New Computer Keyboard

Malice · 09-04-2008 1:41pm #1

Currently I use a generic black Dell keyboard at work and a pretty ancient Logitech one at home. They are both a bit clunky and I would like to replace them. I'm a programmer both at work and at home so both keyboards have gotten quite a bit of (ab)use. Does anyone have any recommendations about what would be a good keyboard to buy? I came across Das Keyboard recently and I quite like the look of the blank keys. I'm a touch-typist so I rarely look at the keys while tapping away. I've also been thinking about trying the Dvorak keyboard layout for a while. But that's a subject for another thread entirely

Anyway, in summary, I would like a new keyboard and I am prepared to spend quite a bit of cash if I have to. Any recommendations or advice will be gratefully received. I don't think my budget will stretch to this though

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blackgold>> · 09-04-2008 5:21pm

logitech EX110 it's wireless and includes a wireless mouse.
30 quid

spartacus93 · 09-04-2008 5:40pm

blackgold>> wrote: »

logitech EX110 it's wireless and includes a wireless mouse.
30 quid

Do you find the range to be terrible tho? I was hoping to use it with my HTPC but the range won't allow me to type from the couch. It's cheap and well built. When in range works great, but is let down by the poor range.

Malice · 09-04-2008 5:58pm

blackgold>> wrote: »

logitech EX110 it's wireless and includes a wireless mouse.
30 quid

I'm not a fan of wireless or keyboards with extra media buttons tacked on. Plus there's plenty of life left in my mice yet so the added wireless mouse would be pretty much useless to me. Thanks for the suggestion though!

blackgold>> · 09-04-2008 6:25pm

Whatever floats your boat.I haven't had any problems with range but they are battery powered so ......

calex71 · 09-04-2008 7:34pm

using a logitech s510 http://www.misco.ie/productinformation/~Q969862~WW~/Logitech%20Cordless%20Desktop%20S510.htm
absolutely love it very flat and feels a bit like a laptop keyboard
but with desktop keyboard layout. Mine came with a brilliant
remote with buttons you can assign key board short cuts to
and a mouse (which i didnt like so much but my brother did)
paid €50 for mine. and also the battery life is 1st rate.

Malice · 10-04-2008 9:04am

Hmm, that wrist rest on the Logitech Desktop S510 looks annoying. Is it detachable?

blackgold>> · 10-04-2008 1:25pm

No but your wrists might be

Malice · 10-04-2008 2:03pm

Well I don't know about anyone else but I've never used a keyboard with wrist rests that didn't annoy the hell out of me very quickly.

Snowbat · 10-04-2008 2:55pm

I think I read somewhere a Das Keyboard owner said the key action is good but the rest was flimsy. As the keys are individually weighted for QWERTY, the weighting would be sub-optimal for Dvorak.

My choice would be an original IBM Model M from ebay (they're built like tanks - second hand shouldn't be a problem), or if you want a new one, Unicomp bought the "buckling-spring" designs, tooling, and licence from Lexmark (IBM). The Unicomp Customizer is an exact copy of a Model M 42H1292, even built on the same machine as the original.

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicomp

Another very highly regarded keyboard is the unconventional-looking Kinesis Contoured line. These have complete key remapping ability, programmable macro keys, and hardware QWERTY/Dvorak switching. They're not cheap though.

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/contoured.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_%28keyboard%29

BanzaiBk · 10-04-2008 6:15pm

If you're into blank keys, check out the Happy Hacking KB. I've had mine for ages and liked it so much I bought one to use in work. Not cheap though.Link

Malice · 11-04-2008 7:42am

Snowbat wrote: »

I think I read somewhere a Das Keyboard owner said the key action is good but the rest was flimsy. As the keys are individually weighted for QWERTY, the weighting would be sub-optimal for Dvorak.

My choice would be an original IBM Model M from ebay (they're built like tanks - second hand shouldn't be a problem), or if you want a new one, Unicomp bought the "buckling-spring" designs, tooling, and licence from Lexmark (IBM). The Unicomp Customizer is an exact copy of a Model M 42H1292, even built on the same machine as the original.

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unicomp

Another very highly regarded keyboard is the unconventional-looking Kinesis Contoured line. These have complete key remapping ability, programmable macro keys, and hardware QWERTY/Dvorak switching. They're not cheap though.

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/contoured.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinesis_%28keyboard%29

Hmm, that's interesting about the flimsy Das keyboard comment, I must read a few reviews of it myself. At $299 (€189) those Kinesis keyboards really aren't cheap are they? I like the look of them though

BanzaiBk wrote: »

If you're into blank keys, check out the Happy Hacking KB. I've had mine for ages and liked it so much I bought one to use in work. Not cheap though.Link

According to the official site, that keyboard has been discontinued since 2006

. Looks like it's still available and also isn't cheap at $259(€164). I guess one way or another my piggy bank will get raided if I go for one of those expensive models!

New Computer Keyboard

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