7 ms·
Ask HN: What's your favorite keyboard for programming?
Mine is HHKB (Happy Hacking Keyboard Profession 2), and loving it. What's yours?
http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400w
- lowboy 13y agoThe ErgoDox, hands-down. Split-hand, thumb clusters, mechanical switches, runs on an Arduino-like board (Teensy) so the firmware[0] is very customizable. I have common progamming symbols under the homerow triggered with a layer key near my thumbs. I wrote an article about it: http://jjt.io/2013/11/25/why-any-developer-should-check-out-the-ergodox-keyboard/ http://jjt.io/2013/11/25/why-any-developer-should-check-out-... [0]: https://github.com/benblazak/ergodox-firmware https://github.com/benblazak/ergodox-firmware
- dolzenko 13y agoSorry, but how do you get one? Is the simplest way to order "kit" and build yourself?
- zachlatta 13y agoI have the Kinesis Advantage and it's done wonders for my hands. I use to show early symptoms of RSI and since switching to the Advantage, they've all but disappeared.
- devonbarrett 13y agoWhat was the learning curve like?
- pjungwir 13y agoI switched from a Microsoft Ergonomic to a Kinesis a month or two ago, because I wanted my mouse closer to avoid shoulder fatigue. I was pretty fast right from the beginning, but it took me a couple days to relearn space, enter, backspace, equals, and tilda. By day three I was getting comfortable. I still make mistakes, especially around hyphen vs equals, but they are getting less and less. Now I'm trying to teach my brain to switch between Kinesis and the old way. The first few times I worked on a laptop I was furiously pounding on the spacebar trying to make the cursor back up, but even that has gotten easier lately. So I'd say the learning curve is really pretty easy! Maybe harder if you don't touch type. A year ago I also tried the Truly Ergonomic, and that was a much harder adjustment.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- ychw 13y agoLink: http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhkbpro2&pid=pdkb400w http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=pfu_keyboards,hhk...
- valleyman 13y agoI just use my laptop keyboard. That way I don't have to readjust when travelling.
- duochrome 13y agoLogitech K350 is fine.
- brudgers 13y agoMicrosoft Natural Ergonomic 4000. It works really well in my lap and that significantly reduces fatigue.
- ychw 13y agoI heard the "Code Keyboard" is pretty good. Anybody tried? http://codekeyboards.com/ http://codekeyboards.com/ It doesn't have Mac mode, though.
- marveller 13y agoLogitech K750, wireless solar keyboard.
- devwebee 13y agoDell SK-8115 is a classic.
- Todd 13y agoCooler Master QuickFire Stealth After trying Das Keyboard, I realized I wanted something smaller. I found the CM, a ten-keyless design that had the correct inverted T configuration and am hooked. By correct, I mean some 'keyboard designer' didn't get their hands on the placement of insert, delete, etc.--you know, those keys that nobody uses except programmers and touch typists that have been wiring their brains for them for years. They have a variety of Cherry MX switches to choose from. They also have some nice extras behind a hardware Fn key like the ability to turn the Windows key off and nicely placed volume keys. I like it very much compared to my Das Keyboard.
- mattwritescode 13y agoCompletely agree with you on this one.
- natdempk 13y agoThis is what I use at home/work as well. A solid keyboard with a lot of switch options, a nice form factor, and good key layout. Definitely recommended.
- taspeotis 13y agoDas Keyboard Model S Ultimate Cherry Blue switches at home, Cherry Brown switches at work.
- ACow_Adonis 13y agoYou have good taste :P (by which I mean, that's literally the same set up as me)
- ychw 13y agoI had both as well. But after I tried the HHKB, I found I like the Topre keys much more. :)
- danhoc01 13y agoNoppoo Choc Mini, Cherry MX Brown
- esw 13y agoI just picked up a WASD (http://www.wasdkeyboards.com http://www.wasdkeyboards.com) with Cherry blues, and I love it. I'd previously used a flat Apple keyboard for years and I was concerned that it would be a difficult transition - but it only took a few minutes to get acclimated.
- ychw 13y agobtw, if you are ordering from WASD and have a mac, you can also order a set of customized mac keycaps that match exactly the apple keyboard. Just download the keycap layout file from my blog, and order them from WASD: http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-lets-have-some-fun/893 http://www.clingmarks.com/custom-mac-mechanical-keyboard-let...
- wattson12 13y agowasd have a mac keyboard layout in their v2 designer now
- gotts 13y agoI have severe RSI pain when I type too much on Macbook's keyboard. Switching between Macbook and Kinesis Advantage pro(as external keyboard) and couldn't be happier. Yes, this one is kind of expensive but mine is 6yrs old already and still going strong.
- thecrumb 13y agoHave: Microsoft Ergo 4000. Want: Ergo keyboard+mechanical keys+backlit.
- myrdev 13y agohttp://www.typematrix.com/dvorak/ http://www.typematrix.com/dvorak/ Dvorak, and a compressed format with vertical key spacing - tbh if I were learning a keyboard format from scratch I would probably use colemak instead (fits my key distribution slightly better, but both blow qwerty away). As to the keyboard, I really like the movement of enter/backspace, and arrow keys/home/end etc.
- sytelus 13y agoLogitech G19 Programmable Gaming Keyboard with Color Display. It's not that ergonomic but has tons of extra keys that you can program with macro plus color display plus SDK.
- bob_george33 13y agoI have an old Mitsubishi Diamond Touch. To me it feels perfect for typing for long periods, and has media controls which are always needed.
- mrlyc 13y agoLogitech K120. It replaced a Microsoft Wired Keyboard 600 which looked nice but had small function keys that were awkward to use.
- deleted 13y ago[deleted]
- juliangoldsmith 13y agoI'm thinking about replacing my wireless keyboard at work with either a HHKB or a Code Keyboard. Which would you guys recommend?
- mb_72 13y agoIBM Model M from May 1987 that I've had since the early 90s. I guess this makes me a) old and b) in possession of a keyboard manufactured before many posting on HN were born!
- Al-Khwarizmi 13y agoAnother Model M owner here. I have one from 86 at work and one from 92 at home IIRC. It was very difficult to find them with Spanish layout, but I can type on them like 50% faster than on any other keyboard I have tried due to the great feedback, they don't make my hands tired and they feel just great.
- icodestuff 13y agoApple Extended Keyboard, the "Enterprise" model, not the II. Sadly quite difficult to find them these days, as the II was more popular. Worse, I can't bring my AEK to work because the right arrow key stops working for a few months if I move it much.
- zackboe 13y agoI use a Nighthawk X8 (MX Browns) for everything. http://reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards http://reddit.com/r/mechanicalkeyboards is fairly large and is dedicated to keyboards of all kinds. http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-backlit-mechanical-keyboard.html http://www.maxkeyboard.com/max-keyboard-nighthawk-x8-blue-ba...
- andrewjshults 13y agoKinesis Freestyle 2 http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle2-for-mac/ http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle2-for-mac/ with the VIP tent accessory and a trackball between the spilt (raised up so it's at the same level as the edges of the keyboard. Being able to keep my hands straight and minimizing movement to move my cursor is great (I keep a apple wireless keyboard around for if other people need to use my computer)
- kiriappeee 13y agoBlackwidow ultimate. Switchable between gaming and programming.
- Pyrodogg 13y agoLeopold Tenkeyless Tactile Touch http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyles... Cherry MX Brown switches I bought this first for home and within 2 weeks got a second one for work. I like the responsive (but not crazy loud) Cherry browns. Moving my (less used) 10-key to a separate keypad on the other side of my (much used) mouse has been the single biggest improvement. It allows my keyboard to be much more centered to my body without pushing the mouse far right.