Are all HHKBs Topre?

[blondie]

I just discovered that HHKBs are Topre. I have had, if I remember correctly, an HHKB lite 2 USB for probably over 20 years. Now it seems that people have strong emotions towards Topre keyboards. But,I don't remember any particular feeling when first starting to type on this keyboard, nor none now. So, I am wondering if this one is a Topre keyboard or not. Or, maybe I just don't have sufficient sensitivity in my fingers (more likely).

[YALE70]

IIRC, the early PS/2 HHKBs and the Lite/Lite 2 models all used standard rubber domes. Everything else (with the sole exception of the Studio) is Topre.

[blondie]

Thanks! Now maybe I should look for a more recent HHKB to try out.

[Rob27shred]

IIRC, the early PS/2 HHKBs and the Lite/Lite 2 models all used standard rubber domes. Everything else (with the sole exception of the Studio) is Topre.

You are correct the HHKB Lite models are regular rubber dome KBs. A far cry from their Topre brethren IMHO.

[tp4tissue]

Except, Topre = Rubber dome.

There is no difference. Don't let advertising fool ya. That's exactly what you're buying.

Been saying it for years.

It's an obsolete technology.

No rapid trigger, low polling rate, inconsistent over time as dome wear hardens unevenly and shifts the weight of keys. 


Induction rod keyswitches are the future.

[bansheetango]

HHKB Studio is MX.

[Rob27shred]

Except, Topre = Rubber dome.

There is no difference. Don't let advertising fool ya. That's exactly what you're buying.

Been saying it for years.

It's an obsolete technology.

No rapid trigger, low polling rate, inconsistent over time as dome wear hardens unevenly and shifts the weight of keys. 


Induction rod keyswitches are the future.

I mean you're not wrong Topre sure does use a rubber dome for the actuation & return of the key. Although it is disingenuous to lump it in with cheap membrane rubber dome KBs. Topre OEM domes are made from better rubber & have a more consistent weighting from dome to dome, they do harden a bit over time causing them to feel heavier than their stated weighting. Also a lot of Topre enjoyers seek out vintage aged domes since they are supposedly more consistent feeling dome to dome & before the explosion of aftermarket domes would give you weightings otherwise unavailable. I've never been huge on Topre myself, but would never go as far as saying they're no different than cheap membrane rubber dome KBs.

[tp4tissue]

Also a lot of Topre enjoyers seek out vintage aged domes..

They're the same people who buy lifestyle brand speakers.

It would be too offensive to say they're morons, but their intelligence is at approximately the same lvl.

[TheSoulhunter]

Except, Topre = Rubber dome.

*Glorified Rubberdome

Interesting to see you are still onto this. Just like 10y ago when I was last active here

[aleck]

Also a lot of Topre enjoyers seek out vintage aged domes..

They're the same people who buy lifestyle brand speakers.

It would be too offensive to say they're morons, but their intelligence is at approximately the same lvl.

That's quite the libel for something so trivial as a person's keyswitch of choice and this is a debate that will never end... but I'll bite.
I love Topre, it feels nice and light to type on, native N-key rollover is a huge plus and dust barely affects it so I'll never get double keypresses. Overpriced? A little, the EC assembly is not a cheap one, but it will last.
The folks who just like the feel but are more well adjusted members of society will get a Realforce. I don't know nowadays, but back then a lot of people bought an HHKB (or more) as a status symbol because it looked cool and cute or whatever, to me the HHKB is a tool, I work with the command line and its tools every day, it is an actual enhancement, so much so that if I had to ditch Topre and use an HHKB Lite with regular rubber domes, I would. No matter how many cutting edge features you bake into an MX style switch, I will always go back to Topre because I just like it, and the HHKB layout is perfect for me and what I do.