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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sudowork on Tue, 20 April 2010, 02:17:07

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: sudowork on Tue, 20 April 2010, 02:17:07

In your opinions, what laptops do you think have the best built-in keyboards? Personally, I have an inclination towards older IBM ThinkPads.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 20 April 2010, 03:44:32

(http://www.thepcmuseum.net/comp_images/photo_IBMPS2P70386lg.jpg)

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: Superfluous Parentheses on Tue, 20 April 2010, 04:53:37

I don't know exactly, but I did try out the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 from a friend a few days ago and that keyboard is easily the best laptop board I've used in a long while.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: 002 on Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:03:46

:eek: I bet it would hurt if that thing closed on your fingers.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: iMav on Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:10:16

I'm in the minority, but I actually really like the Apple chicklet keyboards on the current MBP's.  No flex (thanks to the alu. unibody) and short throw scissor switches.  

All I really ask of a laptop keyboard is no mush, no flex, and short throw.  These keyboards deliver that.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: hyperlinked on Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:14:51

Quote from: iMav;173706

I'm in the minority, but I actually really like the Apple chicklet keyboards on the current MBP's.  No flex (thanks to the alu. unibody) and short throw scissor switches.

I find that there's actually a buckling springish quality to the MBP's chiclet keys. They're pretty stiff and they snap down with enough pressure. I actually have slight difficulty typing on it because I'm so used to my Cherry Browns. I don't always press hard enough and I miss a few keystrokes here and there.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: ch_123 on Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:50:56

Quote from: hyperlinked;173708

I find that there's actually a buckling springish quality to the MBP's chiclet keys

I'd start digging your trench now if I was you :P

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: hyperlinked on Tue, 20 April 2010, 08:34:09

Quote from: ch_123;173712

I'd start digging your trench now if I was you :P

My inbox is full already. ;)

Of course I was being a bit intentionally blasphemous, but the MBP keys do have a bit of snap to them and it's not the same feels as on the aluminum chiclet boards. The aluminum board feels like your usual scissor switches.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: quadibloc on Tue, 20 April 2010, 09:56:53

I have one of those. (The IBM PS/2 model P70, as pictured in the second post.) Unfortunately, they don't have batteries in them. I even bought someone's old desktop 386 in order to get a 387 to add to it, so as to make it a more powerful computer.

Of course, the original poster was really asking about what current laptop, compatible with today's software and operating systems, has the best keyboard. Sadly, I don't think there is much choice, although the scissor-switch keyboard of laptops is somewhat better than the usual rubber dome for desktops.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: didjamatic on Tue, 20 April 2010, 10:47:37

This one.... a 286 w/Blue Cherries and Double Shots
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-sQ6TN93LvU/Sx0_13iQr_I/AAAAAAAAAGA/0UdqIH7a4vc/s800/vintage_loot_89_laptop_blue_cherries.jpg)

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-sQ6TN93LvU/Sx1Em_Zi74I/AAAAAAAAAGI/Dd44jY4-joY/s800/vintage_loot_89_laptop_blue_cherries2.jpg)

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: ricercar on Tue, 20 April 2010, 11:00:56

I sent my Dolch PAC 60 keyboard to Dijamatic. He wanted Cherry blues more than I did.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: sudowork on Wed, 21 April 2010, 01:18:23

As far as chiclets go, I just despise them personally - really dislike the lack of depth/spacing in between keys. I don't mind my MBP (2 generations ago) keyboard. Wish it had more depth though.

Title: Which laptop has the best keyboard?
Post by: DryDry on Wed, 21 April 2010, 01:40:20

i took my laptop on desktop with a kb……