Author Topic: Which laptop has the best keyboard?  (Read 4037 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline sudowork

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 30
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 02:17:07 »
In your opinions, what laptops do you think have the best built-in keyboards? Personally, I have an inclination towards older IBM ThinkPads.

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 03:44:32 »

Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 04:53:37 »
I don't know exactly, but I did try out the Lenovo Thinkpad X200 from a friend a few days ago and that keyboard is easily the best laptop board I've used in a long while.
Current collection: HHKB Pro 2 black on black, HHKB Pro 2 white/grey blank, [strike]Dell AT101W[/strike] (sold to SirClickAlot), 1992 Model M, Key Tronic Ergoforce KT 2001, BTC 5100 C. Dead boards: MS Natural Elite, MS Natural 4000.

Offline 002

  • Posts: 193
  • Topre Enthusiast
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:03:46 »
:eek: I bet it would hurt if that thing closed on your fingers.

Offline iMav

  • geekhack creator/founder
  • Location: Valley City, ND
  • "Τα εργαλεία σας είναι σημαντικά."
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:10:16 »
I'm in the minority, but I actually really like the Apple chicklet keyboards on the current MBP's.  No flex (thanks to the alu. unibody) and short throw scissor switches.  

All I really ask of a laptop keyboard is no mush, no flex, and short throw.  These keyboards deliver that.

Offline hyperlinked

  • Posts: 924
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:14:51 »
Quote from: iMav;173706
I'm in the minority, but I actually really like the Apple chicklet keyboards on the current MBP's.  No flex (thanks to the alu. unibody) and short throw scissor switches.

I find that there's actually a buckling springish quality to the MBP's chiclet keys. They're pretty stiff and they snap down with enough pressure. I actually have slight difficulty typing on it because I'm so used to my Cherry Browns. I don't always press hard enough and I miss a few keystrokes here and there.
-

Topre: Realforce 103U Cherry: Filco Majestouch 104 (Brown), Ione Scorpius M10 (Blue)
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M1391401 ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard II (Cream), ABS M1 (Fukka/Black), MicroConnectors Flavored USB (Black)
Domes: Matias Optimizer, Kensington ComfortType, Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Scissors: Apple Full Sized Aluminum
Pointy Stuff: Razer Imperator, Razer Copperhead, DT225 Trackball, Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech MX1000, Apple Mighty Mouse
Systems: MacPro, MacBook Pro, ASUS eeePC netbook, Dell D600 laptop, a small cluster of Linux Web servers
Displays: Apple Cinema Display 30", Apple Cinema Display 23"
Ergo Devices: Zody Chair, Nightingale CXO, Somaform, Theraball, 3M AKT180LE Keyboard Tray

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 05:50:56 »
Quote from: hyperlinked;173708
I find that there's actually a buckling springish quality to the MBP's chiclet keys


I'd start digging your trench now if I was you :P

Offline hyperlinked

  • Posts: 924
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 08:34:09 »
Quote from: ch_123;173712
I'd start digging your trench now if I was you :P

My inbox is full already. ;)

Of course I was being a bit intentionally blasphemous, but the MBP keys do have a bit of snap to them and it's not the same feels as on the aluminum chiclet boards. The aluminum board feels like your usual scissor switches.
-

Topre: Realforce 103U Cherry: Filco Majestouch 104 (Brown), Ione Scorpius M10 (Blue)
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M1391401 ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard II (Cream), ABS M1 (Fukka/Black), MicroConnectors Flavored USB (Black)
Domes: Matias Optimizer, Kensington ComfortType, Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Scissors: Apple Full Sized Aluminum
Pointy Stuff: Razer Imperator, Razer Copperhead, DT225 Trackball, Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech MX1000, Apple Mighty Mouse
Systems: MacPro, MacBook Pro, ASUS eeePC netbook, Dell D600 laptop, a small cluster of Linux Web servers
Displays: Apple Cinema Display 30", Apple Cinema Display 23"
Ergo Devices: Zody Chair, Nightingale CXO, Somaform, Theraball, 3M AKT180LE Keyboard Tray

Offline quadibloc

  • Posts: 770
  • Location: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
  • Layout Fanatic
    • John Savard's Home Page
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 09:56:53 »
I have one of those. (The IBM PS/2 model P70, as pictured in the second post.) Unfortunately, they don't have batteries in them. I even bought someone's old desktop 386 in order to get a 387 to add to it, so as to make it a more powerful computer.

Of course, the original poster was really asking about what current laptop, compatible with today's software and operating systems, has the best keyboard. Sadly, I don't think there is much choice, although the scissor-switch keyboard of laptops is somewhat better than the usual rubber dome for desktops.

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 10:47:37 »
This one.... a 286 w/Blue Cherries and Double Shots


IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline ricercar

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 1697
  • Location: Silicon Valley
  • mostly abides
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 20 April 2010, 11:00:56 »
I sent my Dolch PAC 60 keyboard to Dijamatic. He wanted Cherry blues more than I did.
I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.

Offline sudowork

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 30
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 21 April 2010, 01:18:23 »
As far as chiclets go, I just despise them personally - really dislike the lack of depth/spacing in between keys. I don't mind my MBP (2 generations ago) keyboard. Wish it had more depth though.

Offline DryDry

  • Posts: 49
Which laptop has the best keyboard?
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 21 April 2010, 01:40:20 »
i took my laptop on desktop with a kb……
I am not tall,not handsome,but a little bad……