<inhales a HUGE breathe>
Soooo, you're a programmer and use a keyboard as much as any human....pretty much at the TOP of the high usage scale.
You have recognized the need for a professional tool to perform better, faster, easier and more ergonomically.
Sounds to me you know what you do and what you need, in principle...but maybe not the exact detail.
I'm gonna throw up on this thread now, so get a wipey-cloth and have a seat.
First, I wanted to tell deadghost: you got a lot of valuable info from the people in this thread. Did you notice how everyone offered a different part of the puzzle and possible solutions? It's taken a couple years and a lot of people and a fair amount of effort for that information to be fleshed out, identified, dissected, solved, and made presentable. I know, I've been here to see it. If you posted the same OP 3 years ago, good chance no one would have responded, or you would have gotten one meaningful post, and that's about it.
Now on to the good stuff:
When Kinesis sells a refurbished keyboard...I don't believe it's a real "used" keyboard like you buy on ebay. They have a liberal 60 day return policy...it's my understanding that the majority of their refurbished keyboards are the returns. And their refurbs come with the new keyboard warranty. I have keyboards with serial #30,xxx and my most recent #81,xxx and there is not much of a difference in the brown switches, although obviously there can be. My point is that I don't think the Kinesis refurb is a 15 year old unit
![Smiley :)](https://cdn.geekhack.org/Smileys/solosmileys/smiley.gif)
And if Rick, who is awesome, but still just a mere mortal, says the keyboard is fine...it's my guess (and others have said here) that you are not a brown switch fan, or at least not yet. Some people detest browns, others love 'em. Fortunately the Kinesis is also available from Kinesis with reds, a very different feel. I have both reds and browns and I like them both. They serve different purposes. I think several of us here believe you should try red switches, and if you like them, go back to Kinesis for a keyboard with reds. But wait....there's more! You can customize the keyboard in several ways. I'm going to forget the silly statement you made about not optimizing a $300 keyboard. You may not be aware of this, so I'm gonna tell ya.... all the people that have written in this thread have
ALL OPTIMIZED THEIR $300 KEYBOARDS! I've cut one in half, added a trackpoint, and other silly stuff. LOL. I understand about budget, believe me, I do. But sometimes our 'budget' is just plain inaccurate and unrealistic. The first question is: Can you get what you want? If yes, the second question is: How much will it cost? But we are still working on your first question....need to find what you want. If you had that in your hands, you may be willing to alter your budget. Regarding the second question, I will tell you this...almost everyone I encounter on these few keyboard forums have reconciled the cost of a Kinesis. Not everyone, but almost everyone. That's a powerful statement, take it for what it is.
Question:
Why did you get a Kinesis? Do you have RSI/or?
If the keyboard cost you less, would you be inclined to modify it? You got the skillz, brudda?
If you don't get a Kinesis, what is your next choice?
Possible solutions to your mentioned keyboard issues:
1-WEIGHT. I was going to coat the interior of the case with liquid pickup truck bed liner... but that costs money and I'm concerned about eating for the rest of this month.
2-PING. Holy crap! Summer of Ping is back to haunt us! Most of us have used O-rings to dampen the keys. About $10
3-SWITCH FEEL. Try o-rings, red switches or both.
4-PRICE. Yea, I feel women cost too much also...but there's a price for everything. Some cost more, some cost less. It's relative.
I'd also like to offer a few thoughts. I wouldn't use the term "outdated" to describe the Kinesis. I don't feel that's accurate. It's not antiquated, or old-fashioned. It can use a couple minor updates, but it is completely and totally usable/fully functional/capable even though it is a 20 year old design physically. The firmware/software is newer. By the way, Kinesis is working on putting a Swiss Army knife under one of the keys. (not really). Keep in mind it is a highly specialized keyboard, and their customer service reflects that. Most people say their customer service is second to none.
Do I have any original, helpful advice? No, I just want to post to feel important.
I gotta go snipe that little turd Dorkvader on ebay now.