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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mashby on Mon, 31 December 2012, 16:09:14
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I'm a huge fan of compact and tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards and it's been quite a journey digging through forums and google searches to learn more about them. Figuring that this might be of interest to others, I thought I'd compile a list. I'm bound to have forgotten some, so feel free to correct my oversights and errors.
TenKeyLess
356/456 Family
- 356L
- 356N
- 356CL
- 356CL Dark Grey Edition
- 356N MKII
- 456GT
Archiss
- "I-T Touch" Official Site (http://www.archisite.co.jp/products/archiss/i-ttouch-keyboard/as_kb87/)
- AS-KB87L (Cherry MX Black)
- AS-KB87T (Cherry MX Brown)
- AS-KB87C (Cherry MX Blue)
- AS-KB87LR (Cherry MX Red)
Armageddon
- Strike Eagle MKI-3
- Black Hornet MKA-3
The Cheat
- Koala
- DKSaver
Cooler Master
- CM Storm QuickFire Rapid
Ducky
- DK9087 Shine 2
- DK9087 G2 Pro
- DK1087
- DK1087XM
Diatec
- Filco Majestouch Tenkeyless
- Filco Majestouch 2 Tenkeyless
- Filco Majestouch Ninja
- Filco Zero
FlashGet
- G600
Genius
- M1
IBM
- Model M Mini aka Space Saver Keyboard (SSK)
ID Factory
- Tenkeyless [link (http://www.iomania.kr/28)]
Keycool
- Keycool 87
KMAC
- KMAC 1
- KMAC 1.2
- KMAC 2
- KMAC LE
- Titanium Windows
- Titanium Winkeyless
- Silver Windows
- Silver Winkeyless
Leopold
- FC200R
- T/AB (Cherry MX Brown)
- C/AB (Cherry MX Blue)
- L/AB (Cherry MX Black)
- R/AB (Cherry MX Red)
- T/ABN "Otaku" (Cherry MX Brown)
- C/ABN "Otaku" (Cherry MX Blue)
- L/ABN "Otaku" (Cherry MX Black)
- R/ABN "Otaku" (Cherry MX Red)
- FC700R
- Available in White, Black and Grey
- Available with Cherry MX Black, Blue, Brown, Clear or Red
LZ Family
- LZ 87/86 (LZ-S, LZ-F)
- LZSE
LBots
- Mechanic
Newmen
- GM-10
Neo
- Zelia
Phantom
PLU
- PLU ML-87
Plumb 96
- Plumb 96
Rapoo
- Rapoo V7
Razer
- Black Widow Tournament
Shogun Bros
- Cross Blade
Team Scorpion
- Team Scorpion Zero.87
Topre
- Realforce 86U
- Realforce 87U
- Realforce 91U
- Realforce CS NEO
Truly Ergonomic (Official Site (http://www.trulyergonomic.com))
- Truly Ergonomic 207
- Truly Ergonomic 209
TypeNow
- Solid
ViewSonic
- V1
Vortex
- KBT Oni
Zalman
- ZM-K500
Compact
Cherry
- G80-5000 ErgoPlus
Deck
- 82 Ice
- TG3 BL82
DS
- Sun88
DSI
- SMK-85
Keycool
- Keycool 84
Keyboard Story (Official Site (http://keyboardstory.com\))
- KS Mini (http://blog.keyboardstory.com/introducing-the-ks-mini/)
KMAC
- KMAC-Mini
Matias
- Laptop Pro
- Mini Quiet Pro
- Mini TactilePro
Noppoo
- Choc Mini
Ortek
- MCK-84
PFU
- Happy Hacking Professional
- Happy Hacking Professional JP
- Happy Hacking Professional HG
- Happy Hacking Professional HG JAPAN
- Happy Hacking Professional 2
- Happy Hacking Professional 2 Type-S
- Happy Hacking Professional 2 JP Type-S
SiiG
- MiniTouch (81 key)
Vortex
- KBC Poker
- KBT Pure
- KBT Race
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Thanks for this! Also, the Filco Zero is not the only TKL made by Diatec. Various Majestouches are also TKL.
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Thanks for this! Also, the Filco Zero is not the only TKL made by Diatec. Various Majestouches are also TKL.
Thanks RazorSharpGears, I just found Diatec's site and updated the list.
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No problem ^_^
And thanks again for doing this, will definitely help me for future reference, as well as the rest of GH!
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Tenkeyless has a very specific layout in my opinion, so I would not include the G80-5000, Deck/TG3 82, Choc mini, HHKB, Race, Pure, Poker... etc as they are different form factor, different than a 104/105 with the numpad chopped off.
Also missing Archiss (model escapes me), Keycool 87, HPE 87, Noppoo Mid, Leopold FC700, Leopold FC200lite (with Alps type switch), Ducky 1087XM (with Alps type switch), Razer Black Widow Tournament, Typenow Solid... I am sure there is more I can't think of at the moment.
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Tenkeyless has a very specific layout in my opinion, so I would not include the G80-5000, Deck/TG3 82, Choc mini, HHKB, Race, Pure, Poker... etc as they are different form factor, different than a 104/105 with the numpad chopped off.
Agreed. TKL is very different from other compact layouts as TKL usually means 87 key in a layout as lysol described.
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Tenkeyless has a very specific layout in my opinion, so I would not include the G80-5000, Deck/TG3 82, Choc mini, HHKB, Race, Pure, Poker... etc as they are different form factor, different than a 104/105 with the numpad chopped off.
I thought so, but I didn't know if that was a thing or not. I didn't know if compact was a sub-set of TKL, or it's own category. I'll update the thread to break these out.
Also missing Archiss (model escapes me), Keycool 87, HPE 87, Noppoo Mid, Leopold FC700, Leopold FC200lite (with Alps type switch), Ducky 1087XM (with Alps type switch), Razer Black Widow Tournament, Typenow Solid... I am sure there is more I can't think of at the moment.
See, I knew that I was leaving out a lot. Thanks!
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Aye, as Lysol says, "TKL" usually refers to keyboards that are compact and without numpad, but have at least a few extra columns on the right side. Anyway, here are some that I don't think have been mentioned yet:
PLU
PLU ML-87
Team Scorpion
Team Scorpion Zero.87
Armageddon
Strike Eagle MKI-3
Black Hornet MKA-3
Rapoo
Rapoo V7
Zalman
ZM-K500
Shogun Bros
Cross Blade
Newmen
GM-10
Genius
M1
ViewSonic
V1
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This info would be a great addition to the wiki
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Korean customs? ;D
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Hmn, no I don't even remember seeing some of those mentioned at all on the forums.
Having list grouped by oem and pictures would be nice too, since some of them are the 'same' keyboards with different 'brands'.
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Hmn, no I don't even remember seeing some of those mentioned at all on the forums.
Having list grouped by oem and pictures would be nice too, since some of them are the 'same' keyboards with different 'brands'.
You're right. For example, Archiss is supposedly the Japanese version of the Leopold.
I'm building a spreadsheet as I go since there's more information I'm trying to capture as I find it.
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Smaller than TKL is usually 75% and 60% depending on how much stuff is omitted. Then there are the narrow but fully populated boards that are usually the result of making them fit in a rack, forget specific models tho. G80-1800 is like this.
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Aye, as Lysol says, "TKL" usually refers to keyboards that are compact and without numpad, but have at least a few extra columns on the right side. Anyway, here are some that I don't think have been mentioned yet:
Thank you FoxWolf1! I've incorporated your additions to the list.
This info would be a great addition to the wiki
I'd be happy to work on it, or assist in any way possible.
Korean customs? ;D
Still a bit wet behind the ears on what's out there, so you if you have any links, or info on these boards, please share. :)
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Smaller than TKL is usually 75% and 60% depending on how much stuff is omitted. Then there are the narrow but fully populated boards that are usually the result of making them fit in a rack, forget specific models tho. G80-1800 is like this.
Does the term "Compact" cover all of these boards, or do you think the "narrow but fully populated" is it's own category?
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I think you have it fine now, each in thier own category, it's good. I suppose you could make another list of spacesavers like the G80-1800, 11900, CM TK, Plum96, etc...
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Leopold 700r to the TKL.
The Realforce keyboards like the 87U are TKL not Compact.
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Leopold 700r to the TKL.
The Realforce keyboards like the 87U are TKL not Compact.
Thank you for the corrections. Updated.
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This info would be a great addition to the wiki
+1
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Nearly forgot...Neo Zelia, LBots Mechanic, and FlashGet G600 all deserve places on the "TKL" list. These are all Chinese keyboards, and in the case of the LBots, I'm working entirely on the basis of the branding on the keyboard itself to determine the name, so it may or may not actually be called something entirely different.
Deck 82's cheaper cousin, the TG3 BL82, can go under Compact, as can the DS Sun88.
KBT Oni belongs under TKL, and KBT One doesn't belong at all (it's full-size).
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Here are some more...
DSI SMK-85
Ortek MCK-84
SiiG MiniTouch (81 key)
TrulyErgonomic
The first 3 are ALPS-type boards that are out of production, while the TE has Cherry switches and was released last year (and is fairly compact).
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I was thinking of doing his same thing a couple months ago, but you beAt me to it. Thanks for the work!
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I love your work man!
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Korean galore! :)) :))
KMAC family has KMAC, KMAC LE, K-pad (numpad only), K-mini (poker sized with Fn row on the left side, weird layout), KMAC 1.2 and KMAC 2. All of which are TKL except those mentioned.
MX-mini is a noopoo choc mini sized keyboard.
The 356/456 family, Cheat, LZs are less common and hence shall not be named
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Also would you consider adding the Plum 96 Keyboard to this list? It includes the number pad, but integrates the arrow cluster into number pad. I would include a picture, but I'm on a cell phone right now.
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@FoxWolf1, @Burz and @Shadovved -- thank you for the suggestions, I've updated the list. Let me know if I miss-understood any of your suggestions and made any mistakes.
@fuus -- thanks! Hopefully we can expand on this and make it a really nice resource for others.
@prdlm2009 -- thank you for your encouragement. I've asked to be given access to the wiki, if so I think this could be added. As for the Plum 96, unless I'm missing something, it looks like that's a full sized keyboard.
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As for the Plum 96, unless I'm missing something, it looks like that's a full sized keyboard.
It's 96key/space-saving design, not full-size.
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Plum 96 an awesome space saver. Just like the Coolermaster Storm TK
(http://img.techpowerup.org/121112/plum962.jpg)
TK
(http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/upload/product/10019/feature6.png)
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Plum 96 an awesome space saver. Just like the Coolermaster Storm TK
Corrected. Thank you for the clarification and for the link.
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Nice list, very useful for those who are shopping (and who on GH isn't shopping?).
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Under IBM, there exists the model F "unsaver" tenkeyless size, though it doesn't exactly save space compared to a normal 104. The partnumber is 1387033 (for the lexmark refurb of it) it is effectively an F-122 that is missing the tenkey, so it sitll hav 24+10 function keys.
As far as compact, you might consider adding the cherry ML keyswitch compact boards, like the G84-4***
There's also a lot of older keyboards with smaller layouts. The (plastic plate!) vivanco/keypot KPT84 comes to mind.
Also, I believe it's "plum 96" not "plumb".
Are you including matrix keyboards like an access-IS 6*12?
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The KMAC family has the original KMAC 1 as well, called the KMAC.
In the same colours as the LE ;)
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If you include KMAC not sure why not to include these, up to you guys
off the top of my head
356/456 Family
356L
356N
356CL
356CL Dark Grey Edition
356N MKII
456GT
The Cheat
Koala
DKSaver
LZ Family
LZ 87/86 (LZ-S, LZ-F)
LZSE
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Also, I believe it's "plum 96" not "plumb".
This is true...
It's also not a TKL (by definition), since it has a number pad.
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The first three that I listed, DSI SMK85, the Ortek and the SiiG belong in the compact category. They are pretty much 75% boards.
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Just introduced by Matias:
Mini Tactile Pro
Mini Quiet Pro
Mini Laptop Pro (with bluetooth)
They are all compact layout and all appear to have the same geometry.
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@Shadovved -- added
@tsangan -- You rock. Thank you.
@FoxWolf1 -- true, I think we might have to add another category for "space saver". What do you guys think?
@Burz -- edited your original list and added the Matias keyboard. Thanks!
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As someone interested in collecting TKLs, but not space savers I concur
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Microsoft Arc Keyboard?
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It appears Truly Ergonomic made it to the list. I'd suggest separate category for such keyboards — Kinesis Advantage could appear there as well, and if you want to add rubber domes, then Goldtouch Adjustable Keyboard, TypeMatrix 2020 & 2030 and Kinesis Freestyle could be there too.
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Thanks for this list. I was wondering what other things besides the always talked about were out there.
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Noppoo choc mini red is my favorite!
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Mashby, you're on a roll with these lists. I saw that GH keycap list you posted and now this. Good stuff man. I personally prefer full size boards at the moment but I'd like to pick up a QFR to try out TKL. Unless someone else has a good recommendation.
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Mashby, you're on a roll with these lists. I saw that GH keycap list you posted and now this. Good stuff man. I personally prefer full size boards at the moment but I'd like to pick up a QFR to try out TKL. Unless someone else has a good recommendation.
I think QFR is the perfect board to try out. It is arguably the best value money can buy at the moment, thus a cheap and readily available way to try out the form factor. Having both the boards you list as well, I will say it's much closer to the Filco than the Blackwidow :)
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Mashby, you're on a roll with these lists. I saw that GH keycap list you posted and now this. Good stuff man. I personally prefer full size boards at the moment but I'd like to pick up a QFR to try out TKL. Unless someone else has a good recommendation.
I think QFR is the perfect board to try out. It is arguably the best value money can buy at the moment, thus a cheap and readily available way to try out the form factor. Having both the boards you list as well, I will say it's much closer to the Filco than the Blackwidow :)
Haha, I know my poor Blackwidow gets no love. But it was my intro to mechanical boards so I'm a little fond of it. That being said. This Filco is head and shoulders above it ^_^
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I just wanted to add that the Armageddon Black Hornet MKA-3 comes in Black and Brown Cherry MX Switches.
Cheers!
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There's also the LZ MX mini. And soon to be reality LZ GH
And regarding this part:
The Cheat
Koala
DKSaver
I'm not too familiar with Koala but The Cheat and DK Saver are different keyboards from different times. DK saver was the first custom TKL from Korea made by users dating back to 2007ish. Came in both winkey and winkeyless. Only 40 were made and some were modded to fit alps switches.
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches? I don't know if this is the right place to ask, but it's the closest subject match I could find.
Fantastic list, by the way! I really appreciate having these models listed in one place, helps out a new keyboard aficionado immensely!
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Thank you Greystoke. It's been awhile since I updated this list. I'll clean it up tonight. ;D
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
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There is also a Leopold FC200RE/AB which has MX Clear switches.
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
By the way, are you located in the Czech Republic? Just curious, saw the tag in your profile.
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Under IBM, the M SSK should be called the "IBM Space Saving Keyboard".
There's also the M4 and its variants.
The later r/d versions with trackpoints are the "IBM Space Saver" (blue enter key and IBM logo on right as top edge is notched on left), and the "IBM Space Saver II" (all black keys with IBM logo on left).
As well as the "external thinkpad keyboard", the UltraNav (there are a few variations of those too).
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
By the way, are you located in the Czech Republic? Just curious, saw the tag in your profile.
The ducky DK1087XM is a TKL ...
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
By the way, are you located in the Czech Republic? Just curious, saw the tag in your profile.
The ducky DK1087XM is a TKL ...
Quite right! :))
I was reading all the discussion about "tenkeyless" versus "space-saver" and I lost track of which board is called what. What I was trying to say is that the Ducky XM is a small form factor, just not quite as small as something like the Noppoo Choc Mini.
I'm going to go back to obsessively packaging keycaps now. I haven't had so many little bags of expensive stuff on my desk since my college days... :-X
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
Build quality of this ducky is supposedly... not ideal?
By the way, are you located in the Czech Republic? Just curious, saw the tag in your profile.
Yes, I am.
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
Build quality of this ducky is supposedly... not ideal?
its just the case construction from the lower price models, the shines and limited editions are pretty solid.
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Is there a sub-set of these TKL (or space-saver) keyboards that have Alps switches?
Filco Zero
Thanks! I've also found links to the Ducky DK1087XM, not quite a TKL, but at least a smaller form factor.
Build quality of this ducky is supposedly... not ideal?
its just the case construction from the lower price models, the shines and limited editions are pretty solid.
Yep... that comment was about Ducky DK1087XM though.