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Author Topic: Realforce 87U  (Read 3805 times)

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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 21:13:15 »
So, I have a friend going home to Korea over the semester break, and he's also a keyboard guy, so when I mentioned the 87u he seemed rather interested.

I'm considering having him pick me one up as well, but I can't decide if it is worth it or not, as I already own a HHKB.

Anyone care to offer advice? Specifically:

1) What are the advantages of the 87 over the 86 (which apparently will be available in black soonish at EKB)?
2) Would you prefer the variable weighting, or the all 55?
3) Is it worth it, if I already have the HHKB?
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Offline BucklingSpring

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 21:17:56 »
Realforce is a great board. I prefer all 55g but that's a matter of taste.
I'm no speester. So this is not the opinion of the ultimest typist ;-)
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Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 21:25:09 »
Quote from: theferenc

1) What are the advantages of the 87 over the 86 (which apparently will be available in black soonish at EKB)?
2) Would you prefer the variable weighting, or the all 55?
3) Is it worth it, if I already have the HHKB?


1. The advantages of the 87 over the 86 are: lighted caps lock key, extra windows key, built-in numpad. If you can live without those features, an 86U will almost surely be less expensive.

2. I personally prefer variable (and it won the poll I created btw) but 55g is nice too - just heavier.

3. Depends on whether or not you want a topre keyboard with a tenkeyless US ANSI layout...
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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 21:57:13 »
Quote from: keyboardlover;258398
3. Depends on whether or not you want a topre keyboard with a tenkeyless US ANSI layout...


I'm not married to the tenkeyless versions, it was more of a uniqueness factor, honestly.

My other thought is that I have 2 buckling springs in full 101 key layouts, so I could do BS for full, topre for compact. But there is a huge price difference, as I recall.

Do the tenkeyless have a different feel to them as compared to the full size realforces?
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CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 21:59:33 »
Quote from: theferenc

Do the tenkeyless have a different feel to them as compared to the full size realforces?


No. My 87U variable has the same feel as my 103U variable.
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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 22:07:11 »
That's true, Ripster. Thanks!
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline ironman31

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 23:39:10 »
Definitely buy the Realforce. You'll be happy with it over the HHKB.

With the help of me, itlnstln, (and anyone else who feels the Realforce has superior key feel over the HHKB) we shall convince every HHKB owner to at least try a Realforce keyboard.

(I'm not officially speaking for anyone but myself)
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Keyboards:
IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (Used), HHKB Pro 2 (White, Lettered), Realforce 87U all-45g in White, Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with Cherry MX Browns, Model F PC/AT,  Noppoo Choc Mini (MX Browns), Model F XT, IBM Model M 1397735 (bought NIB), (2) Siig Minitouch (GHSS) one with XM, one with complicated ALPs (modded),2 Dell AT101W, Cherry G80-11900HRMUS (modded with MX browns)


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Offline victheslik

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 06 December 2010, 23:43:03 »
-
« Last Edit: Sun, 26 November 2023, 22:31:15 by victheslik »
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Offline itlnstln

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:11:27 »
If I were to get a tenkeyless 'board the 87U would be it.  The virtual numpad makes it a winner.

Good to see you, victheslik.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:20:58 »
Quote from: itlnstln;258585
If I were to get a tenkeyless 'board the 87U would be it.  The virtual numpad makes it a winner.

I've yet to use my virtual numpad...seems kinda pointless since I can't see the keys...
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Offline itlnstln

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:23:15 »
Why do you need to see the keys?
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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:24:12 »
Why do you need to see them? Isn't the 4 on the J? So you have a nice little nub to orient yourself.

It would be better, I think, if the 5 was on the J, just to give it a familiar location to your fingers, but, I'll take what I can get.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 07:26:35 »
Quote from: itlnstln;258589
Why do you need to see the keys?

I haven't memorized the placement of the numpad keys...
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Offline wanabe

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 16:19:13 »
a little off topic...is the 86U available in an all 55g configuration?
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Offline ironman31

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 17:04:55 »
Quote from: wanabe;259074
a little off topic...is the 86U available in an all 55g configuration?


no
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Keyboards:
IBM Model M Space Saving Keyboard (Used), HHKB Pro 2 (White, Lettered), Realforce 87U all-45g in White, Filco Majestouch 2 TKL with Cherry MX Browns, Model F PC/AT,  Noppoo Choc Mini (MX Browns), Model F XT, IBM Model M 1397735 (bought NIB), (2) Siig Minitouch (GHSS) one with XM, one with complicated ALPs (modded),2 Dell AT101W, Cherry G80-11900HRMUS (modded with MX browns)


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Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 18:04:37 »
I've updated a bunch of the buying links and added some other stuff - anything specific you had in mind?
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Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 18:45:15 »
Good call. I'm on it.

Edit: Updated. I'll update it again when EK starts shipping the black 86U.
« Last Edit: Tue, 07 December 2010, 19:13:34 by keyboardlover »
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Offline spolia optima

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 19:45:44 »
If this were me it would be about the money. I'd ask myself questions like
Would you describe $250 as "a lot of money"?
Yes I would
Is $250 enough to pay half your rent?
It's half of double my rent so yeah.
Do you care?
No, just give me the damn keyforce.
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Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 19:51:20 »
An Indian friend of mine once said "It's not about spending less...it's about making more". I think if you tell yourself that you can justify nearly anything =)

(Not necc. recommending that tho).
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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 07 December 2010, 22:59:57 »
Well, it's also that if I don't like, selling an 87u here...I don't think it will be much of a problem.

Honestly, unless it feels much nicer than my HHKB, it will likely be sold. But, come on, friend going to korea, can pick up a rare board for me...even if I don't keep it, someone here will be happy to take it off my hands. And if I do, it's supposed to be an amazing board.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #20 on: Wed, 08 December 2010, 05:43:52 »
If you don't like it, I'll buy it (for a good price).

BTW, how much is it costing you from Korea?
« Last Edit: Wed, 08 December 2010, 05:48:03 by keyboardlover »
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Offline theferenc

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #21 on: Wed, 08 December 2010, 08:09:38 »
He leaves the states on the 15th, said he would look into it when he gets home, and then let me know. As soon as I know, I'll let you know.

When I checked the Leopold site, and did the conversion from the won, it was a little over $300 though, which kinda shocked me. So we'll see.
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HHKB Pro 2 -- Custom UNIX layout Unicomp Customizer 101 -- IBM Model M 1391401 (modded to UNIX layout) -- IBM 1397000 (also UNIX layout) -- SSK in UNIX layout -- Model F 122 key in UNIX layout (Soarer USB "native")
 
CST L-TracX trackball -- Kensington Expert Mouse trackball

Offline keyboardlover

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Realforce 87U
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 08 December 2010, 09:52:42 »
Quote from: theferenc;259506
When I checked the Leopold site, and did the conversion from the won, it was a little over $300 though, which kinda shocked me. So we'll see.

If its that much I won't buy it lol. I found mine on eBay like new for $237. I'm a cheapskate.
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