Long-time Thinkpad User Looking to Get an HHKB Pro 2, thoughts?

[rambam]

Hi there, everyone,

I've been reading a lot of posts over the last month, trying to get a sense of things in the ergonomic keyboard world.

I had been using Thinkpads almost exclusively over the past 20 years starting with the Thinkpad 500 (1994) to the x200, x201s, x220 as my main laptops (along with some T models along the way as backup/extra machines).  As far as desktop keyboards, I just used whatever was available and wireless, a Logitech and a Microsoft keyboard.  About 7 years ago, I started using my laptop as my main computer. 

I do mostly word processing work, email, surfing.  I don't plan on using the keyboard for gaming.

Last year, I encountered a BSOD on my x220, and it put me out of commission for 4 days.  I said enough's enough and got a Macbook Pro (2012).
 
I like OS X for it's relatively trouble free operation, it's trackpad for zooming and scrolling.  But the keyboard is terrible. I didn't even think about what I was giving up as far as the keyboard when I replaced the Thinkpad.  My hands and fingers start hurting, and it makes me want to not use it for typing and working.  I forgot how much nicer the Thinkpads were. 

I'm going to have to keep the Macbook for music purposes for now (Logic Pro X), but I'm thinking of buying another computer (x240 or x250 maybe) or Tablet PC  (Thinkpad Helix 2 or Yoga) and getting a better keyboard for desk use so I can type for a long time without being distracted by finger and hand fatigue. 

Regarding mechanical keyboards, I've used some for short periods of time. While they were pretty comfortable, they were too noisy for me and the keys were kind of sloppy in that they wobbled too much, but I'm guessing that I was using one that was poorly made.

What attracts me to the HHKB Pro 2 are
1. Being a mechanical hybrid it should be much more comfortable than the laptop keyboards I've tried, especially the macbook's.
2.  I like the minimalist quality of it.  In fact, I was drawn to the JD40, but without being able to use it before buying. I'm not sure if it would be too small.  I have smaller hands, so 40%'s might work. 
3. Aesthetically, the stealth black version with dark lettering looks amazing to me. 

I wish it was bluetooth, but I can live without it.  I wish it wasn't staggered, but I'm willing to try something new that might be awesome.

Do you guys think that a Thinkpad lover/user would like the HHKB Pro 2 (or JD40)?  Are there any other keyboards I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your input.

rambam

[Hordak]

Regarding mechanical keyboards, I've used some for short periods of time. While they were pretty comfortable, they were too noisy for me and the keys were kind of sloppy in that they wobbled too much, but I'm guessing that I was using one that was poorly made.

I know what you mean. I get the same vibe from the cherries I've tried. I think maybe that in part it has to do with the hard bottoming out off these switches. To me too, these keys feel kind of "sloppy".

Do you guys think that a Thinkpad lover/user would like the HHKB Pro 2 (or JD40)?  Are there any other keyboards I should consider?

I have some experience with the older Thinkpad models of the ninties and am also considering them to have one of the greatest keyboards ever made (that I know of anyway), way better than the cherries. I've used the Logitech Illuminated scissor switch keyboards for a few years. They feel very similar to the Thinkpad keyboards, but sadly they tend to die in the first year and also, their build quality sucks. The keys are made of a very cheap plastic, causing them to get oily and slippery in just a few months time.

After trying a few cherries, I landed on a Realforce 87u 55g with Topre switches and in my opinion, these come very close to the Thinkpad feel, but actually manage to surpass it by being a full travel mechanical switch. The soft landing reminds me of my old Laptop. Typing on these is way more comfortable. It's like a Thinkpad on steroids. So I recommend you get a HHKB and be done with it 

[Sagii]

Hiya!
As a HHKB I can deefinitely recommend this keyboard to anyone who asks. However, it is of course all personal preference (hadn't seen that one coming, had ya!).
1. Yes, it is very comfortable. It has a nice tactile feedback, and it got the right amount of force needed for actuation to be easily for hours on end. However, I simply don't like topre, and just switched back to cherry mx.
2. When you mention the JD40 and the size of it. You probably know this, but do remember that everything on the keyboard is "standard" size, with same gap between keys etc. So in terms of that, it wouldn't feel any different to other leyboards with a more conventional form factor. You might have to take into consideration the lack of dedicated number, f-keys, arrowkeys and so on though!
3. I'm in the same boat as you on that. I love how the HHKB looks, and especially the black ones ^.^

As for the bluetooth; there are a few mods you can do to make your HHKB work wireless with bluetooth, but I don't know much bout that.

I would highly recommend the HHKB, and it's a great board (I for one, love the layout and form factor). I can't really comment on the thinkpad-HHKB relation though, since I've never used a thinkpad ) Do also bear in mind that the HHKB is just as noisy as any other mech, it just has a slightly different sound to it.

Can't comment much regarding the JD40. I love how it looks, and I think it's awesome, but I don't have one!

As another option to the HHKB I would recommend the Poker 2, which you probably already know about. I went from the HHKB to a Poker 2, and so far I'm enjoying the Poker way more. That's mostly 'cause of switch preference though!

EDIT: I wrote this whole thing on my phone, and somehow a lot of stuff got cut out O.o that's why some sentences might not make too luch sense. Sorry bout that! I'll probably fix it later.

[Xowie]

Hi there, everyone,

I've been reading a lot of posts over the last month, trying to get a sense of things in the ergonomic keyboard world.

I had been using Thinkpads almost exclusively over the past 20 years starting with the Thinkpad 500 (1994) to the x200, x201s, x220 as my main laptops (along with some T models along the way as backup/extra machines).  As far as desktop keyboards, I just used whatever was available and wireless, a Logitech and a Microsoft keyboard.  About 7 years ago, I started using my laptop as my main computer. 

I do mostly word processing work, email, surfing.  I don't plan on using the keyboard for gaming.

Last year, I encountered a BSOD on my x220, and it put me out of commission for 4 days.  I said enough's enough and got a Macbook Pro (2012).
 
I like OS X for it's relatively trouble free operation, it's trackpad for zooming and scrolling.  But the keyboard is terrible. I didn't even think about what I was giving up as far as the keyboard when I replaced the Thinkpad.  My hands and fingers start hurting, and it makes me want to not use it for typing and working.  I forgot how much nicer the Thinkpads were. 

I'm going to have to keep the Macbook for music purposes for now (Logic Pro X), but I'm thinking of buying another computer (x240 or x250 maybe) or Tablet PC  (Thinkpad Helix 2 or Yoga) and getting a better keyboard for desk use so I can type for a long time without being distracted by finger and hand fatigue. 

Regarding mechanical keyboards, I've used some for short periods of time. While they were pretty comfortable, they were too noisy for me and the keys were kind of sloppy in that they wobbled too much, but I'm guessing that I was using one that was poorly made.

What attracts me to the HHKB Pro 2 are
1. Being a mechanical hybrid it should be much more comfortable than the laptop keyboards I've tried, especially the macbook's.
2.  I like the minimalist quality of it.  In fact, I was drawn to the JD40, but without being able to use it before buying. I'm not sure if it would be too small.  I have smaller hands, so 40%'s might work. 
3. Aesthetically, the stealth black version with dark lettering looks amazing to me. 

I wish it was bluetooth, but I can live without it.  I wish it wasn't staggered, but I'm willing to try something new that might be awesome.

Do you guys think that a Thinkpad lover/user would like the HHKB Pro 2 (or JD40)?  Are there any other keyboards I should consider?

Thanks in advance for your input.

rambam

I have two HHKBs, one at work and one at home. It is definitely my favorite keyboard. The only complication that I have personally found is that sometimes I want to use arrow keys and a mouse simultaneously and with a HHKB this is very awkward. The fix was to get a a numpad that I basically only use as arrow keys in that situation.

[Vizir]

You can't go wrong with the real force 55g. Still waiting for my hhkb to arrive to be able to talk about that. Also, there is a project in the works which aims to add Bluetooth to the hhkb. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=12047.0