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I think (I hope...) this particular keyboard is a satirical commentary on the shrinking keyboards in the mechanical keyboard community. I do agree with you, tho

I think (I hope...) this particular keyboard is a satirical commentary on the shrinking keyboards in the mechanical keyboard community. I do agree with you, though—I don't understand the trend toward less keys.

chipotle_coyote 8y ago
+1, this. Semi-seriously, I appreciate the Pain27 as an art/hacking project and having a bit of fun with the "less keys are always better," but I don't understand the value of making desktop keyboards -- that is, ones that aren't intended to be portable -- ever more "compact." Removing the number keypad makes sense if you don't use it, and if you keep your mouse/trackpad on the right side of your keyboard. But I use the navigation keys pretty regularly; I don't use the function keys that often, but use them often enough that I notice when they're not there. And if portability is the actual concern, well, you probably want something thinner than most mechanical keyboards unless you're really dedicated. I just ordered another mechanical myself (a KBParadise V80 with Matias Quiet Click switches) so I could have one at work and one at home, which I suspect qualifies me as dedicated -- but for a keyboard I'm actually carrying around with me in a bag, I'll take Apple's Magic Keyboard or something from Logitech of comparable size and weight, thanks. So, 60%-and-below keyboard nerds: what is it I'm missing?
- function_seven 8y ago
  I have a 60% (I think. Not sure how the percentages are figured). It's also ortholinear, and it gave me a chance to reinvent the layout and what keys should appear. (https://i.imgur.com/9F0k3zv.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9F0k3zv.jpg, and https://imgur.com/yMdkEnP.jpg https://imgur.com/yMdkEnP.jpg) I ditched the number pad, the function keys, and the navigation cluster. That freed up room to separate the two halves of the keyboard and put a bunch of symbols in the center. I've always wanted to use hjkl as my arrow keys anyway, now I can do that. Function keys used to be a stretch to get to, and I could never touch type them. Now I can. My next plan is to add another row across the top for macros, and a few more columns in the center to separate my hands even more. The end result will be a keyboard that's almost as large as a standard one, but with no useless crap hanging off the right side :)
- cryptonector 8y ago
  I'm not a 60%er. I do use a small keyboard though, just not that small, though I could easily get by with a 60%. Things I care about: - layout - mechanical switches - size (for travel -- it must fit in my backpack) - reliability - wired - N-key rollover I use Cherry MX browns -- I might prefer blues, but browns don't annoy other people in the room like blues do. I always travel with a keyboard. Putting a laptop on your lap means looking down and straining your neck. Putting a laptop on a table means holding your arms up to type, which.. puts a strain on your shoulders and neck. The only solution is to put the laptop on a table (or higher) and attach a keyboard which one can then rest on one's lap. Yes, I even put my keyboard on my lap when using a desktop. So, if I must carry a keyboard when I carry a laptop, the keyboard then must be small.
the_gipsy 8y ago
I think one of the goals of having fewer keys is to minimize hand movement. This should translate to faster typing, and not having to look down from the screen to the keyboard to find a key. Although I agree that both more and less keys have benefits.
- equalunique 8y ago
  This. I find that relegating extra keys to function layers under the home row is helpful for maintaining flow when typing. Not having to move my hands around is an advantage IMO. I have used a Dvorak-layout 42-key Atreus as a daily driver for two years now.

chipotle_coyote 8y ago

+1, this. Semi-seriously, I appreciate the Pain27 as an art/hacking project and having a bit of fun with the "less keys are always better," but I don't understand the value of making desktop keyboards -- that is, ones that aren't intended to be portable -- ever more "compact." Removing the number keypad makes sense if you don't use it, and if you keep your mouse/trackpad on the right side of your keyboard. But I use the navigation keys pretty regularly; I don't use the function keys that often, but use them often enough that I notice when they're not there. And if portability is the actual concern, well, you probably want something thinner than most mechanical keyboards unless you're really dedicated. I just ordered another mechanical myself (a KBParadise V80 with Matias Quiet Click switches) so I could have one at work and one at home, which I suspect qualifies me as dedicated -- but for a keyboard I'm actually carrying around with me in a bag, I'll take Apple's Magic Keyboard or something from Logitech of comparable size and weight, thanks. So, 60%-and-below keyboard nerds: what is it I'm missing?

function_seven 8y ago
I have a 60% (I think. Not sure how the percentages are figured). It's also ortholinear, and it gave me a chance to reinvent the layout and what keys should appear. (https://i.imgur.com/9F0k3zv.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9F0k3zv.jpg, and https://imgur.com/yMdkEnP.jpg https://imgur.com/yMdkEnP.jpg) I ditched the number pad, the function keys, and the navigation cluster. That freed up room to separate the two halves of the keyboard and put a bunch of symbols in the center. I've always wanted to use hjkl as my arrow keys anyway, now I can do that. Function keys used to be a stretch to get to, and I could never touch type them. Now I can. My next plan is to add another row across the top for macros, and a few more columns in the center to separate my hands even more. The end result will be a keyboard that's almost as large as a standard one, but with no useless crap hanging off the right side :)
cryptonector 8y ago
I'm not a 60%er. I do use a small keyboard though, just not that small, though I could easily get by with a 60%. Things I care about: - layout - mechanical switches - size (for travel -- it must fit in my backpack) - reliability - wired - N-key rollover I use Cherry MX browns -- I might prefer blues, but browns don't annoy other people in the room like blues do. I always travel with a keyboard. Putting a laptop on your lap means looking down and straining your neck. Putting a laptop on a table means holding your arms up to type, which.. puts a strain on your shoulders and neck. The only solution is to put the laptop on a table (or higher) and attach a keyboard which one can then rest on one's lap. Yes, I even put my keyboard on my lap when using a desktop. So, if I must carry a keyboard when I carry a laptop, the keyboard then must be small.

the_gipsy 8y ago

I think one of the goals of having fewer keys is to minimize hand movement. This should translate to faster typing, and not having to look down from the screen to the keyboard to find a key. Although I agree that both more and less keys have benefits.

equalunique 8y ago
This. I find that relegating extra keys to function layers under the home row is helpful for maintaining flow when typing. Not having to move my hands around is an advantage IMO. I have used a Dvorak-layout 42-key Atreus as a daily driver for two years now.