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Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

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Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#171

Post by whiskyant »

lewisflude wrote: post #55
daguil68367 wrote: post #38

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've heard keyboards that use dome with slider designs, like Packard Bell keyboards, are about as cheap as generic non-mechanical keyboards, but avoid the mushy bottom-out, making the typing experience infinitely better.

Something like the Topre Realforce keyboards are nice if you want something a bit softer but still high-end. Most of the reasons we end up with bad feeling keyboards is companies looking to cut costs. I highly encourage other developers/typists to find an opportunity to give a good mechanical keyboard a try.

I just bought a Topre Realforce R2 (variable weight) not too long ago, and I love it!

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#172

Post by anewguy9000 »

CoolGuySteve wrote: post #69

The responses from the keyboard enthusiasts here are a real life example of this phenomenon: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZK8Z8hulFg The guy just likes this cheap keyboard. I use those aluminum Mac keyboards for most of the same reasons: I like (somewhat) low key travel, they’re cheap and easy to find, and last reasonably well. Edit: Actually it looks like the $50 keyboard I’m talking about got replaced by the “Mag…

no, this guy is just selling his cheap keyboard via amazon referal link. and "if they ever stopped making it, i'd buy a few if them!"

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#173

Post by banachtarski »

nickjj wrote: post #117
banachtarski wrote: post #108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/business-center/guidance/ftc... FYI.

Thanks. I'm working on addressing that now. I'm currently at 1,800 words to explain the use of my affiliate links for an upcoming post. Then I will modify my static site generator to auto-insert a 1 line sentence into any post with an affiliate link. It will be a couple of hours or even a day for all of that to materialize since I need to balance that into a full day's work but I do want to get it out asap, so maybe…

Thanks for addressing it, I didn't mean to create a ton of unwanted work, but I do see this error crop up a lot among tech blogs that I peruse.

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#174

Post by bllguo »

sli wrote: post #68
vladharbuz wrote: post #3

> Jokes aside, I totally understand the appeal of mechanical keyboards. I’ve used them and it is satisfying to hear that clickity-click sound and the keys do feel amazing but that just doesn’t work for me due to being on so many pair programming calls and recording video courses. I don't like it when people equate mechanical keyboards to loudness. They don't have to be loud! My keyboard has MX Clear switches which ar…

Yeah, no offense to the author, but this article read like one written by someone who really doesn't know much about keyboards. There is a whole slew of different silent, non-clicky, tactile and linear switches to choose from, as well as sound dampening o-rings.

Funny thing is that MX Clears are unbearable to me as well. If anyone is interested in some specific silent switches, look into MX silent reds, silenced Topre, Gateron silent inks, Aliaz silents, Zilents, and Healios. There are sound tests on YT

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#175

Post by moron4hire »

I just can't imagine how this person can say that this particular keyboard is their favorite.

I get not liking the click of mechanical switches. I mean, I like the click, but I understand it is well in the realm of personal preference.

But the Amazon Basics keyboard is legitimately trash. It doesn't adhere to keyboard HID profiles, so there are systems on which it just doesn't work (like the Raspberry Pi). I have very little room in my life for basic IO devices that don't work reliably on all of my systems.

But also, the build quality is terrible. It feels like a $14 keyboard. Thin, plasticy, sharp edges. I have used a lot of keyboards and this one is legitimately the most painful and unpleasant one I've ever used.

This just comes off as intentionally contrarian navel gazing.

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#176

Post by notus »

borski wrote: post #152
vkou wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are paying 2 people for what is, 95% of the time, less than twice the output of one person. There are particular mentoring objectives that you can hit with it, and there is value in bouncing ideas off another person, but I don't need to sit in front of a computer screen for the latter.

There are definitely benefits that are larger than just mentoring or bouncing ideas. Often, the sum is actually greater than the individual parts, as fewer mistakes get made and more fruitful paths get explored earlier/faster.

As the other poster said, most coding mistakes are not expensive and the ones that are should have automation/testing in place around them. It is definitely not worth having someone look over your shoulder and eat up the little breaks you naturally give yourself. There is a reason that hardly anyone at companies like Google, Amazon, etc. do pair programming.

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#177

Post by cr0sh »

I might have to try that keyboard - it looks nice, and maybe it might feel as "ok" as the keyboard on the MBP I use at my job (older 2014 edition).

But nothing could really replace my keyboard at home.

I just can't get away from my Lexmark Model M - I love the buckling spring sound and feel, I love the "heft", I like the fact it has a built in "pen holder" ridge at the top, I love that it's almost 30 years old and going strong. I love that it still uses the PS/2 connector. I love that it's beige in a world that's forgotten what computers used to look like. I love that it doesn't have any "microsoft logo" keys.

Dunno if I could ever really replace it. I have a backup Model M if I ever need to. Plus a Unicomp USB classic in black. Then an old SGI keyboard (that needs an adapter/converter box or something built for it to be usable - another project for another day).

But this Amazon keyboard does look intriguing on it's own, so maybe I throw down the bit of money and try it. Might be worthwhile for those times I need or want a quieter keyboard...

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#178

Post by moron4hire »

lewisflude wrote: post #33

I'm a keyboard enthusiast, I have a collection of ~15 mechanical keyboards with various switches, hand lubed, modded (spring swapped, stem swapped) various materials and sizes from the plastic HHKB to the monstrous TX1800 (fits the keys you'd find in a full size keyboard into the frame of a TKL). I'm happy the writer has found a keyboard that works for them. Although I think that they'd be able to get a better typing…

I think they'd get a better typing experience spending $25. The Amazon Basics keyboard is the worst keyboard I've ever used. This article is just forcefully contrarian.

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#179

Post by leshow »

I got into custom DIY keyboards. Specifically split ortholinear. A bonus to using these boards is they are flashable with the wonderful QMK firmware, they can have multiple layers, dual function keys, mouse emulation, almost anything you can think of on a keyboard.

I could never go back to having a 'normal' keyboard after I've enjoyed writing my own layouts. I use normal qwerty for the alpha keys, but almost everything else is changed.

Should also note, mechanical doesn't necessarily mean clicky or loud. I have 7 or 8 mech keyboards and some of them have silent switches and are basically noiseless, others make a little bit of sound but not much. I don't like 'clicky' switches.

Re: Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard

#180

Post by neurotrace »

kazinator wrote: post #136
notus wrote: post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most engineers with jobs aren't making compromises on the price when their goal is comfort and usability.

Speaking of engineers and jobs, it's part of an engineer's job description to make compromises on cost. I've never seen a mechanical keyboard that wasn't loud; let alone silent. (The thread topic is noise, not comfort or usability.) That doesn't mean they don't exist. Maybe if I rubbed shoulders more with the high society, I might get access to some invitation-only showroom for exotic keyboards where $14K will get yo…

Look in to Cherry MX Silent Red switches. I got a custom board made with those switches for ~$300. You can find cheaper ones but this is a specialty one. The keys are quieter than my mouse buttons and are comfortable to type on.
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