Ask HN: Keyboard for software engineer? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Keyboard for software engineer?

5 pointspbowyer11 comments

Hello, I'm a software engineer and I’ve never had a decent keyboard. My last one’s just died, and this $8 stand-in is awful.

This time, I want to get something for my PC that makes my 8-10 hour/day programming/writing easier on my fingers and wrists.

I have small hands (full-stretch span from 1st to 4th finger: 12cm/5” - on a MBP, hitting Return with my forefinger on ‘J’ is not comfortable)

I’ve also been straining my shoulder, so need tenkeyless or smaller, such that my mouse isn’t so far out.

What do you use, what do you recommend, and why?

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I use laptop-style keyboards even on the desktop. They have keys with low compression depth and low compression weight to allow faster typing and less strain due to less action.

For two examples Microsoft Comfort Curve Keyboard 3000 and AmazonBasics Wired Keyboard (if you want a chiclet-style keyboard). However the Comfort Curve's curve is a perk. I really like the Macbook Pro's keyboard also.

I will add this: It is very fashionable at the moment to recommend mechanical keyboards (in particular for "gaming"). I'd urge caution if you type all day on it, as they typically require a greater compression weight and greater compression distance (i.e. they make you slower, and work harder). However if you aren't a comfortable touch-typist the feedback may be helpful.

Mechanical keyboards definitely aren't for everyone. I used the IBM Model M back in the early 1990s (back when it had a DIN connector on it, pre-PS/2) and I thought then and I think now that it was a terrible keyboard. It was built like a tank, true, but otherwise really poor to type on for medium to long periods.

When I got a mechanical keyboard (Cherry MX Blues), the activation force was quite a bit lower than my rubber dome keyboard and took a while to get used to. Buckling-spring keyboards (especially the model M) are quite a bit heavier. I'd say that the blues are on par with or slightly lighter than a Macbook Pro's keyswitches.

I started my mechanical keyboard search (or journey?) on an IBM Model M, but it was a little too stiff and big for me. I now use a Leopold Otaku tenkeyless (https://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyle...), with Cherry browns. I wasn't sure which Cherry switches to get, but from doing some research, people seemed to agree that Cherry brown switches were good for all-around keyboard use (gaming, typing, etc.). While I like my MS Natural 4000 (especially for the leatherette wristpad), I really enjoy typing with my mechanical keyboard better.

I would also recommend a key sampler, as @wattson mentioned.

I have 2x of the filco majestouch tenkeyless ninja keyboards with brown keys. For me its perfect, its hard to suggest a generically 'perfect keyboard' as everyone is different. They are not cheap.

Thanks - I looked at that online today. Cost doesn't matter - even if I got 1wpm more or did 4 min extra typing a day, it'd pay for itself.

Without being able to experience these keyboards, the choice of Cherry MX Brown/Cherry MX Red/Topre is tricky. As you say, it's a very personal thing, and I suspect the difference between those three isn't as important as having a good keyboard layout and sane key action.

A lot of keyboard places will send you a sampler, with a few keys of different types: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-6-key-cherry-mx-...

Agreed, and it's so subjective. I was a long-time Apple keyboard user (I had the flat chiclet board for years), and struggled with whether a mechanical keyboard would be too loud, or the extra key travel would bother me. I ordered a key/switch sampler, but even with that it's pretty hard to get a sense what they'll feel like on a board. I obsessed about keyboards for probably a month before breaking down and ordering a WASD with Cherry MX Blues. For what it's worth, I found that the loudness of these keyboards was wildly overstated, and I think you probably get used to whatever you've got after a few weeks of use anyway. I never really think about my keyboard until one of these threads pops up, which is funny considering how much mental energy I devoted to choosing one.

Thank you, this is really helpful. I find the keyboard on my 2009 MBP pretty good so the chiclet board is appealing - but equally I know I hit these keys too hard for my own good, and bottom them out all the time. It's more tiring to type on than a good desktop keyboard.

> I obsessed about keyboards for probably a month before breaking down and ordering a WASD [...] I never really think about my keyboard until one of these threads pops up, which is funny considering how much mental energy I devoted to choosing one.

Oh boy, that sounds just like me! You should have seen the months I took to spec out my new desktop computer. Drop me an email if you want to have a foil for these times :)

Code Keyboard 87 key - https://codekeyboards.com/

Also checkout keyboard.io - they are working on a ergo, mechanical key solution which looks very interesting.

This is a very personal question for a lot of people. I personally use the modern version of the good old IBM Model M (made by the same factory), called a Unicomp. Unicomp makes tenkeyless versions, btw.

Cherry MX blues are godly for typing, be sure to check if your wife is fine with them though - they make a lot of noise.

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