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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:04:14

Title: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:04:14


I have owned a Steelseries 6gv2 - mx black for the past 6 years, bought it when I had a lot of time to dedicate  to gaming, and it was just fine. The past couple of months  I didn't have time to game anymoren, and hopefully, for the sake of my bank account, it will remain so in the foreseeable future.
I've been working as a translator for a few months now, so typing speed is becoming a concern, as many contracts are paid per translated word. The faster I type, the more I get paid (well, it's not as simple as that, but anyhow, it's part of the issue).

So, the past month, I've been browsing and browsing and reading and  then I browsed and browsed again for new keyboards. Once you start doing that, it's real drug - but you knew that already. One of the many things I concluded from my readings (and this website) was that mx blacks were bad for typing. I could have guessed that before, but having no point of comparaison - and no shops around to test other springs- I just took a leap of faith....and opened my wallet twice in the past couple of weeks (and something tells me this ain't over).

First time : I bought a second hand (unused) Filco Majestouch 2 Mx brown (got it down to 75 Euros after some negotiating so I couldn't resist). I've been using it for 3-4 days now. I've done some testing (you know them online websites) and it seems  my wpm has improved by 10-15% - and hopefully it will still improve once I get used to them.  It's a good start. The problem for me with the mx blacks (I think) is that it was a bit too stiff, my pinkies didnt like fast typing on those outside/further away keys,  which slowed down the whole experience. Browns seem/feel much softer and I gotta say I enjoy that, and so do my pinkies. I blame my girlie hands and tiny fingers. The downside of switching to browns  is that I'm not used to the 'bump' yet, I still think of it now and then while I'm typing, and fingers/hands feel a bit painful at the end of the day, but (hopefully) this will go away once I'm getting used to it...it might just be that typing a bit faster now just require more/new muscles/muscle memory. No idea, hope it'll get better

Second time : I ordered a Unicomp ultra classic through Mdrop. It's being shipped right now. I wanted to test the clickyness, as the last time I did that was when I was a child, on an IBM PS2 model. I couldn't resist to the nostalgia of it all, and only heard good things about those Unicomps models. I can't wait  to receive it, and be able to compare it to the Filco. I'm a bit worried that - once again - my weak pinkies might not enjoy the experience, and it'll make my typing slower than with the browns. Maybe it's my hand positioning that's not adequate as well. I should google that, I guess there's videos explaining how to do this properly, like most people I guess, I have never checked them.
Anyway time will tell.

The steelseries is gonna be sold (or if I don't get an ok price for it, might save it for some paint job during the summer but whatever happens, unless I get major strains using the browns, I don't think I'll use blacks again, at least for now).

I'm gonna compare the filco and the unicomp as soon as I receive it and we'll see which one feels better.

Now I don't want to stop there, as I said before, being paid per translated word, better typing speed also means better money so it'd probably be foolish to spend the coming months and years typing using the wrong tool. Just like a cook wouldn't use a blunt knife I guess.
So I'm wondering what model to try next. I want to get as much info before buying as possible, as I'll probably need to do some long distance shipping for the product (can't find a belgian/french shop having a large mechanical keyboard offer, unless I want a keyboard that looks like a map of Las Vegas, which I don't)

I don't have a huge desk space, and having a portable model seemed like a nice option, so I was thinking testing a 60 percent model, as an alternative to the other tanks I already owned.
For a while I've been eyeing the Poker - mx red model. But yesterday I read this review of HHK and their Topre switches...I'm still new to geekhack/keyboards in general, I learn as I go, but sometimes it seems there's so much info it's hard to know in which direction to go to.

I don't care about the noise level. Look and portability are important (I don't need LEDs, I don't want snakes and flying piglets tattooed all over my keyboard, I'd rather something simple and elegant). I want the switches to be light. I don't need a bump or a click (I guess browns and buckling cover those already) but if that's your recommendation, it's fine too.

Budget matters, just like for anybody else, but I'd be willing to pay a higher price if I was certain it'd give better results.  So if you got recommendations, tips, links to bargain sales etc, I'm all ears. Oh, and I'd rather have a model that comes with blanks preinstalled (or that can be replaced later). I'm using a french azerty layout, and probably will have to order from abroad, so I'd rather have blanks shipped than a qwerty layout, as I will have no use for it.


TL;DR which 60 percent or tkl  for fast typing (already own browns and buckling but want to improve/try other solutions to improve wpm). Which keycaps : Red MX ? Topre ? Others ? And which keyboard model would you recommend ?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: alexjd99 on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:22:18
HHKB.


HHKB always
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: 1swt2gs on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:22:24
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 03:43:06
I wish I had that APM ;d I'm not familiar with clears, I'll read about them.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: 1swt2gs on Sat, 12 March 2016, 05:50:07
I wish I had that APM ;d I'm not familiar with clears, I'll read about them.

Clears are definitely my favorite Mx switch !
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: dgneo on Sat, 12 March 2016, 05:52:35
HHKB.


HHKB always

Second this. I'm around 95-105 with my HHKB, whereas I'm about a 80-90 with my MX & BS boards.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 06:09:16
My only worry about the 60 percent factor is the missing up/down/left/right arrow - which i use quite a lot, out of habit. I'm really willing to try 60 percent, but is the fn + wasd (or whatever other solution)a good substitute for it ? is it easy to get used to and is it as efficient/fast once you're used to it ?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: bocahgundul on Sat, 12 March 2016, 06:10:57
Ergodox.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: dgneo on Sat, 12 March 2016, 06:26:30
My only worry about the 60 percent factor is the missing up/down/left/right arrow - which i use quite a lot, out of habit. I'm really willing to try 60 percent, but is the fn + wasd (or whatever other solution)a good substitute for it ? is it easy to get used to and is it as efficient/fast once you're used to it ?

Absolutely. On the HHKB it's Fn + [;'/ for the arrow keys. Here's an image of the Fn layer:

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/TheProfosist/LinusTechTips/LTT-NotMine/a0013258_485f95c6616cb.gif)

It seems weird at first, but it's honestly not bad at all. I much prefer the HHKB layout to everything else out there at this point. It took me about a week, maybe less, to get used to the arrow keys, but once you do it's second nature. I'm also a big fan of the CTRL and Backspace locations on the HHKB, as it makes them even easier to press. I've quite large hands, and I find the HHKB to be the perfect size for me.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: appleonama on Sat, 12 March 2016, 06:28:43
I agree HHKB
I get about +10wpm on my hhkb but its all in your technique. A keyboard is not going to magically give you more wmp.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Sat, 12 March 2016, 06:51:10
Wow, I'm surprised that other people are having faster results with Topre boards as well. I currently own a Topre Realforce, Filco with MX Browns, Ducky Shine 5 with MX Nature Whites, and I just recently got a Leopold FX 750 with MX Blues.

And as of right now, I definitely do type faster on the Topre than any other boards I own. For some reason I just make a lot more typos with Cherry MX switches. At the same time, don't take that as any definitive answer as to which switch is "the best for typing", because from what I remember, Sean Wrona, who currently owns the fastest typing record on typeracer.com used to type on a Das Keyboard with MX Blues (I have no idea if he still does not). And he averages 189 WPM. So... if MX Blues were good enough for him to get to 160+ WPM, and I can't average more than 110+ WPM... it's probably not the keyboard that's limiting me.

As far as the best typing feel goes... maybe I'm just having some "newborn" bias, but honestly I'm really digging these MX Blues right now. After typing on MX Browns for over a year, and the MX Nature White for a couple of months, I just got tired of not having definitive tactility when typing - it just made me sloppy/lazy when typing. And the MX Blues now give me that crisp, clean tactile feeling. Noise might be an issue for some, but I don't mind it personally.

So for me, the order of my favorite to worst switch goes - MX Blue, Topre, MX Nature White, MX Brown.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 07:45:54
I agree HHKB
I get about +10wpm on my hhkb but its all in your technique. A keyboard is not going to magically give you more wmp.

I'd already be super happy with a 5-10 percent speed bump. At the end of one year of maniacal typing, it's a lot of time saved.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 07:52:52
I hadn't considered mx blue so far. Wouldn't they provide the same kind of feeling (auditory and tactile) than the unicomp ? Having mx brown and buckling available, I was thinking of reds or topre to have a diversified offer....I guess I'd then pick my favorite between that diversified range and stick to it to be efficient (and sell the two others later on, or have fun customizing them). Not the cheapest way to do things, but not having any other way to test all of them, it's the only solution I got...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jerue on Sat, 12 March 2016, 08:24:36
First, make sure you read this (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67941.0)

Ergodox.

I agree. I get about 100 WPM on most Topre boards, but I can see myself easily breaking that after getting adopted to the Ergodox. The columnar layout would be a significant factor in reducing the amount of distance your fingers move across the board. You may even wish to try learning another layout if possible like Dvorak or Colemak (which can be programmed to the ergodox). FWIW QWERTY was invented to keep typewriters from jamming due to speed, so there's that to take into consideration ;)

As far as switch types, I type fastest on linears.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 12 March 2016, 09:21:27
Tactile Alps
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Vittra on Sat, 12 March 2016, 09:39:10
Those of you making less typos on Topre - do keep in mind the initial resistance resides almost entirely at the top of the switch and then collapses afterward - the resistance is provided primarily by the dome, not the spring. As such, you are making less typos due to accidental presses of adjacent keys.

@OP - I type incredibly fast on any switch that I tend to use, but I do tend to prefer my mx reds where absolute speed is concerned. Due to the nature of a light, linear switch, however, your accuracy needs to be absolutely spot on, otherwise your speed will suffer terribly and you will gain no benefit.

You are best served thinking of if you really do want to pursue absolute speed, or a balance of typing speed and typing comfort/pleasantness. That balance is more about what mech kbs are, rather than the absolute speed metric. To compare, a similar thread came up not so long ago from a scissor switch user that was looking for a "short travel" mech switch equivalent to type as fast with - the truth is nothing is going to beat a scissor switch at that metric.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 09:48:41
Those of you making less typos on Topre - do keep in mind the initial resistance resides almost entirely at the top of the switch and then collapses afterward - the resistance is provided primarily by the dome, not the spring. As such, you are making less typos due to accidental presses of adjacent keys.

@OP - I type incredibly fast on any switch that I tend to use, but I do tend to prefer my mx reds where absolute speed is concerned. Due to the nature of a light, linear switch, however, your accuracy needs to be absolutely spot on, otherwise your speed will suffer terribly and you will gain no benefit.

You are best served thinking of if you really do want to pursue absolute speed, or a balance of typing speed and typing comfort/pleasantness. That balance is more about what mech kbs are, rather than the absolute speed metric. To compare, a similar thread came up not so long ago from a scissor switch user that was looking for a "short travel" mech switch equivalent to type as fast with - the truth is nothing is going to beat a scissor switch at that metric.

What are the downsides of scissor switches ? Frailty ? Lack of comfort ?
Any recommendation of good keyboard models with scissor switches  ? I know nothing about the topic, if you got tips, it'll save me some time having to go through reviews of subpar models...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 12 March 2016, 11:41:58
If I were to say what some people say about the Novatouch in their review videos I would say topre is the key to speed. The spring/rubber dome sends the key back up for you in the fastest way possible from what they say. Seems kind of ridiculous imo.

I would look in to key profile heights. I noticed that I made less mistakes with OEM profile keys during high school typing tests. I'm using a keyboard with something similar to DSA profile now and I'm not happy about it  :'( I guess my muscle memory is bound to different key shapes of each row.

If you never make mistakes this would be trivial obviously. Find a switch you like.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: alexjd99 on Sat, 12 March 2016, 12:52:45
I would look in to key profile heights. I noticed that I made less mistakes with OEM profile keys during high school typing tests. I'm using a keyboard with something similar to DSA profile now and I'm not happy about it  :'( I guess my muscle memory is bound to different key shapes of each row.

If you never make mistakes this would be trivial obviously. Find a switch you like.
This is also true. If I switch from a board with Cherry profile, or really any other profile that's sculpted, I notice many more typos with DSA. 

Hence why HHKB is king of all, again  :))
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jerue on Sat, 12 March 2016, 13:03:47
What are the downsides of scissor switches ? Frailty ? Lack of comfort ?
Any recommendation of good keyboard models with scissor switches  ? I know nothing about the topic, if you got tips, it'll save me some time having to go through reviews of subpar models...

The Sculpt Ergonomic is my favorite scissor switch keyboard. It's super comfortable to use for long periods of time and it's well built for the price. You should be able to find one without a mouse for about $40-50 on eBay.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 12 March 2016, 13:23:50
The problem with scissor switch keyboards is if the key pops off the switch. You have to have watch making dexterity to get the keycap back on without bending the little plastic scissor switch tabs. Cleaning under the keys?  :'( I see why HHKB is so popular
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 12 March 2016, 14:14:48
As long as the keys are tactile, that would reduce the number of mistakes.


Nothing else really influences speed from the keyboard end.

Your reading speed and -translation ability- is going to be the main bottleneck to the entire process.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Sat, 12 March 2016, 14:48:44
Quote
I hadn't considered mx blue so far. Wouldn't they provide the same kind of feeling (auditory and tactile) than the unicomp ? Having mx brown and buckling available, I was thinking of reds or topre to have a diversified offer....I guess I'd then pick my favorite between that diversified range and stick to it to be efficient (and sell the two others later on, or have fun customizing them). Not the cheapest way to do things, but not having any other way to test all of them, it's the only solution I got...

I've never had the buckling spring, so I can't really say. I'm sure the differences in resistance, and the mechanisms for tactility are big enough to warrant the MX Blues a try, though. As someone who owns both MX Brown and MX Nature White boards, a difference of 10g+ in resistance makes a big difference in switch feel (I'm reading that buckling springs require 60g+ of actuation force, whereas the MX Blues require 50g).

Quote
Those of you making less typos on Topre - do keep in mind the initial resistance resides almost entirely at the top of the switch and then collapses afterward - the resistance is provided primarily by the dome, not the spring. As such, you are making less typos due to accidental presses of adjacent keys.

No... I don't think it's that. The MX Blue's resistance is very close to the top as well, and I'm slower on the MX Blues. I think it has to do with the fact that Topre switches are smoother and have less wobble, so I'm more confident in hitting the keys, and being sure that they're being actuated. With MX switches, because there is more wobble, I have to be more conscious of making sure that my hitting keys has actually actuated the switch.

But that's just me. I type faster on the Topre, but I prefer the feel of the MX Blue. The crisp tactility is just addicting for me.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Bromono on Sat, 12 March 2016, 14:52:16
HHKB or Ergodox.

The Ergodox kinda forces you to have better ergonomics while typing.

Or if you are really serious, stop typing on azerty and maybe try colmak
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Bromono on Sat, 12 March 2016, 14:53:10
Double post
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Kalp1 on Sat, 12 March 2016, 15:08:31
60wpm here, so no real experience.

I would wait for a sale on ldlc.com and go for a Novatouch, with ISO blank PBT to stay on azerty.

If you want to switch to ansi, with Hhkb or Poker, perhaps you should look to bépo which is a french Dvorak, since US international is not made for a specific language.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: philphilphil on Sat, 12 March 2016, 15:17:47
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.

Same here. I get about 125 (on 10ff) with the MacBook as well as the Pok3r with browns. Same with the DuckyShine2  with reds but my fingers get tired way faster on that one and also more mistakes.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 15:53:29
Double post

Yeah I've been thinking of it. But I started my own company a couple of months ago, so it's not cruising  yet, and every minute spent learning to walk again is...Well, potential money lost. On the long run, it sure is a tempting solution, for now, I can't afford spending time learning to walk again (if it was just a matter of a couple of days, it'd be fine, but from what I read, it'd take weeks to master a completely new layout....or do you have another view on this ?)
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 12 March 2016, 16:32:37
Double post

Yeah I've been thinking of it. But I started my own company a couple of months ago, so it's not cruising  yet, and every minute spent learning to walk again is...Well, potential money lost. On the long run, it sure is a tempting solution, for now, I can't afford spending time learning to walk again (if it was just a matter of a couple of days, it'd be fine, but from what I read, it'd take weeks to master a completely new layout....or do you have another view on this ?)
I'm sort of on the same side of the fence. I started Dvorak a few weeks ago. I know one day I'll replace qwerty with dvorak but I'm not in a hurry to do so. I spend anywhere from 1min - 15min a day learning dvorak.

I trip a lot when I put one foot in front of the other  :))
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 16:50:14
As long as the keys are tactile, that would reduce the number of mistakes.


Nothing else really influences speed from the keyboard end.

Your reading speed and -translation ability- is going to be the main bottleneck to the entire process.

Totally agree, but still, I'll spend a big part of my time typing, so what's gained is gained, the "little" time I'd gain from faster typing through better gear (I'm working on my wpm simultaneously through online training, for what it's worth) is still worth optimizing imo if you sum up the hundreds/thousands of hours I'll spend typing in the coming months (years)
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jacobolus on Sat, 12 March 2016, 16:52:45
Tactile Alps
Personally, my best switch for fast typing is Alps plate spring. Not my favorite as far as feel or sound is concerned, but the snap on the upstroke really helps fingers dance across the keys.
(http://i.imgur.com/v2Vumiq.gif)

If you care more about making other people *think* you are typing fast, then get a Model F. Everyone in your office will be ashamed at how pitiful their typing sounds in comparison.

* * *

As for best overall *keyboard*, well, that depends on your level of training, your preferences, how much time you are willing to invest, etc.

Something split and tented with a column-based key arrangement in a custom shape to match your hands, and a custom-designed logical letter layout is probably better than a standard ANSI/QWERTY keyboard.

If you *really* want to be fast, get a chorded stenography keyboard. For trained professional transcriptionists, this is roughly twice the typing speed of a regular keyboard, if you stick to typing words (as compared to e.g. writing computer code).

In practice though, most people here are stuck with the 19th century one-piece QWERTY-style board, or perhaps slight variants (I don’t think we have any stenographers). So listening to all of our advice is like going to a bunch of horse-cart drivers and asking what the fastest engine would be for a wheeled vehicle.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Corsa1r on Sat, 12 March 2016, 16:59:23
HHKB.  I thought I couldn't do without the dedicated arrow keys.  Boy, was I wrong, this is so easy and intuitive, and if I switch to one of my other boards with arrow keys, it's weirdly seamless, muscle memory somehow switches back and forth depending on what I'm using.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 17:09:55
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.

Same here. I get about 125 (on 10ff) with the MacBook as well as the Pok3r with browns. Same with the DuckyShine2  with reds but my fingers get tired way faster on that one and also more mistakes.

The filco i got last week is ANSI. Blank PBT's from qtan are on the way for it, I've never tried PBT before, but I doubt it will change much to my typing speed (I'd be happy to be proven wrong about this, but I doubt i'll be), I mostly ordered them for aesthetic purpose (I'm doomed, I guess that's how you start pimping your keyboard, and once you're gone, you can't go baaaaaaack, when you're out of the blue, and into the blaaaack). This, just to say that ANSI azerty is fine imo as I'm touch typing 95 percent of the time anyway (and hopefully soon at 99 percent). The only key I miss vs ISO right now is  the <> dedicated key, but I seldom use it, and ascii code aren't too hard to mesmorize anyway so this won't be a problem for much longer.

So yeah bépo/dvorak (as discussed above) is tempting, I guess I'll give it a try in the future, but I can't afford to spend too much time on it right now (I'd rather try and improve my accuracy on azerty first, I think it'll give faster "return on investment", which is what I have to focus on right now, but I'll keep dvorak in mind for sure - maybe a project for the next holidays, whenever that will happen ;d)
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 17:35:32
Tactile Alps
Personally, my best switch for fast typing is Alps plate spring. Not my favorite as far as feel or sound is concerned, but the snap on the upstroke really helps fingers dance across the keys.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/v2Vumiq.gif)


If you care more about making other people *think* you are typing fast, then get a Model F. Everyone in your office will be ashamed at how pitiful their typing sounds in comparison.

* * *

As for best overall *keyboard*, well, that depends on your level of training, your preferences, how much time you are willing to invest, etc.

Something split and tented with a column-based key arrangement in a custom shape to match your hands, and a custom-designed logical letter layout is probably better than a standard ANSI/QWERTY keyboard.

If you *really* want to be fast, get a chorded stenography keyboard. For trained professional transcriptionists, this is roughly twice the typing speed of a regular keyboard, if you stick to typing words (as compared to e.g. writing computer code).

In practice though, most people here are stuck with the 19th century one-piece QWERTY-style board, or perhaps slight variants (I don’t think we have any stenographers). So listening to all of our advice is like going to a bunch of horse-cart drivers and asking what the fastest engine would be for a wheeled vehicle.

I just checked Alps plate springs through this youtube lk :
Reminded me of my IBM M2 keyboard from twenty years ago, and they sure look nice. Oh this is a neverending quest. Chorded steno keyboards sound interesting (I just checked a couple of videos about), but doesn't steno involve a lot of "backoffice" work to decode what you've been instant-typing, or is there computer solutions for this nowadays, that decode everything in real time. I don't think I'm ready for this yet, but if you got links, I'd be happy to read more about it ;d
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sat, 12 March 2016, 17:39:44
HHKB.  I thought I couldn't do without the dedicated arrow keys.  Boy, was I wrong, this is so easy and intuitive, and if I switch to one of my other boards with arrow keys, it's weirdly seamless, muscle memory somehow switches back and forth depending on what I'm using.

People sure seem to love their HHKB, it is a tempting solution. I'll read more about it (and will try and find comparative reviews vs pokers and similar gear) Ergo, dvoraks, steno all sound great too, but I'd have to read about those a lot before I'd decide to pick one, and then the training would probably be demanding, so I'm not sure I can afford this right now...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Corsa1r on Sat, 12 March 2016, 18:05:50
Yeah!  Glad you're doing the research!  As far as the HHKB goes, in about 3 days I was completely used to the Fn layer arrows, I switched to my TKL and full-size cherry boards at home, and didn't even consciously process when I was using the arrow keys for web browsing and other stuff.  It was a non-issue.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Sun, 13 March 2016, 05:30:24
When I'm at home, I use a pok3r with reds, which allows to type very fast.

But if you need to do some real work, a 60% layout is a real joke, completely unusable. Sometimes you've got one hand on the mouse, and moving the hand away to press an acrobatic key combination of really annoying. Try it for yourself, thank me later.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: appleonama on Sun, 13 March 2016, 05:43:36
The only reason I type faster on the hhkb is due to the switch weight and layout. 45g is much faster for me to press plus the backspace position also makes it easier.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sun, 13 March 2016, 06:36:12
Is there any thread dedicated on where the buy keyboards in each country ? I'm in Belgium but can't find good keyboard stores online (or I'm looking in the wrong place). I'd like to buy from Belgium for VAT/tax purpose/convenience...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Sun, 13 March 2016, 07:10:05

https://reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/uk_shopping_guide

Is there any thread dedicated on where the buy keyboards in each country ? I'm in Belgium but can't find good keyboard stores online (or I'm looking in the wrong place). I'd like to buy from Belgium for VAT/tax purpose/convenience...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: mobbo on Sun, 13 March 2016, 08:28:02
TKL: Realforce 87u 45g was really fast right out of the box (113WPM)
60%: HHKB. Slow at first but once you get used to the layout the short travel distance speeds things up (115WPM)

Other notable switches: Low gram weighted Zealios (62g, 65g). I find I type rather quickly on the tactile 65gs (115-120WPM).

I have not tried linears. I suspect blacks would increase my APM while typing - but would make me prone to more accuracy errors without a tactile bump to help guide me.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sun, 13 March 2016, 09:09:40

https://reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/uk_shopping_guide

Is there any thread dedicated on where the buy keyboards in each country ? I'm in Belgium but can't find good keyboard stores online (or I'm looking in the wrong place). I'd like to buy from Belgium for VAT/tax purpose/convenience...

Thanks.  Looks like I should start my own keyboard ebay store, there's really close to no decent belgian reseller around :/
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: philphilphil on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:28:16
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.

Same here. I get about 125 (on 10ff) with the MacBook as well as the Pok3r with browns. Same with the DuckyShine2  with reds but my fingers get tired way faster on that one and also more mistakes.

I must correct my statement. Got aGH60 with Gateron blues since yesterday and i hit repeatedly 130-134 wpm with it.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:50:10
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.

Same here. I get about 125 (on 10ff) with the MacBook as well as the Pok3r with browns. Same with the DuckyShine2  with reds but my fingers get tired way faster on that one and also more mistakes.

I must correct my statement. Got aGH60 with Gateron blues since yesterday and i hit repeatedly 130-134 wpm with it.

What's an aGH60 ? Can you provide links ? Also, any tips for good/cheap german resellers are welcome...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: philphilphil on Sun, 13 March 2016, 16:53:47
Your thinking wayyy too much into it.

I type as fast as I do on my P.O.S. dell keyboard than on my mechs. I do make a lot more mistakes on reds (because they are light).

I would personally recommend a poker (ii or pok3r is fine). Switch would be clears or blues. Tactile will help you type and give you audible feedback after hitting every switch.

Edit: My score is 110 wpm avg right now on typeracer.

Same here. I get about 125 (on 10ff) with the MacBook as well as the Pok3r with browns. Same with the DuckyShine2  with reds but my fingers get tired way faster on that one and also more mistakes.

I must correct my statement. Got aGH60 with Gateron blues since yesterday and i hit repeatedly 130-134 wpm with it.

What's an aGH60 ? Can you provide links ? Also, any tips for good/cheap german resellers are welcome...
A 60%-keyboard(design) made by geekhack: https://geekhack.org/?topic=34959.0 (https://geekhack.org/?topic=34959.0). I got all the parts for it from ebay (Satan PCB), its cheap and shipping takes about two weeks to germany. Also no customs duty because they write on the package that it only costs 3euros.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 13 March 2016, 17:26:16
GH60 and Satan GH60 are produced by different groups of people.

From what I know the original GH60 project dissolved (idk why). Then someone or some people made the Satan GH60. Good PCB from what people say though.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: klennkellon on Sun, 13 March 2016, 18:47:12
I always felt like I typed much faster on MX Blues. It's effortless to type on them.

However, when I type on my white ALPS, I type a bit slower but make much fewer mistakes.

Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Sun, 13 March 2016, 19:47:45
Thus far it's been MX brown for me at 95-105 WPM
However the more i get used to Topre i'm already after 48 hours at 90+ Average where as it took me quite a bit longer using Browns to sustain that.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: kekman on Mon, 14 March 2016, 06:11:14
the one with the most comfortable layout and switch for you, just go out to any retail store which stocks keyboards and have a try of everything

the switches themselves wont make you type faster, it's how well your brain can acclimate with your peripherals, so comfort is always the no1 priority.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Mon, 14 March 2016, 06:25:47
It's like... as mentioned before, the fastest typists in the world can type up to 180+ WPM on average. I really wouldn't sweat about how the switches "affect my performance" until I can get anywhere near close to that speed.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Mon, 14 March 2016, 14:06:23
My only worry about the 60 percent factor is the missing up/down/left/right arrow - which i use quite a lot, out of habit. I'm really willing to try 60 percent, but is the fn + wasd (or whatever other solution)a good substitute for it ? is it easy to get used to and is it as efficient/fast once you're used to it ?

Absolutely. On the HHKB it's Fn + [;'/ for the arrow keys. Here's an image of the Fn layer:

Show Image
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v519/TheProfosist/LinusTechTips/LTT-NotMine/a0013258_485f95c6616cb.gif)


It seems weird at first, but it's honestly not bad at all. I much prefer the HHKB layout to everything else out there at this point. It took me about a week, maybe less, to get used to the arrow keys, but once you do it's second nature. I'm also a big fan of the CTRL and Backspace locations on the HHKB, as it makes them even easier to press. I've quite large hands, and I find the HHKB to be the perfect size for me.


Same. I'm an OS X user and write a lot -- I tend to use stuff like Option+Arrow to jump a word at a time, or Option+Shift+Arrow to select a word at a time, and even with four keys in play (throwing the FN layer into the mix) my hands now do this totally automatically. I actually find a full keyboard slower now because the arrow keys are a longer reach than on the HHKB.

As far as speed, though? As much as I love typing on my HHKB, I don't really think I type any faster on it than on my Macbook's keyboard, for instance. I sure enjoy it more, though.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: superbia on Mon, 14 March 2016, 14:34:46
If you type a large amount of text (like in court) then a stenograph machine-keyboard (400wpm).

If you are a casual consumer / gamer than basically any keyboard (mechanical or even scissor switches will work), but I'd also suggest to stay away from qwerty because typing fast on it (100+ WPM) caused fatique in my hands atleast in my case.

If you are a programmer and live from coding then a split keyboard (angled / tent-mode) with either something like an ergo-dox, or a double planck (with an ergonomic layout, for example COLEMAK DH angle mod, or basically anything else than the obsolete QWERTY) will work.

IMO speed is not about particular keyboard, Its more about your technique, layout, and how responsive are keys. True you could gain 5-10% speed on better keyboards, but rather focus on ergonomics than speed..
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Tue, 15 March 2016, 17:49:44
If you type a large amount of text (like in court) then a stenograph machine-keyboard (400wpm).

If you are a casual consumer / gamer than basically any keyboard (mechanical or even scissor switches will work), but I'd also suggest to stay away from qwerty because typing fast on it (100+ WPM) caused fatique in my hands atleast in my case.

If you are a programmer and live from coding then a split keyboard (angled / tent-mode) with either something like an ergo-dox, or a double planck (with an ergonomic layout, for example COLEMAK DH angle mod, or basically anything else than the obsolete QWERTY) will work.

IMO speed is not about particular keyboard, Its more about your technique, layout, and how responsive are keys. True you could gain 5-10% speed on better keyboards, but rather focus on ergonomics than speed..

I'm working on that, switching from MX blacks to browns and doing some good old online 10 fingers typing training already boosted my wpm by 10-15 percent (but I'm still very low). I'll keep on working on it, Unicomp is shipping soon, I'll be able to compare it to the mx brown. I understand maxing wpm isn't such a huge deal (although it's fun trying to have it go up one step at the time), even more when I -still - have this bad habit of going back to my 6-8 fingers typing habit while I'm working and not focusing on the typing experience, but again, on the long run, what's gained is gained. I probably should use on of those wpm trackers during working sessions just to see what's the more efficient solution, and weight this vs comfort and  so on indeed. Ergonomics, Dvorak, and so on are very tempting, and I might give them a try, but this is a "long-term" project as I can't afford to focus spending time learning a new layout right now...but I swear I will later on ;d
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: superbia on Wed, 16 March 2016, 15:01:36
If you type a large amount of text (like in court) then a stenograph machine-keyboard (400wpm).

If you are a casual consumer / gamer than basically any keyboard (mechanical or even scissor switches will work), but I'd also suggest to stay away from qwerty because typing fast on it (100+ WPM) caused fatique in my hands atleast in my case.

If you are a programmer and live from coding then a split keyboard (angled / tent-mode) with either something like an ergo-dox, or a double planck (with an ergonomic layout, for example COLEMAK DH angle mod, or basically anything else than the obsolete QWERTY) will work.

IMO speed is not about particular keyboard, Its more about your technique, layout, and how responsive are keys. True you could gain 5-10% speed on better keyboards, but rather focus on ergonomics than speed..

I'm working on that, switching from MX blacks to browns and doing some good old online 10 fingers typing training already boosted my wpm by 10-15 percent (but I'm still very low). I'll keep on working on it, Unicomp is shipping soon, I'll be able to compare it to the mx brown. I understand maxing wpm isn't such a huge deal (although it's fun trying to have it go up one step at the time), even more when I -still - have this bad habit of going back to my 6-8 fingers typing habit while I'm working and not focusing on the typing experience, but again, on the long run, what's gained is gained. I probably should use on of those wpm trackers during working sessions just to see what's the more efficient solution, and weight this vs comfort and  so on indeed. Ergonomics, Dvorak, and so on are very tempting, and I might give them a try, but this is a "long-term" project as I can't afford to focus spending time learning a new layout right now...but I swear I will later on ;d

DISCLAMER: In the following text I'm only considering layouts. In reality, we don't know how human brain works, so a korean costum with 800$ worth addons qwerty  might feel and be the most ergonomic thing you know.  :thumb:

It's very hard to learn 10 fingers. Even harder on qwerty (qwerty, how it is, is like the worst layout to use 10 fingers on) It's even harder to learn a new layout.

Hotter weather is coming, and I'm sure you will have 1-2 weeks to invest in "unlearning your bad habbits".
Languages evolve, mutate, so do the keyboard layouts. The COLEMAK-DH angled mod is what I find pleasurable (even on non english languages)...
Consider the modification of colemak I mentioned, make sure you have a matrix keyboard or ISO keyboard (because they allow you to slide your bottom row one place to the left, making any layout 400% better).

Effectiveley, I'm not forcing anyone to change their habbits, but I'm simply posting few posts about this layout, just so people could find about it when they google. In the end no matter what layout you decide to try/learn, it will be better than obsolete qwerty.

If on the other hand your are worried about keycaps, well thath's why we have blank keycaps or even colemak/dvorak add-ons.
There is no colemak-DH add-on sadly, but yea you can just not give a sh about what your keycaps say, because only thing that matters is the quality of keycaps.

Just one last thing, this is the infamous ANGLE mod for non-matrix keyboards
(https://colemakmods.github.io/mod-dh/gfx/angle_mod.png)
If your board can do this, then this will raise your ergonomics 400% (on any layout, especially on the COLEMAK-DH mod).

comparison of advanced layouts: https://colemakmods.github.io/mod-dh/compare.html
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Wed, 16 March 2016, 16:12:18
If you type a large amount of text (like in court) then a stenograph machine-keyboard (400wpm).

If you are a casual consumer / gamer than basically any keyboard (mechanical or even scissor switches will work), but I'd also suggest to stay away from qwerty because typing fast on it (100+ WPM) caused fatique in my hands atleast in my case.

If you are a programmer and live from coding then a split keyboard (angled / tent-mode) with either something like an ergo-dox, or a double planck (with an ergonomic layout, for example COLEMAK DH angle mod, or basically anything else than the obsolete QWERTY) will work.

IMO speed is not about particular keyboard, Its more about your technique, layout, and how responsive are keys. True you could gain 5-10% speed on better keyboards, but rather focus on ergonomics than speed..

I'm working on that, switching from MX blacks to browns and doing some good old online 10 fingers typing training already boosted my wpm by 10-15 percent (but I'm still very low). I'll keep on working on it, Unicomp is shipping soon, I'll be able to compare it to the mx brown. I understand maxing wpm isn't such a huge deal (although it's fun trying to have it go up one step at the time), even more when I -still - have this bad habit of going back to my 6-8 fingers typing habit while I'm working and not focusing on the typing experience, but again, on the long run, what's gained is gained. I probably should use on of those wpm trackers during working sessions just to see what's the more efficient solution, and weight this vs comfort and  so on indeed. Ergonomics, Dvorak, and so on are very tempting, and I might give them a try, but this is a "long-term" project as I can't afford to focus spending time learning a new layout right now...but I swear I will later on ;d

DISCLAMER: In the following text I'm only considering layouts. In reality, we don't know how human brain works, so a korean costum with 800$ worth addons qwerty  might feel and be the most ergonomic thing you know.  :thumb:

It's very hard to learn 10 fingers. Even harder on qwerty (qwerty, how it is, is like the worst layout to use 10 fingers on) It's even harder to learn a new layout.

Hotter weather is coming, and I'm sure you will have 1-2 weeks to invest in "unlearning your bad habbits".
Languages evolve, mutate, so do the keyboard layouts. The COLEMAK-DH angled mod is what I find pleasurable (even on non english languages)...
Consider the modification of colemak I mentioned, make sure you have a matrix keyboard or ISO keyboard (because they allow you to slide your bottom row one place to the left, making any layout 400% better).

Effectiveley, I'm not forcing anyone to change their habbits, but I'm simply posting few posts about this layout, just so people could find about it when they google. In the end no matter what layout you decide to try/learn, it will be better than obsolete qwerty.

If on the other hand your are worried about keycaps, well thath's why we have blank keycaps or even colemak/dvorak add-ons.
There is no colemak-DH add-on sadly, but yea you can just not give a sh about what your keycaps say, because only thing that matters is the quality of keycaps.

Just one last thing, this is the infamous ANGLE mod for non-matrix keyboards
Show Image
(https://colemakmods.github.io/mod-dh/gfx/angle_mod.png)

If your board can do this, then this will raise your ergonomics 400% (on any layout, especially on the COLEMAK-DH mod).

comparison of advanced layouts: https://colemakmods.github.io/mod-dh/compare.html

I'm definitely gonna read about this, before I buy a new - expensive - keyboard. I don't know much about Colemak, I only had time to read a little bit about Dvorak, I'll compare them both down the road and will decide according to what looks best.
One thing I gotta take into consideration is : I'm a french translator (i.e. I translate into french) and on any regular day, I -still - lose a bit of time whenever I got to use special characters such as ê û î ô â.
ç à é è are ok because they're part of the french azerty layout, but their big caps counterpart isn't, as far as I know, and that really bugs me. It's no big deal but since they're quite common in french, it's a repetitive and tedious process having to find them (some of them I use alt+ascii code for, some of them I gotta copy paste from a reference table, just because the ascii codes I found don't give the expected results...probably some weird  windows configuration details I didn't have time to check into details). In any case, the ideal keyboard layout for me, as of right now, is one that will allow me to access all of those in the shortest time possible (example if Á could be accessed by shift + à, it'd be perfect, that would make my à-ing so much easier!). Maybe they're software mapping solutions to this as well, I haven't had time to dig into this either...not enough time for anything lately - but if you got tips for software solutions, I'm all hear as well. Thanks for the help by the way.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 16 March 2016, 17:02:35
DISCLAMER: In the following text I'm only considering layouts. In reality, we don't know how human brain works, so a korean costum with 800$ worth addons qwerty  might feel and be the most ergonomic thing you know.  :thumb:
Please don’t use yellow text. It’s totally unreadable on light background:
(http://i.imgur.com/bi0wxzE.png)

If you absolutely must use some color, stick to orange.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: ander on Wed, 16 March 2016, 21:16:41
If it were that simple, the company that made the "fastest" keyboards would be crushing the rest, wouldn't they?

It's like asking, "What's the best golf club?" or "What's the best operating system?" People interact better with particular things because of how their brains and bodies work.

Typing patterns are as unique as fingerprints—you can actually identify people by them (http://www.biometric-solutions.com//solutions/index.php?story=keystroke_dynamics).

The only way to determine what KB's best for you is to try as many as you can. And I mean connected to a computer, so you can see how they work for you under real typing conditions. (And please avoid those silly one-finger switch "testers"; that's like picking a car by trying a bunch of steering wheels.)

Alternatively, you can do what some people do here: Buy KBs with all the switch types. Even if you end up actually using only one or two, you can get them all out now and then, line them up (preferably with a micrometer), and sit in front of them rocking back and forth and making odd moaning noises. That's what keeps me going here in the suburbs.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Thu, 17 March 2016, 03:27:38
If it were that simple, the company that made the "fastest" keyboards would be crushing the rest, wouldn't they?

It's like asking, "What's the best golf club?" or "What's the best operating system?" People interact better with particular things because of how their brains and bodies work.

Typing patterns are as unique as fingerprints—you can actually identify people by them (http://www.biometric-solutions.com//solutions/index.php?story=keystroke_dynamics).

The only way to determine what KB's best for you is to try as many as you can. And I mean connected to a computer, so you can see how they work for you under real typing conditions. (And please avoid those silly one-finger switch "testers"; that's like picking a car by trying a bunch of steering wheels.)

Alternatively, you can do what some people do here: Buy KBs with all the switch types. Even if you end up actually using only one or two, you can get them all out now and then, line them up (preferably with a micrometer), and sit in front of them rocking back and forth and making odd moaning noises. That's what keeps me going here in the suburbs.

You mean "making more odd moaning noises than you usually do" right ? I'll check the article, thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: algernon on Thu, 17 March 2016, 04:17:57
I may be late to the party, but reading through the posts here, I feel an important part of typing has not been mentioned: the layout of the alphanumeric keys is one thing, but what I found is that staggered/non-staggered and the position of the Enter and shift keys, the size of the space bar matters a lot more.

As an experiment, I have in front of me two non-mechs: a TypeMatrix 2030, and my Lenovo laptop's built-in keyboard. On the TypeMatrix, I can maintain about 90 WPM (QWERTY) for 10+ minutes, on the laptop, this drops to 80. The major difference as far as I feel, is that the TypeMatrix has a much better physical layout.

When I type on a split setup (which is something I am still learning), I average at 80 WPM, and feel slow.

(For the record, I used to be able to maintain 100+ WPM over longer periods of time, but I'm in the process of switching to Dvorak, and my QWERTY muscle memories are fading rapidly. :P)

All in all, I believe - like others - that layout, including physical layout matters more than switches or the rest of the keyboard. I'd also second the stenograph option: my grandma used to be a typist, and used similar machines, her speed was incredible.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: b0f0 on Thu, 17 March 2016, 05:14:50
So in Dvorak you type faster than in QWERTY/Z ? Does this include all languages ? I mean we type diffrent sentences, have different alphabets and type different words.
To make it simple, will I type any faster if I switch to other layout than qwerty/z ? If so is there an expanation for this ?
Is dvorak or colmak okey for non english speakers ? I never thought about switching from qwerty to something else, and I want to type faster too and I will get an Ergodox keyboard soon, its laready in the mail.
With split setup and blank keycaps it will be a chellange to learn. I cant suggest a keyboard yet, but maybe Ergodox typing will be faster than standard keyboard will see and report.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 17 March 2016, 05:44:53
So in Dvorak you type faster than in QWERTY/Z ? Does this include all languages ? I mean we type diffrent sentences, have different alphabets and type different words.
To make it simple, will I type any faster if I switch to other layout than qwerty/z ? If so is there an expanation for this ?
Is dvorak or colmak okey for non english speakers ? I never thought about switching from qwerty to something else, and I want to type faster too and I will get an Ergodox keyboard soon, its laready in the mail.
With split setup and blank keycaps it will be a chellange to learn. I cant suggest a keyboard yet, but maybe Ergodox typing will be faster than standard keyboard will see and report.
I'm slowly switching over to Dvorak because that layout is more symmetrical for typing when compared to qwerty. 
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: PunksDead on Thu, 17 March 2016, 05:53:36
HHKB

However

If you need the dedicated arrows,

The 660c is the board for you

(http://i.imgur.com/x06tUTV.jpg)

Both topre both amazing
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: superbia on Thu, 17 March 2016, 11:51:21
QWERTY := 1873 (engineered 143 years ago) (Remington)

DVORAK := 1936 (engineered 80 years ago) (18 years of study and research by prof. Dvorak)

COLEMAK := 2006 (engineered 10 years ago) (a programmer named Shai Coleman released an alternative keyboard layout called Colemak (a portmanteau of Coleman and Dvorak). Despite the name, it isn’t a direct descendant of the Dvorak layout. In fact, Colemak can be thought of as a compromise between the two.

DH := 2015 (engineered 1 year ago) ("Curl-DH" ergo mod is a minor modification to the Colemak keyboard layout, designed to make typing more comfortable by making an adjustment to the placement of a small number of keys, in order to gain a significant improvement in ergonomics and comfort.)

Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: b0f0 on Thu, 17 March 2016, 14:19:22
QWERTY := 1873 (engineered 143 years ago) (Remington)

DVORAK := 1936 (engineered 80 years ago) (18 years of study and research by prof. Dvorak)

COLEMAK := 2006 (engineered 10 years ago) (a programmer named Shai Coleman released an alternative keyboard layout called Colemak (a portmanteau of Coleman and Dvorak). Despite the name, it isn’t a direct descendant of the Dvorak layout. In fact, Colemak can be thought of as a compromise between the two.

DH := 2015 (engineered 1 year ago) ("Curl-DH" ergo mod is a minor modification to the Colemak keyboard layout, designed to make typing more comfortable by making an adjustment to the placement of a small number of keys, in order to gain a significant improvement in ergonomics and comfort.)

Cool ! I have to learn curl-dh !.   :cool:
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Thu, 17 March 2016, 15:04:28
QWERTY := 1873 (engineered 143 years ago) (Remington)

DVORAK := 1936 (engineered 80 years ago) (18 years of study and research by prof. Dvorak)

COLEMAK := 2006 (engineered 10 years ago) (a programmer named Shai Coleman released an alternative keyboard layout called Colemak (a portmanteau of Coleman and Dvorak). Despite the name, it isn’t a direct descendant of the Dvorak layout. In fact, Colemak can be thought of as a compromise between the two.

DH := 2015 (engineered 1 year ago) ("Curl-DH" ergo mod is a minor modification to the Colemak keyboard layout, designed to make typing more comfortable by making an adjustment to the placement of a small number of keys, in order to gain a significant improvement in ergonomics and comfort.)

Cool ! I have to learn curl-dh !.   :cool:

One keyboard layout a day keeps the doctor away.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Thu, 17 March 2016, 17:17:16
Well I got the unicomp ultra classic from massdrop today, and after having used the Filco with mx browns for the past 10 days or so, it feels  like a world of a difference. I'm gonna test the unicomp thoroughly in the coming days because I reallly would love to get used to it, despite its manufacturing defaults, it's such a beautiful object (I'm born in 1975, I guess it talks to the nostalgic old fart in me), but right now, switching from browns, every keystroke feel sooooo much heavier (I got tiny/weak finger, I gotta deal with it) and wpm online test are 10-20% slower. But ok, I should wait a bit to compare what can be compared, the layout is a bit different, and maybe I just gotta get used using to the "pressure" difference . I understand the tips hereabove regarding keyboard layouts and such, but just switching from one spring tech to another seems to make a huge difference already, and I wonder if getting used to buckling will ever allow me to compensate the wpm difference vs mx browns. Too early to tell, we'll see about it (and no I won't go to the gym or start doing manual work to make the feeling different, no need to insist,, I am what I am) . I'll test type a few days with it and will see how it goes. And again : damn this thing is beautiful, in a vintage way, I wish/hope I get used to it. But if I don't/lose a lot of wpm, I guess I can keep it for the moaning noises Ander was talking about up in this convo.

Side note : unicomp blank keycaps  are super cheap, and the fact that you can switch them at will/no profiling is a nice feature.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Rad on Thu, 17 March 2016, 18:13:50
I've only used a right-handed QWERTY keyboard my entire life so I guess whatever that is for you.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: SenorCit on Fri, 18 March 2016, 08:12:49
It's a very personal thing, I think - whatever works for you.

I'm fastest in short bursts on buckling springs but when typing for a longer time, the heavy touch does start to get on my wrists. MX Blues are the answer for me, even though I do find the action a bit unsatisfying for quick typing. The difference is that on the Model M, you can't easily double tap a key without getting auditory and tactile feedback about it. As the click point is well above the actuation point on the Blues, this happens a lot on them for me. The impact may be language dependent, of course.

In any case, I'm faster on clicky keyboards than just tactile ones. My all time average on Typeracer is ~90 WPM. On the laptop scissor switch keyboard, I struggle to get past 80-85.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Wed, 23 March 2016, 13:36:44
So after a couple of weeks of use, I have a dilemma : I type a bit faster on the filco - mx brown, because it feels much smoother than the Unicomp. The flip of the coin is, I make less mistakes on average on the Unicomp, and I love the sound of it, I think it helps typing (I also love its general design, but that's something else). For such a tiny wpm difference, I would definitely keep the Unicomp but there's one issue : fatigue. For long periods of typing, I can feel a bit of muscular stress building up when I'm using it (and I go relax on the filco), so I'm afraid on the long run, it would only get worse (or will I just get used to it ?).
So, is there a DIY way to make things a bit smoother on this keyboard ? Or should I go for a compromise in between mx brown and buckling ? And what would that be ? Blues ? Something else ?
As I see it, on the long run, I'd probably want to use only one keyboard (until I get more room on my desk and also because in the end, it's probably the most efficient thing to do)....
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: superbia on Wed, 23 March 2016, 14:13:03
So after a couple of weeks of use, I have a dilemma : I type a bit faster on the filco - mx brown, because it feels much smoother than the Unicomp. The flip of the coin is, I make less mistakes on average on the Unicomp, and I love the sound of it, I think it helps typing (I also love its general design, but that's something else). For such a tiny wpm difference, I would definitely keep the Unicomp but there's one issue : fatigue. For long periods of typing, I can feel a bit of muscular stress building up when I'm using it (and I go relax on the filco), so I'm afraid on the long run, it would only get worse (or will I just get used to it ?).
So, is there a DIY way to make things a bit smoother on this keyboard ? Or should I go for a compromise in between mx brown and buckling ? And what would that be ? Blues ? Something else ?
As I see it, on the long run, I'd probably want to use only one keyboard (until I get more room on my desk and also because in the end, it's probably the most efficient thing to do)....

mistakes and fatique are qwerty's friends...
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Wed, 23 March 2016, 14:19:57
I have owned lots of keyboards.  The board that I type fastest (and most accurately) is the Logitech Illuminated Keyboard.  This is a scissor switch type board and I probably type 75 to 80 wpm.  However, after trying mechanical style switches I will not go back.  With that being said my typing speed on say an MX or Gateron Brown is 60 to 65 wpm.
This is probably due to 1. the switches have a short keystroke    2.  There are no spaces between the keys so if I don't hit it in the center it still activates.

Even so my favorite is still Gateron Brown.  I sacrifice a little speed but typing is more pleasurable.  I don't think I will ever be typing 150 wpm as some can.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 23 March 2016, 14:26:42
It's a very personal thing, I think - whatever works for you.
This is the standard answer. Then there are fans of different switches who will always tell you their preferences. ;)

In general, I think for most people, tactility helps with accuracy and that is why Cherry MX Brown and buckling springs would give you better accuracy than Cherry MX Black.

Of the Cherry MX, the Blue and the Clear are considered the "typing switches" because those are the most tactile.
Yes, I would say that Blues are in-between MX Brown and Buckling springs. When I type on blues, I prefer to wear headphones or have them modded with O-rings to be more silent because I find it to be distracting to get both click and "clack" when I bottom out -- where as with the buckling springs you only hear the clicks.

On Cherry MX Clears, you have to adapt to type shallowly - to not press them down too much. When you have become accustomed to them then you will fly on the keys and they will not be as fatiguing.
But as said above, every person is different.. and keyboard enthusiasts are divided about them: some hate them, some love them.

The Topre will feel mostly like rubber dome switches... because they mostly are. Much better than the run-of-the-mill rubber domes though because they are not mushy at the bottom and -- like mechanical switches -- they do not require you to press each key to the bottom.
If you do go with Topre, then I would suggest a variable-weighted Topre Realforce board: Variable weighting means that the pinky keys are much lighter than the keys for the index fingers, and the middle- and ring-finger keys are somewhere in-between.

The "Logitech Illuminated keyboard" is one of those that have Logitech "PerfectStroke" switches. They are tactile scissor-switches with slightly more key travel than most. Very nice.
If you find a used one, then the Logitech "DiNovo" (without any suffix or anything else) and the "DiNovo Edge" will also have those switches.

I agree on the keyboard that comes with the "Microsoft Sculpt Desktop". The shape is very comfortable. I much prefer this model to any "Microsoft Natural Keyboard".
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Wed, 23 March 2016, 15:47:29
Thanks, I'll try and read comparative tests of all of those.

It's a very personal thing, I think - whatever works for you.
This is the standard answer. Then there are fans of different switches who will always tell you their preferences. ;)

In general, I think for most people, tactility helps with accuracy and that is why Cherry MX Brown and buckling springs would give you better accuracy than Cherry MX Black.

Of the Cherry MX, the Blue and the Clear are considered the "typing switches" because those are the most tactile.
Yes, I would say that Blues are in-between MX Brown and Buckling springs. When I type on blues, I prefer to wear headphones or have them modded with O-rings to be more silent because I find it to be distracting to get both click and "clack" when I bottom out -- where as with the buckling springs you only hear the clicks.

On Cherry MX Clears, you have to adapt to type shallowly - to not press them down too much. When you have become accustomed to them then you will fly on the keys and they will not be as fatiguing.
But as said above, every person is different.. and keyboard enthusiasts are divided about them: some hate them, some love them.

The Topre will feel mostly like rubber dome switches... because they mostly are. Much better than the run-of-the-mill rubber domes though because they are not mushy at the bottom and -- like mechanical switches -- they do not require you to press each key to the bottom.
If you do go with Topre, then I would suggest a variable-weighted Topre Realforce board: Variable weighting means that the pinky keys are much lighter than the keys for the index fingers, and the middle- and ring-finger keys are somewhere in-between.

The "Logitech Illuminated keyboard" is one of those that have Logitech "PerfectStroke" switches. They are tactile scissor-switches with slightly more key travel than most. Very nice.
If you find a used one, then the Logitech "DiNovo" (without any suffix or anything else) and the "DiNovo Edge" will also have those switches.

I agree on the keyboard that comes with the "Microsoft Sculpt Desktop". The shape is very comfortable. I much prefer this model to any "Microsoft Natural Keyboard".

Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Macsmasher on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:38:59
My only worry about the 60 percent factor is the missing up/down/left/right arrow - which i use quite a lot, out of habit. I'm really willing to try 60 percent, but is the fn + wasd (or whatever other solution)a good substitute for it ? is it easy to get used to and is it as efficient/fast once you're used to it ?


It 'can' actually be faster because your hands don't leave home row. I have the left Win key set up as a Fn key (it's a dip switch option).
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Jin on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:53:57
55g MX black will be good
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: fuzzybaffy on Thu, 24 March 2016, 05:22:52
I told you the MX Blues were the way to go.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Fri, 25 March 2016, 09:32:37
Just got blank pbt keycaps from qtan yesterday, and put them on the filco straight away instead of the oem caps. It's a pleasant surprise, I thought it would mostly be an aesthetic difference, having never owned pbt before, but it makes the typing experience feel a tiny bit stiffier, and less slippery, actually slightly closer to the feel of the unicomp, while being lighter...it still "lacks" the clickyness, but my first impression is that it might just be the feeling/amount of pressure I'm looking for...I didn't know such a tiny detail could make such a big difference...the search for the perfect keyboard (if it ever existed) is a long and expensive journey I guess, one small step towards it has been made though.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 25 March 2016, 17:02:34
So after a couple of weeks of use, I have a dilemma : I type a bit faster on the filco - mx brown, because it feels much smoother than the Unicomp. The flip of the coin is, I make less mistakes on average on the Unicomp, and I love the sound of it, I think it helps typing (I also love its general design, but that's something else). For such a tiny wpm difference, I would definitely keep the Unicomp but there's one issue : fatigue. For long periods of typing, I can feel a bit of muscular stress building up when I'm using it (and I go relax on the filco), so I'm afraid on the long run, it would only get worse (or will I just get used to it ?).
So, is there a DIY way to make things a bit smoother on this keyboard ? Or should I go for a compromise in between mx brown and buckling ? And what would that be ? Blues ? Something else ?
As I see it, on the long run, I'd probably want to use only one keyboard (until I get more room on my desk and also because in the end, it's probably the most efficient thing to do)....
Could one find a lower resistance spring that would fit the buckling spring mechanism? Maybe.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jacobolus on Fri, 25 March 2016, 17:52:59
A Model F is less stiff (though still slightly stiffer than my preference).
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: eurekastreet on Fri, 25 March 2016, 17:53:42
So after a couple of weeks of use, I have a dilemma : I type a bit faster on the filco - mx brown, because it feels much smoother than the Unicomp. The flip of the coin is, I make less mistakes on average on the Unicomp, and I love the sound of it, I think it helps typing (I also love its general design, but that's something else). For such a tiny wpm difference, I would definitely keep the Unicomp but there's one issue : fatigue. For long periods of typing, I can feel a bit of muscular stress building up when I'm using it (and I go relax on the filco), so I'm afraid on the long run, it would only get worse (or will I just get used to it ?).
So, is there a DIY way to make things a bit smoother on this keyboard ? Or should I go for a compromise in between mx brown and buckling ? And what would that be ? Blues ? Something else ?
As I see it, on the long run, I'd probably want to use only one keyboard (until I get more room on my desk and also because in the end, it's probably the most efficient thing to do)....
Could one find a lower resistance spring that would fit the buckling spring mechanism? Maybe.

And now I'm intrigued ;d
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: superbia on Sat, 17 March 2018, 14:08:21
I am very proud of my last post, but things changed and I feel I should update this info, so here it goes   :cool:


QWERTY := 1873 (engineered 145 years ago) (Remington)

DVORAK := 1936 (engineered 82 years ago) (18 years of study and research by prof. Dvorak)

COLEMAK := 2006 (engineered 12 years ago) (a programmer named Shai Coleman released an alternative keyboard layout called Colemak (a portmanteau of Coleman and Dvorak). Despite the name, it isn’t a direct descendant of the Dvorak layout. In fact, Colemak can be thought of as a compromise between the two.

DH (rev 1) := 2015 (engineered 3 year ago) ("Curl-DH" ergo mod is a minor modification to the Colemak keyboard layout, designed to make typing more comfortable by making an adjustment to the placement of a small number of keys, in order to gain a significant improvement in ergonomics and comfort.)

DH (rev 2) := 2017 (updated 1 year ago) (two keys swapped)
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Sat, 17 March 2018, 18:01:42
I am very proud of my last post, but things changed and I feel I should update this info, so here it goes   :cool:


QWERTY := 1873 (engineered 145 years ago) (Remington)

DVORAK := 1936 (engineered 82 years ago) (18 years of study and research by prof. Dvorak)

COLEMAK := 2006 (engineered 12 years ago) (a programmer named Shai Coleman released an alternative keyboard layout called Colemak (a portmanteau of Coleman and Dvorak). Despite the name, it isn’t a direct descendant of the Dvorak layout. In fact, Colemak can be thought of as a compromise between the two.

DH (rev 1) := 2015 (engineered 3 year ago) ("Curl-DH" ergo mod is a minor modification to the Colemak keyboard layout, designed to make typing more comfortable by making an adjustment to the placement of a small number of keys, in order to gain a significant improvement in ergonomics and comfort.)

DH (rev 2) := 2017 (updated 1 year ago) (two keys swapped)

You live in Croatia? So why are you talking about the advantages of a layout that has been optimized for the English language?
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Sifo on Sun, 18 March 2018, 00:11:14
hhkb is one of the slowest keyboards i've ever typed on and the rubber domes does not help with the feeling of responsiveness, literally would rather type on dell rubber dome since there's no point of the slider if you're going for speed

theoretically if u want fastest get something with blacks, maybe a slight bit lighter but definitely not reds because it takes too long to reset. maybe those cherry speed linear?

but in the end it's down to your preference, clearly people here are able to type on an hhkb
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 18 March 2018, 07:15:03
You live in Croatia? So why are you talking about the advantages of a layout that has been optimized for the English language?
Because most languages are close enough.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Sun, 18 March 2018, 07:33:21
You live in Croatia? So why are you talking about the advantages of a layout that has been optimized for the English language?
Because most languages are close enough.

LOL, that's so funny. pure masochism
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 18 March 2018, 08:14:50
You live in Croatia? So why are you talking about the advantages of a layout that has been optimized for the English language?
Because most languages are close enough.
LOL, that's so funny. pure masochism
Do you have any actual arguments to support your position (whatever that is)?

Based on corpus analysis, it's clear that in some cases (when symbols are more evenly distributed in the corpus/language) optimized layouts lose their strong benefit of home-row focus a bit (example (https://imgur.com/a/83F2w)), but at the same time the "typing flow" (characteristics like hand alternation or "rolling") is maintained to a large degree.

Besides, it doesn't really matter that someone lives in Croatia or anywhere else, when English is the lingua franca in many fields.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Zobeid Zuma on Sun, 18 March 2018, 08:23:02
You know what has actually made the biggest observable difference for me?  Split spacebar.  I do, in fact, make mistakes sometimes, and I have to correct them, and having Backspace under my left thumb allows me to correct quicker than reaching way over to the corner of the keyboard with my little pinkie, and it's less disruptive to my typing tempo.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Tue, 20 March 2018, 18:31:33
You live in Croatia? So why are you talking about the advantages of a layout that has been optimized for the English language?
Because most languages are close enough.
LOL, that's so funny. pure masochism
Do you have any actual arguments to support your position (whatever that is)?

Based on corpus analysis, it's clear that in some cases (when symbols are more evenly distributed in the corpus/language) optimized layouts lose their strong benefit of home-row focus a bit (example (https://imgur.com/a/83F2w)), but at the same time the "typing flow" (characteristics like hand alternation or "rolling") is maintained to a large degree.

Besides, it doesn't really matter that someone lives in Croatia or anywhere else, when English is the lingua franca in many fields.

Just say that you've no idea.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: willc on Wed, 21 March 2018, 09:54:02
I average about 150-160wpm+ with Cherry reds
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 21 March 2018, 10:24:35
As long as the keys are tactile, that would reduce the number of mistakes.


Nothing else really influences speed from the keyboard end.

Your reading speed and -translation ability- is going to be the main bottleneck to the entire process.

Totally agree, but still, I'll spend a big part of my time typing, so what's gained is gained, the "little" time I'd gain from faster typing through better gear (I'm working on my wpm simultaneously through online training, for what it's worth) is still worth optimizing imo if you sum up the hundreds/thousands of hours I'll spend typing in the coming months (years)


Time saving from faster key input is not a significant saving.


The most prolific writer in history has an average output rate lower than 30wpm.

Yet he spent his entire working life writing.

Which means the bulk of Time spent is in the creative process.


It's virtually impossible to Cognitively Generate more Meaningful content than your fingers can export, be it code or fiction-novels.


I'm not against typing faster,  but saying that it has any tangible time-saving benefit is merely the justification Gekhakrs use to further indulge in their Shopping-Addiction..



By all means, type faster, and buy more keyboards.. 

But be true- and realistic as to WHY you're doing what you're doing..

Life sucks,  shopping makes you happy, and collecting keyboards gives you a sense of progress even though they just sit on a shelf..

This is what it is, do it , accept it, be merry,  but DO NOT Delude oneself..
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Kevadu on Wed, 21 March 2018, 11:57:17


Time saving from faster key input is not a significant saving.


The most prolific writer in history has an average output rate lower than 30wpm.

Yet he spent his entire working life writing.

Which means the bulk of Time spent is in the creative process.


It's virtually impossible to Cognitively Generate more Meaningful content than your fingers can export, be it code or fiction-novels.


I'm not against typing faster,  but saying that it has any tangible time-saving benefit is merely the justification Gekhakrs use to further indulge in their Shopping-Addiction..



By all means, type faster, and buy more keyboards.. 

But be true- and realistic as to WHY you're doing what you're doing..

Life sucks,  shopping makes you happy, and collecting keyboards gives you a sense of progress even though they just sit on a shelf..

This is what it is, do it , accept it, be merry,  but DO NOT Delude oneself..


Oversized ugly colored text aside, I do actually agree with this point.  I'm a software engineer/data scientist and I probably spend less than 2% of my time physically writing code.  The bulk is spent in design, planning, reading documentation, reading papers to keep up with the latest developments in the field, etc.  I type pretty fast seeing how I've been touch-typing since grade school but honestly even if I were hunting and pecking keys I don't feel like it would impact my job all that much. 
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Giorgio on Wed, 21 March 2018, 12:48:42
I average about 150-160wpm+ with Cherry reds

I love reds. And laugh when people say that they don't return up fast enough. What?!??! I'll measure it and show that they're as fast as any other switch.

And if you average 160, it means that sometimes you go faster than that which is quite unbelievable.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Zobeid Zuma on Wed, 21 March 2018, 21:42:08
Oversized ugly colored text aside, I do actually agree with this point.  I'm a software engineer/data scientist and I probably spend less than 2% of my time physically writing code.  The bulk is spent in design, planning, reading documentation, reading papers to keep up with the latest developments in the field, etc.  I type pretty fast seeing how I've been touch-typing since grade school but honestly even if I were hunting and pecking keys I don't feel like it would impact my job all that much.

I developed my mad typing speed (over 90 WPM in TypeRacer, woohoo!) from time spent in text-chat environments, MUCKs, Second Life, etc.  When you're communicating in realtime with other people using your keyboard, then it's helpful.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 23 March 2018, 00:43:25
I swear that I type faster on tactile Alps. Whether it be Matias Quiet Clicks or Salmon. It just feels like my fingers are dancing on the keyboard jumping key to key and I don't make many mistakes.

Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Zobeid Zuma on Sun, 25 March 2018, 19:30:08
I swear that I type faster on tactile Alps. Whether it be Matias Quiet Clicks or Salmon. It just feels like my fingers are dancing on the keyboard jumping key to key and I don't make many mistakes.

My best combo thus far has been BOX Burnt Orange and PMK G20 keycaps.  Yeah, I know…  Let's all hate on G20.  The more I use them, though, the more I like them.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Blaise170 on Mon, 26 March 2018, 10:15:15
The question as stated would be equivalent to asking "Which car for fast driving?". Which car keyboard depends on a lot of factors, not least of which is the person using it.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Sifo on Mon, 26 March 2018, 10:47:13
scissor switch objectively fastest
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: notflipperdan420 on Tue, 27 March 2018, 13:28:13
For me, light linears or blues. I only type 85wpm average though, so that's not saying much.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Wobbled on Thu, 29 March 2018, 21:08:39
For me I type fastest on a silenced HHKB. I've gotten very used to the layout and can make corrections very quickly due to the positioning of the back space key. But also typing on loud keyboards although usually feel great (Model F, M, Beamspring blue alps, etc) annoy the hell out of me and distract me.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Blaise170 on Fri, 30 March 2018, 09:11:47
Depends on the environment - clicky switches aren't so bad if your environment is already loud or if you are going to be wearing headphones.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sat, 07 April 2018, 14:37:21
I understand what you mean by keyboard purchases being a drug.  I haven't bought a board in a long time.  IDK, 12 months, 18 months? My daily driver broke and I have to purchase another one and I'm looking at all the options I have and I don't think I can buy just one.  I'm about to relapse.

The best board/switch for typing speed will vary widely per person and there is no correct answer.  I will give you a few points which at least hold true for me.  I'm a "slow" typist compared to most on here.  On your average board with Brown switches I will hit like 65 wpm.  Now on a scissor type switch I can consistently add about 10 wpm. This is due to the shorter throw of the switch and the closer actuation point.  When typing for my fastest speed I will bottom out and push off the bottom to the next keystroke.

You may want to look into other types like scissor switches if speed is most important for you, at least for work. The type/weight of the keycap also plays a small part as well.  The cap will bounce back to the starting position faster if its lighter and thinner.  Most prefer a heavier/thicker PBT cap and while it feels nice, it does slow down the switch.  We're talking milliseconds here, but I'm just giving you a few potential factors.


Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 07 April 2018, 14:49:59
Speaking of fast typing, don't type fast, type smart…


Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: spedru on Mon, 03 September 2018, 16:38:09
I'm not kidding in the slightest when I say the new-style Butterfly mechanism on the MacBook Pro is my personal fastest thus far; that is, the somewhat deeper-travel one, not to be confused with the one on the paper-thin MacBook. Reliability aside (I did in fact have to get a top case swap under the extended warranty program), the short travel, the snappiness of the metal domes underneath, and the precise – if timbrally inconsistent – auditory feedback, really all come together to produce something that I'm faster on than even my Tactile Pro or my grey-badge Model M, by a good 20 WPM by my testing.
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: kohtachi on Tue, 04 September 2018, 10:09:13
Probably a ego  keyboard.  But I vote topre!
Title: Re: Best keyboard for fast typing ?
Post by: Sup on Tue, 04 September 2018, 18:20:44
These are self preference what you like but this is what most people told me. It seems that Topre is the best keyboard for fast typing i would recommend the 45G version for that unless you like heavy switches i would go for the Realforce 87u :).