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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: elservo on Mon, 05 April 2010, 19:41:37

Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: elservo on Mon, 05 April 2010, 19:41:37: Since so many of you have multiple keyboards, what model is the one you are using daily these days?

I use the Filco Tactile Click board, of course, as I don't have any other keyboards beyond the MacBook keyboard that I use at home. I really want to try other switches, but the wife would probably smother me in my sleep if I tried to sneak another mechboard under her nose, especially if it was a Topre.

Best thing about the blue cherries: they're fun and a pleasure to actuate, and they're annoying to those around me. When I'm really into typing a story, my fingers fly so fast over the keys that the constant clicks sustain a high-pitched note that reminds me of the progress I'm making.

Worst thing about the blue cherries: I occasionally get annoyed by the thunk of the Filco spacebar. I would have said the Vista keys were the worst thing a couple months ago, but now that I'm using the Windows key for macros, the inverted domes are a godsend.

See? I'm learning. My mind is open. I'm getting zen on this mofo.

Share your favorite keyboard's good and bad points, and I promise I will read heartily.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: iMav on Mon, 05 April 2010, 19:48:16: A blue Cherry tenkeyless Filco is used with my MBP. An IBM M4 is used with my work laptop. When either is mobile with me, I carry my HHKB Pro with me. (so all three get pretty regular use)
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: elservo on Mon, 05 April 2010, 19:53:16: I take it you despise scissor switches, then. Does the HHKB have to sit in front of the macbook or can you sit it over the original keyboard without it pushing any keys? I ask as if I have the option of using one.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: kriminal on Mon, 05 April 2010, 20:11:07: brown cherry filco, it moves with me between work and home, love the light keypresses and the clicking sound when bottoming out.

the cherry blacks {deck} stay home mainly for gaming and light typing, i love the blacks but i prefer the browns as my main..
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: rdjack21 on Mon, 05 April 2010, 20:32:52: Well knowing me you know it has to be some sort of Topre board :) But I do switch between the ones I have but generally it is one of the full throw boards or one of the short throw boards.

When I'm wanting something really different I plug in the Model M space saver when I just want a change of pace but not necessarily a change in force (key force that is) I will put on a Brown cherry board which will normally end up being the Filco tenkeyless but I have to admit no matter what I plug in it generally will not last the day before I have a Topre pluged back in. Actually my computer has three keyboards (87U, NEO CS, Filco FKB91JU) currently pluged into it and two pointing devices so I don't really change them out I just move what I want to type on in front of me :)
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 05 April 2010, 21:03:41: Quote from: elservo;169901
I take it you despise scissor switches, then. Does the HHKB have to sit in front of the macbook or can you sit it over the original keyboard without it pushing any keys? I ask as if I have the option of using one.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/3912838455_91b0d882d7_o.jpg)
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Mercen_505 on Mon, 05 April 2010, 21:15:16: I'm using an IBM M-13 at the home office, where I can be alone and clack all I want. At work I have to keep things down as my coworkers are noise-fearing freaks of nature, so my weapon of choice is an IBM M4. People walk into my office, see me hammering away at the keys on my weird keyboard, and instantly come to the realization that I do not **** around. Usually they back away slowly and ask someone else for help instead.

That's a good thing. I'm a programmer, not the goddamn help desk.

Really, the good point about the M-13 is that the black casing matches my other components. Otherwise, I'd still be using my old silver label 131. As for the M4, it has a small footprint, gives a good semi-tactile feel with that odd bump about 1/3 of the way through the travel, and depending on build quality can be fairly quiet.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Rajagra on Mon, 05 April 2010, 21:23:50: Main board: Realforce 87U connected via switch box to 2 PCs.
Also 2 X Cherry G84-4700 numpads (USB model for numbers, PS/2 model for macros!)
Also each PC has a Cherry G84-4100 tucked under my 2 screens, so I don't have to use the switch just to type a key or 2.

The only downside to the 87U is that unreadable black on grey keys are bad for gaming, but not a big enough problem that I bother to put a light in place to eliminate the problem. Oh, forgot to mention the Belkin Nostromo N52te which covers most of the gaming needs anyway.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Hak Foo on Mon, 05 April 2010, 21:46:30: G80-3000LSCRC with double-shot swap at home.
1391401 at work. sounds productive. :)
Title: Re: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 05 April 2010, 21:47:37: My current rotation is a Unicomp Spacesaver for main coding at work, an a G81-1800 from random Windows work (it helps cool me down when wanting to send off a ranty email to the noobs in QA).

At home its mostly my Model F AT, though I've been having the urge to pull out my G80-3600 with reds for some relaxing and a change of pace. Maybe I'll swap it out with my G81-1800, as its not really a coding board, pushback is too slow.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Nonmouse on Mon, 05 April 2010, 22:28:29: I just swapped out my MX-8100 (browns) for a Magitronic K-156, with MX blues. Mixed reviews so far. The keys are noticeably heavier, and only somewhat more obvious as to where they actuate (at least so far- it took me awhile to get used to the browns.) The main issue I'm having is the different layout- I'd gotten used to the funky MX-8100 layout, and this has a sorta standard layout, so i keep hitting the DEL key instead of the END key, for instance. It also has a 1x1 backspace. a HUGE inverted L ENTER key, and the \ is up next to the backspace- where I keep hitting it. And I keep hitting = instead of - because of the extra key. The keys are nice and crisp, and return more aggressively than the browns, but they are not nearly as smooth. I also keep trying to use the trackpad and whacking in to the direction keys. We'll have to see how I like it after a little more practice on it....
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: didjamatic on Mon, 05 April 2010, 22:37:13: Work - Realforce 87u Variable
Home - Realforce 87u 55g

Pros - Love the feel, sound, solidness, layout, texture, everything about Realforce keyboards and Topre switches.

Cons - Miss keypad at times. I have a dedicated stand alone but it's not the same as an integrated one. But with full sized keyboards you have to deal with being off center and your mouse further out.

I use Topre's most of the time but rotate cherry brown mx boards in every once in a while. Less frequently I rotate Buckling Spring and ALPS boards.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: spolia optima on Mon, 05 April 2010, 23:06:16: Home: IBM 1391401, don't remember the year.

Home 2: Cherry G80 3000 w/ blues

Work: Compaq MX11800 w/ reds (brown spring + black stem) and 2-shot keys. It's comfortable, tasteful, and quiet.

School (notebook): Ricercar SPOS w/ beige 2-shots from a G81. It's quiet enough for the school library and waaaaaay more comfortable than scissor switches.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: elservo on Mon, 05 April 2010, 23:40:43: Man, look at that sexy Macbook Pro / HHKB pic!

You guys are just forcing me to get a Topre board.

Thanks for all these posts! I keep checking in, though I admit I didn't look during the second half of the Butler Duke game. Butler was so close to pulling that game out, I'm heartbroken.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: elbowglue on Tue, 06 April 2010, 00:12:11: Work: Ricercar SPOS, modified arrow key position with numkeys removed. I use AHK to map keys correctly.

Home: Desko UP 5023 with cherry blues.

Wife home: Pink Filco Blue cherry KB

Pros: Desko at home isn't as loud as plate mounted cherry blues, has numpad in spacesaving format. Ricercar has awesome cherry brown feel, spacesaving format.

Cons: Requires AHK at work. Desko UP has a huge credit card swiper that I never use :P
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: nowsharing on Tue, 06 April 2010, 00:48:26: '87 M Space-Saver, all day every day.

I'm about 5000 miles away from every other board that I own, so my options are limited, but I'd still have some Model M in front of me if I were home. There, I'm partial to the Blue logo models because I can look at them without cringing.

Edit: oh I forgot the Mini's pros and cons, let's see...

Pros:
No wasted space for a number pad
Built in number pad function
Nice to type on
Strawberry yogurt-proof

Cons:
No number pad, and I never actually use the built in number pad
Very loud, like all buckling spring boards
Even being a space saver, it's pretty big actually
Ugly black on off-white logo, eww
Several broken rivets
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: bigpook on Tue, 06 April 2010, 01:13:16: At work I use an M4-1. At home, lately, its been the HHKB and/or Unicomp.

I have no idea what I will be using next month.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Otterclock on Tue, 06 April 2010, 02:52:30: Lite-On 1788, or a Lenovo Preferred Pro when I'm feeling fancy.

Someone's gotta be the black sheep.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 06 April 2010, 05:08:55: Quote from: elservo;169898
Since so many of you have multiple keyboards, what model is the one you are using daily these days?

I use the Filco Tactile Click board, of course, as I don't have any other keyboards beyond the MacBook keyboard that I use at home. I really want to try other switches, but the wife would probably smother me in my sleep if I tried to sneak another mechboard under her nose, especially if it was a Topre.

Best thing about the blue cherries: they're fun and a pleasure to actuate, and they're annoying to those around me. When I'm really into typing a story, my fingers fly so fast over the keys that the constant clicks sustain a high-pitched note that reminds me of the progress I'm making.

Worst thing about the blue cherries: I occasionally get annoyed by the thunk of the Filco spacebar. I would have said the Vista keys were the worst thing a couple months ago, but now that I'm using the Windows key for macros, the inverted domes are a godsend.

See? I'm learning. My mind is open. I'm getting zen on this mofo.

Share your favorite keyboard's good and bad points, and I promise I will read heartily.

I'm split between the Terminal Model F and a black Lexmark M13.

Terminal Model F:
Pros: Easily maintained, sturdy construction, full-size backspace, and has all the mods I'd want. Getting to springs & hammers on it does not require rivet removal. Has the capacitance buckling spring and builtin strain-relief (not on Terminal Model M).

Cons: Cannot be used with the USB controller and must be remapped for any operating system to use it properly. Re-doing springs & hammers requires all keys to be removed. If you want lock lights, single-row return out of the box, or desk space, you have to go elsewhere - such is the price of any Super Carrier/Aircraft Carrier.

Black Lexmark M13:
Pros: Combines a Model M with a trackpoint in a good package. Appears to have none of the suspected issues of Lexmark inferiority.

Cons: Getting replacement parts means another M13. Has rivets.

While it is light on detail as to the switches, one can hear plenty about those in other threads. The tactile responses on each of them are no different from stock F's or stock M13's(save for respective issues).
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 06 April 2010, 05:12:44: Quote from: Otterclock;169976
Lite-On 1788, or a Lenovo Preferred Pro when I'm feeling fancy.

Someone's gotta be the black sheep.

I thought that was reserved for us who can tolerate Cherry MY switch boards and double-row enter on a Model M.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 06 April 2010, 08:19:18: HHKB Pro 2 + Realforce 23UB

Pros: Small layout, easy access to all functions, light keys, easy to tote around if necessary.

Cons: No "virtual" numpad, not as light as Cherry browns or the RF numpad (strangely enough), slides around a lot if you don't use shelf liner. Did I say "no Cherry browns?"

It sounds like there are more cons than pros, but in reality, the value of the pros far outweigh the cons. The only thing that disappoints me is that the 45g. switches in the RF numpad feel better than the HHKB. The HHKB feels about 10g. heavier. Otherwise, I really couldn't ask for anything more in a keyboard.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Shawn Stanford on Tue, 06 April 2010, 09:20:58: Quote from: Mercen_505;169918
I'm using an IBM M-13 at the home office, where I can be alone and clack all I want. At work I have to keep things down as my coworkers are noise-fearing freaks of nature, so my weapon of choice is an IBM M4. People walk into my office, see me hammering away at the keys on my weird keyboard, and instantly come to the realization that I do not **** around. Usually they back away slowly and ask someone else for help instead.

Home: IBM Model M Space Saving
Work: IBM Model M (1984!)

I do not ever **** around... ;)
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: brkz on Tue, 06 April 2010, 09:34:22: Using my 1986 1390120 most of the time now. I have 5 other model Ms but this particular 0120 has the nicest feel to it. It's missing a few plastic rivets but works fine. I've not found the lack of leds to be a problem (not like you'd notice the led come on before you noticed the sudden appearance OF BIG LETTERS on the screen anyway).

I recently picked up a dell at-101w which I liked more than I thought I would at first, but the M wins out on stay-put bulk. (I have a rather irregular typing method and the weight stops it from moving around)

Job doesn't involve any typing so I don't need to bring a board to work.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Mercen_505 on Tue, 06 April 2010, 09:35:33: Quote from: Shawn Stanford;170019
Home: IBM Model M Space Saving
Work: IBM Model M (1984!)

I do not ever **** around... ;)

(http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b81/_Sirocco/MariaHolic-HumanGitar.gif)

Hell yeah, rock out with your model Ms all day long!
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: sixty on Tue, 06 April 2010, 09:38:57: I do not actually have a daily driver.. I think. I use the same Filco tenkeyless with blue MX and double shot keys since over a year now on my "irc box". The other keyboard (which I use for gaming, work and a few other things) on my main PC changes quite a bit. Right now its a G80-5000 which I just received from webwit. Enjoyable board! Mmmmhh squid.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Tue, 06 April 2010, 09:43:34: HHKB Pro 2 is my fav. I'm lookin to getting a 87U but in white though =/
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Otterclock on Tue, 06 April 2010, 11:39:14: Quote from: sethstorm;169979
I thought that was reserved for us who can tolerate Cherry MY switch boards and double-row enter on a Model M.

I really want to try the MY switches to see what the fuss is about. Is there only one kind of MY?
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 06 April 2010, 11:44:00: Quote from: Otterclock;170048
I really want to try the MY switches to see what the fuss is about. Is there only one kind of MY?

Yep, the ****ty kind.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Tue, 06 April 2010, 11:54:01: Quote from: Otterclock;170048
I really want to try the MY switches to see what the fuss is about. Is there only one kind of MY?

Yes, there's only one kind of MY. That's still one too much.
Droped off a bicycle load of bycatch G81s at the recycling yard today, but I still have a few left. I can make you a good price. :madgrin:

Found a 1992 Model M in perfect condition in the electronics scrap container btw. :cheer2:
Not my first Model M, but my first scrapyard board. Now I finally feel like a true keyboard geek.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: kriminal on Tue, 06 April 2010, 11:59:55: should be getting my cherry MY switch soon.. will state how it feels
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 06 April 2010, 16:19:28: When I'm not testing some new keyboard, I'm using a Kinesis with Cherry browns and the Kinesis audio click feedback. I tried Chery blues but they're just too loud and the blue springs feel weaker than my brown boards, even if the specs don't corroborate.

When I get adventurous and have free time, I'll swap Cherry browns in for the blacks currently in my TG3 BLT backlit. The blacks are too loud when they bottom out, and I've mastered the don't-bottom-out kung fu only for browns.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: keyb_gr on Tue, 06 April 2010, 19:15:37: I have been going back and forth between the following two boards for months now:

1. Vintage G80-3000 with blues, doubleshots and case borrowed from even older sample

2. Blue label 1391403

Overall it seems the G80 wins by a hair, as the blues are lighter and it powers up more quickly (allowing me to tap the space bar after I've turned on the mains power switch). Lately I put the M to the front again though (you may know that can fit two boards here ever since I got the monitor arm, but only one can be on the more reliable PS/2 port obviously), and it's also very nice.

So much picking on the poor MYs going on here... is that sort of an anti-FOTM movement? Yesterday Fujitsu Peerless, today Cherry MY, tomorrow the world? ;p
Of course it's not unsubstantiated, far from it, but then again there are more things that left me rather unimpressed, like any ALPS variety so far. The whites in my Focus make a Model M seem a board for wimps... I couldn't imagine pounding on these all day long. Blacks were lighter but hard-bottom-out galore (ouch).
The main problem of MYs is the friction especially during off-center presses that makes people pound on the keys in order to make sure that they register... at which point a linear response gets ugly, and this one in particular. Some silicone spray in all the key mechanisms of one of my G81s got that part sorted (works better with a worn-in sample). The "dead octopus" force curve still feels like it may give you RSI in the long run rather than giving that "I want to be typed on" feel, but the board is definitely usable with pretty good accuracy and rather low noise levels (solid as a brick, too). It's still edged out by most anything worth noting in my collection though (including several rubber domes), ending up somewhere in the rear with the Alps and Alps-like crowd and a somewhat stiff Chicony rubber dome cheapie.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Nonmouse on Tue, 06 April 2010, 19:32:21: Bleck. MY boards feel like typing in a bowl of cold oatmeal.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: JulienC on Wed, 07 April 2010, 22:35:05: At home I use an HHKB Pro 2.

At school I use the Sun Type 5 keyboards in the Unix labs, they're rubber domes but the layout is (of course) very similar to the HHKB.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: tom45678 on Fri, 09 April 2010, 05:28:26: At home I use a Model M. I own a G80 3000 with blues too, but I love the M so much that the cherry rarely makes it out of the cupboard. Its a great board that I like to use too, but love the feel of this Model M too much.

At work I use a lawnmower. It dont sound as nice as the M, but I can ride around on it.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: test157 on Sat, 10 April 2010, 18:05:54: HHKB Black Blank - first month I hated it and thought that Logitech UltraX much better in all the ways, right now few months later I love HHKB more and more with each day ;-) really great keyboard, what increased my productivity. about Topre - first time I didn't understood why peoples loves these long travel keys and ready to pay for them so much, right now I love it more than scissors - my opinion changed only when I became to type faster with HHKB and with less error level.

so HHKB A++++++ Keyboard, thank to Geekhack that I found it :-)
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: InSanCen on Sat, 10 April 2010, 18:47:08: I'm back to Buckling Springs on the M13. Cherries are just too light for me.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: platon on Sat, 10 April 2010, 19:42:54: Quote from: ricercar;170166
The blacks are too loud when they bottom out, and I've mastered the don't-bottom-out kung fu only for browns.

Ninjas do come to my mind when i am typing with browns fast and manage not to bottom out. Seriously.

At work i use a filco with cherry browns. At home lately, i use a 1392934 Space Saving M that is not so NIB anymore.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: bigpook on Sat, 10 April 2010, 19:44:24: Quote from: webwit;171289
Show Image
(http://www.paxchristichildren.org/The-Good-Shepherd.jpg)

Jesus uses a Model M ?
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sat, 10 April 2010, 20:18:49: I'm mainly using my Compaq MX11800. I got my G84 fixed, but somehow ML switches just can't compare to MX Browns. ;) I have my Model M plugged in as well, but I'm not using it as much. I need to replace the springs, and a nuts and bolts mod probably wouldn't hurt.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: meltie on Sun, 11 April 2010, 10:03:55: At work I use a Topre Realforce 87U and at home a tenkeyless Filco with Cherry Brown.

But what I use at home changes once a month or so, depending on what I'm in the mood for.

Thinking about this questions makes me want to switch keyboards today, maybe I'll give the ABS M1 another try. I like the feel of Alps switches, but they make this high pitched ping sound that annoys me.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 11 April 2010, 10:24:20: After boxing it in preparation for selling it, I have rediscovered the joys of my Blue Cherry Filco... I can actually type quite fast on this bugger... I hit about 100WPM on Typeracer this morning with it.
Title: Current Daily Driver? Pros and cons?
Post by: sethstorm on Sun, 18 April 2010, 09:49:08: Quote from: webwit;171295
That God thing was just a big misunderstanding. All he was preaching was good mechanical keyboards.

I'm not sure that explains the reference to a "joyful noise". But if you think that the dulled M or the springy F are such, go ahead and think so.

Of course, I've already gone against orthodoxy by suggesting that double-row enter is fine (while swapping it out for single row), that a M13 can be made into parts, and that blue cubes are not manna(because of their inability to fully speak Super Carrier).