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Ask HN: What keyboard do you use?

29 points by tnecniv ↗ HN
I'm in the market for a new one for my work machine. I'm trying to familiarize myself with the market. I know mechanical keyboards are popular but I'm not going to limit myself to them.

Split keyboards seem pretty intriguing, so I'm especially curious to hear from someone who has experience using it as a daily driver.

58 comments

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gitrebase
Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000
tony
ergodox ez: https://ergodox-ez.com/

- very solidly built. perhaps best build quality of any keyboard i ever had

- the z and / keys are ctrl keys, and you need to type , and / twice to type those keys

- there are "mod" keys, which shift into secondary, third, ... layers

- you can control the mouse from the keyboard. i don't use it, but would like to see development in this area

- when you transfer back to a normal laptop keyboard, you have to orient yourself again

- firmware can be customized: https://configure.ergodox-ez.com. You register, "fork" the config, download the firmware and flash it. There's a graphical flashing tool that works on Ubuntu (probably other distros too) called wally (https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/wally)

- it's shipped from TW (Formosa!!), you have to pay a lot of money to ship it back if you want to do it within the return period.

- expensive

- my "a" key sticks sometimes. i haven't nailed down why yet.

have also tried kinesis advantage. recommend it. it takes up more space, but is also well built. it has a feeling like it's medical/industrial grade. above average build than even an expensive mechanical keyboard.

check out g305 for mice. it's small, accurate, and wireless

runjake
I switch between a Microsoft Natural and a $12 Logitech K120. I used to use Apple Aluminum Keyboards but my tastes have changed.
necovek
As someone who exclusively switched to Thinkpad laptops for their keyboards, I've went with Lenovo Thinkpad Keyboards for my desktop and HTPC too (they've got USB and Bluetooth variants). They are supposedly T440 keyboards in standalone form, and surprisingly, not many people know about them (they are cool for sofa use since they have a trackpoint too).
SanchoPanda
IBM lenovo USB wired KU-0225.

20ish USD, tough as nails, excellent layout and construction.

moh_maya
Has anyone tried Microsoft sculpt [1]? I use the 4000 series [2], and that's been amazing..

[1] https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

[2] https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

terhechte
I’ve been using the sculpt since 2013 now. I use it all day at work and home. I love it. It has the chiclet keys that feel similar to 2015 generation MacBooks, which are my favorite keys, and the ergonomics are great. I also have some mechanical keyboards, but I simply enjoy typing on the sculpt so much more. In fact, I have a stash of new sculpts in storage, in case Microsoft ever stops making them.
bogdanu
I own two sculpt ergonomics. What I noticed is that the keys on the new one are not the same as the older one.

I think over time the keys on the older one have lost that feedback I have on the newer one. Have you also noticed this?

reddit_clone
Yep. Use it for last couple of years. Got one for home too.

Nice feel and ergonomic. Proper arrow keys.

I don't like the little Esc key though. Also the Home/End/Pgup/Pgdon key layout take some getting used to.

half-kh-hacker
I built mine using a DZ60 PCB, an aluminium case, and some ZealPC Zilent (revision 2) switches.
SOLAR_FIELDS
Since you are specifically asking about split keyboards: I use a Kinesis Freestyle 2 and have done so at work for years. I use regular keyboards at home.

- not really any difficulty in terms of muscle memory remembering how to switch between regular and split keyboard

- it did take me some retraining because before using a split keyboard I had actually typed 6 button with right hand instead of left

- it does make a notable difference in terms of wrist pain after extended usage

Overall, I can recommend it, especially if work is paying for it. I don’t type enough at home to really justify one though as I don’t start getting wrist pain unless I’m at the desk for 6-8 hours.

facorreia
I use the Kinesis Freestyle Pro with Cherry MX Brown switches.

It's great ergonomically speaking. The hand position is very comfortable, the keys are top quality, and I don't have to move the hand too much to use the mouse.

Also, very little re-learning required since the keys are in pretty standard positions. I highly recommend it.

adlpz
Used to be a big fan of mechanical keyboards. Tried a few, with blue and brown cherry switches, Chinese knockoffs, full size, tenkeyless, 60%, the whole journey.

Nowadays I'm happy with a 9€ Logitech K120. Go figure.

samatman
I use an Ergodox EZ Glow and am very happy with it, with a combo of a Kensington trackball and the Mac's trackpad for mouse input.

Here's my work-in-progress firmware if you're curious: https://github.com/mnemnion/ergodox/

wodenokoto
Apple wireless keyboard with numpad. Switched from a das keyboard with brown switches and my typing has markedly improved and so has the feeling in my wrists.
4rt
Sculpt Comfort Desktop but I only use the keyboard from it, the mouse is pretty naff. I like the ergo aspect but I dont like a gap so this is a nice half-measure.

It has a decent wrist-rest but the best part is you can elevate the front so your wrists are perfectly straight when touch-typing.

https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/products/keyboar...

colinjoy
I use the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard [1], that despite it’s childish name, is the most solid keyboard I have owned so far~.

It comes with a GUI (built with angular [2]) to configure the key map / layers. This makes it extremely fast and simple to customize it. The split layout is very comfortable too.

There are also some cons: It is fairly expensive. Split is great for writing code, not so great for working with creative suite type apps. Custom key maps moving all relevant shortcuts to one half help keep the right hand on the mouse / pen, but it means I am unlearning the normal layouts... and this is maybe my biggest gripe with all the nice customizations:

Whenever I use a regular keyboard now, I feel like a giraffe learning to walk [3].

I still very much like it and would not go back.

1: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/

2: https://github.com/UltimateHackingKeyboard/agent

3: https://thumbs.gfycat.com/SelfishLinearCaudata-size_restrict...

~ Matias Tactile Pro, Vertex Poker II and a few generations of Apple keyboards

abledon
wildcard the keyboard, just make sure to lift weights so your tendons in your arms stay strong and healthy to act as a buffer against RSI. esp important if your more of a skinny person
popotamonga
microsoft wired keyboard 600.

Cheap, got 10 for when they break/ get too dirty.

Nice soft touch.

theSage
I've been using the koolertron split mechanical keyboard for a year now and it's been pretty good so far. I can sit up straighter, my thumbs and pinky don't hurt anymore.

The connector cable in the middle is becoming a little loose and it did not ship with a spare. Would have been easy enough to replace but I can't find any micro-to-mini usb cables. I'm just hoping to splice one together myself once it goes kaput.

https://www.amazon.com/Koolertron-Programmable-Mechanical-Ke...

pro_zac
I also use the koolertron and I love it. I've had it for over a year. I had a Comfort Keyboard ErgoFlex for over 10 years before. My favorite part of split keyboards is reprogramming the left spacebar to backspace. Second best part is the keyboards move slightly day to day, so you aren't always in the same rigid position. As for the koolertron, it's main advantage is space saving. Many split keyboards take up a ton of desk space. This one does not. Plus it looks nice and the keys are really smooth.
macando
Apple Aluminum Wired Keyboard - it took me approximately 5 seconds to adapt to it.

Logitech MX Master 2S Mouse - a bloody masterpiece of industrial design and ergonomics.

I type code and do design and this combo is comfortable for both.

Artemix
I use the Corsair K70 Lux keyboard, with red mecanical switches.

When working on my work's mac, I use a dell KB216 (much more silent, while still comfortable)

echeese
I have that one, I hate it because the key caps keep splitting
karma20
Das Pro, brown switches. Picked one up to replace my aging daily driver at work (Magic Keyboard). No complaints here.
namelosw
I use HHKB, both type-s and Bluetooth version. Type-s is far better than other HHKBS in terms of the feedback and the sound. It's by far my favorite.

I used several Filco keyboards like Majestouch, Ninja and Minila. The first two are good, and Minila key position is weird.

And I used several Cherry keyboards, including 3000 and others I forgot the name. Cherry feels more like plastic than Filco, which I find less well. Their switch are the same. Cherry has several rare switches like white switch though, I also have one but it's just too heavy to press.

Haven't tried split keyboards yet.

I'm also intrigued by Realforce Mac keyboard which allows you switch weight of the switch. I plan to give it a try when I go to Japan anytime soon.