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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: obazavil on Fri, 26 December 2008, 21:10:54

Title: Help: Buy HHKB Pro 2 or Realforce 86U for a programmer
Post by: obazavil on Fri, 26 December 2008, 21:10:54

Hi!

Currently I'm living in Japan doing my Master studies, and I will go back to my country (Mexico) on March 30.

So, I want to buy a nice keyboard as a good-bye present. Since I'm here, both HHKB Pro 2 and Realforce 86U cost almost the same.

In my lab I have a Realforce 101, that is really nice. So I love the touch of those keys.

Since both keyboards use the same keys, now the question is about layout and number of keys, I think.

I want to buy a Realforce 86U after the review and enthusiasm of xsphat about it, however, I'm not sure yet.

For people that have tried both (HHKB and Realforce, or any one with nice keys) what made you stay with HHKB?

I like about Realforce 86U that is a complete size, with arrows and everything, and is not as noisy as HHKB.

I like about HHKB Pro 2 that is really light, so I can use it everywhere (work, house PC, house LAP), and that _maybe_ the layout is good since is supposed to help to move my hands as less as possible.

So, if you have time and some comments, help me with your experience, since I can't get both :P

Title: Help: Buy HHKB Pro 2 or Realforce 86U for a programmer
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 26 December 2008, 21:27:32

clearly you need to buy both, leave the hhkb in your bag and the realforce on your desktop, lol ;)

Title: Help: Buy HHKB Pro 2 or Realforce 86U for a programmer
Post by: Bluemercury on Sat, 27 December 2008, 08:59:58

I dont have a realforce, but maybe ill buy one later. who knows.....right now i have two hhkp2 and you cant go wrong with it...

Title: Help: Buy HHKB Pro 2 or Realforce 86U for a programmer
Post by: kyamei on Sun, 28 December 2008, 01:51:24

I have a Realforce 101 and an HHKB Pro 2.  I personally think the keys feel better on the Realforce.  The keys have a much more solid feel than the HHKB does and the corner on the space bar is much "sharper" on the HHKB (my thumb sits right on the corner and it isn't rounded as much as the Realforce).  

That being said, for the little programming I do (I'm still a student, so I only program for 1 class/semester) I prefer the layout of the HHKB over the feel of the Realforce, but for everthing else (with my desktops) I prefer the Realforce.  I do take my HHKB to class to use with my laptop or netbook, so the portability is a definite plus.  I really don't think you could go wrong with either choice though.

Title: Help: Buy HHKB Pro 2 or Realforce 86U for a programmer
Post by: obazavil on Thu, 12 March 2009, 03:59:52

Just got my Black with letters HHKB 1 week ago. The feeling is very great, as the Realforce 101 I use in my lab (and that i will say goodbye soon).

Main problem is the arrows... man... i use that a LOT.

I hope me and my wife can get used to that layout heh. Anyway, much better than the Unibody Aluminium Mac :)