Help decide between realforce 45g and HHKB 2 Pro

[Zhuni]

Hey guys,

Need a little guidance from those with experience. Having worked my way through the cherries (reds, blues, blacks and browns) my favourites have been brown.

But after watching a few yourtube vids and listening to the topres I have fallen in love with the "thock" sound.

I will be about 60% gaming 40% typing.

For cost I can get the TKL black realforce uniform 45g for somewhere close to £200 from keyboardco next month.

For the HHBK2 it will be £200 plus import tax and shipping. Which looks like it could be close to £260. Which as I write this does look crazy.

I like the look of the layout but on balance both will be perfect for me. The keyboard will be used at home on my desk only, so portability is no issue.

I guess the HHBK just looks really cute and cool which is probably a fairly stupid reason to get a top end keyboard.

So can those with experience with both chime in and let me know your thoughts.

Even though I'd love the HHKB I'm sort of thinking paying the £60 premium over the topre is a little silly. Although I did see a Japanese eBay vendor doing them for £200 shipped and having ordered a few things from Japan I've not had to pay taxes on those orders. However its still a risk I should factor in.

[theferenc]

Honestly, it's just an issue of layout and slight build quality differences. Not that the HHKB is built poorly, but the realforce is amazingly well built.

If you're a UNIX user, go HHKB. If you're not, you might be better served with the realforce, as it has a standard layout (and a UK layout as well, yes?).

Also, the HHKB takes some getting used to, if you're a long time ANSI/ISO user.

[redpill]

HHKBs are nifty and novel, but I don't think I could have one as my main keyboard.  I'd say a Realforce is a better choice, and if you really want a chic little mini you can always pick up a KBC Poker or Nippoo Mini with some nice cherry switches for fun later.

[Zhuni]

Perfect responses from all 3 of you gents. TBH the more I typed my OP the more I could see how far I was leaning towards the realforce....so much so that I nearly didnt hit "submit"

I will pick up the 45gram uniform one form keyboardco next month and report back. And good call repill on the poker. I may grab one of those with some browns.

[~Blood~]

I'm getting one of those two :3

I'm waiting for 3 different items to be released right now.. waiting sucks

[Zhuni]

I'm getting one of those two :3

I'm waiting for 3 different items to be released right now.. waiting sucks

 
Yeah waiting does suck....that's probably part of the reason I wanted to grab the HHKB right now! but I shall wait like this = :frown:

[theferenc]

As much as I love my HHKB, I would say that for most people, it is not the appropriate choice. If it would be a good fit for you, you probably already know that, and don't have to ask (long time Sun keyboard user, UNIX beard, etc.).

That isn't to say it wouldn't work for you otherwise, but I think it's mainly aimed at those people who specifically want that layout. Which, for the record, is the best layout for my purposes, and I think generally, but I'm in the minority on that last point.

I think you'll enjoy the realforce very much, regardless.

[~Blood~]

I posted in october in bruce's thread that I want a 45g topre.. man thats a long wait

[hcry4]

Isn't this Geekhack? I was expecting people to tell him to get both.

[keyboardlover]

I'm a programmer and the HHKB layout is pretty useless for me...

I think it's supposed to be good for Unix people.

[theferenc]

As I said, unless you are specifically looking for that layout, it isn't all that useful for most people. But if you are, it's a brilliant little keyboard.

It's really all in what you're used to. Though, with all the chords available in VS, having the control key there is quite useful, though that's easy to do with any keyboard.

[Zhuni]

Thanks guys. 100% going with the 45g realforce...many thanks

[litster]

Thanks guys. 100% going with the 45g realforce...many thanks

I have a variable weight 86U now.  I would get a 87U white uniform 45g next.  The construction of Realforce is very nice and solid.  I'd say better than Filco.  And Realforce's keycaps are PBT and dye sub, according the the topre wiki, which arguably the best combo.  You don't have to spend $400 just to get some rare dye sub keycaps for your cherry board.  You won't be disappointed.  Good luck!

[daerid]

When are the 45g RF's going to be available? Topre is the only switch I have yet to try

*SELF CONTROL FAIL*

[litster]

It was end of June, and then news from Bambi was that it's been pushed out the July.

[ironman31]

I just wish it wasn't going to be in black

[theferenc]

I prefer IBM beige/ivory, myself. But anything is better than bright white, such as used in the iMacs. A nice aged ivory color, like an old piano (and many majiang tiles), would be awesome.

Then again, maybe I'm just too retro for my own good.

[litster]

I just wish it wasn't going to be in black

according to http://leopold.co.jp/en/product/force87/, SE0900 is white uniform 45g.

[ironman31]

according to http://leopold.co.jp/en/product/force87/, SE0900 is white uniform 45g.

where did you see that that was the model being sold by keyboardco?

[litster]

I am just saying the white 87u uniform 45g is available directly from support@leopold.co.jp if that is what you really want.

[Engine]

Will a unform 45g be much different from the variable?  I wish I had had that available in the first place, or I might sell the one I have now(variable) and get the unform but only in full-size.

[theferenc]

Well, to be fair, the HHKB is uniform 45, and feels amazingly nice. But I've heard from lots of people that, if you touch type, the variable weight realforces are even more comfortable.

[ironman31]

Will a unform 45g be much different from the variable?  I wish I had had that available in the first place, or I might sell the one I have now(variable) and get the unform but only in full-size.

I think the uniform 45g Realforce feels much better than the variable, and the HHKB for that matter. It's much more solid, a good analogy would be between cherry blues on a Filco vs. on a Ducky. The Ducky just has a slight resonance and plastic feel that makes it feel cheaper and less refined.

Well, to be fair, the HHKB is uniform 45, and feels amazingly nice. But I've heard from lots of people that, if you touch type, the variable weight realforces are even more comfortable.

I touch type and I enjoy the more tactile feel of the all 45g. The all 35/30g keys feel a little mushy. I liked the variable weight, but prefer the all 45g much much more. So far it's my single favorite keyboard.

[Zhuni]

Just looking at key cap removing for the topre's in prep and couldnt see anything in the wiki bar Ripsters space bar adventure. Can you just use the filco key cap puller in exactly the same way. A little wiggle and consistent pull?

[Daniel Beaver]

I am just saying the white 87u uniform 45g is available directly from support@leopold.co.jp if that is what you really want.

Wait... that works? Is there a catch? I've been wanting an all 45g for awhile (variable-weight WASD is undesirable).

[Zhuni]

Damn.

Got to try a HHBK pro 2 at my friends this morn. Asides from the envy I love the switch and actually love the layout. But the other thing I noticed when playing FPS games is I love the distance between my arms with the HHKB. Just felt instantly good. mmmm decisions.

[Zhuni]

I've been using ctrl for the last ten years nearly ever day for FPS games but found the ctrl fine on the HHBK. Took about 10 mins and I was all set. In fact I found it really nice being less of stretch.

Really sweet board. Just wouldnt want to pay over £200 for it.

[litster]

I joined Geekhack because the Unicomp Mini was coming out any day.

Man, only if Unicomp released a mini, most everyone on GeekHack would buy one.  They do however call their full size keyboards spacesaver to make up for it...

[Zhuni]

And beware any game using arrow keys.

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I've never played any games that use the arrows. But I only play FPS. Like some sort of serial killer in the making.:yo:

I'll probably stick with the realforce purchase but I'm sorely tempted to get a HHBK.