Good keyboard for a translator

[jedrys]

Hi,

I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I couldn't find a suitable solution for me.

I'm a translator and I type a lot everyday (usually 40-50k keystrokes per day). Right now I'm using a small Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but I definitely need a change. I don't play games at all. My requirements are:

1. Solid keyboard which will last few years.
2. Tenkeyless
3. Not too loud, because I need to hear my thoughts
4. Compatible with a Mac (working Fn key is a must!).
5. EU layout with big Enter, if possible.
5. Backlighting would be a plus, but I can live without it.

Important thing: I use Alt key (usually left one) a lot to enter Polish characters.

Budget is not a problem - I can spend 200 USD for a good keyboard, but I prefer a model available in Europe because of taxes and transport costs.

Right now I'm looking at Matias Laptop Pro or Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless with browns. Unfortunately both of them have small Enter key.

What are your suggestions?

Marcin

[longweight]

How about this? http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-filco-ninja-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp


You could get some GMK caps with the language packs


http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48798.0

[uzoc]

Hi,

I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I couldn't find a suitable solution for me.

I'm a translator and I type a lot everyday (usually 40-50k keystrokes per day). Right now I'm using a small Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but I definitely need a change. I don't play games at all. My requirements are:

1. Solid keyboard which will last few years.
2. Tenkeyless
3. Not too loud, because I need to hear my thoughts
4. Compatible with a Mac (working Fn key is a must!).
5. EU layout with big Enter, if possible.
5. Backlighting would be a plus, but I can live without it.

Important thing: I use Alt key (usually left one) a lot to enter Polish characters.

Budget is not a problem - I can spend 200 USD for a good keyboard, but I prefer a model available in Europe because of taxes and transport costs.

Right now I'm looking at Matias Laptop Pro or Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless with browns. Unfortunately both of them have small Enter key.

What are your suggestions?

Marcin

If translating/interpreting is your day job and you type that much...
I wouldn't recommend anything less than a Kinesis Advantage.
FYI, just checked, they have three on sale, used on EBay! $125!
Not clicky (browns) make sure that you get the o-rings around $2 on Amazon (100).
Larger enter (whole thumb finger)...

Or a TypeMatrix 2030 (definitely and improvement over older models, for me).

[tp4tissue]

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated.... 

[jedrys]

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated.... 

Show Image

"General Protection Fault". This line makes everybody cry  ;D

[Linkbane]

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard. Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

[csmith1991]

I'm kind of curious here. Have you ever heard of stenotyping? It'd allow you to get through work much quicker, and there's some programs that work with macs to enable this functionality. That said, learning it can be quite difficult.

[tp4tissue]

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated.... 

Show Image

"General Protection Fault". This line makes everybody cry  ;D

What do you have along the lines of,

Laura slowly slid Katherine's skirt up her stockings. Along the way her fingers sense the tactile transition between the smooth sheer and the lace adorned elastic. The motion pauses as Laura's mind races; She's wondering what's further ahead, are these simply hold-ups or is Katherine a temptress bad girl donning a garter-belt. Overwhelmed, Laura leans in to.......

[dragonxx21]

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard. Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

QFR isn't Mac compatible. At least the link you posted says it isn't.

[dorkvader]

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard. Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

QFR isn't Mac compatible. At least the link you posted says it isn't.

My roommate uses his QFR with his MBP, so I can confirm it'll work with OSX 10.7 and 10.8

Keep in mind, though, that there are no dip switches to swap super and alt, like on the poker2, pure, etc.

[vatin]

I'm also a translator and type a lot. Kinesis Advantage makes my day gone by happily. It is a worthwhile investment.

[Kouni]

Hey, I'm also a translator, and I use a Filco Majestouch 2 with brown switches and o-rings. Very comfortable.

[tp4tissue]

wtf? there are this many translators on GH?

[CeeSA]

for a job with so many keystrokes I would urgently recommend you a programable keyboard.
So you program different languages or  layouts in different keyboard layers. Think about retyping phrases and so on.

Tipro or Access are very good companys with very good keyboards. It's even easier if you live in europe. Both come with Cherry MX Black switches.

Here are some ebay listings:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/TIPRO-Futuro-Kassentastatur-Part-No-30101-TMC-KMCV-C15-021-/380703233337?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item58a3ae5539
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kassen-Apotheker-Tastatur-USB-Tipro-TMC-KMCV-C13-038-VSA-Layout-T13-/271281870512?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item3f29a8d6b0

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Access-IS-Point-of-sale-Keyboard-P-N-AKEOCTC314-2-cleaned-tested-VG-condition-/300977030089?pt=UK_BOI_Retail_Shop_Fitting_POS_Equipment_ET&hash=item4613a103c9

[jedrys]

Tipro or Access are very good companys with very good keyboards. It's even easier if you live in europe. Both come with Cherry MX Black switches.

I don't think that a used keyboard for pharmacy or POS would be suitable for me

[CeeSA]

Buy a new one...