Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#1

Post by MrMike » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 7:32 PM UTC

My puppy had chewed a part way through my Logitech G15 cord in a few spots. It would work from depending on how I wiggled the cord. Now, it's gone.

I'm not a gamer; it was reco'd to me years ago, but I have no use for the macro keys.

What's the most comfortable keyboard (not split/"ergonomic"/whatever those are called) you've ever used?

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#2

Post by teh_david » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 8:51 PM UTC

I have just moved from a G15, which I loved, to a split keyboard (a Kinesis Advantage). Despite split keyboards not being your cup of tea, I would highly recommend looking for a mechanical keyboard.

The Kinesis has mechanical switches - they are awesome and really nice to type on. The tactile sensation of the keys, with the small audible click, and the fact you don't have to hammer the key all the way down are what makes it for me.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#3

Post by tronjavolta » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 9:06 PM UTC

das keyboard

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#4

Post by PonyGumbo » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 9:31 PM UTC

Everyone seems to have a different idea about what's comfortable. I use an Apple keyboard because I like extremely short key travel. Every time I use a 'normal' keyboard now, it feels like I'm typing on an old manual typewriter.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#5

Post by Mankhool » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 9:34 PM UTC

BenQ designed by BMW. I bought mine for $4.99 new on Best Buy's clearance site, but they are probably hard to find now. Here's a link to an image: http://ncix.com/products/?sku=15950

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#6

Post by caudipublius » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 9:38 PM UTC

Das keyboard is right, but that's for my next upgrade.

I bought a Razer Tarantula when I was still into video games. I outgrew (not really) the games but the keyboard still holds. The keys, halfway in between a full keyboard and notebook keyboard, are laid out perfectly.

Even though I do say the Das Keyboard, I've been with the Tarantula enough to recommend it as well.

I code now, all I ever do with it.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#7

Post by pdenya » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 11:16 PM UTC

I like the apple wireless usb keyboard without the numeric keypad. It's got a small width while still being comfortable meaning there's more room on my desk, I can slide it easily but it stays in place while I'm typing, the chicklet keys are easy and fast to press and don't make too loud or quiet of a clicking sound.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#8

Post by andrewguenther » Wed, Jun 22, 2011, 11:53 PM UTC

I had a 2010 Logitech DiNovo until recently, best keyboard I have ever owned.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#9

Post by blcArmadillo » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 12:27 AM UTC

The keyboards on Thinkpads (laptop). You can buy standalone ones from lenovo although I've heard that they're not quite the same as the the ones on the laptops. I love them so much I've been tempted to try and buy a replacement one and build a converter so I can use it standalone.

Re: Ask HN: What's the best keyboard you've ever used?

#10

Post by stevetjoa » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 8:43 AM UTC

I just bought the Das Keyboard Ultimate, and I like it a lot. The keys are firm and clicky, but not as firm as I remember the IBM Model M being. I'm slowly getting used to the unmarked keys, particularly the number row. The keyboard as a whole is weighted and doesn't move while typing. It's great.

For laptops, I love the Thinkpad. I returned an Asus Eee PC for the sole reason that the keyboard was unusable, and instead bought the Thinkpad.

Despite owning a MacBook Pro, I don't like the Mac keyboard and probably never will.

In case you haven't seen the Stack Overflow post on keyboards: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/687/keyboard-for-programm...