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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: z7nz on Sat, 08 October 2011, 10:00:50

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: z7nz on Sat, 08 October 2011, 10:00:50

So I'm a student, using a laptop for 2 years (and won't be able to get a PC in 1-2 years). I code and game a lot. Recently the laptop keyboard's been hurting my fingers.
I did a lot of research on mechanical keyboards. I have some questions:

- I've seen boot up problems from Logitech keyboards. Is this gonna happen on mech keyboards? Is it "plug-and-play"?
- Does it require a lot of power to use? Do you need a powered USB hub for them?
- Any suggestions on MX Brown keyboards? I'm considering Filco ninja brown / Leopold TKL brown/ Rosewill brown.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: Tony on Sat, 08 October 2011, 10:06:59

1. Mechanical keyboard is plug and play.
2. Normal usb plug is enough.
3. Any of them are good. I use Filco ninja brown and it's excellent.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: Hideyshi on Sat, 08 October 2011, 10:30:54

If you have the cash, I would go with the Filco Ninja. If you want a very comparable, cheaper alternative I would buy the Leopold.

However, if what you are looking for is portability, the KBC poker is a great keyboard. Not only is it TKL, but has no arrows keys either. Great for carrying around with your laptop.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: z7nz on Sun, 09 October 2011, 00:44:33

Thanks for the replies.

Is there a way to replace the USB port on the Filco if it breaks? Since I use a laptop, I may unplug the keyboard often.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: Glockateer on Sun, 09 October 2011, 01:21:19

Of course you can replace usb cords but it'd take work. A good amount of people mod their keyboards. I can't tell you how easy or hard it would be to do so.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: RColinTaylor on Sun, 09 October 2011, 01:21:23

I use a Leopold on my laptop and to your question about replacing the USB, yes, it can be fixed on a filco but it takes some time.

On the Leopolds, however, the cord is removable.

(I use mine on a laptop too)

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: demik on Sun, 09 October 2011, 02:18:15

I use a poker x with my mac since it's portable.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: journeymangeek on Sun, 09 October 2011, 04:59:17

I'm using a razer blackwidow ultimate with my laptop when i'm at home (*not* the best choice for a laptop, but i need the backlight sometimes, and its nice having a full sized keyboard for serious assignment writing sessions), and it works fine with a standard, non powered USB hub (which, i need cause cable management is a pain with 4 cables - but mechanical keyboard + god knows how many backlight lEDs means a normal non backlit keyboard should work fine). Standard USB plugs are PRETTY tough, or you could, presumably use it with a sacrificial USB hub or cable.

Granted, not had issues with the logitechs in my dad's office, or the one on my desktop, so YMMV

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: daerid on Sun, 09 October 2011, 16:19:48

My favorite keyboard I've ever used is in my life is my Filco MJ2 Tenkeyless with Browns.

So yeah, I'm going to recommend that.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: ITzNybble on Sun, 09 October 2011, 16:30:43

I just tried out mx blues and they are not near was loud as some people male then seem. I am going to recommend blues for coding, I am a software engineer and close all day and the are a wonder to type on. Just my two cents :)

Sent from my Photon 4G

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: N8N on Sun, 09 October 2011, 16:59:35

I've used Filco, WASD, and Noppoo on my laptop with no problems (as well as various old school keyboards, e.g. Model M, AT101W, various Cherry POS boards etc. through a USB to PS/2 adapter.)  Only time I use the laptop's built in keyboard is when I'm sitting on the couch or something - if I'm using it at a desk I always plug in a "good" keyboard.  Makes working with it so much less frustrating.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 09 October 2011, 17:05:03

I use my laptop's build in keyboard when I'm away from my desk (like now: doing homework in bed). Normally, I use my WASD or my unicomp when my laptop is at it's desk.

The biggest issue is that I have to change the brightness and volume controls through the OS, as opposed to using the function keys on my keyboard :( Maybe I can remap right alt or right meta to function (or something useful) and do it that way.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: Magna224 on Sun, 09 October 2011, 18:53:25

I switch between a SIIG Minitouch and Noppoo choc mini that I bring to ASU. 82keys are awesome for travel, they fit perfectly in my laptop bag.

Title: Use a mechanical keyboard on my laptop?
Post by: drstupid on Mon, 10 October 2011, 13:18:23

Replacing the USB cable on the Filco would probably not be too hard if you handy with a soldering iron, or find the right USB cable (5-pin to male USB) somewhere.  Ripster opens up a Filco brown on the wiki and shows a picture of the inside-end of the cable.  I always thought I might replace it with a socket if my cable ever went, to mimic the Ducky board, that's what I loved about the Ducky board but I have a Filco.  

Every way I tried to post the links was denied (I can't post links to the Geekhack wiki?) so I guess you'll have to find the links yourself somehow, but anyway, there are pictures on the wiki.

OK, you can go to Google and search for: "opening filco brown site:geekhack.org" and it's the first link.