geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sandman0248 on Sun, 10 July 2011, 11:02:12
-
I need keyboard-related rationalization help, and I figured who better to assist than the fine folks at Geekhack?
I recently bought two keyboards for home, thinking I'd try them both, keep the one I liked better and return the other. One is a Matias Tactile Pro 3 and the other is a Unicomp SpaceSaver M. After spending a day with each, I quickly boxed up the Unicomp and named the TP3 the winner. I just fell in love with the rattle and weight of the keys. It's got such a great feel to it. The Unicomp felt just a little too stiff.
Well, it's been a couple week now and I have yet to RMA the Unicomp. It's been sitting in its box, quietly begging to be allowed one more shot. So I obliged. I've been using the Unicomp all morning, and now I don't really want to send it back. But I know I'm keeping the TP3, there's no question there.
So now I have two keyboards for my home machine, but obviously I only need one. Why would I want to keep both? Loads of you have multiple keyboards, but I can't find any good reasons to have more than one at a time. Unless my fingers just get into different moods and demand a little typing variety...?
Help!!!
-
"because I like it."
you're welcome :)
Edit: everyone should have a Model M on the shelf anyway. I suspect that it will still be a functional input device after we're all extinct and the cockroaches have taken over the world. That, and I like having at least two decent keyboards around so that when the daily driver craps the bed I don't have to drive to the store and pay $30 for a rubber dome POS until I can order a proper replacement. (I don't know how common keyboard failures are w/ mechanical boards, but my roommate was using my Model M for about a week and a half while waiting for a warranty replacement on his nearly new Microsoft ergonomic whatevertheheck. He was pissed because he couldn't log into his computer, not realizing that the reason it wasn't accepting his password was because his keyboard was messing up...)
-
Congratulations on starting your collection. You could always get another computer to justify it's existence.
-
I second the second computer idea. After all, no input device should be unused.
Oh, and another reason: Model Ms, even the SpaceSaver from Unicomp, make great home invasion defense tools. It's a security thing.
-
Everyone should have a back up keyboard, just in case of a spill or other mishap.
-
also, if you ever have to open your window you can use it as a paper weight to stop stuff from flying around. Personally I currently have 4 keyboards that I use on my main pc, I like to rotate between them, so I never get sick of any^^. I use a model M, a cherry blue access, a cherry brown 8200, and a cherry black 1800 depending on the task at hand and how im feeling that day.
-
With most mechanical keyboard types, there's a break in period with the switches, after which they get a little less stiff. This may be why you prefer the Spacesaver the second time around.
-
Or run a multi monitor setup with your keyboards in front of each.
Either that or switch out your bad keyboard at work for a good one
-
Or run a multi monitor setup with your keyboards in front of each.
Either that or switch out your bad keyboard at work for a good one
I picked up a Filco Ninja with Cherry Browns for the office (which, btw, is pinging like crazy). I'd bring the TP3 or the Unicomp to the office, but my cube neighbors would put a hit out on me for making so much noise.
-
as Ascaii suggested, you might want to swap between them. I keep a few at work and swap most lunchtimes.
-
You could quiet the unicomp with dental floss (there's a post around here somewhere), then take it into work.
-
You may find that you start liking the unicomp more and more, like most things taste changes over time.
Why not connect both keyboards at the same time and then you can use either as and when you feel the need?
-
Do a super ghetto mod and swap have alternating Alps and BS switches on one board (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVjRe8QXFHY).
-
See my sig.
Sometimes it's not all about practicality.
-
See my sig.
Sometimes it's not all about practicality.
It's probably called addiction : )
-
yeah I use my keyboard with my laptop just so i don't shiny up the keys, see there's another use for a second keyboard!
-
It's probably called addiction : )
Then I'm in the right place :)
-
Everyone should have an extra keyboard in case he's not in the mood for the other 10.
But you should sell the SpaceSaver and get yourself a Customizer (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?19801-Otaku-Customizer-in-color).
-
To be wise, you would silently return the keyboard already without consulting us.
If you register a nick here at geekhack to ask such a question, the answer is obvious.
-
But you should sell the SpaceSaver and get yourself a Customizer.
Why? Isn't the Customizer the same with just a little bit larger frame?
-
Why? Isn't the Customizer the same with just a little bit larger frame?
Yes.
-
I'd keep both - only non-computer people have only one computer these days anyway... If you really don't want to keep both, I'd consider selling one here rather than returning a perfectly good keyboard as 'faulty'.