Ask HN: What's the best desktop keyboard for Mac users?
I have never been a fan of the regular Apple keyboards, and prefer the old school ones with a lot of tactile feedback. I bought a Matias Quiet Pro which I did like quite a bit but I had to return it after a few months due to dead keys. A few months later the new one also has the same problem. So I need to change plans.
For those that use MacOS in a desktop environment, what's your favorite keyboard choice?
16 comments
[ 0.33 ms ] story [ 50.2 ms ] threadAlso a fan of WASD's keyboards, but keep in mind that their custom keycaps seem to wear down pretty fast.
Check https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ for pretty much any/all options on the keyboard front.
There are other minor differences like the naming of alt vs option or return vs enter, but those don't usually matter to a reasonably savvy user.
Windows keyboards used to also come with near-mandatory print screen and scroll lock and page up/down and a couple other keys; dunno if those are still used. (Can you take a Windows screenshot these days without print screen or a custom app?)
They made a LOT of the G4-style keyboards, so finding them new in box or minimally used is not all that difficult, and if I was to start a new project with unlimited budget, I'd go with a new-in-box one.
When recently forced to use a run-of-the-mill Microsoft keyboard, the only major adjustment during coding was the backwards Cmd and Option keys (Windows and Alt).
The model that I have can be easily updated to use regular batteries, once your solar interface goes bust. [2]
[1] https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-solar-keyboa... [2] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Logitech+K750+Keyboard+Battery+...
http://matias.ca/tactilepro4/
which uses the same keyswitches Apple used in their legendary Extended Keyboard from yesteryear.
Fortunately, Kinesis (a long-time manufacturer of split-layout keyboards) has a new Gaming Edge line[2] that combines their super-adjustable split design with actual CherryMX keys. The resulting keyboard works wonderfully on my Mac: I haven't played with any of the macro keys they include for gaming, but the key layout works really well, the keys feel wonderful, and the adjustability makes my wrists and fingers happy.
[0] https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_lis... [1] http://matias.ca/ergopro/pc/ [2] https://gaming.kinesis-ergo.com/edge/
https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Ergonomic-Keyboard-Business...
Eliminated my wrist pain and the little USB dongle means the battery lasts for ever. I think I change batteries once or twice a year under really heavy use.