Author Topic: Do any of you bring your kb's with you when you're using your laptop outside of home? (Read 6561 times)

nocturn4l3030 · « **on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 16:52:52 »

My darn shift key broke off a while ago and i started geeking out with the thought of bringing my PLU87 along with my laptop whenever i go study at starbucks..i'm thinking that may be a little overboard though and was wondering if any GHers do this.. (i'm just hoping to justify myself -.- lol)

second thought... sometimes the starbucks tables are rather small and i'd be pretty crowded with a laptop, kb, and writing/paper room

theferenc · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 16:57:45 »

I take my HHKB with me to starbucks all the time. In fact, I take it everywhere. It's my travel keyboard.

My 15" laptop, the keyboard, and my motion tablet all fit on the tables well enough. I couldn't use them all at the exact same time, but then, I wouldn't want to either, so it works out.

J888www · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:01:43 »

Yes.
I need a certain distance from the Laptop screen else my vision is blurred. Secondly, after adjusting to typing on a SIIG Mini, I cannot type fluently on anything else.

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:02:08 »

lol ripster, i thought the GHers were just poking fun but you really are obsessed with that keyboard

and lol @ the picture

woody · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:05:19 »

Quote from: nocturn4l3030;281375

lol ripster, i thought the GHers were just poking fun but you really are obsessed with that keyboard

Nope, it's a part of his PhD thesis on manipulative behaviour.

J888www · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:06:25 »

We're all seriously addicted to keyboards and some of us are also seriously crazy, what some people consider as a joke may not necessarily be the original intention. :crazy:

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:19:24 »

yea that's definitely a good point as i have enough weight to carry around due to my fat school books

but if i remember correctly, isn't that keyboard a scissor switch? and if it is.. that'd be the same thing as my laptop and that would defeat the whole purpose and would be no fun now would it -.-;

i can see the use of it with the ipad though

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:26:47 »

ah yea it is... -.- i been dealing with it for a bit now just by using the capslock instead.... really i think i made this thread just to justify using my mechanical when i'm out -.-;;

/gomensai

steeef · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 17:35:44 »

Currently I bring my Filco tenkeyless between work and home, but I really want to just get another (or something similar) so I can keep one in both places. Normally I don't think I'd carry it around with me.

theferenc · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 18:52:28 »

Seriously, just try it yourself. At least my HHKB adds almost no discernable weight to my bag when I carry it around. A filco might, an IBM Mini would.

A noppoo or a HHKB are small enough that it shouldn't be much of an issue.

seung · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 19:41:48 »

Laptop keyboards are easily replaceable unless you have one with Mac style keys.

Tony · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 20:02:18 »

I think this is overboard but all Geekhackers do weird things anyway.

Most others would repair the laptop keyboard, but you don't. You don't want to type on that keyboard anymore, so you bring your mech keyboard with you.

For gaming, you will be excused. For typing, you will be excused only if the Starbuck manager is also a Geekhacker.

theferenc · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 20:15:16 »

I don't think this is overboard at all. People travel with external mice all the time. What's the difference? They don't like the built in input device, so they bring an alternative.

This is the same thing, just with a slightly larger device.

Though, I admit to being crazy. My first real keyboard was a HHKB, just because I liked the layout, and thought it felt nice to type on. I needed a new keyboard because I wore out my caps lock key (using it as a control key). I'm also a PhD student. We're nuts by definition.

I guess it comes down to this: do you care that other people in the coffee shop think you're weird? If you do, don't take your own keyboard. If you don't, take your keyboard, and have happy hands.

gore · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 20:15:49 »

Where ever my laptop goes one of my g84's goes with it.

nocturn4l3030 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 19 January 2011, 20:37:48 »

haha i think i got enough justification to do it..

jus gonna put on my earphones, my hoodie and not give a crap what people think -.-

lol...i might be a little overboard because i plan to otaku the board with a yellow skull clickcap key........... -.-;

Sam · « **Reply #15 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 00:45:41 »

At present, my IBM PC AT board goes along with my laptop most everyplace. Unfortunately it doesn't fit well into the case. I really don't care what anyone thinks when I pull it out, being I know I'm at least 100% more productive with it than with the built-in keyboard. I also bring a mouse to plug in.

I like to place the keyboard on my lap rather than on a table top, so actually it wouldn't look all that unusual in a Starbucks type setting. I don't however take my laptop to places like that. It's either used on-site when visiting customers, on a plane / airport lounge, or in my hotel room. If I have the need to visit a coffee shop or other such place, pulling out a laptop to work would be the last thing on my mind.

What I'd love to have is a buckling or beam spring mini keyboard that would fit easily inside my laptop case. I wouldn't care about the weight, but size is very important. It looks though like I'll be out of luck until I build my own. In the meantime if Lowpoly produces his Miniguru, I'll most likely purchase one of those to use.

The search for a nice external keyboard for use with my laptop is what originally led me to find Geekhack. I found the Miniguru announcements and then the (temporary) cancellation, and in searching for other alternatives found this site.

msiegel · « **Reply #16 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 00:53:22 »

Quote from: Sam;281585

PC AT board [...] in a Starbucks

the sound would be awe inspiring

agreed about the buckling mini keyboard. someday!

hfcobra · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 01:01:33 »

i dont take stuff with me, just cause i dont mind the laptop keyboard too much

it gets annoying, but i dont do much typing on the laptop, mostly for surfing the web and downloading some youtube videos and whatnot. I do homework, most typing, and forumgoing on my desktop

theferenc · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 01:02:12 »

Out of curiosity, as long as you don't cut the traces, you can dismember the membrane in a model M as much as you want, can't you?

If that's the case (and we can always try and find out), why couldn't we just sort of mod one into a HHKB sized mini? If the traces are flexible enough after mutilating them, we might even be able to swing around a pad for use as a function key.

I'm just thinking out loud here. It would require a new controller to be really feasible, though.

Or, hmmm...what about microswitches under the hammers instead of a membrane? You could make whatever layout you wanted. But then we're talking major engineering challenges.

Sam, msiegel, you just gave me a potentially awesome idea. I'm wondering if this would be even doable...and even if it is, how much it would cost...

Sam · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 01:55:54 »

Well hopefully I'll build one someday, if someone else doesn't beat me to it. Making a new controller shouldn't be too difficult. Likewise, a new PCB or other electronics is easy. Making new mechanical parts though is where the difficulty/expense comes in. Making a Cherry board looks to be much easier in comparison.

Anyways, anything I do will be quite a ways down the road, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone else does something first. Anything I do would also probably would be in an ergonomic direction, so not a mini like the current designs. Something without the staggered columns and split into two pieces. Oh, and I doubt seriously I'll use Model M type switches. It'll either be Model F type or Beam Springs.

Sam · « **Reply #20 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 02:03:17 »

Quote from: msiegel;281590

the sound would be awe inspiring

agreed about the buckling mini keyboard. someday!

Just for kicks, I ought to someday do that with one of my Beam Spring boards. Bringing in a Displaywriter or other 12-pound monster, I'd look a lot like the guy with the typewriter.

woody · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 02:27:40 »

Quote from: ripster;281593

Too bad the coffee sucks.

Coffee in Starbucks worries me much more than guys using their laptops there.

On the other hand, laptops are norm at this place, and best of all - their coffee is coffee!

itlnstln · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 06:41:06 »

I'll bring my HHKB on business trips or if I am going to be in all-day meetings. Otherwise, I prefer not to look like a dork.

Lanx · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 08:23:28 »

this is no different than using an external keypad on a laptop imo. Function+jkluio789= numpad for a laptop but i see many numpads around, external keyboard at starbucks is just a bit more. I mean it's easy enough to say, "laptop keyboard too small, i like a real sized keyboard"(not like ppl would really know size difference anyway).

Muhi · « **Reply #24 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 08:32:58 »

I may attach a tenkey, or a keyboard with a tenkey when I'm at my parents house using my laptop for work. Outside my home or my parents... no.

eMps · « **Reply #25 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 09:02:07 »

If I ever had to leave the apartment, I'd totally bring my HHKB. Oh, I'd also have to get a laptop.

kps · « **Reply #26 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 09:15:17 »

I take a full-sized keyboard on vacation, when I think I'll want the laptop for anything more than web browsing.

ironman31 · « **Reply #27 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 10:36:24 »

I did when I had my HHKB... and I will again when I get my Noppoo.

theferenc · « **Reply #28 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 10:58:01 »

Except if the internal keyboard is broken. Or for those of us who hate the feel of scissor switches.

It doesn't matter if you get it. Lots of people don't get that there are differences in keyboards at all, other than looks. For us, we know there are differences.

Some of us are pickier than others, apparently. And if you have a travel keyboard, why not make use of it?

db_Iodine · « **Reply #29 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 11:57:27 »

I do carry my Ducky around with my laptop when I know I'm going to type more than just my login password. Especially now that my Ducky has no logo's anywhere, it's really cool to carry around.

Switched the red Ducky key to a black blank one since that pic too.

theferenc · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:06:28 »

Quote from: ripster;281736

I find it easier to learn one layout 100% and get on with life.

Exactly. Which is why I carry my HHKB around with my laptop. As my laptop has the wrong layout.

Thanks for making my point for me.

db_Iodine · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:09:17 »

Quote from: ripster;281749

I kinda like the Angry Trojan Ducky key. I'm trading Moogle one for some modding work on his CapsLock key.

Wow - look at that BP Oil Spill Lasering job. I'm glad the Leopolds look better than that.

But my Angry Trojan Ducky key has a black Ducky on it. I'm not racist or anything but I just like the white one more.

thrab · « **Reply #32 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:22:45 »

I bring one with me but only use it if I am setting up for a while to do a lot of email or something. Just web browsing in a coffee shop I'd never whip it out.

Sugoi · « **Reply #33 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 12:24:21 »

My G84-5200 goes with me and my laptop whereever I go. It's been to countless places around the globe already.

lootbag · « **Reply #34 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 13:08:50 »

I take the HHKB along with my 17" notebook to studio in the architecture building on campus where I spend many long nights slaving away on 3D modeling and rendering.

Azuremen · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 13:10:22 »

Quote from: ripster;281736

You do sound picky.

I find it easier to learn one layout 100% and get on with life. And this is a pretty standard laptop layout.
Show Image

This, but it is more to use with my Mini9, as that is the only laptop I actually have. Though I do take it to work as well, since scissor switches still top cheap membrane keyboards.

At $18 USD, its about a tenth of what I have into my Filco, so certainly don't feel as bad about tossing it in my bag and then tossing the bag around as much.

Ascaii · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 13:23:55 »

I always carry a g84-4100 in my laptop bag. If i know I will be doing typing, compared to browsing, I take my black g80-1851 with mx blacks, which barely fits my laptop bag. Loud enough to irritate folks usually, but i cannot work on scissor switches.

woody · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 16:01:53 »

I'm not going out for coffee or drinks with most of you guys. ItlnStln seems a safe choice so far.

Phaedrus2129 · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 20 January 2011, 16:03:37 »

I did once or twice with my ML4100, but it wasn't worth it, since my PS/2->USB adapter sucked balls, and ML switches aren't very much better than the Lenovo's keyboard.

Maybe I would if I had a GHSS or HHKB.

Ascaii · « **Reply #39 on:** Sat, 22 January 2011, 12:02:37 »

Quote from: Phaedrus2129;281910

I did once or twice with my ML4100, but it wasn't worth it, since my PS/2->USB adapter sucked balls, and ML switches aren't very much better than the Lenovo's keyboard.

Maybe I would if I had a GHSS or HHKB.

My 4100 has usb =D.
Personally, i do prefer the ml over the switches in my horrible netbook. The kind of stuff people give you as a gift, thinking it is useful.^^

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Author Topic: Do any of you bring your kb's with you when you're using your laptop outside of home? (Read 6561 times)

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