Recommend a mechanical keyboard for OS X coding

[benfrain]

Been lurking around here for a couple of weeks trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. It seems I'm not the typical demographic for mech keyboards but I have some specific questions. I hope some members can advise me. Can you recommend me a mech keyboard based on the following:

I code HTML/CSS/JS for my day job on OS X. This means I'd like a normal shift key on the right. This makes it easy for me to type brackets and curly braces.
I'm used to the compact Apple aluminum kb so something that matches that layout would be beneficial
Despite being a Brit I like US key layout best.
USB hub would be a bonus.
Definitely don't want a number pad but would consider both TKL and 60% style
Would love to be able to choose keycap color easily
Bluetooth connection would be great although I'm only aware of Kbtalking Q and I'm not sure when that is out.

Hope some of you can make some recommendations.

[csmith1991]

I code PHP/HTML/CSS/JS/and others on OS X for my day to day work, so I'm right there with you. Exact same keyboard too.

Been lurking the past couple of weeks too. Here's the recommendations you'll hear:

60%:
Poker 2
KBT Pure

TKL:
KBT Race
Filco Ninja Majestouch
And possibly one of the Leopold keybaords

I've used none of them. Honestly, I'm thinking about waiting for the GH60, which a few vendors have already indicated they'll stock it as soon as the group buy completes.

You'll run into issues with wanting BT, but the GH60 already has a project being worked on for an addon module to create this functionality. The Topre HHKB has your USB hub, but if you want to create additional functionality you'll need to use an addon module there, that unfortunately disables the USB hub. Also custom Topre keycaps are a bit more limited production than custom Cherry keycaps.

[benfrain]

What put me off the Poker 2/Pure was that I read it needed some contortions of the hand to use the arrow keys. You'll know how much of a pain that will be in a text editor

Race looks good, despite being difficult to hold of over here and I'm concerned that the right-hand switch isn't right against the edge. Maybe I'm thinking that may be a problem when it won't but considering my day-job is all about the brackets and colons I need to be sure that's good.

The WASD also look good and unlike the Majestouch-2 they have hardware based dipswitch to swap alt/command positions. The Filco Minila has this capability but it has the crazy del/shift combo on the right and like to get something more similar to my MBP keyboard (so I don't have to mentally switch when not at the mech).

I'll take a look at the GH60 though but doesn't look like a perfect keyboard exists for us at present. The WASD TKL probably would tick most boxes (minus USB hub and BT) but sadly I have no idea when they will be stocked again.

[acantha]

I like the race, but if you plan on getting custom keycaps its a pain int he ass. if you are fine with stock keys however its a great board.

if you desperately need the arrows, you can also check out the FC660. It comes with either topre or cherry switches, and its got the arrows.

if you want a board that both has arrow and standard keys, and its not a 60% board, you can check out something like a Filco, phantom, or other TKL board.

[LONGZILLA]

Go big or go home, Kinesis style. My hand position, literally doesn't need to move at all to hit any of the keys on this sucker.

Otherwise, any TKL should suffice... as there's little difference between them programming-wise

[rowdy]

You might also look at Matias keyboards - they are available with a Mac-like layout too.

[MKULTRA]

MX-Mini.  Best layout ever.

[benfrain]

MKULTRA - I thought the MX models had problems over USB with OS X? Or is this resolved?

[MKULTRA]

MKULTRA - I thought the MX models had problems over USB with OS X? Or is this resolved?

MX-Mini is a custom korean keyboard, not a keyboard made by Cherry.

[spiceBar]

I think a mechanical keyboard makes perfect sense for you. You spend a lot of time on the keyboard, so you deserve a comfortable one.

I think your safest bet is a TenKeyLess:
- Filco Majestouch-2 TKL (black or white)
- RealForce 87UW (white)
- RealForce 87UB (black on black - warning: the keycaps are unreadable).

The Filco will allow you to change the keycaps (it has Cherry MX switches), but the RealForce is generally considered as more comfortable thanks to the Topre switches.

A good near-60% Topre board I would also recommend is the Leopold FC660C. Its layout is not too far from the compact aluminum Apple keyboard.

As you seem to be in the UK, the best provider for you is the Keyboard Company. For me, they have a perfect record of fast delivery and perfect quality on the 4 orders I have made in the last months. So I have no problem to recommend them warmly.

Links to the products:

Filco Majestouch-2 TKL, white:
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/white-filco-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-click-action-usa-keyboard.asp

Filco Majestouch-2 TKL, black:
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/filco-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-usa-keyboards.asp

RealForce 87UW (white):
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-topre-realforce-87uw-variable-mini-black-on-beige-keyboard.asp

RealForce 87UB (black, but only if you don't need to look at the keys):
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-topre-realforce-87ub-variable-mini-black-on-black-keyboard.asp

For the Leopold FC660C, you will have to purchase from elitekeyboards.com (they also have very good and fast service):
  http://elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,compact&pid=fc660c
The FC660C uses Topre switches, so be aware that it's not easy to find replacement keycaps. However I can tell you it's one of the best 60% keyboards available at this time.

None of these are Bluetooth, and they do not provide a USB hub.

If you are a little bit more adventurous, it looks like the Keyboard Company is going to receive a Bluetooth 60% board, the Filco Minila Air:
  http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-majestouch-minila-air-67-key-tactile-action-bluetooth-keyboard.asp
The problem with this one is the slightly unusual layout. You need to see by yourself if it would work for you.

Good luck and welcome to the community of mechanical keyboards users!

[Belfong]

You might also look at Matias keyboards - they are available with a Mac-like layout too.

Agree with this. It's a fine keyboard and I wrote a review on this
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48736.0;topicseen

[benfrain]

@MKULTRA just found a pic of the MX-Mini but it appears to only have two keys left of space - I need CTRL, OPT/Alt and Command - looks nice apart from that

@spiceBar - you could be right, in the absence of a 'Apple compact' mechanical keyboard layout perhaps TKL would be the safest bet. Did look at the RealForce models but I just found them looking too much like my old C64

[czarek]

You can't go wrong with HHKB for programming on any Unix OS, Mac included. No need to remap anything, it's just perfect as it is, well maybe Delete -> BS remap

[acantha]

You can't go wrong with HHKB for programming on any Unix OS, Mac included. No need to remap anything, it's just perfect as it is, well maybe Delete -> BS remap

yeah, for protracted programming, the happy hacking is my favorite, but since OP mentioned he didn't like not having arrow keys, i didn't mention it.

[snoopy]

go for a hhkb...

[codyeatworld]

i really wanna get a kbtalking pro for my hackintosh.

edit: looks like techkeys is sold out
http://techkeys.us/collections/keyboards/products/kbtalking-pro-v1-1

[benfrain]

Well, I dare say this won't be my last mech KB and I'll probably end up trying a HH ultimately however as the WASD TKL v2 just came back into stock with MX Clears, I've decided to give that a whirl with a custom set of keycaps.

It doesn't cover all my bases but I couldn't find a 60% that was close enough to the compact mac layout to be useful in that resepct.

Thanks for all the useful input though - gives me more to try when I decide I don't like this one.

[Belfong]

Did you manage to order the Code?

[benfrain]

No, I actually opted for the v2 over it as I would rather have the colored keys over the backlit ones (usually code with the lights on )

[terran5992]

Go with the HHKB if u have the budget, You cant go wrong

[Belfong]

 Cool! I think you will like Clear!

[fatmav]

Been lurking around here for a couple of weeks trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible. It seems I'm not the typical demographic for mech keyboards but I have some specific questions. I hope some members can advise me. Can you recommend me a mech keyboard based on the following:

I code HTML/CSS/JS for my day job on OS X. This means I'd like a normal shift key on the right. This makes it easy for me to type brackets and curly braces.

You may be better off in the long term if you start to use both hands when pressing keys with modifiers. It made a critical difference in comfort for me when I started to enforce this rule by disabling (using KeyRemap4Macbook) one-handed shift combinations. This essentially means mapping, for example, left shift + a to none and therefore I must use the right shift to get capital A.

I'm used to the compact Apple aluminum kb so something that matches that layout would be beneficial
Despite being a Brit I like US key layout best.
USB hub would be a bonus.
Definitely don't want a number pad but would consider both TKL and 60% style
Would love to be able to choose keycap color easily
Bluetooth connection would be great although I'm only aware of Kbtalking Q and I'm not sure when that is out.

Hope some of you can make some recommendations.

I am a happy user of the Matias Laptop Pro. Bluetooth and reasonably close to Mac layout.

[DamienG]

Picked up one today.

Clears are very nice. Much quieter than blues and a nice tactile feel. Not bottoming out as much.

[)amien

[swill]

I would not worry too much about the mac aspect.  I work on a mac and I use both a Filco TKL and a Filco 104 Ninja with them.  What I do is switch the 'alt' and 'windows' keycaps and then rebind the keys in the 'Modifier Keys' for the USB Keyboard in the keyboard settings.  This basically makes the switch seamless.

Here is a screenshot of the config I am talking about.


I looked for 'mac' specific keyboards originally and your options are much more limited (especially with a TKL requirement).  I would recommend you stick to one of the keyboard that come highly rated on this forum.  I personally really like Filcos and would recommend them to anyone.

I use brown, blue and red switches.  You can read my coding related experience with switch types here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48428.msg1054960#msg1054960
and here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47605.msg1054895#msg1054895

Hopefully you find that info useful.

EDIT: I also use KeyRemap4Macbook as another poster recommended.  I found it to be very helpful for getting all the functionality like brightness, expose, volume, etc working...

[rowdy]

FWIW I'm currently alternating between HHKB Pro 2 and Model M on a Mac with no issues whatsoever (apart from missing Option keys on the Model M, which I don't really miss that much anyway).

[worminater]

I would not worry too much about the mac aspect.  I work on a mac and I use both a Filco TKL and a Filco 104 Ninja with them.  What I do is switch the 'alt' and 'windows' keycaps and then rebind the keys in the 'Modifier Keys' for the USB Keyboard in the keyboard settings.  This basically makes the switch seamless.

Here is a screenshot of the config I am talking about.
(Attachment Link)

I looked for 'mac' specific keyboards originally and your options are much more limited (especially with a TKL requirement).  I would recommend you stick to one of the keyboard that come highly rated on this forum.  I personally really like Filcos and would recommend them to anyone.

I use brown, blue and red switches.  You can read my coding related experience with switch types here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48428.msg1054960#msg1054960
and here:
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47605.msg1054895#msg1054895

Hopefully you find that info useful.

EDIT: I also use KeyRemap4Macbook as another poster recommended.  I found it to be very helpful for getting all the functionality like brightness, expose, volume, etc working...

For note; as a recent purchaser of a Mac with 4-5 mechanical boards and recently picking up an apple aluminum for the BT; ^Above^^ is the best answer.  Feels the best and can use arbitrary keyboard comfortably.  For note; I code all day in Vim.   

[spiceBar]

Well, I dare say this won't be my last mech KB and I'll probably end up trying a HH ultimately however as the WASD TKL v2 just came back into stock with MX Clears, I've decided to give that a whirl with a custom set of keycaps.

It doesn't cover all my bases but I couldn't find a 60% that was close enough to the compact mac layout to be useful in that resepct.

Thanks for all the useful input though - gives me more to try when I decide I don't like this one.

Have you received your WASD? What are your impressions?

[swill]

Just looked through this.  I can't believe no one recommended anything from the Leopold FC660 series.  I recently got a FC660C and it is probably the most comfortable coding experience I have found so far.  I am coming from a Filco MJ2 w/ browns (which I love and is currently at work). 

I find the arrow keys to be very naturel.  With a 1.25 Fn key right next to them, its easy access to PgUp, PgDn, Home, End without moving your hand.  'Shift + Esc' = ~, so that is exactly what you hands expect if you are coming from a TKL.  You can easily move Ctrl and Caps Lock if that is something you like (I am getting used to it, I am enjoying it so far).  All in all a very good experience which I am enjoying...

[terran5992]

TOPRUHHHHHHH

[swill]

TOPRUHHHHHHH

Haha, ya...  I took the FC660C back and forth from Home to Work and back for a bit.  Then I took my TKL to work and kept the FC660C at home.  After working on both, I still have love in my heart for MX browns.  They are not as refined as Topre, but they are very light and still tactile, which I love when coding.  I actually find these Topre switches to be a little heavier than I would like.  I am not sure if the FC660C has 45g or 55g, but I find them ever so slightly heavier than I would like.  Still a joy to type on, but my hands get tired quicker.

[spiceBar]

Just looked through this.  I can't believe no one recommended anything from the Leopold FC660 series.  I recently got a FC660C and it is probably the most comfortable coding experience I have found so far.  I am coming from a Filco MJ2 w/ browns (which I love and is currently at work). 

I find the arrow keys to be very naturel.  With a 1.25 Fn key right next to them, its easy access to PgUp, PgDn, Home, End without moving your hand.  'Shift + Esc' = ~, so that is exactly what you hands expect if you are coming from a TKL.  You can easily move Ctrl and Caps Lock if that is something you like (I am getting used to it, I am enjoying it so far).  All in all a very good experience which I am enjoying...

I did recommend the FC660C, but not as the first choice as he said he would love to be able to change the keycaps.

That being said, I have a very positive experience with the FC660C, so I second what you say about it.

[daerid]

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