Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#1

Post by irishmansevilla » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 12:37 AM UTC

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Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#2

Post by entrepy123 » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 3:03 AM UTC

Mechanical tenkeyless (TKL) low-profile.

1. Mechanical - for good physical feedback. Choose silent or clicky or bump to match your auditory and tactile feedback preference.

2. TKL - no 10-key pad for enough mouse space. Still have arrow keys and friends (home, page up/down, end, delete, etc. that can be assigned to stuff or used as-is).

3. Low profile - for shorter finger-typing throws and better wrist/finger ergonomics IME.

Honestly, the HAVIT HV-KB390L was the best IMO, and I don't think there's an equally good mechanical TKL low-profile with which to replace it that is as good in all three categories currently): https://www.prohavit.com/products/hv-kb390l-low-profile-mech...

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#3

Post by dlcarrier » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 3:09 AM UTC

entrepy123 wrote: post #2

Mechanical tenkeyless (TKL) low-profile. 1. Mechanical - for good physical feedback. Choose silent or clicky or bump to match your auditory and tactile feedback preference. 2. TKL - no 10-key pad for enough mouse space. Still have arrow keys and friends (home, page up/down, end, delete, etc. that can be assigned to stuff or used as-is). 3. Low profile - for shorter finger-typing throws and better wrist/finger ergonom…

The tenkey makes typing /* and */ really quick. Also numbers. Maybe its because most of the time I'm programming I'm working on embedded systems, but I use numbers a lot and would be annoyed if I needed to use both hands to type them in.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#4

Post by brudgers » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 4:37 AM UTC

I don’t believe there is an ideal keyboard or layout.

Anyway, I am reminded of Xah Lee, http://xahlee.info/kbd/keyboarding.html

One of his insights is that Alt and Ctl keys on both sides of the spacebar improves ergonomics (particularly for eMacs). I still find it useful years after I stopped using eMacs. That means I favor Thinkpads.

Which reminds me that keyboard ergonomics include track pads, mice, and other pointing devices in many typical contemporary uses, e.g. if you mouse right hand, the left side of your keyboard needs to do more.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#5

Post by unfixed » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 8:09 AM UTC

I use a Glove 80 and I don't think I'll ever change keyboard model.

I think the combo of ortholinear, concave shape and multiple buttons for the thumb skyrocket my comfort level. Also, splitted to keep my hands at shoulder width is something I really appreciate.

But I guess that the key feature (that many keyboards share) is the ability to create multiple layouts. A dedicated numpad withouth moving the hand, a symbols layer, improve a lot the typing experience. I go with classic QWERTY with some minor tweaks, and is good enough.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#6

Post by pestaa » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 10:12 AM UTC

dlcarrier wrote: post #3

entrepy123 wrote: post #2

Mechanical tenkeyless (TKL) low-profile. 1. Mechanical - for good physical feedback. Choose silent or clicky or bump to match your auditory and tactile feedback preference. 2. TKL - no 10-key pad for enough mouse space. Still have arrow keys and friends (home, page up/down, end, delete, etc. that can be assigned to stuff or used as-is). 3. Low profile - for shorter finger-typing throws and better wrist/finger ergonom…

The tenkey makes typing /* and */ really quick. Also numbers. Maybe its because most of the time I'm programming I'm working on embedded systems, but I use numbers a lot and would be annoyed if I needed to use both hands to type them in.

Navigating in Blender is also a pain without a numpad.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#7

Post by hideload » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 2:03 PM UTC

For the layout, the one you are used to! Learning a new layout looks cool, but doesn't serve any deep purpose.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#8

Post by jjice » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 3:18 PM UTC

dlcarrier wrote: post #3

entrepy123 wrote: post #2

Mechanical tenkeyless (TKL) low-profile. 1. Mechanical - for good physical feedback. Choose silent or clicky or bump to match your auditory and tactile feedback preference. 2. TKL - no 10-key pad for enough mouse space. Still have arrow keys and friends (home, page up/down, end, delete, etc. that can be assigned to stuff or used as-is). 3. Low profile - for shorter finger-typing throws and better wrist/finger ergonom…

The tenkey makes typing /* and */ really quick. Also numbers. Maybe its because most of the time I'm programming I'm working on embedded systems, but I use numbers a lot and would be annoyed if I needed to use both hands to type them in.

I have an external USB keypad that I plug in when I need it (it's been a while to be honest), but I find it to be the best of both worlds. I get to use my preferred TKL most of the time, and when I need the numpad (spreadsheets, mostly), I drag it down from further up my desk into whatever position is best, and slide it back again when I'm done.

Never considered the numpad for block comments though, that's a neat call.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#9

Post by epirogov » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 3:48 PM UTC

The Chicony PS/2 Keyboard Model KB-2961 outperforms most new classic models for hard working.

Re: Ask HN: What Is the Ideal Keyboard / Layout for Programming

#10

Post by [deleted] » Mon, Mar 17, 2025, 5:40 PM UTC

[deleted]