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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: trievalot on Tue, 01 June 2010, 23:55:28

Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: trievalot on Tue, 01 June 2010, 23:55:28
Hello

Im looking for VERY QUIET keyboards....needs to be courtroom quiet and NON MODDED :)
(personally id do a felt underlay on a cherry red)

What can you guys reccomend in the way of super quiet full size units?

Cheers

trievalot
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 02 June 2010, 00:09:39
My wife has a really keyboard that has those "Space Invaders" type of sliders on top of rubber domes. That's one of the quietest non-scissor switched keyboards I've ever used. A combination of it being a rubber dome and the sliders make for almost no rattle in the keycaps and little noise in the switch unless you bottom out hard.

Besides that, a lot of the chiclet styled keyboards are pretty quiet. I know you hate them, but the Apple aluminums are very very quiet and they're far better of a keyboard than most people will give them credit for. Once you get used to them, they're actually quite nice.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: Laggy-gaga on Wed, 02 June 2010, 00:51:42
Cheap: DELL SK-8175
Awesome: Topre Realforce
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: clickclack on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:07:44
ooops!
I just responded to the same question you asked in the vendors forum =S
Had I know it was in here too I might not have inserted my two cents over there.

Now that I get the gist that it does not have to be mechanical then the field is wide open. There are plenty (to many to mention) rubber dome and scissor switch boards that would easily be acceptable. I too find the apple keybaord to be very quiet. I just very much dislike the super short travel, flat, and non elevated rows and keys. But many scissor switches are like that.

I still like that idea of that new sound deadened Topre though. If you want to stick to stock and non modded boards.

Those roll up keyboards are really, really quiet!
LoLz
=P
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: platon on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:10:45
Quote from: clickclack;188840
ooops!
I just responded to the same question you asked in the vendors forum =S
Had I know it was in here too I might not have inserted my two cents over there.



I did the same lol. I am embarrased. I'll try to transfer the post here.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: platon on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:12:23
Sun type 6 is an ultra quiet keyboard. It has the softest domes i've tasted. Silky smooth. Even when you bottom out it makes no noise.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:14:50
trievalot, be sure to reply to both threads to keep the fun and hilarity going.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:21:06
I wonder what keys stenography machines use. They seem to be closer to mechanical typewriter mechanisms than modern keyboards, yet they must be quiet.

I'm thinking a scissor switch board is likely to be the best answer, though I bet some are quieter than others.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:25:41
Quote from: hyperlinked;188821
Besides that, a lot of the chiclet styled keyboards are pretty quiet. I know you hate them, but the Apple aluminums are very very quiet and they're far better of a keyboard than most people will give them credit for. Once you get used to them, they're actually quite nice.


+1
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: clickclack on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:29:44
haahaahaa!
Nice, I see what ya did there. Let the cross quoting begin! =D

lets see here...

(somewhere, sometime in a parallel universe we are really screwing things up)
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: trievalot on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:40:22
Thanks for the input (actually a colleague at work needs to know for a client)
i posted in the vendor forums, then thought, o crap - i should ask in the general section.
They need to be NEW though - gov client.
Im thinking the new topre slient series coming in August.....
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 02 June 2010, 03:53:47
Topres would give quietness and reliability. Though for the same money they could buy cheaper boards and plenty of spares. Both options are valid.

Shelf liner cuts down keyboard sound enormously. Would cutting a piece to size and putting it under the board count as a mod?
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: trievalot on Wed, 02 June 2010, 05:22:36
dunno.....would it void the manufacturer warranty????

gotta say, my thinkpad keyboard is v. quiet!
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: Otterclock on Wed, 02 June 2010, 10:12:14
quietest board Ive ever used was the Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000. But, it's a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: washuai on Wed, 02 June 2010, 10:23:46
Quietest keyboard I've ever used is silicone roll up keyboards.  They can be had for less than $10, if you're being savvy.  Seriously court typing is louder than a roll up.  You can type in the same room with sleeping people.  Just watch layout, some have more standard layouts, than others.  I second, what is under your keyboard can dampen or add to noise, as well.  A bit of cushion under your board will be quieter.  Roll ups last about 3 years average to over 5 years.  Keys stop registering eventually, which is my main complaint with them.

I do wonder how much quieter than a regular topre, the quieter one is.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: washuai on Wed, 02 June 2010, 12:42:54
I know you were just teasing, but ipad is a hard surface, which is therefore noisier than a silicone board.  What would you rather touch her NSFW(Not Safe For Work) NSFW ipad breasts (http://fleshbot.com/5516249/the-ipad-gets-sexy-with-ryan-keely) or [insert breast augmented celebrity of your choosing here].

Although, probably the laser board projected (http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/keyboards-mice/8193/) on foam would be even quieter, than a silicone roll up on foam.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 02 June 2010, 13:15:13
Quote from: Otterclock;188888
quietest board Ive ever used was the Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000. But, it's a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000.


I've had a few MS keyboards myself and I have to agree that they are very very very quiet for two weeks then they are really loud because of the screaming tantrums you'll throw because the keys start to catch. Then again, if there no food or debris that can get caught in it, it'll probably be fine. Board chow did my MS keyboard in. It only took a few weeks.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 02 June 2010, 13:17:55
Quote from: washuai;188907
I know you were just teasing, but ipad is a hard surface, which is therefore noisier than a silicone board.  What would you rather touch her NSFW ipad breasts (http://fleshbot.com/5516249/the-ipad-gets-sexy-with-ryan-keely) or [insert breast augmented celebrity of your choosing here].


PROTIP: Warn people that it's NSFW before you post that kind of stuff... I nearly ended up in a rather embarrassing situation there...
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 02 June 2010, 13:25:39
Quote from: ripster;188890
The quietest keyboard.  Just turn off the click.

Doesn't the constant KerrChingggg! of Steve Jobs getting richer get rather annoying?

Quote from: ch_123;188909
PROTIP: Warn people that it's NSFW before you post that kind of stuff... I nearly ended up in a rather embarrassing situation there...

NSFW (http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=9486&d=1272339288)
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: washuai on Wed, 02 June 2010, 13:31:08
Quote from: ch_123;188909
PROTIP: Warn people that it's NSFW before you post that kind of stuff... I nearly ended up in a rather embarrassing situation there...


The NSFW is in the quote you did.  I did warn.  I'll make it red and underlined, then.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 04 June 2010, 13:03:43
Quote from: washuai;188889
Quietest keyboard I've ever used is silicone roll up keyboards.

An iPad or that laser projected "keyboard" would be quieter, devoid of even the collapsing silicon sound.

EDIT: maybe I should finish reading a thread before I post.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: hoggy on Fri, 04 June 2010, 15:17:53
I lent my goldtouch out to my sister in law.  I remember it being really quiet - but that could be my memory playing tricks.  It's not mechanical, but fairly pleasant to type on none the less.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 11 June 2010, 22:04:04
I'm not as displeased with a Goldtouch as I'd expect. Then again, I like Cherry blacks, so I'm already deviant.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: hoggy on Sat, 12 June 2010, 00:36:08
Quote from: ricercar;192331
I'm not as displeased with a Goldtouch as I'd expect. Then again, I like Cherry blacks, so I'm already deviant.


I lent mine to my sister in law on a long term basis.  She was describing the key action as very nice - always good when someone 'gets it' about 'boards.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: JBert on Sun, 13 June 2010, 11:38:13
Quote from: ricercar;192331
I'm not as displeased with a Goldtouch as I'd expect. Then again, I like Cherry blacks, so I'm already deviant.
But, but, it's a rubber dome!
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 13 June 2010, 19:00:51
I didin't say I used a Goldtouch ergo. I said it wasn't as displeased as I expected.
Title: Super Quiet Keyboards - HELP
Post by: washuai on Thu, 19 August 2010, 17:15:45
I'm typing on a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 at the moment.  My silicone keyboard is definitely quieter.  My ratio of typos have gone up.  To be fair, this is the first hour, so considering that, typos are the least of my issues.  Definitely quieter than cherry browns, but then this is new.  They get louder, as they get older, right?