60% Keyboards for developers

[estux]

I am thinking about getting a poker (ansi-us), is there any developer in the room using one of those? I would like to hear some feedback about the 60% format

[Proc31]

Which environment do you work in?

[estux]

MacOSX, Linux and Windows.

Vi, Eclipse, Idea, QtCreator, Visual Studio, XCode...

c++, java, python, objective-c,...

[saturnotaku]

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 would probably be your best bet. Great layout for coding, many dip switches to change the layout on a hardware level, and Mac drivers for full OS X functionality.

[phatdood9]

You can use vi/vim style movement in at least eclipse and visual studio, not sure about the others.

Also, you mentioned objective c. I've used a plugin for xcode that has a vim mode, so you're covered there.

In the end there are some CLIs where you will need the arrow keys.

[hashbaz]

I have no issues using my HHKB and a FC660C with vim at work.  I got used to the Fn key pretty quickly, though with vim of course the standard motion shortcuts are handled without the function layer.  But working with the terminal and web browser, learning to use Fn to get at Home/End and PgUp/PgDn hasn't been a problem.

[spiceBar]

I'm a developer. From experience, I would recommend the Leopold FC660C. It has dedicated arrows keys, which IMO is a must when you are using so many different IDEs. It's also a high quality keyboard.

You can go wrong with the HHKB if you cannot adapt to the unusual placement of the arrow keys (and they require pressing the Fn key). I think you can't go wrong with the FC660C.

[fader]

I am thinking about getting a poker (ansi-us), is there any developer in room using one of those? I would like to hear some feedback about the 60% format

Was wondering the same. Great question.  Plus, would it matter which systems you use?  Which are you?  I'm Win for dev, but Macs for non-dev.  Apparently Noppoo mini won't fully support Macs.

I'm a developer. From experience, I would recommend the Leopold FC660C. It has dedicated arrows keys, which IMO is a must when you are using so many different IDEs. It's also a high quality keyboard.

You can go wrong with the HHKB if you cannot adapt to the unusual placement of the arrow keys (and they require pressing the Fn key). I think you can't go wrong with the FC660C.

Do you have an HHKB?  What's the ideal hand movement involved in using the arrow keys?  Can you shift your hand right, thumb the fn 7, and use fingers for the arrows then, or do you need to use two hands (deal-breaker for me)?

[saturnotaku]

Was wondering the same. Great question.  Plus, would it matter which systems you use?  Which are you?  I'm Win for dev, but Macs for non-dev.  Apparently Noppoo mini won't fully support Macs.

The Choc Mini will work on a Mac, you just need to do some finagling to make it happen. It involves connecting the keyboard to the included USB->PS2 adapter, then convert it back to USB with via an active (that's the key) PS2->USB adapter. Too much hassle when there are other small form factor keyboards that work straight up on a Mac.

[AKmalamute]

[...] Leopold FC660C. It has dedicated arrows keys, which IMO is a must when you are using so many different IDEs.

Now, I don't spend any time programming, and I haven't updated any shell scripts in a while, but as an IT specialist (that generic thing really is my title) I agree, you need dedicated arrow keys. It's not mechanical but I'd like to pipe up with HHKB-lite ... I've been very happy with mine, although it's the loudest keyboard in the office, which a few have indeed commented on. Still, for a membrane kb it has pretty crisp action.

[rowdy]

If you are used to arrow keys, get Leopold FC660x.

That is the one thing I miss on my HHKB.

I can get by on my Mac because Ctrl combinations do things like beginning of line, end of line etc., but Windows - nope.  I need my arrow keys.

[estux]

Thank you for all your replies, very useful.

Right now I am using a Quick Fire Rapid (TKL) ISO layout. I would like to try an ANSI (max size TKL) for two reasons: check the ansi layout for typing code and getting some custom keys, you know, it is really hard to get a full set of iso keys (I don't want a mix of ansi-us keys and some blank keys for iso)

I am afraid of missing the arrow keys, maybe the best choice for me is an ANSI TKL.

[rowdy]

Thank you for all your replies, very useful.

Right now I am using a Quick Fire Rapid (TKL) ISO layout. I would like to try an ANSI (max size TKL) for two reasons: check the ansi layout for typing code and getting some custom keys, you know, it is really hard to get a full set of iso keys (I don't want a mix of ansi-us keys and some blank keys for iso)

I am afraid of missing the arrow keys, maybe the best choice for me is an ANSI TKL.

ANSI TKL will give you the most compatibility with other layouts, and greatest chance of finding keycap sets that fit, and the least learning curve (he said, typing on an ANSI TKL board).

[spiceBar]

Thank you for all your replies, very useful.

Right now I am using a Quick Fire Rapid (TKL) ISO layout. I would like to try an ANSI (max size TKL) for two reasons: check the ansi layout for typing code and getting some custom keys, you know, it is really hard to get a full set of iso keys (I don't want a mix of ansi-us keys and some blank keys for iso)

I am afraid of missing the arrow keys, maybe the best choice for me is an ANSI TKL.

ANSI TKL will give you the most compatibility with other layouts, and greatest chance of finding keycap sets that fit, and the least learning curve (he said, typing on an ANSI TKL board).

Yes, I agree on this.

An ANSI TKL has only one key less than an ISO one, it's easy to remap the missing key to an AltGr combination (AltGr is the right Alt key on US ANSI).

In this case I would recommend the Realforce 87U. Here are two great companies that you can order it from:
  http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-topre-realforce-87uw-variable-mini-black-on-beige-keyboard.asp
There is also a version with black on black, but be warned: it's unreadable.

If you want to spend less, I think most people will agree that a Filco is a great and safe choice.

However, unless you are usually on UK ISO, be prepared to convert later your US ANSI TKL to your native language's layout. I have tried the US ANSI layout for the same reasons you want it, and while it's OK for coding, what happened is that typing the accentuated characters in my language was too cumbersome. You may spend time coding, but you soon realize that you also spend time typing text (answering emails for example), and that's where the US ANSI layout will HURT.

But anyway I prefer the ANSI layout because of the larger left Shift, so I have just converted my FC660C to my native language's layout using stickers and it works really great. Yeah I know... Stickers!? WTF!? Well I don't care, the keyboard feels really good and it's a pleasure to type on, so it's perfect for me with its stickers.

[Binge]

Pure pro/TEK... what dev wouldn't want to program some macros into their 60%?

[spiceBar]

Pure pro/TEK... what dev wouldn't want to program some macros into their 60%?

That is definitely an option. I have two KBT Pure Pro and I love them. They are a little crowded, but they are fine.

It's just that I also have a FC660C and a Realforce and I find that they are noticeably better. But I'm becoming a little picky.

[alex4nder]

I've been happy developing with the FC660x layout.  I spend most of my day in emacs and bash, and I'm as happy with my FC660M w/ blues as I've ever been with any layout/keyboard.