Have Keyboards Gone Crazy?

Ethelthefrog asks: "My office keyboard recently failed and I am attempting to choose a replacement. Unfortunately, Logitech, who make keyboards with an action I really like, seem to have gone crazy. They have trademarked their worst features: Zero Degree Tilt(tm) means I have to reach uncomfortably far for the number keys and their horrific 'Enhanced Function Keys' means I now need to engage a shift-lock type function just to get at F1-F12. Are there any geek-friendly keyboards out there that combine decent action with just the keys I need to hack and no more?"

Comments

Happy hacker ...

[LizardKing]

Despite it's naff name, the Happy Hacker keyboard is quite good. It's small as well as having the Control and Caps Lock keys in the correct place. It still doesn't beat the Sun Type 5 keyboard, but I don't know if you can connect one of them to a PC.

Chris

Happy Hacking

[4of12]

I've been quite happy with my Happy Hacking keyboard for several years.

The Control key is in the right place, it doesn't hog the desk the way those big 105 key monster do.

The emphasis is on being compact, though, so be warned that getting function keys requires a 2-key combination, holding down an "Fn" key together with one of the other keys (eg, the numeric 1 becomes F1).

I've been intrigued, but haven't had the courage yet to try out something that looks incredibly efficient (one-handed, Ma!) and good for portable use, too, the Twiddler.

Go Old School

[Dr. Bent]

I use an old IBM PS/2 keyboard, with the IBM logo on it and everything. It took me forever to find it but it makes my life wonderful. First of all, it's indestructable. Even after all this time the letters on the keys haven't worn off. It's got a nice tilt to it and I really like the tactile feedback from the keys because they're individually spring loaded, (instead of a plastic membrane). Also, since it's PS/2 I don't use up a USB port just for my keyboard. But the best part is no Windows keys! So when I'm playing quake on a friday afternoon, I don't have to worry about accidently tasking out because I hit the wrong button.

Keyboards have gone way downhill in the last few years because of all the "innovation". Simple is better. I don't need a seperate button on the keyboard for checking my e-mail, opening a web browser, and connecting to the internet. That's just lame.

Microsoft Natural Pro

[Basje]

Actually, it's neither micro, nor soft, but it's a mighty fine keyboard. Unfortuanately, it is discontinued, but it was widely available, which is also a plus. I don't know about it's successor, the natural multimedia keyboard, but apart from a lot of colors it looks the same.

Don't go for the natural keyboard elite, as it has the cursor keys in a + configuration, not an inverted T. That's annoying

Here's the keyboard you want

[lightspawn]

eBay item 2746828346.

Sure, the bidding ended, but you can make one yourself very easily.

Cherry Keyboards

[Specialist2k]

Are there any geek-friendly keyboards out there that combine decent action with just the keys I need to hack and no more?

I am not sure if these are available in the US, but I can definitely recommend Cherry's G81-3000 keyboard.

IBM Model M Spacesaver

[isaac]

The IBM "Spacesaver" ps/2 keyboard fits the bill:

• Buckling spring mechanism
• Compact (standard IBM PS/2 layout minus the numeric keypad)
• Durable
• No Windows or "grandma" keys

Personally, though I've put mine away and now use an IBM Trackpoint II keyboard - it's full-sized, it's black, it has the buckling spring model M mechanism, it has no windows keys, and it has a trackpoint built in (regretably only the 2-button, no z-axis trackpoint II) so I can keep my hands on the keyboard. In conjunction with a USB scroll-mouse, I've found input nerdvana.

-Isaac

Or get an IBM 42H1292 -- it's the same thing

[Wee]

IBM Model M is the keyboard of the Gods.

The Model M is an amazing keyboard. So is the model 42H1292. Both are heavy, and both feature the buckling spring switch under each key principle. Dan (from dansdata.com) reviews them here. He calls 'em "battleship boards", goes into the why they make such great keyboards. It's interesting reading, like pretty much most of what Dan writes.

IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find. He did manage to find a company here in the US that uses IBM's old tooling to manufacture new 42H1292 keyboards. They don't have the IBM logo, but they are apparently functionally identical to the IBMs. They're US$50, however.

I was inches away from buying one of the new units, and decided to do some searching before I threw down a hundred dollars. After some searching, I came across a company called IndexComputer that specializes in older OEM computer parts, specifically IBM parts (if you need port covers or whatever for an old ThinkPad, they're the people to talk to). They sell brand new 42H1292 keyboards for $20.

I bought one a couple weeks ago as a test. It's the real deal. Even smells like a pool toy. I'm using it now, actually. I went back and bought three more for a spare and for a couple other computers I have.

For $20 you can't go wrong with a 42H1292. If you really must have a Model M, IndexComputer sells those as well. They're US$50 though. I don't know if a plug-in cable is worth the extra US$30, but if you really have to get your hands on a true Model M, they're the people to talk to.

-B