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Qiuet Keyboards with Tactile Feedback?

Posted by Cliff on from the keyclicking-without-the-clicks dept.

zerOnIne asks: "Like many geeks I know, I love good old clicky mechanical tactile-feedback keyboards. I've got an IBM Model M (101 key) on the server, and a Linux CoolKeyboard on my desktop, and I wouldn't want to part with them. The problem is, though, that my wife and I live in a studio apartment, and my desk is necessarily right next to the bed alcove. This poses a problem on nights, like tonight, when I want to get some late-night hacking in, and she needs to get some sleep: my typing can rather loud if I get going. Is there a keyboard out there that can give me the mechanical feel of an IBM-101, but without the noise? As an aside note, whatever happened to the Linux CoolKeyboards company?"

9 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Dell Quiet Key by MImeKillEr · · Score: 4, Informative

    Specifically, the newer black ones that come with the desktop systems.

    The only keyboard that I've tried in the last 4 months that doesn't stick when I'm typing like mad (and doesn't cause any double-types). Quiet, yet responsive.

    Alternately, you can try this puppy.

    --
    Cruising the internet on my TI-99/4A @ a whopping 300 baud!
  2. Re:Damned noisy keyboards - Link by HaloZero · · Score: 2, Informative

    That advertised as silent keyboard I was referring to: http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fna me=CTLG&category%5Fname=CTLG%5F003%5F010%5F002%5F0 00&product%5Fid=26%2D494. Yeah, it _WAS_ silent... but you couldn't type with it worth a damn!

    --
    Informatus Technologicus
  3. Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys! by g_adams27 · · Score: 5, Informative
    One day when I feel right about spending $50-$60 on a keyboard, this is going to be the one I get:

    The Customizer

    It's made by the same guys who made those lovely clicking IBM keybords, and one of their models is (apparently) designed to give you a similar tactile feel but with less noise. (IIRC from my e-mails to/from one of their sales guys a few years back, they accomplished it by putting a noise-dampening shim into the spring).

  4. Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Informative

    The "click" in this case is caused by a metal spring deforming and hitting the walls of the key cap it's under. It's that spring that causes the "feedback" that people here are talking about. If you ever see one of those old IBM "wing" keyboards that weigh about 40 pounds and don't work with modern computers (sigh) at a garage sale or something, try it out.

  5. Re:In marketing speak by dmarcov · · Score: 3, Informative

    Actually, it's not as true as you think. I've always loved the clicky-clack of keyboards like the one of the original PC, except of course it being a bit loud.

    I stumbled across a keyboard at work (scavanging is what everyone does after the 4th round of layoffs, right?) that is actually pretty quiet, but gives the fully clicky feel without so much clack (just ask my co-workers).

    I don't think Dell even offers it anymore, but it's the Dell AT101W keyboard. Full-size, good feel -- less noise.

    I personally find the QuietKey keyboards "ok". Better than probably some 75% of what's on the market, but still mushy. I just don't touch-type properly with a mushy keyboard.

  6. The keyboard can be modelled as a soundboard. by stienman · · Score: 5, Informative
    It's difficult to get a 'click' feel without an associated 'click' sound. Sure, you could put rubber underneath so the plastic hits it instead of another piece of plastic, but then you don't get the nice satisfying click you're looking for.

    However, the sound created is rather tiny. The reason it sounds so loud is that the keyboard, especially the underside, acts as a soundboard. Lucky for your marital peace, you can deaden this effect to some degree.
    • Place the keyboard onto some sort of mat, so the sound doesn't travel to the table.
    • Attach foam or some other sound absorbing material to the back of the keyboard.
    • Place sound absorbing materials around (and above) the computer area. Couch pillows are good for this sort of thing.
    All of these things will affect the feedback you get from the keyboard. What I really suggest is that you spend time getting used to a different feeling keyboard, preferably USB so you can connect both at the same time.

    -Adam
  7. corrected link by honold · · Score: 3, Informative

    store

    less info than their main page (which is apparently down), but it still gets the point across.

  8. Re:Damned noisy keyboards - Link by tenman · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you have ever walked into a radio shack to touch on of these things, they are NOT a suitable replacement. The keys "squash" in unpredictable directions. The travel on the keys is more than the 101's 33mm. Plus the fact that the keyboard has no natural role (the upper part of the board is vertically higher than the lower), and one of the worst things, is there is no option of stands that allow you to raise the keyboard from the back. And one more thing... every time I see one now in a store, they are broke.

  9. Re:Sun Type 6 keyboard by benwb · · Score: 3, Informative

    I'm using a usb type 6 on my pc right now. It's definitely my favorite keyboard.The only downside was having to patch XFree86 for it to understand the extra keys.