8 ms·

Ask HN: Best Keyboard for Programming in 2021?

11 points by ed_balls 5y ago

This question has been here a while ago. Are there any new interesting keyboards? What is the best keyboard for a software engineer?

bluGill 5y ago
The original IBM model M is still a winner, even though IBM hasn't made it in years (I forget who bought the rights, but you can still buy them, just not from IBM).
- hellomyguys 5y ago
  The Model M is actually not great to type on compared to modern mechanical keyboards. Think it's mostly nostalgia for why people recommend them at this point. I'd recommend buying a cherry mx keyboard switch tester so you can see what switches you like and then buying like a Ducky or Varmilo from mechanicalkeyboards.com. You might also want to consider how loud it is when you type on it if you are using it in a shared office space. If you really want to go all-in look up building your own mechanical keyboard. mechanicalkeyboards.com has a buyer's guide if you want to see what they recommend https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/keyboard_guide.php https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/keyboard_guide.php
  - bluGill 5y ago
    I have a Chinese brown clone keyboard because the noise of my model M disturbs my family. The model M is far better to type on in my opinion. Of course it is all about what you like. The problem I have with the keyboard tester idea is you really need to spend a few days trying a keyboard before you know if you like it. You can't know with just 6 different keys how they will work after a full day of typing. If it weren't for that I'd endorse the idea.
mgd 5y ago
Like many, I have spent far too long looking at different keyboards, switches and models. The best one is simply the one you enjoy using. If it feels good and doesn't distract you from the task at hand, you have the right one. If you're asking about using one in an office, I often get told my keyboard is a little too loud. it's a Das Professional with MX blues
- kleer001 5y ago
  > MX blues Yup, those are loud keys, at least designed to be 'clicky'. That said finger velocity is a thing, as is keyboard and desk resonance.
  - SOLAR_FIELDS 5y ago
    Browns are a bit better in that regard, but also really loud. I personally am a pretty aggressive typer and really can't use mechanical keyboards around other people because of that. Which is a bummer because I find them to be much more pleasing to type on than other kinds of keyboards.
v-erne 5y ago
I`m on day 30 with my newest gadget: Keychron K3 ultra slim V2 (with optical brown switches) Aaaaand ... its good, really good - Youtube reviewers arent exaggerating, this keyboard has almost everthing You would expect from premium product for fraction of a price. And it comes in all sizes and shapes for those who do not like slim designs.
deleted 5y ago
[deleted]
bribri 5y ago
Definitely the ZSA Moonlander. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/
throwaway745686 5y ago
Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate https://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/ https://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/
frompdx 5y ago
I'm very fond of my Kinesis Advantage2 LF. However, it takes some getting used to. For me, it also makes using standard layout keyboards difficult because my brain has been rewired to use the Kinesis. It is very ergonomic. I no longer get wrist and shoulder pain while typing. I wasn't sure I'd like the keyswitches, but those have grown on me as well. I used to get joint pain in my knuckles due to firmer Gateron Blue switches in another keyboard. If I could change one thing I would have the shell and keycaps made of PBT instead of ABS, other than that it is by far my favorite keyboard. I can't go back. It's on the expensive side but well worth the money.
tonteldoos 5y ago
I'm pretty certain I'll get burned at the stake for saying this, but similar to another poster - the one that works. I spent hundreds playing with mechanical keyboards, used company issued ones, etc... But I'm now on my second Apple magic (on non-apple machines), and won't go back. Good tactile feedback, quiet (for my coworkers), flat (easy on my wrists), loooong battery life (no cables), light & small (to take home with my laptop).
EastOfTruth 5y ago
A keyboard layout that you are familiar with that has a numeric keypad... I like my IBM KU-0225... it looks like this: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/3038865f-6e35-4e01-9dd7-392a91bfb5ea_1.f2a2ec8d8bbb0fa59245148e21cba750.jpeg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/3038865f-6e35-4e01-9dd7-392... .... it has almost the same layout as IBM model M but with Windows keys and context menu key (I strictly use Linux and I use the Windows keys a lot)
8draco8 5y ago
I enjoy pretty budget Magicforce Smart 2 68. I'm using it for almost 6 years now and I'm on my 3rd keyboard. First I tried Outemu Blue switches, they was way to loud, shortly after I replaced them with Outemu Brown, which I used for I think 4 years until they started to fail registering clicks (I can't expect much from $40 keyboard), then I bought another one this time with backlit Gateron Browns and I like very much. For some reason the layout is just perfect for me and I'm still using keycaps from the second one because I didn't liked keycaps from backlit version. Text on keycaps is as it was when new, keycaps got a little bit shiny from typing (which I actually like), unfortunately they're turning a little bit yellow since I moved my desk very close to the window 2 years ago. Overall I can recommend it.
tldrthelaw 5y ago
Still using a WASD Code V2B with Cherry MX Brown.
daza 5y ago
MX Keys. Can't go wrong with Logitech.
1991g 5y ago
A lot of my tech friends (as well as myself) are fans of the HHKB. Very compact design, it takes a little getting used to. It is not new, however.
lemper 5y ago
anything that is programmable (qmk/zmk/etc). though you can also use kmonad to program your keyboard. even better if it's split so you can spread it shoulder-wide.

11 points by ed_balls 5y ago

This question has been here a while ago. Are there any new interesting keyboards? What is the best keyboard for a software engineer?

bluGill 5y ago

The original IBM model M is still a winner, even though IBM hasn't made it in years (I forget who bought the rights, but you can still buy them, just not from IBM).

hellomyguys 5y ago
The Model M is actually not great to type on compared to modern mechanical keyboards. Think it's mostly nostalgia for why people recommend them at this point. I'd recommend buying a cherry mx keyboard switch tester so you can see what switches you like and then buying like a Ducky or Varmilo from mechanicalkeyboards.com. You might also want to consider how loud it is when you type on it if you are using it in a shared office space. If you really want to go all-in look up building your own mechanical keyboard. mechanicalkeyboards.com has a buyer's guide if you want to see what they recommend https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/keyboard_guide.php https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/keyboard_guide.php
- bluGill 5y ago
  I have a Chinese brown clone keyboard because the noise of my model M disturbs my family. The model M is far better to type on in my opinion. Of course it is all about what you like. The problem I have with the keyboard tester idea is you really need to spend a few days trying a keyboard before you know if you like it. You can't know with just 6 different keys how they will work after a full day of typing. If it weren't for that I'd endorse the idea.

mgd 5y ago

Like many, I have spent far too long looking at different keyboards, switches and models. The best one is simply the one you enjoy using. If it feels good and doesn't distract you from the task at hand, you have the right one. If you're asking about using one in an office, I often get told my keyboard is a little too loud. it's a Das Professional with MX blues

kleer001 5y ago
> MX blues Yup, those are loud keys, at least designed to be 'clicky'. That said finger velocity is a thing, as is keyboard and desk resonance.
- SOLAR_FIELDS 5y ago
  Browns are a bit better in that regard, but also really loud. I personally am a pretty aggressive typer and really can't use mechanical keyboards around other people because of that. Which is a bummer because I find them to be much more pleasing to type on than other kinds of keyboards.

v-erne 5y ago

I`m on day 30 with my newest gadget: Keychron K3 ultra slim V2 (with optical brown switches) Aaaaand ... its good, really good - Youtube reviewers arent exaggerating, this keyboard has almost everthing You would expect from premium product for fraction of a price. And it comes in all sizes and shapes for those who do not like slim designs.

deleted 5y ago

[deleted]

bribri 5y ago

Definitely the ZSA Moonlander. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

throwaway745686 5y ago

Das Keyboard 4 Ultimate https://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/ https://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-ultimate/

frompdx 5y ago

I'm very fond of my Kinesis Advantage2 LF. However, it takes some getting used to. For me, it also makes using standard layout keyboards difficult because my brain has been rewired to use the Kinesis. It is very ergonomic. I no longer get wrist and shoulder pain while typing. I wasn't sure I'd like the keyswitches, but those have grown on me as well. I used to get joint pain in my knuckles due to firmer Gateron Blue switches in another keyboard. If I could change one thing I would have the shell and keycaps made of PBT instead of ABS, other than that it is by far my favorite keyboard. I can't go back. It's on the expensive side but well worth the money.

tonteldoos 5y ago

I'm pretty certain I'll get burned at the stake for saying this, but similar to another poster - the one that works. I spent hundreds playing with mechanical keyboards, used company issued ones, etc... But I'm now on my second Apple magic (on non-apple machines), and won't go back. Good tactile feedback, quiet (for my coworkers), flat (easy on my wrists), loooong battery life (no cables), light & small (to take home with my laptop).

EastOfTruth 5y ago

A keyboard layout that you are familiar with that has a numeric keypad... I like my IBM KU-0225... it looks like this: https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/3038865f-6e35-4e01-9dd7-392a91bfb5ea_1.f2a2ec8d8bbb0fa59245148e21cba750.jpeg?odnHeight=612&odnWidth=612&odnBg=FFFFFF https://i5.walmartimages.com/asr/3038865f-6e35-4e01-9dd7-392... .... it has almost the same layout as IBM model M but with Windows keys and context menu key (I strictly use Linux and I use the Windows keys a lot)

8draco8 5y ago

I enjoy pretty budget Magicforce Smart 2 68. I'm using it for almost 6 years now and I'm on my 3rd keyboard. First I tried Outemu Blue switches, they was way to loud, shortly after I replaced them with Outemu Brown, which I used for I think 4 years until they started to fail registering clicks (I can't expect much from $40 keyboard), then I bought another one this time with backlit Gateron Browns and I like very much. For some reason the layout is just perfect for me and I'm still using keycaps from the second one because I didn't liked keycaps from backlit version. Text on keycaps is as it was when new, keycaps got a little bit shiny from typing (which I actually like), unfortunately they're turning a little bit yellow since I moved my desk very close to the window 2 years ago. Overall I can recommend it.

tldrthelaw 5y ago

Still using a WASD Code V2B with Cherry MX Brown.

daza 5y ago

MX Keys. Can't go wrong with Logitech.

1991g 5y ago

A lot of my tech friends (as well as myself) are fans of the HHKB. Very compact design, it takes a little getting used to. It is not new, however.

lemper 5y ago

anything that is programmable (qmk/zmk/etc). though you can also use kmonad to program your keyboard. even better if it's split so you can spread it shoulder-wide.