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10 Strange Computer Keyboards

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the well-not-that-strange dept.

DirectedImpact noted an amusing little compilation of 10 strange keyboards. Some of them you've probably seen before (the laser keyboard, the optimus OLED keyboard) and others are quite real (I actually had one of those split keyboards for awhile) and others are pretty out there: like the keyboard built into the lacy doily placemat thingee.

9 of 181 comments (clear)

  1. No ErgoDex DX1? by elrous0 · · Score: 5, Informative

    My personal fav weird keyboard is the ErgoDex DX1 Keyboard. Completely moveable keys, macros, etc. Recognfigure it however you like. Runs about $150.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
    1. Re:No ErgoDex DX1? by God'sDuck · · Score: 3, Informative

      The Maltron is supposed to be great. I have the Kinesis version -- the key "wells" are great for reducing finger travel, and the long stroke distance takes away the impact of the the key bottoming out. Very nice, and dramatically extends (more than doubles) the hours per day I can work before my fingers start burning. Took about a day to adjust, and a week to get back up to full speed.

      I have nasty RSI or something like it, and the Kinesis just seemed the best balance of bang for the buck -- the Safetype was more for wrist than finger problems, split keyboards and basic ergonomics didn't do enough, and the Datahand (mentioned below) was too spendy for me to try unless the Kinesis wasn't good enough.

      Seriously young geeks -- if your fingers start hurting, do something before you do permanent harm. Switch mice (vertical mouse, trackball or tablet), switch keyboards, try Dvorak or Colemak, talk to your doctor -- it just gets worse over time if you don't.

  2. The forgot one of the oldest and best.... by Lumpy · · Score: 4, Informative

    http://www.handykey.com/

    the twiddler, I even still have one in the basement somewhere from 1993 when I was into Wearable computing. when you got used to it you could type really fast, it was fun writing C code when you were walking from the bust stop to your EE classes while looking in the LED alphanumeric hud.

    Cool part it was a mouse as well.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  3. There's more where those came from by sticks_us · · Score: 5, Informative

    A similar article, with a couple of other--even weirder, IMHO--classics can be found here.

    The Orbitouch FTW!

    --
    "Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it." -- Donald Knuth
  4. Twiddler? by AltGrendel · · Score: 4, Informative
    If you're going to include the Alpha-Grip, shouldn't the Twiddler?

    I have one and it's great.

    --
    The simple truth is that interstellar distances will not fit into the human imagination

    - Douglas Adams

  5. Rubber by HappyHead · · Score: 5, Informative

    There's also the Flexible Rubber Keyboard, which is not only easy to roll up and carry around with you, but is also waterproof (for shallow depths, anyways) and resistant to strong acid and alkaline environments. (But disintegrates fast with organic solvents like acetone, potentially leaving nothing but a few strands of copper wiring and gooey sludge.) I've never tried using mine underwater, but at least one of the reviews I've seen of them mentions using them in the bath. They're more resistant to being smashed by heavy-handed typists, and it's impossible to get crap-buildup underneath the keys since it's a sealed silicon unit.

    They also come in a variety of colors and styles. My sister wants the pink one. she needs it considering how much pop my niece has dumped on their old keyboards, and the fact that they both type like they're trying to leave finger-shaped dents in the floor underneath the desk.

  6. Apple Adjustable Keyboard by binaryspiral · · Score: 3, Informative

    This one should have made the list... it was one of the first adjustable ergonomic keyboards to come from a computer manufacturer. It also came with a disclaimer about RSI that was almost as heavy as the keyboard itself.

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Adjustable_Keyboard

    What the wikipedia article's photo fails to show you are the giant wrist rests that are attached to the main keyboard and number keyboard. A small ADB cable attached the external number keyboard to the main qwerty board and could be arranged on either side. It also provided audio controls and a full compliment of F keys.

    I miss that keyboard... I had one and enjoyed it up until the point I no longer could use an ADB keyboard.

  7. Kinesis Contour by danberlyoung · · Score: 3, Informative

    You can't forget about Kinesis's Contour. The weirdest yet most comfortable keyboard I've ever used. (Looked weird enough that MIB used it as Zed's keyboard at the office.) Saved me from carpel tunnel surgery about 5 years ago and I"m pain free to this day. http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/contoured.htm A little pricy ($300) but much cheaper than surgery.

  8. Re:No more Optimus stories, please! by crabbz · · Score: 3, Informative

    ars played with the full keyboard recently, complete with full color keys. seems like it is real, but freakin' expensive.