order HHKB

[henz]

Im about to order a HHKB, And im not sure which one i want. Please give some pointers, which model and why i should order it.

[Air tree]

Do you want the JIS model or the ANSI layout? That's pretty much all you need to decide beside the colour...

[henz]

think im going with the ANSI. Colors and S or not im guessing.

is there a different feel with the S?

[Air tree]

think im going with the ANSI. Colors and S or not im guessing.

is there a different feel with the S?

The type S in my opinion is not worth it, considering with a little easy DIY work, You can replicate the same thing for far cheaper...

The type s is just the silenced version of the stock HHKB. And by silenced, it takes away the annoying "Clack" upstroke and just leaves you with the thock sound. But as I said before, it can be achieved with some cheap DIY work.

The black on black HHKB is nice, it can be sometimes hard to read if you are in low light level, but beside that, it's purely up to what you think looks better.

[Sencha]

The type s ruins the feeling and sound of topre switches. Get try the stock white

[trees]

i personally much prefer the look of the white.

[TopreFan333]

I really like the black body / white keys combo, but you've got to spend a bit extra to do that. The black-on-black keys are pretty hard to read. Not a big deal for touch-typing, but if you're anything like me, you're going to be looking down a lot at first to find the arrow keys on the FN layer.

For my money, I'd just buy the Type S if I wanted a silenced version, versus doing all that work and changing the key travel and feel of the keyboard. But yeah, the sound of the regular HHKB is quite nice and very unlikely to annoy anyone around you.

[Air tree]

I really like the black body / white keys combo, but you've got to spend a bit extra to do that. The black-on-black keys are pretty hard to read. Not a big deal for touch-typing, but if you're anything like me, you're going to be looking down a lot at first to find the arrow keys on the FN layer.

For my money, I'd just buy the Type S if I wanted a silenced version, versus doing all that work and changing the key travel and feel of the keyboard. But yeah, the sound of the regular HHKB is quite nice and very unlikely to annoy anyone around you.

Ironed landing pads don't really change the travel distance, though. Out of all the methods, that seems to be among the  best.

[derb2k2]

I might just be the only tard who couldn't do the landing pad mod correctly. I found the circular opening of the pad to be too narrow for the barrel of the stem and many times I couldn't localize it all the way to the bottom at the base. The pad would 'run up' and not stay down there. Additionally, there is no real congruence in the pads are ironing each one. Just seemed too tedious...in my experience.

I heartily disagree with dchadwick on the noise of the regular HHKB. I think the clack is audible enough to annoy those working around you and I got confirmation of this from someone at my job. This is what initially prompted me to try all the known silencing mods so I would be careful. The up-stroke 'clack' is pretty annoying...in my experience.

Think about where you'll be using the HHKB

[dndlmx]

Type S is for goofies looking for an excuse to spend much $ as possible.

[absyrd]

Stock hhkb = God hhkb

[iamtootallforthis]

Stock hhkb = God hhkb

I don't know. I really enjoy my 55g Type S.

[nickheller]

I really like the black body / white keys combo, but you've got to spend a bit extra to do that. The black-on-black keys are pretty hard to read. Not a big deal for touch-typing, but if you're anything like me, you're going to be looking down a lot at first to find the arrow keys on the FN layer.

For my money, I'd just buy the Type S if I wanted a silenced version, versus doing all that work and changing the key travel and feel of the keyboard. But yeah, the sound of the regular HHKB is quite nice and very unlikely to annoy anyone around you.

I just looked up what the white keys looked like on the black hhkb and it was sweet!

[iamtootallforthis]

I really like the black body / white keys combo, but you've got to spend a bit extra to do that. The black-on-black keys are pretty hard to read. Not a big deal for touch-typing, but if you're anything like me, you're going to be looking down a lot at first to find the arrow keys on the FN layer.

For my money, I'd just buy the Type S if I wanted a silenced version, versus doing all that work and changing the key travel and feel of the keyboard. But yeah, the sound of the regular HHKB is quite nice and very unlikely to annoy anyone around you.

I just looked up what the white keys looked like on the black hhkb and it was sweet!

Opposite keys on either board are awesome! I love both looks, but am partial to the stormtrooper boards.

[Bucake]

legend-less white-grey, holmes.

[derb2k2]

blank white caps on black body looks most magnificent. I had mine like this and got many envious looks. Definitely the best way to go.

[Halverson]

legend-less white-grey, holmes.

Yup, blank white/grey stock is most sexy.

[Air tree]

legend-less white-grey, holmes.

Yup, blank white/grey stock is most sexy.

Everytime I look at vespers photos I think "I'm regretting my black HHKB"

Then I realise I'm not vesper and It wouldn't look a modicum as nice as vespers does. 

[nickheller]

Only reason I have not bought a HHKB is because I can not decide on color, I may have to get both...

[dndlmx]

Just get black gray, most monitors computer periphs are all black. Swap optional white caps for added style...

[TopreFan333]

I heartily disagree with dchadwick on the noise of the regular HHKB. I think the clack is audible enough to annoy those working around you and I got confirmation of this from someone at my job. This is what initially prompted me to try all the known silencing mods so I would be careful. The up-stroke 'clack' is pretty annoying...in my experience.

I guess it depends on your coworkers. I am actually using a Type Heaven at work, which has a bit more "clack" at the top, and nobody has said a thing. My GF absolutely loves the sound of the HHKB, which is awesome. Personally, I think the upstroke clack is a sound you only get annoyed with if you focus on it. But yeah, to each their own -- for anyone trying to decide, I'd say watch some of those YouTube comparison videos with headphones on.

[cheebs]

There is no "replicating" the Type-S unless you transplant the Type-S sliders onto a stock HHKB and then add your own foam rings.  The  modifications that exist are compromised by a shorter stroke that messes with the tactile response.  Either buy the normal HHKB with no intentions of performing a "silencing mod" to it, or buy the Type -S.  Having owned both, I prefer the Type-S as the normal one is actually quite loud and I want to be as stealthy as possible when I need to be. 

[Axollott]

Does anybody know what is the best place to order a HHKB from Japan? Preferably a place willing to ship it internationally with English speaking reps. Or Spanish

[sorijealut]

Does anybody know what is the best place to order a HHKB from Japan? Preferably a place willing to ship it internationally with English speaking reps. Or Spanish

We like recommending a forwarding service like Tenso. I ordered from Rakuten (if they have the promotion for that site) to send to Tenso warehouse, then it gets shipped to me.
Really cheap shipping when they have the 3000 yen off intl. shipping promo.

You could try looking at other forwarding options too.

[fanpeople]

I just got mine from Amazon, I think they have pretty decent prices. But I did pay extra for quicker shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B000EXZ0VC/ref=sr_1_1_olp?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1433553265&sr=8-1&keywords=hhkb&condition=new

$225 plus free shipping.

PS HHKB is just outstanding, I like the sound it makes and wouldn't dream of silencing it, mind you I was using an SSK before so it sounds like it has already been silenced.

[absyrd]

This is getting too complicated.

Thread title is "order HHKB".

Do what title said.

Be happy.

[TimIsABat]

You should definitely just jump and get it.

I don't have the Type S, but I still want to silence my board (I'm lazy..anyone got an easy tutorial?).

The sound isn't too bad though.

It is super smooth, has a great tactility, and the keys are amazing right from the get go.

My only advice is getting a good cable (someone source me one please). I am having some connectivity issues with my laptop (hoping it goes away when I build a PC), but I have to have my cable at certain angles for it to work. Otherwise it is super responsive, great tactile feel, and even bottoming out is not harsh on this. The form factor is just amazing, and even with gaming it is responsive and quick (CS:GO and LoL player which both require quick responses on the keyboard).

Definitely worth the buy. You'll make all your friends jealous on it's amazingness. All my friends that collect have MX boards and are dying to try my HHKB.

PS: Pairing this with a good trackball mouse for ergonomics and small form factor is amazing right now.

[steve.v]

Type S is for goofies looking for an excuse to spend much $ as possible.

Type-S means it's silenced modded; like in an office environment. Useful for people work wants a quiet Topre board without the hassle of modding one with pads.

[fuzzybaffy]

Never used the HHKB so can't speak on the keyboard itself, but I really dislike the black keys on my Realforce. I can touch type the letters, but it becomes a real hassle when I have to use the number row and the @#$&@$ keys. Even after a few months I still haven't gotten used to it.

[Gaspar]

I'd go with the white/gray Pro 2 myself. Unless you want it as silent as possible and don't want the moddind hassles.

[henz]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

[a_ak57]

The  modifications that exist are compromised by a shorter stroke that messes with the tactile response.

Eh, my experience is that with spiceBar's ironed pad mod, the change is feel is pretty close to zero.  The compromise really becomes a matter of money vs time at that point, rather than money vs feeling + time.
 

[Macsmasher]

There is no "replicating" the Type-S unless you transplant the Type-S sliders onto a stock HHKB and then add your own foam rings.  The  modifications that exist are compromised by a shorter stroke that messes with the tactile response.  Either buy the normal HHKB with no intentions of performing a "silencing mod" to it, or buy the Type -S.  Having owned both, I prefer the Type-S as the normal one is actually quite loud and I want to be as stealthy as possible when I need to be. 

I thought the HHKB Type-S was like the RF 87U silent in that they used a different switch housing so that key travel is the same. However, reading PFU's specs on the Type-S say that key travel is reduced to 3.8mm because of the silencing. So evidently, FPU just adds silencing to their standard switch housing. Check it out for yourself...


http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/hhkbpro2_types/feature.html

[cheebs]

There is no "replicating" the Type-S unless you transplant the Type-S sliders onto a stock HHKB and then add your own foam rings.  The  modifications that exist are compromised by a shorter stroke that messes with the tactile response.  Either buy the normal HHKB with no intentions of performing a "silencing mod" to it, or buy the Type -S.  Having owned both, I prefer the Type-S as the normal one is actually quite loud and I want to be as stealthy as possible when I need to be. 

I thought the HHKB Type-S was like the RF 87U silent in that they used a different switch housing so that key travel is the same. However, reading PFU's specs on the Type-S say that key travel is reduced to 3.8mm because of the silencing. So evidently, FPU just adds silencing to their standard switch housing. Check it out for yourself...


http://www.pfu.fujitsu.com/hhkeyboard/hhkbpro2_types/feature.html

Interesting!  I suppose I've never stumbled across that page, perhaps because it's in Japanese..  I think, then, the challenge would be getting ahold of similar foam rings, as others seem to be too thick or made of the wrong material.  Here's a snippet by Hypersphere that I found on Deskthority.

"They are quite thin (less than about 0.2 mm) and glossy black in color. The surfaces look shiny and smooth, not like open-cell foam material. Although they don't seem compressible, they work very well to dampen the return-stroke clack of Topre switches. The sliders from the Type-S appeared identical to those in a standard HHKB Pro 2."

[rsadek]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

Congrats! I did the same and I love it. Do you love it?


This video dissects the different parts of the sound; I found it helpful
http://youtu.be/AWUNzAV-geA


I'd like to add two cents.
   The Pro 2  and Type-S loudness is not only a function of the board but also the typist. If one pounds on either, it is loud. My HHKB typing is less loud than my officemate typing on the (very common) MS Natural 4000. 
I use my HHKB in the same room as my sleeping spouse, it has never woken her. She has no complaints with the sound.
I use it when working together in various coworkers quiet offices, also with no complaints.
   So if  one's coworkers are sensitive, sure your typing may annoy them. I imagine many things annoy them,  bc I am that coworker who is bothered by every noise! I am that guy! I'm annoyed by noise more than anyone I've met.


   Yet, I can tell you this, the loudness of my HHKB two feet from my ears is less loud than my coworkers' typing, despite a10-foot distance!


   Sure the upstroke can clack, but this is up to the typist. When you hold the key the whole way through the downstroke and upstroke it doesn't snap to the top. Release gently; attain oneness with cup rubber; hear neither thock nor clack and know peace.


   In seriousness, I played with the Type-S at length. I loved it, I still love it. But didn't find it all that quiet. In fact it's noise annoyed me. What noise it does make has mostly high frequency energy which is less pleasing, more noticeable and more irritating. But this is really splitting hairs. Both are wonderful, amazing boards. I'll probably own both eventually. So buy either without regret and type Happy.


   Finally, I find that the black on grey keys force me to stop and think about those rarely used keys. Pausing each time to think recall where is ($,&,#,%,^) is helping me learn the board better, and to focus. Thereby typing better; deliberate thought leading to deliberate motion. To softer, smoother motion. To greater focus. To quietude. To....Oneness.


-R

[henz]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

Congrats! I did the same and I love it. Do you love it?

Keyboard have not yet arrived. Im located in sweden and i ordered from elitekeyboards. Currently the keyboard is in Köln germany

[Bucake]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

Congrats! I did the same and I love it. Do you love it?

Keyboard have not yet arrived. Im located in sweden and i ordered from elitekeyboards. Currently the keyboard is in Köln germany

i can't get myself to buy the hhkb or realforce because of the shipping costs + import charges
it literally becomes at least 1,5x the price of the keyboard itself..

i already imported one keyboard from japan..
i still cry myself to sleep every night

[henz]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

Congrats! I did the same and I love it. Do you love it?

Keyboard have not yet arrived. Im located in sweden and i ordered from elitekeyboards. Currently the keyboard is in Köln germany

i can't get myself to buy the hhkb or realforce because of the shipping costs + import charges
it literally becomes at least 1,5x the price of the keyboard itself..

i already imported one keyboard from japan..
i still cry myself to sleep every night

My job is paying

[rsadek]

I went for the dark gray stock. I have jtk sliders coming in so i decided the dark gray case looks the best. It wont matter much when i get the ALU case, Whenever that is though.

Congrats! I did the same and I love it. Do you love it?

Keyboard have not yet arrived. Im located in sweden and i ordered from elitekeyboards. Currently the keyboard is in Köln germany

i can't get myself to buy the hhkb or realforce because of the shipping costs + import charges
it literally becomes at least 1,5x the price of the keyboard itself..

i already imported one keyboard from japan..
i still cry myself to sleep every night

Wow that sucks! I can't understand why they don't sell it outside Japan, it seems like they would make a lot of sales in the EU if it weren't so crazy expensive.