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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Altis on Mon, 05 October 2015, 16:26:21

Title: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: Altis on Mon, 05 October 2015, 16:26:21
I'm slowly being tempted to pick up a HHKB at some point but I have a question for those with both a black keyset and white keyset: do they sound or feel different?

I ask this because on the Realforce 87U, there is a difference in the way the white and black keycaps feel and sound -- the black ones sound a little more "clicky" whereas the white ones sound more "clacky" and don't feel quite as textured on the tops.

I know this may seem trivial to many, but I'm curious if anyone has noticed a difference, or if you have both, if you can try them side by side and see.

Thanks!
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sounds
Post by: ajx on Mon, 05 October 2015, 17:07:32
I have both, it doesnt seem they feel/sound different but some keys produce a different sound no matter if its black/white
Similar to your clack/click
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: tararais on Tue, 06 October 2015, 00:24:08
Pretty sure it's in the mind or different keys, I've never felt a significant difference between keytypes, even artisans vs. standard.
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: raymogi on Tue, 06 October 2015, 00:30:16
Maybe the RF that you tried has different weighting on them? 45g vs 55g?

I own 2 RF 55g with different keycaps and they all sounded the same to me.
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 06 October 2015, 00:47:17
From a physical perspective, they are to all intents and purposes identical keyboards.

You'd need to do a blind test - blindfold yourself, get someone to put one in front of you at random and type a bit - see if you can pick which one it is.
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: Altis on Tue, 06 October 2015, 11:03:39
From a physical perspective, they are to all intents and purposes identical keyboards.

You'd need to do a blind test - blindfold yourself, get someone to put one in front of you at random and type a bit - see if you can pick which one it is.

They're definitely different on the Realforce.

The light keys are more glossy on the top, while the black keys are more textured. The black keys are also a bit thinner on two sides (left and right) whereas the light keys have equal thickness on all four sides.

They sound and feel different, which is too bad because the black keys sound and feel better but the light ones look nicer to me.
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: deci on Tue, 06 October 2015, 11:50:14
The type S only comes in white  ;D
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: Steezus on Tue, 06 October 2015, 11:59:07
Unless the keycaps were different thicknesses or weights then I don't really see how the sound/feel could vary. I'm assuming that HHKB or whoever produces their caps uses the same molds.
Title: Re: HHKB White vs Black Keycap Sound/Feel
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 07 October 2015, 02:39:24
From a physical perspective, they are to all intents and purposes identical keyboards.

You'd need to do a blind test - blindfold yourself, get someone to put one in front of you at random and type a bit - see if you can pick which one it is.

They're definitely different on the Realforce.

The light keys are more glossy on the top, while the black keys are more textured. The black keys are also a bit thinner on two sides (left and right) whereas the light keys have equal thickness on all four sides.

They sound and feel different, which is too bad because the black keys sound and feel better but the light ones look nicer to me.

If you're comparing RealForce to HHKB they would definitely feel different, as the RF is plate mounted and the HHKB is case mounted.