Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#1

Post by CPLX » Wed, May 30, 2018, 6:57 PM UTC

I have never been a fan of the regular Apple keyboards, and prefer the old school ones with a lot of tactile feedback. I bought a Matias Quiet Pro which I did like quite a bit but I had to return it after a few months due to dead keys. A few months later the new one also has the same problem. So I need to change plans.

For those that use MacOS in a desktop environment, what's your favorite keyboard choice?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#2

Post by outofband » Wed, May 30, 2018, 7:27 PM UTC

I love the Kinesis ergo keyboards, but also the ThinkPad bluetooth keyboard (no reaching for the mouse = less wrist pain).

Also a fan of WASD's keyboards, but keep in mind that their custom keycaps seem to wear down pretty fast.

Check https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ for pretty much any/all options on the keyboard front.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#3

Post by kevinherron » Wed, May 30, 2018, 7:54 PM UTC

I use a Kinesis Advantage/Advantage2 at home and work.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#4

Post by eip » Wed, May 30, 2018, 8:03 PM UTC

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

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#5

Post by vinylkey » Wed, May 30, 2018, 9:37 PM UTC

Out of curiosity, how would a keyboard for a Mac user differ from a keyboard from a Windows or Linux user?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#6

Post by cimmanom » Wed, May 30, 2018, 10:10 PM UTC

vinylkey wrote: post #5

Out of curiosity, how would a keyboard for a Mac user differ from a keyboard from a Windows or Linux user?

There used to be one more meta key on a Mac keyboard (back when the windows key only opened the start menu; maybe that's changed), and the location of the control key is different in relation to the alt/option key and other meta keys. Also, the windows keyboards I used used to have the windows key only on one side, whereas the cmd key is something you always want on both sides.

There are other minor differences like the naming of alt vs option or return vs enter, but those don't usually matter to a reasonably savvy user.

Windows keyboards used to also come with near-mandatory print screen and scroll lock and page up/down and a couple other keys; dunno if those are still used. (Can you take a Windows screenshot these days without print screen or a custom app?)

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#7

Post by brudgers » Wed, May 30, 2018, 10:42 PM UTC

eip wrote: post #4

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

A great keyboard...with the caveat that I've used it for Windows and Linux but not on a Mac. And $49.95 is list price, they're often ten or even twenty bucks less.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#8

Post by akulbe » Thu, May 31, 2018, 1:48 AM UTC

I'm a huge fan of the "Code" keyboards from WASD.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#9

Post by keviv » Thu, May 31, 2018, 9:14 AM UTC

I'm using Coolermaster Masterkeys M Keyboard. I've mapped the keys to match Mac's layout. http://www.coolermaster.com/peripheral/keyboards/masterkeys-...

Re: Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?

#10

Post by firemelt » Thu, May 31, 2018, 2:06 PM UTC

outofband wrote: post #2

I love the Kinesis ergo keyboards, but also the ThinkPad bluetooth keyboard (no reaching for the mouse = less wrist pain). Also a fan of WASD's keyboards, but keep in mind that their custom keycaps seem to wear down pretty fast. Check https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ for pretty much any/all options on the keyboard front.

Is the trackpoint really can replace mouse for web developer?