Sell me on a HHKB Pro (in the Netherlands)

[Superfluous Parentheses]

I feel like I should just spend the money and get a HHKB Pro 2.

I got two BTC minis this morning, and I love the form factor - except for the cursor keys, so I recoded my Xmodmap config to have a second layer with the cursor keys around IJKL and that made the thing workable.

I also really don't think the rubbery feel of the BTCs are what I want, it's too incoherent - fine for occasional stuff but no way I'm using these things for daily use. I'm using a plain model M as my main board right now, but I think I can deal with a more subtle board, as long as it's precise.

So here's the deal:

I'm in the Netherlands and I'd like a good dealer that can give me a decent warranty for the price, and I'm a professional programmer with my own company so sales tax/VAT/BTW doesn't matter to me.

What I want is some dealer that I can trust and who will take the board back in the unlikely chance that it's broken in some way. I'm willing to spend around $300 US or 240 euros all in for a HHKB if it's really as good as people say it is.

Help me out people: are the things worth it, and if so, where can I get one - including shipping and taxes for this kind of money with a decent warranty?

[microsoft windows]

HHKB Pro's are a big waste of money. Spend your $300 on something worthwhile.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

HHKB Pro's are a big waste of money. Spend your $300 on something worthwhile.

Maybe you should stay out of this thread.

[ironman31]

HHKB Pro's are a big waste of money. Spend your $300 on something worthwhile.

You could at least give a reason why they aren't worth the money

[microsoft windows]

They're computer keyboards. That's the main reason.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

They're computer keyboards. That's the main reason.

*sigh* I spend at least 12 hours a day behind a keyboard. 300 dolllars is chump change as long as the board is any good and it lasts. I know the model M does; I've got one. It's just too big and could be more efficient.

If you've got a micro Model M in the same form factor as the HHKB with buckling springs for the same price as the HHKB, I wouldn't even be asking this because I'd have bought 3 already.

[ironman31]

lol, I have no comeback

[Superfluous Parentheses]

So, now all the bollocks has passed, does anyone feel knowledgeable enough to answer my original post?

Cheers,
SP.

[ironman31]

sorry, I'm in the same boat as you. but i'm waiting on elitekeyboards to start selling a tenkeyless real force

[aegrotatio]

How long have you had the BTC 5100C?
They loosen up after a while.
I've been using them for years.  The ones with PC AT keyboard connectors are a bit looser than the ones with PS/2 connectors.  The entire line was revised when the PS/2 models came out.  I prefer the looser PC AT versions but both versions do loosen up after daily use.

Note, the SIIG Minitouch Plus at Amazon is the PC AT version and is a bit looser than the PS/2 version.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

How long have you had the BTC 5100C?
They loosen up after a while.

I've had them for 1 day. Both are the AT versions.

I've been using them for years.  The ones with PC AT keyboard connectors are a bit looser than the ones with PS/2 connectors.  The entire line was revised when the PS/2 models came out.  I prefer the looser PC AT versions but both versions do loosen up after daily use.

Note, the SIIG Minitouch Plus at Amazon is the PC AT version and is a bit looser than the PS/2 version.

I just don't like the really short travel. And that the cursor-up key (for instance) has much different feedback than most of the rest of the keys.

i payed less than 10 euros for the BTC boards, which is OK, but I really want something *very good* and if the HHKB is good enough I don't care that it costs a **** load of money. But it has to be good.

[phobus]

FWIW, it seems to me that most of the people who buy this board end up liking it. I don't think I've even seen a negative review, and I did quite a bit of searching.

That being said, I might have a lightly-used one for sale in a few weeks (and not because I didn't like it). I'm just a random guy, though.

[washuai]

http://www.elitekeyboards.com ships internationally.  They don't refund your money in the unlikely event that it is broken, but they will repair it.
I can't speak for whether or not it is worth the $255 + international shipping, et cetera.  
If I had that to throw around, I'd own one already.  If I had your job, I'd have had the Realforce and HHKB for comparison already.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

In other words, you're at the discretion of the seller in both cases.

Yeah, well, anyone could see why I'm not that enthusiastic  about this kind of construct when I'm giving almost $300 to some company on the other side of the globe. That's not to say I won't do it. But some reassurance from previous customers would help.

[aegrotatio]

Okay, since we're comparing a $40 keyboard to a $225 one, I'll bow out of the discussion saying I really like all of my various versions of the BTC-5100C and SIIG Minitouch Plus.

[washuai]

I realize the OP is in not in the US, but there's a wireless in black for 16.55 BTC on ebay.  I realize it is a rubber dome, but that makes me curious.

[EverythingIBM]

HHKB Pro's are a big waste of money. Spend your $300 on something worthwhile.

*sigh* I spend at least 12 hours a day behind a keyboard. 300 dolllars is chump change as long as the board is any good and it lasts.

I think MW's point was... you can find good keyboards for less the price. Sure they won't be as compact, but, I guess that's something you'll have to live with. You could always get a Space Saving Model M.

And if you spend 12 hours a day on a keyboard... you're going to have problems down the road. Eye strain, muscle strain, not enough fresh air, lack of exercise etc. Try to cut it down to something like 6 hours.

[gr1m]

I think MW's point was... you can find good keyboards for less the price. Sure they won't be as compact, but, I guess that's something you'll have to live with. You could always get a Space Saving Model M.

And if you spend 12 hours a day on a keyboard... you're going to have problems down the road. Eye strain, muscle strain, not enough fresh air, lack of exercise etc. Try to cut it down to something like 6 hours.

So a solution to the OP searching for a way to buy a $300 keyboard is:

- Don't buy a $300 keyboard
- Don't use a keyboard as much

Excellent.

[ch_123]

I just imagined a parallel troll where I join that torch/flashlight forum with the user name "Tungsten Filament" and continuously talk about an old Maglite I found and make retard comments whenever anyone talks about buying something.

I'd try emailing Brian at Elitekeyboards and see what the situation is with warranty. It may be the case that you may have to pay for it to be shipped to/from him in case of returns. That is quite unlikely though, I've never heard anyone suffer from a Topre failure, and quite a few people in Europe (myself included) have ordered things from him, and they arrive well packed and without damage.

I'd also give thumbs up to the HHKB itself. A lot of the criticism that you may see around here from it come from people who try it after opening the box and are unimpressed by the Topre switches. The Topre switches are not as 'interesting' to type on compared with Blue Cherry/Buckling Spring keyboards, but they are very smooth, low force switches that are very pleasant to type on once you get used to them.

[Mental Hobbit]

Someday EIBM will provide some useful advice.

Someday.

I love your typical American sense of optimism.

[ch_123]

"Hello all, I wish to purchase a computer whose manufacturer's name starts with an I, and ends with an M"

[kishy]

I just imagined a parallel troll where I join that torch/flashlight forum with the user name "Tungsten Filament" and continuously talk about an old Maglite I found and make retard comments whenever anyone talks about buying something.

Just thought you should know, that gave me a good laugh.

What's with all the Vintage PC guys trolling all the time?  I can't tell EIBM, MW, and WhateverIsInThatBasement apart anymore.

For some reason I'm feeling a compulsion to 1-up them all, but I just can't bring myself to do it.

[hyperlinked]

I think MW's point was...

I think MW's point was that he wanted to say something completely pointless so someone equally dumbwitted can come along and say something just as breathtakingly empty of purpose.

[o2dazone]

It's a solid keyboard you won't feel like you're "stuck" with. The layout is a tad unique, but never having to move your hand very far wins. Once you get comfortable with it, you'll find yourself typing faster in a number row with two hands than a cluster 10 key using a claw-style orientation. And it's perfect for tons of situations. Long periods of typing, quiet enough for the office, small enough to give yourself more desk real estate. Easy to tear apart and clean.

[test157]

+1 layout of HHKB is awesome, but only after few months of using it. so you need time to get comfortable with it, and later you'll not return back to classic layout )

[ch_123]

I picked it up very quickly. I think the layout is the main selling point of the HHKB, and it's the reason why if I could only have one keyboard, I'd take it. The Topre switches may not be spectacular, but they're quiet, and there's very little that can go wrong with them compared with most other keyboard types.

[microsoft windows]

I think MW's point was... you can find good keyboards for less the price. Sure they won't be as compact, but, I guess that's something you'll have to live with. You could always get a Space Saving Model M.

And if you spend 12 hours a day on a keyboard... you're going to have problems down the road. Eye strain, muscle strain, not enough fresh air, lack of exercise etc. Try to cut it down to something like 6 hours.

I use computers at work mostly. I only usually go in the "lab" when the weather's bad and I can't do outdoor work.

[microsoft windows]

It's a solid keyboard you won't feel like you're "stuck" with. The layout is a tad unique, but never having to move your hand very far wins. Once you get comfortable with it, you'll find yourself typing faster in a number row with two hands than a cluster 10 key using a claw-style orientation. And it's perfect for tons of situations. Long periods of typing, quiet enough for the office, small enough to give yourself more desk real estate. Easy to tear apart and clean.

If I wanted a solid rubber dome keyboard I'd spend the $5 and get an old Keytronic.

[isp]

Well,  it's not worth $300 to me, but if you're patient you can find a nice one on ebay for ~$200.  I've got no complaints for that price.

Great feel, easy to transport, size (fits on laptop nicely), layout etc... not for everyone but for _some_ it's perfect!  Can we give the guy some credit and assume hes researched a bit and knows what he wants?

BTW, to the OP, Sorry I can't help compare it to a BTC mini or refer you to a dealer inside NL.

[Superfluous Parentheses]

BTW, to the OP, Sorry I can't help compare it to a BTC mini or refer you to a dealer inside NL.

No problem. The BTC reference was mostly just because of the size. I'm assuming the key switches are a lot better. (They'd better be!). MSW has a point - even though he's trolling - in that the Key Tronic boards are pretty decent, for a plain rubber dome, and definitely better than the BTC. But I'm looking for something very compact.

Note: the BTC boards I've got are the short-travel rubber ones with the awkward cursor layout, not the "geek hack special" with the Alps (?) mechanical switches.

[microsoft windows]

Why would you need to transport a desktop keyboard on a regular basis unless you're nerd to the tenth power?

[kishy]

I fully plan to make my Model M mini a travel keyboard. Yes, I am nerd to the tenth power.

Or am I borg?

[Superfluous Parentheses]

why would you need to transport a desktop keyboard on a regular basis unless you're nerd to the tenth power?

[kishy]

I find this rather funny.