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Author Topic: Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX  (Read 4570 times)

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Offline Ergonomic_Newb

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 10:13:02 »
I recently joined hoping to find a keyboard that will replace my extremely horrible Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard. Typing on this thing actually hurts my fingers.

So, in order to find a mechanical keyboard, I've been breaking my head over the limited options mac users have.

- I was excited about Noppoo Choc Mini, but saw the posts confirming that it did not work under OSX.

I'm looking for a keyboard with a similar setup (tenkeyless and arrow keys located flush to the normal keys). I also looked at the Filco Tenkeyless, but there is too much space occupied by the cursor/home/PgUp/PgDown keys.

HHKB Pro 2 is out, as its extremely expensive--but the setup seems perfect. Perhaps if a fellow geekhacker is selling one used.

This keyboard will be for 0% gaming, 100% typing documents/coding.

Any suggestions?
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Offline Ergonomic_Newb

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 10:57:02 »
Pretty much--that layout with any kind of mechanical switches.

And yes, I saw your post on the Dealextreme HHKB Killer :D
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Offline Salash

  • Posts: 21
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 11:01:24 »
ripster, why are you so avidly promoting that keyboard? Do you have money in on it.
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Offline keyboardlover

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  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 11:04:45 »
I'm pretty sure he's doing it for the lulz.
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Offline lootbag

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  • Location: HK
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 11:37:24 »
If you can afford the HHKB, get it, you won't regret it.
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Offline Salash

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 12:37:44 »
ripster you didn't answer my question.
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Offline gilgam

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 12:53:50 »
maybe a cherry, the G80-1800 seems to be not so bad.

My two cents
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Realforce 105 FR, HHKB Pro 2 black, 1 Raptor K1 Black Cherry and 1 Raptor K1 Red Cherry , Compag MX 11800  tBrown Cherry, G80-3000 Clear Cherry , G80-1000 Blue Cherry / Ghetto red, Lexmark 1992 SSK Buckling spring, Unicomp 2011 Customizer 102 Buckling spring
and a few rubber dome/scissors keyboards from Apple/Logitech

Offline itlnstln

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:03:45 »
The big question would be if you want to take it with you.  If so, get the HHKB.  If it's going to stay parked on your desk, get the Leopold tenkeyless or a Cherry G80-1800.
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Offline kpeezy

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:08:04 »
Truly, I'm surprised there aren't more keyboards that fit this bill.

I want something just like ripster's keyboard but with mechanical switches. I've played CS 1.6 for 12 years (and continue to do so) so any HHKB is out of the question. I need the control key in the bottom left. I'm thinking of getting the Choc Mini but I'm still looking for an alternative.
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Offline itlnstln

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Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:11:24 »
If you're using Windows, either the HHKB or the Choc Mini are great choices.  The KBC Poker will be an interestion option when it becomes more widely available.
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Offline Ascaii

  • Posts: 415
  • Location: Berlin, Germany
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:34:31 »
Quote from: gilgam;291303
maybe a cherry, the G80-1800 seems to be not so bad.

My two cents


ill second that.
I've been using an 1800 for the past few weeks and I don't think I'll be going back to a fullsize for most tasks.
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"Mechanical keyboards are like pokemon:
you start with one, and then you wanna catch em all."

Offline keyboardlover

  • Posts: 4022
  • Hey Paul Walker, Click It or Ticket!
    • http://www.keyboardlover.com
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #11 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 13:35:02 »
I thought it was the KBC "Poke-her". Doesn't it come with a free asian girl?
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Offline gilgam

  • Posts: 298
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 15:24:44 »
what is the kbc Poker ?
a new keyboard ?
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Realforce 105 FR, HHKB Pro 2 black, 1 Raptor K1 Black Cherry and 1 Raptor K1 Red Cherry , Compag MX 11800  tBrown Cherry, G80-3000 Clear Cherry , G80-1000 Blue Cherry / Ghetto red, Lexmark 1992 SSK Buckling spring, Unicomp 2011 Customizer 102 Buckling spring
and a few rubber dome/scissors keyboards from Apple/Logitech

Offline elbowglue

  • Posts: 583
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 07 February 2011, 15:39:48 »
The SMK-88 (which is pretty hard to find now-adays) is quite similar, especially for use with mac OS.

I have a used one in very good condition (originally property of Imav) in very good condition with cherry blues I will be listing on classifieds or ebay soon, probably price range is $150 range.  Anyhow here are some pics for your viewing pleasure.  Gimmie a PM if you wanna work something out, I'd be shipping from Northern California.




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My keyboards: Filco Cherry Blue Tenkeyless(daily home), Compaq MX11800 (modded to blacks), Compaq "MX 84u",  Wellington\'s Dampened Endurapro, Pinkalicious Filco Blue Cherry, Chicony KB-5191, Chicony KB-5181, Desko MOS 5023 UP "elbowglue" spos (modded to blues), Siig Minitouch (monterey blue), SMK-88 (blue cherries), Ricercar SPOS
Smallest to biggest keyboards in inches (Length X Height) - Length is most important for a midline mouse position
KBC Poker: 11.6 x 3.9 - HHKB: 11.6 x 4.3 - Siig Minitouch (Geekhack Space Saver): 11.6 x 6 - Deck/Tg3 82: 12 x 6 - Noppoo Choc Mini 12.4 x 5.3 - Compaq "MX 84u": 13.1 x 7.5 - Filco Tenkeyless: 14 x 5.3 - Cherry "ricercar spos" G86-62410EUAGSA: 14 x 7.75 - Topre Realforce 86u: 14.4 x 6.65 - Desko "elbowglue spos" MOS 5023 UP: 14.5 x 8.4 - IBM Model M Spacesaver: 15.3 x 7 - G80-1800: 15.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-125B: 16 x 7.3 - Compaq Mx11800, Cherry G80-11900: 16.25 x 7.5 - Filco Standard: 17.3 x 5.4 - Unicomp Endurapro: 17.9 x 7.1 - Adesso MKB-135B: 18.3 x 6.0 - Cherry G80-3000: 18.5 x 7.6 - IBM Model M, Unicomp Customizer: 19.3 x 8.27

Offline Ergonomic_Newb

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  • Posts: 4
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 08 February 2011, 19:55:56 »
elbowglue, sent you a PM :)
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Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 08 February 2011, 20:01:56 »
That's actually a pretty slick looking keyboard for a mac. Even if it does have those silly Cherry switches.
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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 Ergonomic_Newb

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  • Posts: 4
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 08 February 2011, 20:14:41 »
Haha. I'm new to the mech keyboard scene. Let's see how this goes--I hear the blues are the closest to the Model M's. Maybe one day, i'll upgrade to the HHKB Pro 2 :D

10 Years ago, I had 2 model M keyboards sitting around (along with a 386 and 486 computer), but when I moved--I chucked it. I wish I knew then....
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Offline theferenc

  • Posts: 1327
Mini Mechanical Keyboard and OSX
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 08 February 2011, 20:19:56 »
Honestly, the closest thing to the Model M is the Unicomp. Which makes sense, considering they are actually the same keyboard.

It's a shame you can't afford the HHKB, it's an awesome little bugger. Even my computer-phobic family likes it, though they took a while to adapt to the layout differences. But since my computers have always had sun style keyboards attached to them, they've had practice in the past.
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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
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