Cherry ML 4100.
The G84-4100's spacebar stops below the N, though.
-huha
Does yours have Windows keys?
Here's a picture:Show Image(http://www.humansystem.de/pix/Cherrymini.jpg)
Since he needs Windows keys, that doesn't seem to be an option I'm afraid.
-huha
Here's a Windowsless board:
I have Scroll Lock acting as the Windows key (using KeyTweak.)
I only bought these as auxillary keyboards for quick control when the main board is KVM'ed to another PC, but now I try typing on them, they are remarkably nice.
The HHKB must be good for something. It's compact and looks great.
The other alternative is the Cherry Chinese lettered (Blue Cherry) board - I don't know if those are being dumped in Europe at these firesale prices ($64 US - that's a STEAL) though.
48 Euros cheap?
Maybe the G84-5200 (http://www.cherry.de/deutsch/produkte/kompakttastaturen_XS_Complete_Keyboard.htm) fits your needs. It has two Windows keys and a longer spacebar.
Build quality is said to be kinda lousy though. Still, it is one to be considered, being somewhat smaller (especially thinner but also not as high) and only half as heavy as a G80-1800.I guess you're referring to this posting (http://forum.geizhals.at/t628953,5361758.html#5361758). I somewhat doubt its credibility...
Frankly, it looks more and more like the Filco right now. With taxes and shipping, it would end up at about € 130 for me, which is inside the budget.
On the other hand side, I might just try to rearrange the desk and get a larger tote bag so I can buy the G80-3000. But then, that wouldn’t be much fun, would it? ;-)
My Filco's build quality is much nicer than my G80 - The G80 can flex if you depress a key too hard, and the case itself has a lot of breathing room. Not that that's a bad thing, the quality on the G80 is still very nice and solid. But you can feel the plate mounted PCB in the Filco with every keystroke, picking it up, hitting people with it, etc. The smaller footprint is also nice - but you're paying practically double the price for a fullsize Filco over a G80. Is it twice as good? I wouldn't say so...but then it never really scales that way does it (hhkb)
I’m looking forward to the reply from EK. ripster, you mentioned $50 shipping to the UK, so I guess it will be around the same for Germany. That would be perfectly in order for me.
Einfuhrumsatzsteuer
My most expensive shipping from the past months, the Filco's, where delivered by FexEx in a few days with no extra costs whatsoever.
On topic: You will surely enjoy the Filco board! If you actually end up using the US-International layout full time you will get used to it pretty quick. I've been using it exclusively since like 10 years now and probably still almost reach the same WPM as if I was using a proper German layout.
In short: An external keyboard had her.
A propos German, in case some of you guys speak that funky language and are particularly bored, perhaps my “First Impressions” might be of interest:
http://www.forum-3dcenter.org/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=460438
I opted for 3DC rather than Geekhack for this non-review as, well, you guys are too, hmm, advanced for what I have to say after only half a day of using this keyboard.