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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: timw4mail on Tue, 14 July 2009, 15:11:42

Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Tue, 14 July 2009, 15:11:42: What is the keyboard, be it mechanical, scissor-switch, or rubber dome, that you just despised the most?

For me it is those stair-step wireless Mac keyboards. The one that looks like this:

(http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/appleprokeyboard.jpg)

I hated this one the most just because it was so unhelpful when typing, it was "clicky" but didn't have anywhere near a good feel to it.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: Mercen_505 on Tue, 14 July 2009, 15:13:23: I've got a cheap wireless BTC keyboard, and it's so crappy it misses every other keystroke unless I practically ram the key through the bottom of the board. It's got a really spiffy joystick at the top-right for mouse functionality, but other than that it's the worst keyboard I've ever used :(
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Tue, 14 July 2009, 16:02:16: Even though I don't own one, I would have to say the Apple Aluminium one. This was before I started my mechanical keyboard collection. I like my MacBook built-in keyboard so much that I was very excited when Apple announced the new keyboard. I was thinking about connecting a keyboard, a mouse and a monitor to my MacBook for more comfort. But when I tried it, it felt way different from the MacBook buit-in keyboard. It was one of the worst keyboard I've ever used. That being said, there are some people who like them for their form factor, fair enough.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: megarat on Tue, 14 July 2009, 16:11:35: This is similar to the "Worst Keyboard Ever" thread (found here (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=4521&highlight=worst+keyboard)), which I'm not sure can be continued, given the vBulletin upgrade.

Anyway, as then, my personal vote is for the keyboard for the Atari XEGS, effectively an Atari 8-bit computer disguised as a gaming system. While fine for playing joystick-based games, the detachable keyboard on this critter makes people gasp in surprise. It's like chewing on rubber.

Here it is in person:

(http://gamingmuseum.classicgaming.gamespy.com/atari_xe_game_system.jpg)

Here it is in spirit:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=1975&d=1232656797)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 14 July 2009, 16:47:59: The worst keyboard I ever bought was a budget Cherry one, back in the 80s. It missed keys, gave bounced keys, was totally unusable, even for a hunt and peck typist. I never touched another Cherry keyboard for 20+ years. Who would have thought a company would produce items at such extremes of the quality scale? They must have had to sell an awful lot of those crap boards to make up for the loss of sales (of the good boards) caused by the bad reputation they earned.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: justin on Tue, 14 July 2009, 23:48:05: Quote from: timw4mail;102567
What is the keyboard, be it mechanical, scissor-switch, or rubber dome, that you just despised the most?

For me it is those stair-step wireless Mac keyboards. The one that looks like this:

Show Image
(http://www.webdesignerdepot.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/appleprokeyboard.jpg)

I hated this one the most just because it was so unhelpful when typing, it was "clicky" but didn't have anywhere near a good feel to it.
I agree. Unfortunately, that's the one on my desk right now...along with a broken Aluminum one. :-/ I only recently woke up to the world of high-quality mechanical keyboards, buying my 1st in a week or so, to remedy this problem.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 15 July 2009, 01:47:45: I still vote that Apple's keyboards since they dumped Alps switches just keep getting worse. I've a lot and I think the one that came with the bubble iMacs were the worst.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: DarthShrine on Wed, 15 July 2009, 02:14:11: I haven't used many Apple keyboards (White iMac keyboard, aluminium keyboard and MacBook keyboards), but I have to say that the White iMac keyboards we used to have at school were terrible. The keys were sticky; they wouldn't press unless you were exactly perpendicular to the stem, and you had to push pretty hard to get them to actually register. Along with that, they sucked up so much grime that they weren't white for very long. The spacebars also often took a turn for the worse.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: xsphat on Wed, 15 July 2009, 02:49:33: Quote from: DarthShrine;102681
Along with that, they sucked up so much grime that they weren't white for very long.

You're right, I forgot about that. There was so much ugly under the white Apple keyboard I had, since they are clear, that I hated to even look at the bottom of it. Gross.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: Mercen_505 on Wed, 15 July 2009, 06:25:24: Speaking of Apple... that aluminum keyboard they put out somewhat recently... ugh. That thing is a total stinker. I spent ten minutes typing on it, and am thoroughly convinced it's one of the worst I've ever used. Style before substance, huh.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Wed, 15 July 2009, 06:34:59: I think the least favorite in my collection as of now would be my Lite 2
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 15 July 2009, 06:53:04: Quote from: Mercen_505;102693
Speaking of Apple... that aluminum keyboard they put out somewhat recently... ugh. That thing is a total stinker. I spent ten minutes typing on it, and am thoroughly convinced it's one of the worst I've ever used. Style before substance, huh.

I don't think its too bad for a scissor-switch, but compared to a decent mechanical board, it isn't anything impressive, true.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 15 July 2009, 07:12:42: Not entirely sure why we have this thread when we already have a worst keyboard thread, but again, I'm going to throw in my vote for the DEC LK-201. Linear membrane switches, ick...
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: rdh on Wed, 15 July 2009, 08:04:35: Quote from: ch_123;102697
I'm going to throw in my vote for the DEC LK-201. Linear membrane switches, ick...

And no Escape key. (http://www.netbsd.org/docs/Hardware/Machines/DEC/LK201_large_keycodes.jpg)

When I used to use DEC VT-240 terminals back in college, I could never remember the control-key combo to press to get Escape. (I didn't become vi-dependent until later...)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: bhtooefr on Wed, 15 July 2009, 12:24:25: Maybe this thread could be merged? And, you can reply to old threads.

Anyway, worst keyboard I've typed on would be a Magnavox Odyssey2, hands down, but that's a game console, not a computer. Worst computer keyboard that I've typed on would have to be the Mattel Aquarius. (I haven't typed on a ZX81 or an Atari 400.)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 15 July 2009, 13:35:45: When I started this thread, I neglected to search for an already existing thread, so that's my fault, I guess.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: cmr on Wed, 15 July 2009, 14:07:24: (http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/2007/8/apple-aluminum-keyboard.jpg)

just when i thought it couldn't get any worse, they cut off the number pad.

this is the worst keyboard.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 15 July 2009, 17:02:13: Wrong, as I will recant the Clear/White Apple Pro Keyboard as the worst. And nominate:
The flexible silicone keyboard:
(http://www.famedstore.com/singchai/k109_4.jpg)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: MsKeyboard on Wed, 15 July 2009, 17:37:09: What about this one?

(http://www.dvd-recordable.org/wwwimgs/hardware/laserkey.jpg)

Actually, depending on your grooming habits, it could be "clicky"
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 15 July 2009, 17:48:28: Quote from: MsKeyboard;102811
What about this one?

Show Image
(http://www.dvd-recordable.org/wwwimgs/hardware/laserkey.jpg)

Actually, depending on your grooming habits, it could be "clicky"
lol, that's true. But yes, that probably is the worst keyboard in existence. I think the silicone fold-up keyboard is probably more common, though.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: Red October on Wed, 15 July 2009, 23:08:02: My dad had a Timex Sinclair. If you don't know what it is, imagine trying to type on a zuchini. It is harder to do than that.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 15 July 2009, 23:41:53: Quote from: MsKeyboard;102811
What about this one?

Show Image
(http://www.dvd-recordable.org/wwwimgs/hardware/laserkey.jpg)

Actually, depending on your grooming habits, it could be "clicky"

I don't know why people would want to use this. Imagine typing an essay with this...painful.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 15 July 2009, 23:43:36: My Enterprise 64 keyboard would probably send me mad now, but it seemed OK at the time. I still have it, must dig it out sometime.

(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/Enterprise_64_System_s1.jpg)

Keep your trackpoints, this had a joystick!

(OK, I admit it, it just moved the text cursor.)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 16 July 2009, 06:36:23: Quote from: Rajagra;102839
My Enterprise 64 keyboard would probably send me mad now, but it seemed OK at the time. I still have it, must dig it out sometime.

Show Image
(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/Enterprise_64_System_s1.jpg)

Keep your trackpoints, this had a joystick!

(OK, I admit it, it just moved the text cursor.)

Still better, I'm sure than the silicone rollup or the projected keyboards.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: bam88 on Thu, 16 July 2009, 07:17:11: silly backlighted rubberdomes "gaming" keyboards by logitech/razor/microsoft
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: nowsharing on Thu, 16 July 2009, 07:54:33: (http://www.soulshadow.com/kensington_k64365/ken6.jpg)
The one on the bottom, a "Mechanical Touch" RSI special edition I believe. Worst keyboard ever.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 16 July 2009, 08:06:31: Ah yes, the infamous Ya-Sheng buckling springs... Shame that only Unicomp makes good ones.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: CX23882 on Thu, 16 July 2009, 08:10:50: The translucent keyboard on the iBook G3 is pretty bad. It feels bad to type on. The key action is mushy, the keys themselves are too flexible and the whole keyboard assembly flexes as you type on the thing. The key flexibility gets to me the most - the spacebar and return keys feel like I'm going to break them everytime I press them.

Then there's the layout. The cursor keys are just too small, and to add insult to injury, the page up/down keys share with the regular up/down. I would prefer to have usable cursor keys that are slightly stepped out from the rest of the keyboard than to have tiny half-height keys that are in-line.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: o2dazone on Thu, 16 July 2009, 08:50:33: Quote from: bam88;102857
silly backlighted rubberdomes "gaming" keyboards by logitech/razor/microsoft

don't forget saitek
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: keyb_gr on Thu, 16 July 2009, 09:53:56: Quote from: bam88;102857
silly backlighted rubberdomes "gaming" keyboards by logitech/razor/microsoft

Yep, the MS Sidewinder thing seems to be a pretty good candidate. It's reported to have pretty bad key blocking (in a gaming board no less), and apparently likes to develop stuck keys as well, all at a not-so-budget price that'll also get you a non-backlit but far more dependable Cherry G80 here.
(A crappy Speed-Link backlit board will give you the same problems at like one third the price. To the Sidewinder's credit, it be mentioned that it has bicolor LED backlighting and a detachable numpad, which add to the cost. But still what's that worth if it fails in basic function?)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 16 July 2009, 11:47:04: Yeah, I'm about a quarter of my normal speed attempting to type on an ipod.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 16 July 2009, 11:52:00: Quote from: ripster;102883
The deaf guy is just awesome on his blackberry. Keyboards of the future may be thumbs only.

I hope not, I'm slow enough with all ten fingers, with just my thumbs, I'm sure I'd be a lot slower.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: bhtooefr on Thu, 16 July 2009, 12:18:08: The thing is, despite the laser keyboard's epic suck, it has a frickin lazer. That alone makes it better than the silicone boards. :lol:
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 16 July 2009, 12:24:29: Quote from: bhtooefr;102888
The thing is, despite the laser keyboard's epic suck, it has a frickin lazer. That alone makes it better than the silicone boards. :lol:

But they fold up...that's got to count for something ;)
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: YpoCaramel on Thu, 16 July 2009, 17:24:24: Quote from: ripster;102873
My iPod Touch.

Eh, the iPhone is one of the better ones already. Imagine input on a smaller resistive touchscreen on the Touch Diamond or similar ... *shiver*
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: shrap on Thu, 16 July 2009, 17:34:30: Since we're talking about mobile devices, I'll nominate the Blackberry Storm. It requires you to press down on the screen (like a gigantic button), but it's also capacitive so it picks up incorrect output from the finger that isn't clicking the screen. It's like the worst of both worlds from the normal Blackberry button method (which forces you to press on a button) and the iPhone capacitive method (which forces you to move your fingers far away from the screen). I tried it at the Verizon store and got complete gibberish.
Title: What is your least favorite keyboard
Post by: timw4mail on Thu, 16 July 2009, 18:44:02: Quote from: shrap;102960
Since we're talking about mobile devices, I'll nominate the Blackberry Storm. It requires you to press down on the screen (like a gigantic button), but it's also capacitive so it picks up incorrect output from the finger that isn't clicking the screen. It's like the worst of both worlds from the normal Blackberry button method (which forces you to press on a button) and the iPhone capacitive method (which forces you to move your fingers far away from the screen). I tried it at the Verizon store and got complete gibberish.

It's tactile fail.