5 ms·

http://www.pckeyboard.com/ http://www.pckeyboard.com/ As I understand it, the IBM design and patents passed to this company where you can buy one today. No re

by pico 12y ago

http://www.pckeyboard.com/ http://www.pckeyboard.com/ As I understand it, the IBM design and patents passed to this company where you can buy one today. No relation here except that I'm a satisfied customer.

Retric 12y ago
At this point I think all the patents have just expired as they sold the division in 1990. I am using a Key Tronic "Lifetime series" keyboard that seems to be a fairly high quality knockoff. You still get the clicking key's and solid construction, but their not nearly as noisy.
veidr 12y ago
I have the Unicomp keyboard linked above. I also have a Das Keyboard, old MS ergonomic thing, and old Apple Extended II, and a few others. But my favorite of all of them is the Code Keyboard (I have two but the 'green' switch variant is my favorite). Which I learned about from this site, so thanks HN! http://codekeyboards.com http://codekeyboards.com
- barbs 12y ago
  What do you like about the Code Keyboard more than the other keyboards you own?
  - veidr 12y ago
    Oh, sorry that wasn't clear. I meant the typing action -- the balance of tactile response that 'you pressed the key' and the physical comfort of doing so. That is the main evaluation point for me. The Unicomp is good too, but not as good, in my own subjective opinion. The 'Cherry MX Green' switched keyboard also makes a LOT less noise than the Unicomp, though it is still fairly noisy. Due to the noise, I bought a 'Cherry MX Clear' Code keyboard to use at work. It is a bit quieter than the 'Green' model, but I feel it's tactile awesomeness suffers a little bit. The Code keyboard is also backlit, which I really like. I should note that the Code and the Unicomp are far and away better than the dozen or so other keyboards I have collected over the years. Only the Apple Extended II is comparably good (but different) in terms of tactile response.
- rsl7 12y ago
  I also have a unicomp, which I love, a Das Keyboard at work, and a Code keyboard at home. I have no idea about the different switches - how can you tell without buying them all? But yeah, the code keyboard is amazing, I just wish it had the USB hub like the Das does.
  - veidr 12y ago
    AFAIK the Code keyboard only offers Cherry MX switches in Green or Clear. I bought one of each. The Clear is quieter, so I use that one at work, but it doesn't feel as good to me.
    - tomsthumb 12y ago
      Clears are 15cN lighter touch and a different switch style. Greens are basically heavy blues. It sounds like you type heavy. http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/ http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduc...
      - veidr 12y ago
        Well, I have noticed that I definitely do bang harder on the keyboard depending on my excitement level.( That could mean I am having an inspired moment of coding, or just that somebody has once again posted to HN about the technological superiority of the modern Japanese toilet[1].) In comparing the two Code keyboards, what I prefer about the Green version is that there seems to be this one exact point where the key is pressed. You can feel it (and hear it) and it is always the same. The clear version feels a bit 'mushier', like the point at which the key is 'pressed' isn't as precisely defined. [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4787587 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4787587

by pico 12y ago

Retric 12y ago

At this point I think all the patents have just expired as they sold the division in 1990. I am using a Key Tronic "Lifetime series" keyboard that seems to be a fairly high quality knockoff. You still get the clicking key's and solid construction, but their not nearly as noisy.

veidr 12y ago

I have the Unicomp keyboard linked above. I also have a Das Keyboard, old MS ergonomic thing, and old Apple Extended II, and a few others. But my favorite of all of them is the Code Keyboard (I have two but the 'green' switch variant is my favorite). Which I learned about from this site, so thanks HN! http://codekeyboards.com http://codekeyboards.com

barbs 12y ago
What do you like about the Code Keyboard more than the other keyboards you own?
- veidr 12y ago
  Oh, sorry that wasn't clear. I meant the typing action -- the balance of tactile response that 'you pressed the key' and the physical comfort of doing so. That is the main evaluation point for me. The Unicomp is good too, but not as good, in my own subjective opinion. The 'Cherry MX Green' switched keyboard also makes a LOT less noise than the Unicomp, though it is still fairly noisy. Due to the noise, I bought a 'Cherry MX Clear' Code keyboard to use at work. It is a bit quieter than the 'Green' model, but I feel it's tactile awesomeness suffers a little bit. The Code keyboard is also backlit, which I really like. I should note that the Code and the Unicomp are far and away better than the dozen or so other keyboards I have collected over the years. Only the Apple Extended II is comparably good (but different) in terms of tactile response.
rsl7 12y ago
I also have a unicomp, which I love, a Das Keyboard at work, and a Code keyboard at home. I have no idea about the different switches - how can you tell without buying them all? But yeah, the code keyboard is amazing, I just wish it had the USB hub like the Das does.
- veidr 12y ago
  AFAIK the Code keyboard only offers Cherry MX switches in Green or Clear. I bought one of each. The Clear is quieter, so I use that one at work, but it doesn't feel as good to me.
  - tomsthumb 12y ago
    Clears are 15cN lighter touch and a different switch style. Greens are basically heavy blues. It sounds like you type heavy. http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/ http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduc...
    - veidr 12y ago
      Well, I have noticed that I definitely do bang harder on the keyboard depending on my excitement level.( That could mean I am having an inspired moment of coding, or just that somebody has once again posted to HN about the technological superiority of the modern Japanese toilet[1].) In comparing the two Code keyboards, what I prefer about the Green version is that there seems to be this one exact point where the key is pressed. You can feel it (and hear it) and it is always the same. The clear version feels a bit 'mushier', like the point at which the key is 'pressed' isn't as precisely defined. [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4787587 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4787587