Top Quality Keyboard

dejongj

dejongj

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I'm keeping my Surface Pro 3, but want a more permanent setup when in the office and as such are looking for a top quality keyboard....

Any good recommendations for super keyboards? Ever since the IBM PS/2 90 I had to develop on a long time ago I've not really found a similar quality keyboard.

I'm considering something like the;
Cherry G80-300
Diatec Filco Majestouch

Or as a wildcard (I've never had an ergonomic keyboard before), the Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic

Any thoughts, ideas, alternatives are welcomed....
 
If you like ergo keyboards, the Sculpt from MS is *really* nice.
or I could sell you a bluetooth Wedge keyboard for cheap... ;-)
 
I have a couple of Filco keyboards. Nice keyboards, but as the lettering is printed on, it is prone to wear out. First thing to do is work out which mechanical switches you want, then go hunting for one that has those in. Overclockers have a mecjh. keyboard section. If I were buying again, I'd want a backlit one (easier to see plus the letters have to be manufactured into the key not printed on...)
 
Cheers I think I want the Brown switches. And yes I agree about the backlit keys.
 
dejongj said:
Cheers I think I want the Brown switches. And yes I agree about the backlit keys.
Click to expand...


Ducky Shine 4... so may as well end the thread right there. :) Awesome keyboard.

http://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/ducky-shine-4/

Cherry switches (you can specify brown, black or blue on ordering). Backlit (fully customisable).


One drawback, it;s a US layout, but that's not a big deal... so are Mac keyboards and no one seems to complain about that.
 
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IBM Model M is the only answer to "what keyboard?"

The one I'm typing this reply on was made in 1988 and I have used it consistently since 1991 when I started work using an IBM PS/2 Model 50. Back then the replacement for the IBM a couple of years later had an AT keyboard connector so I needed an adapter, nowadays I need a different adapter (USB) as my current development machine has no PS/2 keyboard or mouse connectors.

I like it so much that I bought others to use on my computers at home.
 
onomatopoeia said:
IBM Model M is the only answer to "what keyboard?"

The one I'm typing this reply on was made in 1988 and I have used it consistently since 1991 when I started work using an IBM PS/2 Model 50. Back then the replacement for the IBM a couple of years later had an AT keyboard connector so I needed an adapter, nowadays I need a different adapter (USB) as my current development machine has no PS/2 keyboard or mouse connectors.

I like it so much that I bought others to use on my computers at home.
Click to expand...


They are probably one of the best keyboards ever made, yes. One problem though... they're seriously ugly, and just too damned big :) What makes them good though, and what makes them last is pretty much the quality of the key switches, but Cherry keys are available in many different keyboards these days. You no longer have to suffer a beige monstrosity on your desk. :)
 
LC2 said:
There is only 1 keyboard worth having in this world, and it is the IBM Model M
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBM-Model...021?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item35e660e73d
Click to expand...

onomatopoeia said:
IBM Model M is the only answer to "what keyboard?"

The one I'm typing this reply on was made in 1988 and I have used it consistently since 1991 when I started work using an IBM PS/2 Model 50. Back then the replacement for the IBM a couple of years later had an AT keyboard connector so I needed an adapter, nowadays I need a different adapter (USB) as my current development machine has no PS/2 keyboard or mouse connectors.

I like it so much that I bought others to use on my computers at home.
Click to expand...

must have been 10 years ago now, I went to a computer fair and found a guy selling off old kit... in amongst all the cruft and dross there was a box with keyboards in it - a couple of standard junk things and 5 of the old Model M's - dug all 5 out, some were missing keycaps (not the key, just the exchangeable shell cap) in places, and one had a rather suspiciously damaged looking cable. Bought all 5 for £15 and walked out of the place like a dog with 2 dicks :)

I ended up making 4 working ones from the 5, and gave one of them a complete "deep clean" of the casing... guess what I'm typing this on. Not only is it as reliable as the average Anvil, it's got the most wonderful "feel" to type on - the keyswitches just have an amazing "click" before the key actually bottoms out, so, for a touch typist, you end up just pressing enough and not thumping the keys to make a contact. Over the space of a days work on the machine, it's surprising how much less stress on the hands this causes (before I started using the Model M's I had problems with tendonitis in my left hand - combination of lots of time on the computer and playing bass guitar in bands 4-5 nights a week - since getting a proper keyboard, that's one less problem I have...)
 
I rescued 15 or so from the crusher at work, when our old 3.1 kit (IBM Model 55sx's) were being replaced with Compaqs running NT4.
They are (mostly) currently sitting in a cupboard at home. One is still in it's wrapping!

My daily work Model M (when I'm not away from the office having to use a laptop :/ ) is also of 1988 vintage according to the sticker on the bottom.
 
Ducky Shine Brown. No idea why there is a post above advising US keyboard layout, just buy the UK one...
 
Seahorse said:
Ducky Shine Brown. No idea why there is a post above advising US keyboard layout, just buy the UK one...
Click to expand...

They never used to make a UK one when I bought mine, & website doesn't actually specify. That's very good to know, because like an idiot, I sold it for something else I was talked into buying... . I missed it immediately.

[edit]

Cheaper now too.
 
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Logitech Di Novo Edge.. lovely bit of kit.
 
GeeJay57 said:
Logitech Di Novo Edge.. lovely bit of kit.
Click to expand...

Cheap membrane switches. It looks nice, but it's basically a laptop keyboard in a dress, with some bells and whistles, and it's bloody awful to touch type on. I'm pretty sure they don't make it any more either.
 
I have a Logitech K800 wireless keyboard, and I like it a lot.

Am considering a wired MS Sculpt keyboard.

Had an actual Model M a few years back, and whilst it is truly a marvel of engineering, I must caution anyone considering paying money for one that they (a) have a very firm feel, which will be quite alien to anyone brought up on laptop and similar keyboards and (b) they are brutally, incredibly, can-hear-it-anywhere-in-the-house loud. I imagine this will apply, in varying degrees, to any keyboard with buckling-spring keyswitches.

Absolutely first-rate to type on, though.
 
I think I'm set on a Ducky shine 4. Just not certain about having a lit up horse on the space bar.
 
Great keyboard. I have the Shine 3.

If it's the same as the 3, it'll have two different spacebars, mine had a year of the snake, and one with a small Ducky logo instead that is much more subtle.

Real men use MX Blue clickies ;)
 
Oh don't say that. I want the blue but are concerned that late at night my daughter might complain as her bedroom is next to my office.
 
Got it. It will still be there during daylight though :)
 
Das Model S Mechanical Keyboard user here.

I asked my wife to get it for me for Christmas. She thought I was mad. Who would spend more than £20 on a keyboard. Well... She did... :)

I type a lot, and I love the responsiveness of the mechanical keys. It's not got fancy lights, but it's brill for... typing....
 
I have to admit that I feel like I've cheated myself. However I've got many a through the night coding session and think that even with Brown switches it is too loud.

I've got for the new Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard. We will see how that works out.

It was the picture of the horse that stopped me from hitting that buy button.
 
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