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

Exotic Keyboards

[geekymachoman]

I just wish laptop people would stop inventing new stuff just for the sake of it.

Every time I buy a laptop, there's some retarded stuff going on ... last one I bought (low end) was Lenovo Ideapad 310. They put the shift key AFTER the arrow key up. It's like UI/UX people in web design, just making changes for the sake of it.

Check this out:
https://www.waresphere.com/sto...

Takes quite a while to adapt.

Daskeyboard Prime 13

[Michael64b]

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

Re:Can't go wrong with the Model M.

[luckytroll]

Unicomp buckling spring - if you want a traditional model M made by the same folks who produced the beasts for IBM, go there.

I have one for work and home, and they are tanks. And noisy. But they will have to bury me with mine as they will be unable to pry them from my cold dead hands.

Note - I have one with the integrated trackpoint mouse, but in the end it wasnt really worth the premium, except for those rare times I needed a console KB+M in a pinch and was out of USB ports.

Loving the quiet again.

[PopeRatzo]

After spending a bunch of money on mechanical keyboards, I finally figured out that I really prefer membrane keyboards for both gaming and typing. I never really enjoyed my mechanicals, but the hype was so strong that mechanical was the way to go that I kept trying, thinking that I just needed to find the right one.

Finally, I was in some store one day and they had a Razer Cynosa Chroma on display and I tried it and decided on the spot to give my mechanicals away to friends and now that Razer is my absolute favorite. Less than half the price of my cheapest mechanical, too.

IBM Model-M

[jrq]

IBM Model-M.
No contest.

Re:wikipedia: List of mechanical keyboards

[Vrallis]

Sadly none of the ergonomic ones on that list fit what I want. Ideally I'd like to see a keyboard with the layout of the MS ergonomic keyboard but with proper mechanical keys.

I've used nothing but these split-style keyboards for nearly 20 years. I definitely think I've saved myself from needing carpal tunnel surgery in doing so, as it immediately relieved the wrist pains that started just before then.

Logitech Wave - for arthritis/Security Concerns

[mykepredko]

I find the shaped keyboards to work best with my arthritis. Either the Logitech or Microsoft feels better for long sessions of coding/typing.

My biggest concern is the Logitech Set Point software when I'm working on my Windows machine. I really shouldn't have installed it. The keyboard works fine on my Linux development machine and doesn't require Set Point.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Re:Logitech Wave - for arthritis/Security Concerns

[whoever57]

I find the shaped keyboards to work best with my arthritis.

This. I don't have significant arthritis, but even so, the shaped ("ergonomic") keyboards are much better to use than anything else. I don't understand how people use the rectangular ones if they use a keyboard all day.

As much as I hate everything Microsoft, I use their keyboards at home and at work.

Keyboard? What's a keyboard?

[LynnwoodRooster]

I svitdhfd yfars afo tp tie Appmf Whefl!

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard

[mspring]

...4000, because my wrists really need the split design and my muscle memory needs the standard cursor and number block. I'd be happy to try out another brand with these these 2 must-have features, if someone were to point out one.

Re:Alienware

[Joce640k]

I accidentally dropped it once and it didn't skip a beat.

Low expectations.

I expect a keyboard to break the floor when I drop it, not the other way around.

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.

Inverted dvorak

[goombah99]

I use a split keyboard arranged devorak style and and I swap the left and right hand units. That way not even people who know dvorak can type on my keyboard.

Re:Alienware

[The Grim Reefer]

Low expectations.

I expect a keyboard to break the floor when I drop it, not the other way around.

Found the model M user.

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.

Re:Stop ignoring the elephant in the room!

[Scarletdown]

A good, or even acceptable keyboard just plain does not exist.>

Don't worry. It will get better for you when your opposable thumbs develop. :D

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.