics?

Did anyone recently purchase a Happy Hacking Keyboard? How is the build quality these days?

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Depends which version you're talking about. The 'regular', non-pro HHKB is not a quality item and uses very cheap keyswitches. The HHKB Pro / Pro 2 uses the highly-regarded Topre keyswitches but this is reflected in the price. The layout differs slightly, too.

I own two HHKB Pro 2's and absolutely love them. The quality of the keyswitches is pretty much legendary by now, the build of the keyboard itself is decent enough but nothing to write home about. It's really all about the layout and the Topre switches.

Actually, the ABS construction is something to write home about. It is quite solid and very easy to disassemble for thorough cleaning.

Genius LuxeMate i200 is a viable substitute. Very sturdy and reliable -- survives heavy bashing of intense programming and heavy-handed gaming. Navigational keys (arrows, PageUp/PageDown and friends) are conveniently placed. Complete with long cord :-)

http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/ct?xItem=16580&ctNode=132

I used to be really into mechanical keyboards, but have since developed a preference for low profile scissor switch keyboards after using them at work.

I think the perfect keyboard for me would be a low profile, high quality scissor-switch keyboard with a slight split angle and the numpad on the left side.

I've been using my HHKB for at least 8 years and I love it. But I'm thinking about switching to the Apple Keyboard because of the thickness of the HHKB, which, it's at least my feeling, is hurting my wrists. But I don't like the wireless-aspect of the Apple Keyboard...

I had been using "HHKB Lite2 for Mac" for a half year with Mac mini. It's quality was really nice though Lite is a low-end model. I no longer use HHKB since my development is done by Macbook Air.

bought one about 6 months ago (Pro 2), and man do I love that keyboard. Typing is very reliable, and it's perfect for UNIX.

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