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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 14:27:46

Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 14:27:46: I'm looking for a decent scissor switch keyboard minus the numpad, primarily to use as a portable companion to my laptop.

I've seen this thread on scissor switch keyboards in general:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=9808

From it, I gather the Lenovo Thinkpad USB keyboard with Trackpoint is the closest to what I want, but the trackpoint buttons and wrist wrest make the thing too big.

Not too crazy about Apple's keyboard since they're chiclet keys.

Has anyone seen anything else?
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: polpo on Wed, 22 December 2010, 16:16:37: When I was on a scissor keyboard kick, I settled on the BTC 6100C (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jzawodn/2248596923/). It has a laptop-style layout, with full-size keys. The scissor mechanism is among the best I've used, and the keyboard was totally cheap ($17 or so). The bezel is kind of on the large side, though.

Looks like it's discontinued, though. The only people who have it in stock (http://www.pacificgeek.com/product.asp?c=206&s=1312&ID=847896&P=F) on Froogle are selling it for $99. Totally not worth it.

The original Logitech DiNovo (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=180091&postcount=32) is good, too, but the bezel is huge and Bluetooth keyboards have their downsides (BIOS access on PCs, wakeup time).
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:16:14: Yeah, that BTC keyboard looks like exactly what I'd want. Darn.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:23:58: Have you actually tried the Apple aluminium? They're one of the best scissor boards I've come into contact with.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:27:32: Honestly no, but I was under the impression that they were chiclet keyboards, not scissor switch.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: msiegel on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:29:16: they're short-travel scissors over tactile rubber dome switches, with flat chiclet keycaps
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:31:25: Gotcha. Besides the price, sounds like a good option.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: ch_123 on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:46:50: Most so-called Chiclet keyboards on the market these days are just low travel scissor switches, and the chiclet moniker refers to the flat key shape, and the seperation between each key.

There's a great variance in quality in the current chiclet keyboards, but the Apple ones are one of the better non-mechanical keyboards I've tried out.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Wed, 22 December 2010, 17:51:45: Yeah, when I hear "chiclet" I think of the rubber membrane keyboards, which I hate.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: polpo on Wed, 22 December 2010, 18:17:16: At the local electronics swapmeet someone was selling a bunch of lightly-used Apple aluminum wired tenkeyless keyboards for $15 each. I should have gotten more than just one (and then I shouldn't have already sold it; otherwise I'd offer it to you).

Anyway I can vouch for the quality of the Apple's scissor mechanism if you can find one for as little as I did. They're not as "snappy" as the BTC; about on-par with the Thinkpad keyboard. I've used a MacBook (which that kind of keyboard was introduced on) for four and a half years and the keyboard is still just fine.

Having to use Fn for PgUp/PgDn is annoying, though, but only while using it in Windows or Linux. In Mac OS, it feels more "right." Must be the reality distortion field...
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: msiegel on Wed, 22 December 2010, 18:29:29: Quote from: polpo;267501
on-par with the Thinkpad keyboard

yeah... it's like a lower-travel thinkpad with flat caps and a harder "bottom" :)
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 22 December 2010, 18:48:32: What's with that extra pipe key ripster? I think my Gateway AnyKey has one in a similar position.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: polpo on Wed, 22 December 2010, 18:55:34: Quote from: ripster;267508
And I'm not positive but I bet that BTC is a rubber dome.

Well, it's technically a rubber dome, like all scissor mechanism keyboards.
(http://www.gearhack.com/Forums/Computer/Modifying_the_BTC_6100C_Keyboard_to_Swap_the_Insert_and_the_Delete_Keys.files.hidden/Pop%20Off%20Keys.JPG)
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: Azuremen on Wed, 22 December 2010, 19:15:26: Quote from: ripster;267508
I'll let you know if the oil tanker DealExtreme ships their packages in ever docks.
Show Image
(http://www1.dealextreme.com/productimages/sku_44378_1.jpg)

So you actually ordered one? I've been thinking about it for my netbook. You'd best write a review on this thing :p
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: Pylon on Wed, 22 December 2010, 20:31:49: Some criticisms of the above keyboard.
1: Why emulate F11 and keep PrntScrn as a real key when the latter is far less often used?
2: Use some of that room above the left and right arrows. You could throw in real PgUp and PgDwn.
3: Arial. Enough to drive any font snob mad when they're going to see it daily on their keyboard.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: woody on Thu, 23 December 2010, 07:39:39: Quote from: Pylon;267565
1: Why emulate F11 and keep PrntScrn as a real key when the latter is far less often used?

Windows people use Print Screen for screen captures. Linux people use Alt + SysRQ for some very important housekeeping.
Just sayin'.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Thu, 23 December 2010, 07:45:56: KeyTweak and AutoHotkey are handy for remapping keys or creating shortcuts for missing functionality. Not the same as having a dedicated key, sure, but it helps.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: jikman on Tue, 28 December 2010, 06:49:04: I have the BTC 6100C as well, and I do enjoy using it. Was planning on getting another one for work, but the $99 really kills it.

Though, one thing on the 6100C that really bothers me is that the 'delete' key isn't in the upper right hand corner. Most laptop keyboard layout would have the 'delete' key on the far upper right hand corner. The 6100C swapped the should-be location of 'Pause' and 'Delete'.

See Polpo's pic:
BTC 6100C
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/jzawodn/2248596923/)

If you don't NEED a scissor switch laptop layout keyboard, look at the rubber dome Siig Minitouch Plus (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823191005&cm_re=siig_keybaord-_-23-191-005-_-Product)
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: 8_INCH_FLOPPY on Tue, 28 December 2010, 13:12:56: What about a Cherry G84-4101 aka cherry ml-4100? It kinda feels like a scissor switch. It's has 83 keys, it's pretty small and light, yet it grips the table and doesn't move around, and it has black ML switches, with very short travel. Here's a review http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:5849

I brought this up, because I happen to have several of these and I'm considering selling one. PM me if you're interested.
Title: 87-key (numpadless) scissor switch keyboard?
Post by: steeef on Tue, 28 December 2010, 13:25:04: Have it, don't care for it much. It's almost too small to type on comfortably, and the keys aren't too forgiving with off-center presses.