HHKB white vs black

[brkim1324]

I purchased my HHKB pro 2 online, but it's not yet shipped yet.
I ordered in black with letters,
but thinking about changing it to white.

I like the white color more, but just scared that any minor scratches or stains
will be so noticeable, or getting yellow, or getting shiny.
Any cosmetic problems for white?

And how are the letter wears for HHKB?

If there is not much problem for HHKB white version, I will change it to white

Please help!

[slueth]

If your anal about your stuff then maybe.  If you see an imperfection, you go nuts then you should get black.

[brkim1324]

If your anal about your stuff then maybe. If you see an imperfection, you go nuts then you should get black.

Just want to keep my very expensive keyboard good as new always
I heard PBT r resistant of being yellow, but just wanna maker sure from the actual users! such as other cosmetic problems too as I stated above.
do the black ones really get shiny?

[slueth]

I think you should just get white.  Treat it good and if its gets shiny or yellows or etc, just means you loved it long time.  Like a couple that has been married together along time.  Don't be shallow!
You can always buy replacement caps lol.

[002]

I thought that white boards were more durable than blacks when it comes to key wear?
Only owning white Realforce boards, I guess I can't really say for sure. I think the general consensus though is that it's harder to notice shiny keys on a white keyboard.

[CephalicCarnage]

Yes.  Generally it seems shiny keys are less noticeable on white keyboards.  I also find that dust is more visible on black keyboards.... although dirt, mud, ketchup, car grease etc. would probably show up more on the white keyboard

With such a nice keyboard, it shouldn't be too much trouble to be obsessive about keeping it clean and looking its best.  I think owning a keyboard like the HHKB Pro2 is a good way to break your habit of having food/snacks/beverages near your keyboard :lol:

[brkim1324]

Yes. Generally it seems shiny keys are less noticeable on white keyboards. I also find that dust is more visible on black keyboards.... although dirt, mud, ketchup, car grease etc. would probably show up more on the white keyboard

Does the material of black version of keycap different with white version? From the picture of it, the white HHKB keycaps look more like a normal keyboard's material (like Filco's, smooth)
while black one look more like rock, durable. Are they the same material?

[002]

I'm going to guess and say "Yes, it's the same".
It's probably the same way that black cars tend to show dirt more than white cars.

[RiGS]

The dust on a white keyboard is much less visible. Also PBT plastic doesn't yellow over time.

[chongyixiong]

Why not buy both and swap the keys around?

But I like my whites better - black shows dust much more easier

[hcry4]

Why not buy both...

 
Yes.

[brkim1324]

Very few arguments are Black and White.

haha true. I just sent an email to EK wanting to change it to whites.
I've been using black keyboards for quite long time now, about 5 years.
Before 5 years was one of my favorite membrane keyboard of White Logitech Media Keyboard.
For $20, in my opinion, that keyboard was legendary in the type feeling, convenience, and price wise. That keyboard was white XD.
And I loved it, gave it to my little brother, was using it even about a year ago.
Although I offered my little brother for a change to new keyboard, he insisted of using it, despite the fact it was getting nasty. And he was 4th grade at that time.
I thought to myself, damn even 4th grade child knows that keyboard is better than new keyboard he might get even when it's getting nasty, yellowish, malfunctioning.
But I did buy him a new keyboard later on, and asked him why he didn't want to change. And his reason was same as mine
I was kinda surprised at that time, when young teenagers most of the time prefer NEW and shiny, pretty things. I thought to myself, that's my little brother, knowing stuff :-)
Hoping my new White keyboard will serve me in that purpose too. If that's they case, all the best keyboards I've been using will be White XD.

[noodles256]

HHKB white ftw, if I got one it would be white

[brkim1324]

The one I was talking about in the comment above noodles was Logitech access multimedia keyboard. But it's not the one with blue palm rest, it was white. Can't seem to find the correct image for it. I bought it from Korea, and they don't produce it anymore. They are made little bit differently from country to country, although they are called the same. The Logitech media keyboard is BAD... It's a totally different keyboard. Just for the info.

[Hypersphere]

I got the black version, but the legends were too difficult to read. Therefore, I put a new set of white/light gray keycaps on it to enhance legibility. The combination of the black case with the light keycaps looks modern and attractive.

[s0ckpupp3t]

I got the black version, but the legends were too difficult to read. Therefore, I put a new set of white/light gray keycaps on it to enhance legibility. The combination of the black case with the light keycaps looks modern and attractive.

Pics or it didn't happen! 

[ValerieV]

Okay, dumb question but here goes: I had a HHKB white and black model. The black one sounded a little louder or different somehow than the white. Have any of you guys noticed that? there is no reason why it should but to me it did. Thanks.

[rowdy]

Okay, dumb question but here goes: I had a HHKB white and black model. The black one sounded a little louder or different somehow than the white. Have any of you guys noticed that? there is no reason why it should but to me it did. Thanks.

Were you using them on the same desk under the same circumstances?  Environment sometimes has a big impact on how a keyboard sounds.

[ValerieV]

Yes same desk same circumstances. Do you think the keycaps are weighed differently from the black and white ones? Thanks.

[rowdy]

Yes same desk same circumstances. Do you think the keycaps are weighed differently from the black and white ones? Thanks.

Shouldn't do - they are all same profile and same material (presumably - I have only white HHKB).

[Hellmark]

White shows dirt more. Your skin leaves a lot of gunk behind and it builds up. Guy at work keeps things clean, but his white keyboard still has brown stains.

[rowdy]

White shows dirt more. Your skin leaves a lot of gunk behind and it builds up. Guy at work keeps things clean, but his white keyboard still has brown stains.

White shows dark dirt more.

Black shows light dirt more.

[czarek]

White looks cool but yellows as the case is ABS. My best bet is black case and white keys. It looks cool and won't yellow as keys are PBT. Well, apart from space bar.

[Hypersphere]

Yes, my first HHKB Pro 2 was the black version. I put a new set of white/light gray keycaps on it for legibility. I agree that the combination of the black case and the light-colored keycaps looks great. It is a good blend of retro and modern.

[ValerieV]

I agree with that. I wish they had more colors to choose from. 

[Hypersphere]

I agree with that. I wish they had more colors to choose from. 

There are some other options, such as exchanging some of the keycaps with those from a Realforce 87u/104u set, which are available in various colors. There is also a red Esc keycap available. The tradeoffs include the fact that the right-shift will not fit and the correct Fn-layer legends will be missing.

However, one of the many advantages of the HHKB Pro 2 is that the stock keycaps look fine (especially the legible white/gray ones!), and the option of putting the light keycaps on the black case is a sufficient modification for me.

[Yorkshire]

If i where to buy one i'd go for the white, i find it so much nicer then the black.Plus its easier to see at night.