Good mechanical keyboard for programming?

[norman_hess]

Hey guys

I'm a web developer and I'm looking to buy a keyboard. I really don't like ergonomic keyboards, they're weird and I can't get used to them. I heard that mechanical keyboards are good for long time typing, but I don't have any experience in mechanical keyboards, and there are so many models to choose. Do you guys have any good mechanical keyboards for programmers to recommend?

Thanks a lot

I'm reading this article: https://hobgear.com/best-programming-keyboards/

[wodan]

This question has been asked a million times and you even ask it in a very unspecific way. Have a little look around the other "NEWBIE KEYBOARD BUYING ADVICE" threads and come back with more specific questions.

Here's a very nice starter:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=86140.0

[pr0ximity]

To add to what wodan said, there really isn't a "best keyboard for ____ activity". It's not like a bicycle where different types make a large difference in performance at different activities. I program for a living on everything from laptop keyboards to IBM beamsprings and I'm equivalent at programming on any of them. Some are more ergonomic (not "ergonomic keyboards" but they have better angles I like better or key forces I prefer).

It's 100% personal preference. A lighter actuation force might be better for longer-term typing, but lots of people disagree because their fingers are stronger.

[wodan]

It gets better. This question is so important and urgent, it must be cross-posted in several keyboard communities:
https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/good-mechanical-keyboard-for-programming-t15249.html

[merlin64]

For me it was a keyboard size issue. The regular 104 key keyboard was hurting my mousing hand and arm. I've switched to a 60% and its been great. I've discovered that the largest keyboard I can tolerate is a TKL (ten key less)

[norman_hess]

It's 100% personal preference. A lighter actuation force might be better for longer-term typing, but lots of people disagree because their fingers are stronger.

Thank you for your feedback. Do you have any recommendation for a light actuation force keyboard?

It gets better. This question is so important and urgent, it must be cross-posted in several keyboard communities:
https://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/good-mechanical-keyboard-for-programming-t15249.html

Thank you for your sarcastic comment. I have a list of forums that I posted this question, if you want, I can give you the list.

For me it was a keyboard size issue. The regular 104 key keyboard was hurting my mousing hand and arm. I've switched to a 60% and its been great. I've discovered that the largest keyboard I can tolerate is a TKL (ten key less)

Thank you for your comment. I'm not even aware of 60% keyboard, but seems like 60% keyboards are too small.

Again, thank you for all your comments. Maybe I'll buy the Ducky Shine 5 RGB TKL Brown switches, seems like a good keyboard.

[rowdy]

HHKB!

Or a Model M.

Or a CODE for something inbetween.

Or whatever you feel most comfortable and productive using.

[SBJ]

For me it was a keyboard size issue. The regular 104 key keyboard was hurting my mousing hand and arm. I've switched to a 60% and its been great. I've discovered that the largest keyboard I can tolerate is a TKL (ten key less)

Yup same.
I went from full size to 60% to 68% to TKL.
Right now I prefer TKL but that can change.
TKL is definitely the largest keyboard I'll allow myself to use. Otherwise, it just gets uncomfortable.

[czarek]

As good as HHKB is for Unix coding and scripting, it's VERY annoying for Visual Studio stuff, so please be careful with recommending it for programming not knowing what person is going to program with.

So with all seriousness, if you don't look for flashy show off piece, but something that will make you more productive and less tired, you should consider:
- Any Costar/Ducky fullsize/tenkeyless with a switch that suits you.
- Realforce in a layout that you prefer, be careful with 55G though as it's seriously tiring if you use it for 8 hours workdays 5 days a week.
- Either classic Model M if you can find a well preserved one or can spend some time cleaning and possibly bolt modding, or of course Unicomp, it may also need some modding to get right though.
- ErgoDox if the layout works for you. It has enough keys to program just about anything + some fancy stuff like mouse keys and what not.

[kasakka]

I'm a web developer and I use two 60% keyboards, one for working from home and another at the office. One is a Vortex Pok3r and the other is a GH60 kit I assembled. The GH60 is more programmable and has a bit nicer switches (Zealios vs Browns on the Vortex).

The small size of a 60% makes it easy to carry with you when needed and the layers allow you to do all you need. I don't miss my full size keyboards at all.

[pr0ximity]

As good as HHKB is for Unix coding and scripting, it's VERY annoying for Visual Studio stuff, so please be careful with recommending it for programming not knowing what person is going to program with.

Curious why you say that given it has all of the available keys a normal board does. I did a decent amount of VS at my last job, lots of F keys? I find them quite accessible on my 60%. I suppose if you have to hit Fn to get an F key and a key that maps to an arrow or other nav key?

[rowdy]

As good as HHKB is for Unix coding and scripting, it's VERY annoying for Visual Studio stuff, so please be careful with recommending it for programming not knowing what person is going to program with.

So with all seriousness, if you don't look for flashy show off piece, but something that will make you more productive and less tired, you should consider:
- Any Costar/Ducky fullsize/tenkeyless with a switch that suits you.
- Realforce in a layout that you prefer, be careful with 55G though as it's seriously tiring if you use it for 8 hours workdays 5 days a week.
- Either classic Model M if you can find a well preserved one or can spend some time cleaning and possibly bolt modding, or of course Unicomp, it may also need some modding to get right though.
- ErgoDox if the layout works for you. It has enough keys to program just about anything + some fancy stuff like mouse keys and what not.

It also depends on the OS and editor being used.

HHKB is a bit of a pain with Eclipse on Mac, for example, as half the keystrokes are Fn-something to navigate around.

But in Vim the HHKB truly shines!

Microsoft tools do tend to be funciton/navigator-key heavy.  This is the main reason why I couldn't use my HHKB at work.

[czarek]

As good as HHKB is for Unix coding and scripting, it's VERY annoying for Visual Studio stuff, so please be careful with recommending it for programming not knowing what person is going to program with.

So with all seriousness, if you don't look for flashy show off piece, but something that will make you more productive and less tired, you should consider:
- Any Costar/Ducky fullsize/tenkeyless with a switch that suits you.
- Realforce in a layout that you prefer, be careful with 55G though as it's seriously tiring if you use it for 8 hours workdays 5 days a week.
- Either classic Model M if you can find a well preserved one or can spend some time cleaning and possibly bolt modding, or of course Unicomp, it may also need some modding to get right though.
- ErgoDox if the layout works for you. It has enough keys to program just about anything + some fancy stuff like mouse keys and what not.

It also depends on the OS and editor being used.

HHKB is a bit of a pain with Eclipse on Mac, for example, as half the keystrokes are Fn-something to navigate around.

But in Vim the HHKB truly shines!

Microsoft tools do tend to be funciton/navigator-key heavy.  This is the main reason why I couldn't use my HHKB at work.

I get you. I usually use Evil mode when I have to use Emacs, and in Eclipse or VS, I'm also using VIM navigation plugins, but you still need F-keys for many things, especially in VS. And really, pressing something like CTRL + SHIFT + F9 on HHKB actually hurts.