I very much dislike touchpads (ok, I HATE THEM), so that keyboard would definitely not be for me.
When I first started getting RSI, I forced myself to use the touchpad on my latptop. I actually don't mind it all now. It's a fairly large touchpad and the surface is neither slick, nor rough, but just right. The Northgate's touchpad feels somewhat small, probably more so because it's surrounded by a frame, so instead of sliding off, you hit the frame abruptly with your finger. Also the 2 buttons are so stiff, they are unusable. Thankfully tap-to-click works.
Actually, the mechanical action on this Northgate is very sweet. It definitely has a "quality" feel. But like I said, after the breakthrough point where the key action is registered, the travel to the bottom is very short. And of course, there is no cushioning at the bottom. I heard that Alps keys get worked-in over time and become softer. Actually, last week it was an annual collection day in my area. Someone threw out an ancient NEC keyboard. I tapped on the keys and it was definetely mechanical, and the feel was Alps-like, but softer, so perhaps you can break them in.
Anyway, I've yet to find the holy grail. I rotate my keyboards, but currently I've been using this the most:
http://tech.yahoo.com/pr/cherry-cymotion-master-solar-m86-21950-keyboard/1991571017All Cymotion (except for the Pro, which is scissor-switch) have pretty much the same feel. The Cymotion Express is a wired version of the above. The Cymotion Expert is even more rugged, much cheaper, but doesn't have any extra keys on the sides, and doesn't have a wrist rest. (Note that the multimedia buttons below the space bar are recessed, you can't accidentally hit them). Actually, the Raptor Gaming K2 keyboard seems the same as the Expert, except it comes with a wrist rest:
http://www.cherry.de/english/products/keyboards.htmThe Cymotion keyboards have 20% larger keycaps. They have a very hard-wearing, teflon-rubberized quality feel. I am not certain, but I suspect that they are heavier than normal keycaps. The mechanism is rubber-dome, but not like any other rubber-dome I've tried. It's nothing at all like a Logitech, MS, HP, etc. membrane keyboard. The travel is smooth, the spring-back is much quicker. I've heard the word mushy used to describe them, but I am not certain that it applies. Some force is required, and you can almost type without bottoming out. Pressing on the edges is almost the same as pressing in the centre of the key. They keys are rated for 20 million presses. The keyboard is not quiet, but in a clacky, rather than clicky kind of way. Most of the noise is generated by the spring-back, rather than the press. Fast spring-back, like I mention. The space bar key is most definitely the loudest.
I've also been using the MS Natural 4000 when I need peace and quiet.
