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Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

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Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#1

Post by Kevindish »

Hey hackers

I am standing for buying a new keyboard, but finding it difficult to find a really good one.

One thing I find is that many keyboards has numbers on them, which i never use, and i just makes the keyboard look more chunky.

I really like the Logitech Dinovo Edge - slim, good keys and looks good But it is some years old and use Bluetooth, the unify Ghz from logitech is a more seamless technoglogy.

I also liked the Logitech Media Desktop, slim, good keys again, but that is also years old, and do not work together with the new software that i use with the logitech MX Revolution mouse.

What keyboard do you use for your hacking? Help me hackers, I am curios to know! :)

-Kevin

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#2

Post by asselinpaul »

I've heard really good things about Topre keyboards but can't afford one myself since I am a student. Google around to learn more but good models are:

-Topre Realforce 87U (around $260)

-Happy Hacking keyboards (around $300)

I told you they were expensive. Otherwise older IBM keyboards tend to have a good reputation (model M).

To find some great keyboards, you can have a look here : http://www.elitekeyboards.com/ (no I don't work for them).

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#4

Post by Piskvorrr »

Best for what?

For programming and writing, I'm extremely happy with my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. No interference, pairing or batteries to worry about - just plug into the USB port (1.8 metre cable) and off you go. The key travel and resistance is just right, so that my fingers don't tire after a whole day of work, and the ergonomic design helps against wrist pain (I've had that with straight keyboards). It does have numbers, though: both in the top row and on the numeric keypad (not sure what your issue with numbers is, they're quite essential in all the typing I do).

It also has some cute additions like the zoom lever, browser and multimedia keys, but that's just icing on the cake :)

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#5

Post by Piskvorrr »

drKreso wrote: post #3

Two best are Dinove Edge & IBM model M... I have both and I prefer IBM (buckling spring is priceless when you grook it)

Ah, the venerable Model M - now that's a keyboard you could kill a bear with, without even scratching the keyboard :) Alas, I had to stop using that in open-space - cow-orkers complained that it was too noisy.

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#8

Post by jbarham »

I bought the standalone Thinkpad keyboard [1] and love it. It's compact as it doesn't have a separate number pad, and feels just like the legendary Thinkpad keyboards. At $59 it's not cheap, but IMO is worth it.

FWIW it also includes a TrackPoint, but I never use it as I prefer a mouse.

1. http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPo...

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#9

Post by sp332 »

Here's an excellent (and funny) overview from Ars Technica of different kinds of switches in keyboards. http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/news/2011/02/ask-ars-ergonomi...

The "Happy Hacking" keyboard looks very nice, and has no numeric keypad. But it's ridiculously expensive. edit: apparently RMS http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?13526-Richard-Stallman-%2... and Bjarne Stroustrup http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?18556-HHKB-spotted-on-des... use them :)

To actually answer your question, the wireless Apple keyboards have nice scissor switches and are surprisingly decent to program on. And no numbers on the side!

Re: Ask HN: What is the best Keyboard nowadays?

#10

Post by rpwilcox »

Piskvorrr wrote: post #4

Best for what ? For programming and writing, I'm extremely happy with my Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000. No interference, pairing or batteries to worry about - just plug into the USB port (1.8 metre cable) and off you go. The key travel and resistance is just right, so that my fingers don't tire after a whole day of work, and the ergonomic design helps against wrist pain (I've had that with straight keyboa…

Another vote for the MS Natural Ergo 4000. I've bought 3 total, on two continents. My wrists also feel better than with a flat keyboard.
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