New keyboard

[Adopta]

Hi all,

This is my first post at GH, so please be gentle

I am currently looking for a new mechanical keyboard.
Atm. I have found 2 candidates ehich fit my needs(What I know of)

• Filco Minila Air
• Matias Quiet Mini Pro

The reason for my choices are:

• Available in ISO format
• Small and portable, such I can fit them into my messenger 15" laptop bag
• Does not take up an USB or provides another USB slot indstead..

I am working on a Macbook Pro Retina, which only have 2 USB slots. Not enough when needing to use a mouse, keyboard and debugging on a device.
I will primarily use it for programming.

Are there any other candidates and what are your opinions on these two keyboards?

[Zombly]

What's your budget there are many 60% keyboards, like the Poker, Vortex, which are also nice, I do like that Filco better than the Matias personally.. it is a good choice, but there are some custom keyboards that are specialized here that are also nice, and even a 40 percent keyboard made by jdcarpe

[Adopta]

@Zombly

Well atm. I have a budget around 150$, which should be enough?

I am also leaning towards Filco atm. but I would like to hear others opinion and maybe other alternatives, before I make a purchase.

[Zombly]

I'll just give a quick list:

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=458
(Poker)
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=110
(Pure)
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=120
(Race)
http://www.amazon.com/Noppoo-Mechanical-Gaming-Keyboard-Switches/dp/B00A45WJZA
(Choc Mini)


All I can think of at the moment..

[Adopta]

@Zombly

Thank you for the suggestions, I will look into those keyboards.

[jacobolus]

Have you tried typing on the ones you’re suggesting? I greatly prefer the Matias switches to any Cherry MX switches, but everyone’s preferences are different.

[Firebolt1914]

Also, the Matias Mini Quiet Pro has 3 extra USB ports, just to let you know.

[Adopta]

@Jacobolus
I have only neen able to try the Cherry switches, as I could not find a store anywhere, which had the Matias products.

@Firebolt1914
Yes, that was one od the reasons I considered it.

[Novus]

HHKB

[Adopta]

HHKB

I have looked at this keyboard, but is is a out of my budget, and I need to use å æ æ regularly, becuase of the danish language.

[BucklingSpring]

• Filco Minila Air
• Matias Quiet Mini Pro

Both awesome boards, I would personally favored the Matias Mini QP.

Of course there are other options. But you have a fine selection. Don't let others cloud your judgement with a broader range of selection.

[Adopta]

• Filco Minila Air
• Matias Quiet Mini Pro

Both awesome boards, I would personally favored the Matias Mini QP.

Of course there are other options. But you have a fine selection. Don't let others cloud your judgement with a broader range of selection.

Thx BucklingSpring.

I will take an extra look at those two and then make a decision.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Matias!

[Oobly]

There are quite a number of compact mechanical boards that come in ISO layout, but not so many that use Bluetooth or contain a USB hub.

Personally, I'd get an ANSI Poker 2 and a small USB hub, but that's because I prefer the layout of the Poker and like to try different switches, keycaps and cases. You can reprogram the layout, so you can find the best location for the editing keys. You can use any layout board to get the Danish special characters. I type regularly in Finnish on my ANSI layout KBT Pure and use it as my main keyboard at work for coding.

Out of the 2 you list, I'd go for the Minila Air. I have a preference for MX switches, prefer the minimalist design and you don't have to plug it in. Downside is having to replace batteries now and then, the extra weight of the batteries and getting used to the layout, particularly the small right shift and space bar.

The Matias will be quieter and has a slightly more normal layout, but it is bigger, you have to plug it in and the Fn key is in a rather awkward spot, IMHO, especially for using Home and End for editing code. Actually I'd find either of them rather awkward for editing code. I find the Fn layout of the Pure to be the best of the 60% size boards I have tried for coding. You could program a similar layout into the Poker 2....

[Adopta]

There are quite a number of compact mechanical boards that come in ISO layout, but not so many that use Bluetooth or contain a USB hub.

Personally, I'd get an ANSI Poker 2 and a small USB hub, but that's because I prefer the layout of the Poker and like to try different switches, keycaps and cases. You can reprogram the layout, so you can find the best location for the editing keys. You can use any layout board to get the Danish special characters. I type regularly in Finnish on my ANSI layout KBT Pure and use it as my main keyboard at work for coding.

Out of the 2 you list, I'd go for the Minila Air. I have a preference for MX switches, prefer the minimalist design and you don't have to plug it in. Downside is having to replace batteries now and then, the extra weight of the batteries and getting used to the layout, particularly the small right shift and space bar.

The Matias will be quieter and has a slightly more normal layout, but it is bigger, you have to plug it in and the Fn key is in a rather awkward spot, IMHO, especially for using Home and End for editing code. Actually I'd find either of them rather awkward for editing code. I find the Fn layout of the Pure to be the best of the 60% size boards I have tried for coding. You could program a similar layout into the Poker 2....

I have looked at the poker 2 and it have been considered, but as you said I would like to no carry an extra USB HUB around in my laptop bag.

Thx for the pointer for the home and end on the Matias, somehow I missed that. But I do like that it haves media keys, but this of course not vital.

Even though the Minila have a little different layout, it actually resembles the keyboard layout on my Macbook, even the spacebar. Changing the batteries now and then does not a problem for me, because I already have a wireless trackball

[Adopta]

After some more research and some deep thinking over the weekend, I have decided to go with the Matias.

I like that there is an USB hub in it and that it have more a 75% keyboard feel to it. Furthermore it is more silent, such that I can use in the office without totally annoying the crap out of my coworkers.

Luckily the placement of the home, end, pg up and pg down does not bother me much, as I do not use them often because I mainly i sitting in Mavericks when coding.


Thx for all the feedback and helpful posts.

[rowdy]

After some more research and some deep thinking over the weekend, I have decided to go with the Matias.

I like that there is an USB hub in it and that it have more a 75% keyboard feel to it. Furthermore it is more silent, such that I can use in the office without totally annoying the crap out of my coworkers.

Luckily the placement of the home, end, pg up and pg down does not bother me much, as I do not use them often because I mainly i sitting in Mavericks when coding.


Thx for all the feedback and helpful posts.

Be sure to post back after you've been using it for a week or two and let us know what you think

[Adopta]

After some more research and some deep thinking over the weekend, I have decided to go with the Matias.

I like that there is an USB hub in it and that it have more a 75% keyboard feel to it. Furthermore it is more silent, such that I can use in the office without totally annoying the crap out of my coworkers.

Luckily the placement of the home, end, pg up and pg down does not bother me much, as I do not use them often because I mainly i sitting in Mavericks when coding.


Thx for all the feedback and helpful posts.

Be sure to post back after you've been using it for a week or two and let us know what you think

Will do

[OnTheBrink]

I know this isn't a board you mentioned but an HHKB is small, ideal for programmers and has two USB ports.

[Adopta]

I know this isn't a board you mentioned but an HHKB is small, ideal for programmers and has two USB ports.

I know, but the price is bigger than what I have budget for atm.

[esoomenona]

Also, the HHKB Pro 2 does not come in ISO, and the Pro JP, which does, is not necessarily as liked as the Pro 2 is.

[esoomenona]

Well, I should say not ISO, but JIS, which is close to it? (maybe? Now that I think about it, is it really, aside from the ISO enter?)

[esoomenona]

Anyway, I would say the Minila AIR is a good choice. Doesn't take your USB port due to being bluetooth. Also able to modify the layout via dip switches to be similar to a HHKB, so there is that for your programming thing.

[OnTheBrink]

I know this isn't a board you mentioned but an HHKB is small, ideal for programmers and has two USB ports.

I know, but the price is bigger than what I have budget for atm.

Ah gotcha. Figured I'd just throw it out there.

GL with everything.

[Adopta]

I know this isn't a board you mentioned but an HHKB is small, ideal for programmers and has two USB ports.

I know, but the price is bigger than what I have budget for atm.

Ah gotcha. Figured I'd just throw it out there.

GL with everything.

Thx for the suggestion though

[Adopta]

Anyway, I would say the Minila AIR is a good choice. Doesn't take your USB port due to being bluetooth. Also able to modify the layout via dip switches to be similar to a HHKB, so there is that for your programming thing.

That have been part of my consideration, but I have chosen to go with the Matias Mini .

Thx though.

[Adopta]

Ducky teased their mini, luckly I have not order the Matias yet, so I will just wait and see the full specs on their mini. Might order that one instead .