Ask Slashdot: What Kind of Keyboard Do You Use With Your Computer and Why?

An anonymous reader writes: Hello all. I am looking to buy a good mechanical keyboard for my everyday usage — programming and writing. I see some good offers on certain keyboards -- thanks to Black Friday deals. Just this week, Razer launched what looks like a good mechanical keyboard for people who are looking for a budget gear. One of the issues I have come across looking for a good keyboard is how most of them are designed for Windows OS by default. (I know you can customize keys, but.)

Slashdot has run keyboard discussion posts in the past -- the best laptop with best keyboard, greatest keyboard ever made, and quest to find a good keyboard , but I don't see any recent story on this. I was curious to know what kind of keyboard you use and why did you choose the one you have?

Comments

Daskeyboard Prime 13

[Michael64b]

https://www.daskeyboard.com/p/... - minimalist and white backlight.

Simple

[freeze128]

What keyboard do I use?

Wired.

It's just a dell keyboard that came with the computer. It doesn't have clicky switches, or RGB LEDs, or music navigation buttons, or a volume control, or even the power/sleep/suspend keys. It's just a keyboard.

Why?

Security. Simplicity. Availability. Affordability.

My requirements for a keyboard? It needs to have an ENTER key that is NOT shaped like an "L", and the backslash should be placed just above the ENTER key.

Plug

[ElizabethGreene]

Logitech deserves a look for their Unifying line of wireless kit. They have been incredibly reliable for me, latency low enough that I don't notice them, and the batteries last forever.

Matias Tactile Pro

[fyngyrz]

I presently use a Matias Tactile Pro 4.

Pros:

o Normal key travel depth means typing skills apply without relearning
o Positive "click" clearly indicates success of keystrokes — uses Alps mechanical keyswitches.
o N-key rollover — doesn't lose keystrokes.
o Has OS X keys where they should be.
o Nicely marked with option-key and other uncommon characters.
o Durability is high (I type a lot and these last longer than anything else I've tried.)
o Dual USB ports, very convenient at times.
o Nicely symmetrical shift, control, alt/option and command keys.
o Properly shielded cabling, keeps RFI low (I do a lot of radio work.)
o Sculpted keytops — aids in keeping fingertips where they belong
o Excellent build quality — case, feet, keys, cabling, connectors, jacks.
o Laser-etched keytops provide excellent legend durability.
o Actually has an ESC key. And proper function keys. 18 of them. :)
o Has a numeric pad.
o White with dark key legends: very easy to see, which I need when not typing on the conventional keys.
o No batteries to wear out — it's powered through its USB cable.
o No connection issues — communicates with the computer over USB.
o Available in US, UK, German and Japanese layouts. I use a US layout version, it's great.

Cons:

o Price: They're presently about $150.00, US. To me, absolutely worth it, but that's in the "ouch" range.
o Keys are not illuminated - I really, really wish they were. I prefer a darker room.
o Difficult to clean (I've no suggestions here, it's just an observation.)
o Although durability is far better than anything else I've tried, these still last me only about a year. Could be better. I think what usually happens is the keyswitches come loose from the printed circuit board underneath, a conclusion I have drawn based on the behavior of the intermittent keypresses.

And...

I have to emphasize that I type a lot. About eight to ten hours a day, at about 65 WPM in long bursts (sometimes several hours at a time.) I suspect that for most people, these keyboards would last a very long time.