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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: microsoft windows on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:00:02

Title: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:00:02: ALRIGHT FOLKS...WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST KEYBOARD AND THE WORST KEYBOARD? I'D SAY THE BEST KEYBOARD IS THE IBM MODEL M, AND THE WORST KEYBOARD IS ANY APPLE KEYBOARD MADE SINCE 1998.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:05:53: Someone trollin'?

Best: NEC APC-H4100E.

Worst: Some crappy Microsoft rubber dome keyboard I was stuck using at work.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Architect on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:06:22: I don't get the IBM M love, those keyboards gave me RSI back in the day.

I vote the TECK/Truly Ergo as the best, and the worst were the old DEC/PDP-11 keyboards. Those made my arms go numb in grad school.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: morpheus on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:40:46: Best: Any Topre Board
Worst: Any used Alps keyboard off Ebay and/or cheap membranes at the local store
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: terran5992 on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:41:00: Best : Buckling springs keyboard/ Topre Realforce

Worst: Free keyboard when i bought my desktop
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: terrpn on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:43:51: Quote from: rowdy on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:05:53
Someone trollin'?

Best: NEC APC-H4100E.

Worst: Some crappy Microsoft rubber dome keyboard I was stuck using at work.

best- not sure how you can go wrong with a model m or f (of course like most have a couple favorites and just rotate)

refurbishing my nec412 now.............. :thumb:

seems like a decent board

which switches does your 410 have?
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:44:45: Best: Ergodox

Worst: Everything else equally "worst"

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/044.gif)
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: divito on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:52:24: Best: Model M, or similar

Worst: Anything and everything accompanying a computer

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:44:45
Best: Ergodox

Worst: Everything else equally "worst"

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/044.gif)

Psch...ErgoDox almost seems to have a Apple/iPhone-esque following.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: BliTzKiN on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:52:32: Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:44:45
Best: Ergodox

Worst: Everything else equally "worst"

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/044.gif)

Love of the ergodox :D

Best: 62g lube stickered ergoclears

Worst: some dell ISO board im stuck at work with. Im an ANSI guy and the short shift on the ISO really kills me in autocad and sketchup.. No hate to ISO users though :)
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 07 September 2013, 14:33:16: Best: Ducky DK 1087 w/ green ALPS

Worst: Ducky DK 1087 w/ green ALPS

I love/hate mine SO MUCH.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: dante on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:07:17: Best: Apple ][ GS w/ SMK Alps

Worst: Matias Quiet Pro
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:22:18: How do so many of you not bring your keyboards to work?
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:40:51: Quote from: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:22:18
How do so many of you not bring your keyboards to work?

Not all of us work a job. I'm a student, which isn't really a job, and I wouldn't have a use for a keyboard at school.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:41:59: I want them to make another one of these http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html (http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html)
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:42:57: Quote from: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:41:59
I want them to make another one of these http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html (http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html)

The commodore 64 was awesome though...
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:54:59: Quote from: microsoft windows on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:00:02
ALRIGHT FOLKS...WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST KEYBOARD AND THE WORST KEYBOARD? I'D SAY THE BEST KEYBOARD IS THE IBM MODEL M, AND THE WORST KEYBOARD IS ANY APPLE KEYBOARD MADE SINCE 1998.

Best keyboard= one that has a functioning capslock
Worst keyboard= one that has a malfunctioning capslock
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: MKULTRA on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:57:09: Haven't we had this thread before?
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Neo.X on Sat, 07 September 2013, 18:03:12: Best: Any topre keyboards and any Korean customized keyboards.
Worst: cheap laptop keyboard or anyone with touch screen.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: dorkvader on Sat, 07 September 2013, 18:12:48: Quote from: divito on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:52:24
Best: Model M, or similar

Worst: Anything and everything accompanying a computer

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:44:45
Best: Ergodox

Worst: Everything else equally "worst"

Show Image
(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/044.gif)

Psch...ErgoDox almost seems to have a Apple/iPhone-esque following.

Nah, fanboys are bad the world 'round. apple fanboys, thinkpad fanboys, ergodox fanboys: it's all the same. I enjoy my ErgoDOX, but I'm not a fanboy.

Anyway, in my opinion:
Best: IBM model F (beam springs are a close second, as I don't own one yet)
worst: Toshiba Tecra A11 keyboards (and basically any qosimo keyboard) Low end toshiba scissors are the worst, and I have to work with them all the time when I fix their terrible computers.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: skuko on Sat, 07 September 2013, 21:21:17: Best - Filco anything :)
worst - rubberdome crapola :D
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Kagusaki Wolf on Sat, 07 September 2013, 21:45:00: Best: IBM Model M and Northgate Omnikey
These are high quality keyboards that would last more than a lifetime. Got kids? Pass it down like an heirloom! :thumb:

Worst: Dell KB212-B Quietkey
Probably the best POS keyboard money can buy. We got a few of these at work and they just plain suck. I don't think they're even good enough as a door stop cause they will break under any pressure. I popped one of the keys to see if it was a scissor switch but nope just regular rubberdome. Hell, I found a new one in the box at work and popped off the backspace and the ten key "Enter", "+", and "0" keys. None of them had stabilizers! They had slots for them but they weren't even installed and try pressing those keys at a corner. They'll just jam up. WORST KEYBOARD EVER!!! :mad:
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: TimIsABat on Sat, 07 September 2013, 23:24:04: Best: (http://i.imgur.com/qQKR3zH.jpg)

Worst: (http://vonbeau.com/images/uploads/rose-art-crayons-free-at-target.jpg)
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Sifo on Sat, 07 September 2013, 23:24:24: DT-35 best

Worst... everything else.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: TimIsABat on Sat, 07 September 2013, 23:31:47: Quote from: Sifo on Sat, 07 September 2013, 23:24:24
DT-35 best

Worst... everything else.

I might get a Qsenn so I can feel cool and only use it when I play SC2 XD.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: jameslr on Sat, 07 September 2013, 23:51:10: I hate to admit it but I think I'm a convert. I love Topre. The RF87U 55g board is probably the nicest board I've ever used. It just has a feeling that oozes quality. It's a heavy board and a dream to type on.

Best: Topre Realforce 87U 55g
Worst: Laser grid keyboards (these things are terrible, neat in concept but very difficult to get correct key registers out of).
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: AuRinBei on Sun, 08 September 2013, 03:10:50: Quote from: TacticalStache on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:42:57
Quote from: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:41:59
I want them to make another one of these http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html (http://www.pcworld.com/article/139100/the_10_worst_pc_keyboards_of_all_time.html)

The commodore 64 was awesome though...
I would definitely be interested in a Commodore 64 keyboard with MX switches.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: elttaboi on Sun, 08 September 2013, 03:40:55: Best: That anniversary HHKB with hand painted keys.

Worst: Casio VL-Tone
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: larrymoencurly on Sun, 08 September 2013, 06:05:33: Worst:

1. RocketBoard -- lots of sticky keys, with the wide keys being worst due to lack of equalizer rods.

2. Old BTCs with aluminum foil disks glued to urethane foam disks -- mushy and among the least spill resistant. The key markings were either double shot, painted, or painted with a drop of clear protectant over them that put a bump in each key top.

Best:

1. IBM Model F or Model M, not just because of the buckling spring switches but also the deep curvature of the layout.

2. Anything with Alps or Cherry switches.

3. Old Compaq and Gateway keyboards, despite their use of rubber dome switches.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 08 September 2013, 09:41:15: Best: Out of all the keyboards I've used, the Model M SSK is probably my favourite all-rounder. The 75-key beam spring is probably the nicest to type on, but it's nowhere near as practical. The AT and 122-key Model Fs fall somewhere in between for typing quality and convenience of use and transport.

Worst: If we leave beside touch screens and no-travel membrane keyboards, I am going to stick to an old enemy of mine...

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Lk201.jpg)
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: TimIsABat on Sun, 08 September 2013, 11:16:27: Quote from: larrymoencurly on Sun, 08 September 2013, 06:05:33
Worst:

1. RocketBoard -- lots of sticky keys, with the wide keys being worst due to lack of equalizer rods.

2. Old BTCs with aluminum foil disks glued to urethane foam disks -- mushy and among the least spill resistant. The key markings were either double shot, painted, or painted with a drop of clear protectant over them that put a bump in each key top.

Best:

1. IBM Model F or Model M, not just because of the buckling spring switches but also the deep curvature of the layout.

2. Anything with Alps or Cherry switches.

3. Old Compaq and Gateway keyboards, despite their use of rubber dome switches.

Compaq RT-101 is pretty sweet not gonna lie. Soft and solid key presses.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 08 September 2013, 22:50:42: Quote from: AuRinBei on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:22:18
How do so many of you not bring your keyboards to work?

I do.
Quote from: ch_123 on Sun, 08 September 2013, 09:41:15
Best: Out of all the keyboards I've used, the Model M SSK is probably my favourite all-rounder. The 75-key beam spring is probably the nicest to type on, but it's nowhere near as practical. The AT and 122-key Model Fs fall somewhere in between for typing quality and convenience of use and transport.

Worst: If we leave beside touch screens and no-travel membrane keyboards, I am going to stick to an old enemy of mine...

Show Image
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Lk201.jpg)

VT220? I have a couple of these lying around somewhere - nowhere near as clean at that one though.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Oobly on Mon, 09 September 2013, 06:32:50: Best: Still building it out of parts from a Ducky G2Pro tactile mix... Ergo board with browns and ergoclears. At least I hope it will be my best ;)

Worst: ZX Spectrum rubber key... Especially the faulty one I had..
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: insilica on Mon, 09 September 2013, 08:15:46: Quote from: microsoft windows on Sat, 07 September 2013, 07:00:02
ALRIGHT FOLKS...WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE BEST KEYBOARD AND THE WORST KEYBOARD? I'D SAY THE BEST KEYBOARD IS THE IBM MODEL M, AND THE WORST KEYBOARD IS ANY APPLE KEYBOARD MADE SINCE 1998.

Best: Anything Topre, Ergodox, Model M SSK - sorry I can't pick one :(

Worst: ANYTHING CREATED BY MICROSOFT, ESPECIALLY ERGONOMIC RANGE
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Tarzan on Mon, 09 September 2013, 10:16:26: Best? Whichever one is on my desk at the moment.

Worst? Cherry MY-7000.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: 1391406 on Mon, 09 September 2013, 11:05:55: The best:
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 09 September 2013, 14:32:05: Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 08 September 2013, 22:50:42
VT220? I have a couple of these lying around somewhere - nowhere near as clean at that one though.

It's the DEC LK201, which was used on the VT220, VT320 and some VAX workstations (maybe some of the MIPS ones too). There was a later LK401 which used rubber domes which looked like this -

(http://muuseum.at.mt.ut.ee/images/decstation_3100_lk401_1.jpg)

rootwyrm says he's seen some rubber dome LK201s, but the ones I've encountered all had a switching mechanism like a Cherry MY which was absolutely vile to type on.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Altis on Mon, 09 September 2013, 18:38:00: 1. Still finding best. Hoping it will be Ducky Shine 3 with Reds!

2. Squishy Dell keyboards of recent years. Genuinely appalling.

Special credit to Quickfire Rapid family for bringing a slew variations of a solid keyboard at a great price to the masses. (although I don't have one)
Ditto for Apple since the Aluminum mini keyboard, albeit without the variations.
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: mapple on Tue, 10 September 2013, 04:04:28: best : IBM Model M
worst: any robber dome and those f****n touchpads
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Emospence on Tue, 10 September 2013, 04:29:59: Aren't people supposed to reply, there is no best, the best is what you like most etc etc?
Title: Re: BEST AND WORST KEYBOARDS
Post by: Altis on Tue, 10 September 2013, 09:42:20: Quote from: Emospence on Tue, 10 September 2013, 04:29:59
Aren't people supposed to reply, there is no best, the best is what you like most etc etc?

I think that's assumed in this thread. Best and worst that you've experienced personally. Best-to-you = favorite-to-you :thumb: