SwitchesIn short, a parameter-adjustable metal scissors mechanism with a spring to hit a hammer to hit something nice. Able to be repaired, replaced, cleaned and greased in home conditions.
LayoutNo clutter. No non-standard key locations, BUT:
- PrtSc, Scroll Lock and Pause could removed or retained under their historical names but made programmable.
- Insert key should have a LED (for text editors).
- LEDS for Locks should be higher on the bezel, with a row of programmable keys above the numerical section instead.
- No right Windows key, no ALT+SPACE key.
- Plus sign, minus sign, slash and asterisk are enough once--either location could be replaced with something more useful.
- I wouldn't order this for myself but some people are used to typing digits from the numerical keyboard (e.g. my mother)--therefore they don't really need the horizontal digity row, which could be used for something different (function keys come to mind);
- Some folks don't ever use at least some of the functionalities of the numerical section, e.g. I only use Num Lock to turn off the LED, the Enter key and the maths operator keys; I wouldn't mind having the option to custom-swap them for something else (I don't even necessarily mean programmable).
Here's what I'd find useful from my own point of view (I don't necessarily need them hardware; simple Windows binds would be enough):
- Additional keys with advanced and foreign punctuation marks (e.g. French quotations, Spanish exclamation and question marks etc.)--three per key (SHIFT and ALT combos), so this shouldn't take too much space.
- § sign right on the board (very important feature in legal texts, particularly those from the continental legal tradition because common law can do without it). It's so annoying to have to type ALT+0167 all the time (many programs execute it with a leftward cursor movement to make it worse and text editors can jump the cursor to the next paragraph!).
- Separate modifier keys (i.e. like the AltGr key) for the most popular types of modifications of Latin letters (accents, umlauts etc.) or at least "dead" keys (what you press before to alter the next char that comes out). For example you could squeeze four where LEDS normally are or put them on the bezel, whatever.
Note that the dead keys can be achieved to some extent with programmable keys at least for use in Microsoft Office because Microsoft Office uses dead keys fur such purposes.
I suppose one could also rebind the numerical keyboard or the PrtSc, Scroll Lock and Pause in a software way. I don't know about that. (Please let me know if you do.)
I believe volume control and the like could be done by e.g. putting tiny wheel switches (or +/-) on the side. I wouldn't mind. It would be my personal preference to use something that looks like a bona fide volume wheel because volume keys hurt my sensibilities and so do excessive macro keys with software binds.
Just a bit of a reactionary sentiment on my part.
ConnectorPS/2, USB on option since this thing would cost enough to be shipped on demand only anyway. There should be an option to purchase a dedicated and tested active converted for the other port. Firewire or some other port on option.
Cordless versionThe wireless version available on option should be equipped with adequate protections to prevent any deterioration whatsoever in response/accuracy. Integrated charger plus detachable cable for power grid connection. Backup chamber for a backup pair of batteries for a seamless switch. Acoustic and visual low power warning (e.g. green/yellow/red LED separately for main and emergency pair of batteries). Detachable cable to allow the wireless user to skip the wireless whenever he should want to. IRDA/Bluetooth on option (or even both included).
Jacks and portsOnly if there's no pooling of any kind of thing.
CasingSolid, not yielding under typing fingers, good acoustic designs. Only Philips screws or screwless. Variable colours (e.g. with rarer ones on demand but always at least white and black). Heavy. No fake chrome or anything that will go off.
Water resistance etc.Yes, please. And good enough design and workmanship to avoid unnecessary exposition to easily avoidable mechanical and other damage (e.g. by economising on anything that's cheap anyway).
Spare partsEasy replaceability of parts and spare part availability (no extended waiting or non-identical replacements). Warnings against non-obvious ways of damaging the keyboard (e.g. don't use this or that detergent, don't try to pry this or that off etc.)--paper manual and working URL.
Manufacturer logo[/n]
Stylish and matching (e.g. no white backgrounds if the keyboard is black).
Custom dedications and captions on demand
E.g. "From Mum", "Coder of the Year", "Litigation Department".
Trackball
Cost-effective ergonomically placed trackball e.g. above function keys, centre or left/right on option. Solely to avoid unnecessary hand movement onto the mouse. Wouldn't mind a touchpad option but wouldn't order it either.
