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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: aptivaboy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 00:47:30

Title: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: aptivaboy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 00:47:30
I do a ton of typing and writing in bed before going to sleep. As such, I tend to sit with a keyboard on my lap as I type. The problem with this arrangement is that with the numeric keypad off ot the right, the main legend keys are all offset to the left, making it hard to reach my right hand and arm across to type. Its only few inches, but you do feel it after ten to fifteen minutes of use. So...

Does anyone have any recommendations for a "cemtered" mechanical keyboard? It would need to be comfortable enough to place on my lap and have the legend keys centered on the board so that each hand could reach the keys easily. I was thinking of grabbing a Unicomp PC122 as its more centered with the left hand function keys at least partially offsetting the numeric keypad.  What are your thoughts? The type of key doesn't matter to me (Cherry, buckling spring, whatever) as long as its mechanical with a nice audible and tactile click.

Many thanks,

Robert
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: nmur on Mon, 25 July 2016, 00:49:10
just go with any 60%
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: Hak Foo on Mon, 25 July 2016, 00:55:20
A balanced approach could be obtained by getting a numpad and a tenkeyless (TKL) board.  This would center the text area block.

Depending on what you're after, you might also consider the "left handed" boards offered by a few firms-- they also move the editing block to the left, and I think DSI sold one with MX Blue switches.
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: Cerasis on Mon, 25 July 2016, 00:57:27
Yeah i think 60% are right around the ball park for that. Small and centered, not too wobbly and just sits nicely on a lap. If you need to use numpads from time to time layers can do well enough to fix that.
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: aptivaboy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 01:01:33
Thanks, I"ll look into all fo this.  :) :)
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 06:04:39
There's also the Leopold FC660M (or FC660C, if you're adventurous) which is basically 60% with arrow keys squashed on to the right.

Some people can't live without dedicated arrow keys ;)
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: Proyoyo on Mon, 25 July 2016, 10:33:14
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 06:04:39
There's also the Leopold FC660M (or FC660C, if you're adventurous) which is basically 60% with arrow keys squashed on to the right.

Some people can't live without dedicated arrow keys ;)

+1 to the FC660M/660C as well. Great layout if you can't live without the arrow key. Or you can even get 75% keyboard if you use the function row a lot.
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: aptivaboy on Mon, 25 July 2016, 18:53:58
How about the Ducky Mini? Its footprint looks to be just about the same as my IBM's if just counting the legend key area, 12 inches wide. Does anyone have any experience with it?  From this video, it looks pretty nice:
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: Cerasis on Mon, 25 July 2016, 19:12:28
In general Ducky is good i suppose, i have a ducky one TKL. Nice, simple, and does the job.

I don't have a shine mini though, since i didn't like the large edges, i liked other boards that are slimmer.

If you wanted a larger one that would fit snugly on a lap, then that probably would work out well for you. Do note though you'll have to get used to a 60% layout.
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: xondat on Mon, 25 July 2016, 19:29:13
Perhaps a LZ-RV? Might be a wee bit heavy.

(http://kbdlab.co.kr/files/attach/images/340/562/675/003/7c6606d29b60da7a2547d2faca317c57.JPG)
Title: Re: Looking for something a little strange...
Post by: DALExSNAIL on Mon, 25 July 2016, 19:44:32
Quote from: xondat on Mon, 25 July 2016, 19:29:13
Perhaps a LZ-RV? Might be a wee bit heavy.

Show Image
(http://kbdlab.co.kr/files/attach/images/340/562/675/003/7c6606d29b60da7a2547d2faca317c57.JPG)


Sure thing, lemme grab my 400 dollars I have stashed