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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ibu on Wed, 17 February 2010, 12:38:39

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: ibu on Wed, 17 February 2010, 12:38:39

Today I had an opportunity to write on an apple keyboard (http://store.apple.com/de/product/MB110D/A)

To be honest. I was positively surprised. Before I had been sure that all these short hub stuff is uninteresting for me.

My question:
Is there any keyboard on the market which uses the apple switches in a keyboard in the standard PC layout?

Or are there any other keyboards with switches, which have a very similar feeling and quality?

Thanks.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: Manyak on Wed, 17 February 2010, 12:40:50

What you're looking for are scissor switches. Like the keyboards on laptops.

Try out an IBM Ultranav keyboard or Thinkpad laptop. Those are some of the best scissor switches you'll find.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: ibu on Wed, 17 February 2010, 13:01:57

@Manyak

It seems that the Ultranav only comes with Touchpad (which I don't like) and in a non-standard layout.

Example:
http://cfs2.tistory.com/upload_control/download.blog?fhandle=YmxvZzE5NjM3QGZzMi50aXN0b3J5LmNvbTovYXR0YWNoLzIvMjczLmpwZw==

But do you say implicitly, that there's no manufacturer who produces PC keyboards using the apple switches?

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Wed, 17 February 2010, 13:27:57

I used these (http://www.amazon.de/Logitech-UltraX-Premium-Tastatur-silber/dp/B000PKWMJC/ref=dp_cp_ob_pc_title_0) for a couple years and found them quite decent, till I learned where to get mechanical boards. As all scissor switches. they're highly susceptible to dirt though, so I needed a new one every year.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 17 February 2010, 13:31:05

The latest Ultranav comes without a touchpad.

Edit> Well they changed the name too :smile: ThinkPad USB TrackPoint Keyboard (http://lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/?p=2364)

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: ibu on Wed, 17 February 2010, 16:14:46

Quote from: Rajagra;158884

ThinkPad USB TrackPoint Keyboard (http://lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/?p=2364)

Thanks for the hint.
I will try to find a shop in Berlin where I can have a touch on it.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: microsoft windows on Wed, 17 February 2010, 17:18:05

I would love to use one of those on my laptop computers.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 17 February 2010, 18:58:33

Quote from: microsoft windows;158939

I would love to use one of those on my laptop computers.

I'm not sure it's going to work with this:
 
(http://www.cedmagic.com/history/compaq-portable.jpg)

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 February 2010, 19:05:36

I'm not sure it's going to work with blank space not containing a photo either.

(lol)

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: sethstorm on Wed, 17 February 2010, 19:27:19

Quote from: ibu;158877

@Manyak

It seems that the Ultranav only comes with Touchpad (which I don't like) and in a non-standard layout.

Example:
http://cfs2.tistory.com/upload_control/download.blog?fhandle=YmxvZzE5NjM3QGZzMi50aXN0b3J5LmNvbTovYXR0YWNoLzIvMjczLmpwZw==

But do you say implicitly, that there's no manufacturer who produces PC keyboards using the apple switches?

Aside from the trackpad, it seems not too unusual.  My only gripe would be if it had been made in China.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: sethstorm on Wed, 17 February 2010, 20:21:29

Quote from: ripster;158983

Back to the OP's question.

You might be interested in Logitech's new "Perfect Stroke" scissor switches.

Show Image

(http://www.logitech.com/repository/1647/jpg/14778.1.0.jpg)

Link. (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/4740&cl=us,en)

If my 2010 predictions come true you will see a LOT of chiclet Apple Aluminum clones this year.

...and they'll be about as bad as the PCjr ones, only shinier.

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: Santa on Wed, 17 February 2010, 20:40:15

actually, i really enjoy typing on a scissor-switch keyboard a lot. Last time i typed on my friend's HP mini 310 (whatever it's called) I typed uber fast. The key distances are perfect for my hands, and it's super comfortable for me. Maybe just finding a good scissor switch is what i need. My model m is nice and fun to type on, but it isn't the best for me. Well good thing my brother still has that dinovo :)

Title: Short hub PC keyboard with apple switches?
Post by: sethstorm on Wed, 17 February 2010, 20:57:10

Quote from: ripster;159000

Big difference between a well designed  scissor switch and the  IBM PC Jr.

Anyway, these are supposed to have about 3mm of throw so a bit more than a standard laptop.  I expect a lot of R&D to go into scissor switches.  The chiclet flat-top key part I could do without.

The chiclet part is what made me think PCjr. I'd rather have a compact Topre than a flimsy scissor switch for daily desktop use(if nothing else).