Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

switchandclick.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

291–300 of 413 posts

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#291

Post by cobalt »

cole-k wrote: post #271
twhb wrote: post #161

The mechanical keyboard community is unfortunately really toxic. In addition to second hand accounts, I have a friend who’s a newbie in it who I encouraged to talk to people to get her bearings, and there was a basically unanimous chorus of “fuck off, until you have something to offer us you’re just a waste of time”. I think it’s partially because it’s largely gamers, and partially because it’s largely about perceive…

Maybe it's changed in the past five years, but I don't recall being treated disrespectfully when I was active on /r/mk and deskthority (can't speak for geekhack, and I admittedly wasn't very active on deskthority). As what switches/layouts/keycaps/etc. folks like are highly subjective and sometimes polarizing, I would often see people espousing opinion as fact. But no one treated me rudely even when I asked dumb ques…

it's definitely gotten worse in the last couple years with the mainstreamification of MK b/c of things like gaming keyboards, massdrop, etc

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#292

Post by wyager »

AceyMan wrote: post #196
wyager wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For 90% of companies, increasing software engineer productivity by just a few dozen bps is worth thousands of dollars a year. On top of a $4k laptop, $2k screens, etc. a $400 keyboard is totally reasonable. If your company won't let you get stuff like this they're probably being irrationally stingy.

This reminds me of my amazement to learn from the YT teardown movement (AvE, etc) that professional tradesmen often consider a topline Makita or Dewalt cordless tool to be good to go for one job (e.g.,a single commercial high-rise building) and after that, it's time to get (aka, bill for) a new one. I believe software folks could take some cues from that practice.

Any idea where I can get my hands on those worn-in makitas they're not using anymore?

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#294

Post by indrora »

clon wrote: post #102
csdvrx wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree so much!! I've tried my best to like mechanical keyboards... but no, I hate them. The noise is distracting, they require too much strength on every key, and they are big and expansive! I thought I might have the wrong keytypes, so I even purchased key testers: the red keys are less noisy, but that doesn't solve the other problems. So I just can't find a reason to like them. My favorite keyboard is the Thinkpa…

Exactly the same sentiment. My yearlong experiment to try to love mechanical keyboards left me with a thousand euro hole in my wallet and physical problems spanning from fingers to upper body musculature. I loved the tactile feel, but hated what they did to my body. I think mechanical keyboards are just too high, with excessive travel. You sort of have to keep your hands floating in the air, which transfers stress to…

After going to the Keeb Life (2x Ergodox + Iris + Mistel Borocco) for ergonomic reasons, i have some thoughts.

If using a mechanical keyboard caused the need for contortions, it was a bad fit for you. Full stop. Whatever layout you ended up with was built for the needs of someone else.

I generally tell people who're interested in the Keeb Life to grab something random off Amazon. If they want something known, I point them at the Code keyboard, which is 90% a basic keyboard, 10% swag. Nothing weird except some clever use of the function keys and some entirely optional helpful things for programmers in the layout.

IANAMD, but I'd bring up this with one. The relaxed "floating hands while typing" posture is one that a lot of people end up passing through. It works for some but not others and comfortable typing should be regardless of the keyboard.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#295

Post by BoorishBears »

andrewzah wrote: post #267
BoorishBears wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's the exact HHKB I have and trust me, it's a noisy rattly mess compared to a good mech. Like just lightly glide your fingers across the keys and you should feel/hear the rattle. That same rattle continues as you type, it's just mixed in with the sound of bottoming out. For comparison, my mech is a solid feeling piece of aluminum, the keys have 0 wobble, and there are no rattles at all. It's night and day, I coul…

I also have a type-s hhkb with the silencing o-rings and I’ve never thought that it sounds noisy. I’ve experimented with various keyboards but for me the sound and the action of the hhkb are my favorite. I just wish it had the layout of the Leopold FC660C.

Like I said, mine is a Type S. They are inherently rattly.

Plastic case plus very loose tolerances on the switches = it rattles.

It's great if it doesn't bother you, it didn't really bother me until I got to experience better.

Even something as small as resting fingers on a key feels so much nicer when the switch has 0 play

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#296

Post by mcny »

csdvrx wrote: post #129
clon wrote: post #102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly the same sentiment. My yearlong experiment to try to love mechanical keyboards left me with a thousand euro hole in my wallet and physical problems spanning from fingers to upper body musculature. I loved the tactile feel, but hated what they did to my body. I think mechanical keyboards are just too high, with excessive travel. You sort of have to keep your hands floating in the air, which transfers stress to…

> One day I got tired and bought a 10 euro keyboard from the grocery shop. Noname, slimline, rubber domes. What a relief that was. Actually, I had the same thing happen to me during my mechanical keyboard experiment when I had to use some old keyboard found in the basement on a raspberrypi. It felt SO GOOD, SO COMFORTABLE, that I said "screw that experiment, I'll accept that I'm an uncultured swine who likes membrane…

» I decided to stop trying to fit my tastes to what's popular

Funny enough, for me it was the inexpensive (~ USD 25) no name "blue" switches keyboard that I like best. They are very clickity clackity. However, I work from home now so it works out.

It doesn't have a number pad which I thought would be a deal breaker but I don't mind much at all. Even the legendary Thinkpad keyboard is not good enough anymore. In fact, I went to the Thinkpad bios and switched the fn Ctrl keys back to the same layout as on my USB keyboard.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#297

Post by donio »

memco wrote: post #87

> You’ve seen people test Topre boards such as the HHKB, Realforce, Leopold, and some Topre-clone boards too, and many rave about the way they sound and feel. No, I haven't heard of Topre or seen any reviews until now. > Topre boards, why are they so expensive? ... $250 ... Although I suspect many keyboard enthusiasts might usually hover in the $100-$200 range for their pieces, $250 for parts and labor isn't that exp…

Datahand keyboards used to cost $500-$1000 depending on the model and time of purchase.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#298

Post by Yhippa »

Lio wrote: post #127
csdvrx wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree so much!! I've tried my best to like mechanical keyboards... but no, I hate them. The noise is distracting, they require too much strength on every key, and they are big and expansive! I thought I might have the wrong keytypes, so I even purchased key testers: the red keys are less noisy, but that doesn't solve the other problems. So I just can't find a reason to like them. My favorite keyboard is the Thinkpa…

I have an IBM model M and a Pkr3 with Cherry MX Browns sitting on the shelf. What I’ve discovered over time is that I’m some kind of peasant when it comes to typing. What I really like are thin, low travel laptop keyboards and trackpads instead of mice. Small, symmetrical with everything centred below an external monitor. I love the idea of mechanical keyboards but the reality is that actuation force and the key trav…

> What I really like are thin, low travel laptop keyboards and trackpads instead of mice.

I feel the same way. Oddly enough, one of the best keyboards I have ever used is the Google Pixelbook's. It has truly spoiled my fingers for other keyboards.

One thing that messing around with mechanical keyboards has taught me is that I don't need a full keyboard. Compact TKL's work best for me. The Logitech MX Keys mini has a small enough form factor and comes closest to the Pixelbook's feel.

Re: Why Are Topre Keyboards So Expensive?

#300

Post by noisy_boy »

TacticalCoder wrote: post #239
TheRealDunkirk wrote: post #39

After about my 6th mech, I finally ordered one from Amazon to see what all the fuss was about. I put it back in the box after 2 minutes, and returned it. What can I say? I like blues. It just comes down to what you prefer.

> What can I say? I like blues. Well... If your thing is really clicky, then indeed Topre may not be for you. I do like blues too and I used Model Ms for years (even way clickier than blues) before finding Topre switches. Clicky switches lovers are, I think, a category of their own.

I like MX blues because they provide that perfect clicky sound with a reasonably low actuation force. Other MX switches are either not clicky or are too tiring for my fingers with their higher actuation force or don't provide sufficient feedback. So I use the blues with o-rings that provide the right mix of clicky-ness, force and dampening.
Post reply on HN