geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Aurlock on Thu, 03 March 2011, 21:05:30
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Alright guys and gals I have a question. I just got a new job at a helpdesk answering the phone and typing all day but the problem is they gave me a really terrible HP membrane keyboard. So, this means I need to get a new keyboard and am currently looking for suggestions based on the following criteria.
1. Needs to be quiet (on the phone all day with people around me)
2. Needs to have a ten-key
3. Needs to be easily shipped or imported in a timely manner
A little history on my keyboard history so that maybe I can make it a little easier on you guys. I have a Filco Majestouch MX w/ Blue switches and 2 model M's and love all three of them.
So there it is guys, I could really use some help, price doesn't matter, and thanks to all.
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Topre Realforce 86U since you have no budget.
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If price doesn't matter, then this is probably what you're after
http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=special&filter=fullsize (http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=special&filter=fullsize)
Just a realforce full size keyboard - take your pick on color or key weights.
Topre Realforce 86U since you have no budget.
he said he needed a 10 key.
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Realforce 103UB @ EK. (http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,realforce&pid=rf_se02b0)
Or you can buy mine used in the Classifieds section.
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Sweet mother of quick responses, you guys are awesome. I was thinking of one of the realforce keyboards (HHKB or Realforce). Now, I don't mean i was going to get a HHKB for work I've just always wanted one.
Think I'm going with one of those/looking at the one that Dan has.
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Dan's used to belong to me. I can vouch for it being an awesome board, clean, well-kept, etc. You'd love it :D
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Get a full size variable Realforce. Do it.
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(http://www.gifbin.com/bin/1234525508_ben_stiller_-_do_it.gif)
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1. Needs to be quiet (on the phone all day with people around me)
2. Needs to have a ten-key
3. Needs to be easily shipped or imported in a timely manner
1) Topre switches are quiet with lower pitch sounds than the MX. It's easily filtered by noise reduction mics. I mean if you are a real phone guy, you must have a headset with noise cancelling.
2) The 86's are out of the question, as suggested above, the 103 would be perfect.
3) EK are pretty good with shipping...
Looks like we have a winner ;-)
Go with DandWang link or buy his board.
Just one thing... If you go black, the dark grey font on black key cap can be tricky to read under dimmed lights. It's no issue if you don't need to look at your board when you type or if the light is always right.
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Realforce +1
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With the kind of job you have don't you need a numpad as well? Becomes kind of a hassle with the numbers arranged on the top row if your doing that all day.
As for the realforce just remember the ones sold at EKB are the variable 35g/45g/55g and 55g, there's no middle ground 45g unless you import it from Japan or get the HHKB.
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I'd also suggest considering Cherry MX brown switches.
Full size keyboard, shipped quickly? Perhaps Amazon.
XArmor 'board (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d.html/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1299233967&a=B004OLLXVQ&sr=8-3)
DAS silent 'board (http://www.amazon.com/DAS-Keyboard-Model-S-Professional/dp/B003M567V6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1299234428&sr=1-1)
Filco 'board (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004EAHE9M?ie=UTF8&force-full-site=1)
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you CAN get a filco or other cherry brown
all that will happen if you will end up buying a Topre anyway.
Save the hassle and do it straight away
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While I don't own one (yet), I won't disagree with the Topre recommendation based on my research. Top notch quality while remaining quiet. It shouldn't bother your colleagues and will give you a quality experience.
I will also suggest, however, some certain lines of Keytronic. For instance the 3600/3601 and the Eurotech-C which I do personally own. There's a thread here about how these Keytronics are surprisingly good, with some people who have both claiming they are "80% of a Realforce". I don't want to start that debate again, but they cost 10% of what a Realforce does, they are quiet, soft landing, thocky (although with a little bit of cap ping on release), models newer than 10 years old or so have variable weight keys just like the Realforce and the typing experience is actually alright. I think I'm faster on one of these Keytronics than on my model M. We'll see how it compares to the Filco w/browns that I have in the mail somewhere.
Consider seriously whether you have any concern about others "borrowing", stealing or damaging your keyboard - intentionally or accidentally - because they don't realize it's a $250 personal item sitting on your desk. I have an office with a lockable door and that crossed my mind when I think about the possibility of getting a Realforce for the office.
My model M has a label on it "PERSONAL PROPERTY" and a lot of people say "who cares? It's a crappy old retro keyboard from a dumpster!". And this is about a model M which is clearly different in terms of sound, weight and appearance. A Realforce looks like any other plain jane keyboard out there, unless you get one with blank caps or something.
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If you get a plate mounted brown, just realize that you will have to learn to type without bottoming out to make it much quieter.
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If you get a plate mounted brown, just realize that you will have to learn to type without bottoming out to make it much quieter.
+1!!!!
Coming from the bucklingspring age, I'm still not able to do that. That's why I love the Topre so much.
The spungie thick sole makes it easy to land quietly
(http://www.broomball.com/ecomm/img/lg/9.jpg)
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If you get a plate mounted brown, just realize that you will have to learn to type without bottoming out to make it much quieter.
Turns out the Noppoo I just got is plate mounted. I'm used to 70g scissor switches on my laptop. Browns may not have an artificial click like blues but they are NOT quiet.
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Turns out the Noppoo I just got is plate mounted. I'm used to 70g scissor switches on my laptop. Browns may not have an artificial click like blues but they are NOT quiet.
It takes time. There will always be a little chatter from the "up stroke" of the key popping back up. I stopped bottoming out after about a week once i got a brown cherry at work to match my board at home. It is true, though, that browns are not silent, just quieter. Also, consider putting a matt underneath your kebaord. People report that it makes a significant differrence.
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Not that it really matters but I went ahead and bought Dan's realforce. So looks like I'll be a new toper user. thanks for the suggestions all.
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Not that it really matters but I went ahead and bought Dan's realforce. So looks like I'll be a new toper user. thanks for the suggestions all.
Nice, you'll love it!