3 ms·

+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 underst

+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.

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.