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Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

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Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#15

Post by secureleaf »

mattweinberg wrote: post #8

You might get some suggestions for the Kinesis Advantage 2. It's a great keyboard, but keep in mind it's very different from other keyboards and could take a couple weeks to get used to before you're back up to your full productivity. I think the best approach for the Advantage is to just stick with it and fight the urge to even temporarily switch back to a regular keyboard.

As an owner of an Advantage 2, I wholeheartedly agree. I was worried that I'd lose my ability to type on a normal keyboard after I became accustomed to the ortholinear layout of the Kinesis (as some posts online suggested), but I'm typing this message on my MacBook Pro's keyboard.

That said, there's nothing more comfortable and pleasant to type on for the whole day than my Kinesis keyboard. Well worth the $350 price tag and the learning curve.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#17

Post by qudat »

kalessin wrote: post #12

I strongly recommend split hands, ortholinear layout and thumb clusters too, as well as a programmable firmware so you can setup your own layers.

I’ve been using corne (40% ortho split) for software development for over a year now. It is most definitely the way to go. Having common symbols (){} be on a layer on the home row is so fantastic for typing speed.

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#18

Post by TrispusAttucks »

If you just want a great keyboard and don't want to learn a new layout or form factor and don't want to build your own I present the best mechanical keyboard.

[1] FILCO Majestouch Ninja - Cherry MX Browns

Make it yours with a nice pack of keycaps.[2]

If you're not sure which Cherry MX switches to get read more about them here [3] and search for comparisons. I hate reds. I love blues. My wife's ears hate my blues. Now I use browns.

I have owned many many keyboards and built a couple too and I honestly believe that FILCO is the best consumer mechanical board or at the very least my favorite :)

[1] https://www.amazon.com/FILCO-Majestouch-Ninja-Cherry-Keyboar...

[2] https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cherry+mx+keycaps

[3] https://www.cherrymx.de/en/blog/cherry-mx-switches-at-a-glan...

EDIT: You notice I picked a TKL (10 key less) unless your an accountant or mathematician num pads are highly overrated and take up valuable desk real estate.

EDIT: Check our https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ for inspiration ... but beware ... it can turn into a bit of an addiction.

Good Luck!

Re: Ask HN: What are some good keyboards?

#20

Post by Someone1234 »

I'd recommend:

- Chiclet Keyboard

- Inexpensive

- Wired

- Full QUERTY layout (inc. number pad).

- Maybe a dedicated calculator button.

- No LEDs/special features/special software.

Advantage including:

- Lower compression depth/lower pressure per key press.

- Lower noise.

- Lower cost.

- Increased reliability.

- Plug and play.

Amazon Basics and Dell both make good keyboards in this category but Amazon Basics' keyboard no longer has the dedicated Calculator button. I buy these keyboards on purpose and legitimately don't understand people who WANT a Model-M clone, I typed on those for years, terrible keyboards. Just loud, attract grime, and cause hand fatigue.

PS - Although the trendy tide could be turning with MX LOW PROFILE gaining some interest.

edit: Maybe check out the CHERRY Stream Keyboard for $30 on Amazon (US).

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