Looking for a "miniature" kb

[flags]

I'm a college student (CS major!) and I do quite a bit of coding. I currently have a Razer BlackWidow, and while I really love typing on it, it's a bit large to lug around campus.

I've been looking into miniature keyboards like the HHKB, but it's simply out of my price range. Preferably, I'd like something that's around the same size as the HHKB, but not as expensive. I've seen the KBC Poker, but not any prices for it (or a way to purchase it here in the US.) All I need is a solid keyboard I can just throw in my backpack or laptop case and go about my day.

What are my choices?

[demik]

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/category/poker/catId=3982940
poker, highly trusted seller.

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/mechanical-keyboard-noppoo/new-white-noppoo-mini-mechanic/lid=19308307
choc mini white

choc mini black

http://www.vendio.com/stores/E-sports-Gaming-equipments/item/mechanical-keyboard-noppoo/noppoo-mini-mechanical-gaming-/lid=18974422

there is also siig minitouch

[Tony]

I own two Noppoo Choc keyboards and they are pretty compact.

[alaricljs]

If you are patient and interested there is also a group buy for the Race

iMav also has a GB for the Poker if you'd like a different source (and are patient).

edit: oh yeah, there's also the Pure if you are extremely patient... it may not even be available at all.

[reaper]

Save up and get the real thing!  



And welcome to Geekhack! =D

[False_Dmitry_II]

You could also pester missilemike and see if he wants to sell any more vivancos. They are pretty good (and look more modern than a siig generally does, but I suppose that depends on your level of willingness/abilitiy for DIY stuff). My only problem with it is that it is a tad loud so I'm in the middle of converting one from XM simplified alps to complicated dampened alps. I don't mind the noise, but other people do when they aren't the ones making it.

[sordna]

HHKB is very overpriced. It should at least be programmable at that price point.

flags, if you want a durable keyboard for hauling around, you might want to consider the Data911 TG3, it's really tough (and heavy), and usually has cherry MX black switches. Some models have a trackpad for mousing, not a bad deal the BIN one I see on ebay for $49 for a USB version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Data911-USB-Keyboard-Touchpad-M2C-TG3-TP-/290523109035?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item43a486d6ab

Revenge had them cheaper though, he might still have some PS/2 available:
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?20249-TG3-Data911-Keyboards-w-Touchpad-15-35

[flags]

demik: Thanks! I actually found that guy on eBay as soon as you posted. Definitely interested, but I'm bit confused on if I want Blue switches or something else.

I'm currently bidding for a Siig Minitouch. Looks like a decent board, and I dig retro stuff.

reaper: That is sooo nice. It's on my wishlist for sure

[demik]

buy from his webstore, it's cheaper.

blues are great, if you don't mind the noise i'd get that switch.

minitouch is awesome also, i have two and currently looking for one with montereys.

[flags]

I'm definitely more interested in the Minitouch at the moment, but getting my hands on a Poker would be great.

By the way, is there any difference between ABS and PBT caps? Just looks like ABS is white lettering.

sordna: Thanks for the links. Not crazy about the touchpad, though.

[sordna]

Here's a TG3 without touchpad, current bid at $10 with 4 days to go:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/TG3-Electronics-KBA-BL82-5RBUVS-Keyboard-Public-Service-Vehicles-Or-/140656755003?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bfcbc13b

[demik]

I'm definitely more interested in the Minitouch at the moment, but getting my hands on a Poker would be great.

By the way, is there any difference between ABS and PBT caps? Just looks like ABS is white lettering.

sordna: Thanks for the links. Not crazy about the touchpad, though.

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=All+About+Keys will answer most, if not all, of your keycap questions.

[ishtob]

build your own!! DOX

[oneproduct]

I use a Poker and I find it extremely awesome. I'm really not fond of the HHKB layout for two reasons:

1. The Fn key is in a really bad place that forces you to move your hand away from the home resting positions in order to use it. The Poker's Fn buttons can be set to be on either side of the spacebar and you can press it with your thumb without even moving your hands. That lets you do everything on the second layer without leaving the home resting positions, including Delete which is on Fn+Z and Fn+/. On the HHKB you still have to reach for a separate delete key each time. Also I like the setup of the setup Fn layer on the Poker more in general.

2. I use Colemak so I normally replace my caps lock key with backspace which is generally a better replacement for it than control because you likely use backspace more often than control. Even if you don't use it more often, since backspace is used in the regular flow of typing, it is better to put it in an easy location. When using control to do things you usually have a bit of a pause. Also, consider that the alternative is having backspace all the way near the top right, which is either a very far pinky stretch or forces your hand away from the home resting positions. So in any case, I like caps lock as backspace and leaving control where it is, but on the HHKB I can't do that.