I've used the Cherry G84-4100 for a couple of weeks. This small keyboard (that I was convinced I would not like) has me typing better and faster and my hands feel much better.
When I compare my Cherry keyboard, my Thinkpad keyboard, and the Apple's wireless keyboard (the previous white model with keypad) I noticed this:
1. The Apple keyboard feels like plastic sitting on crap, highlighting what makes a bad keyboard bad. Too bad, I'd like something with this much style, but not at the expense of my hands. The actuators are rubber domes. There is a tactile feel to the keys actuating, but there is _0_ travel in the key once actuated. Not only do I have to bottom the key out to close the connection, but I am in the habit of bottoming them out.
2. I was surprised to find that the Lenovo Thinkpad, with it's space limitations is a much better keyboard than the Apple. It uses the same scissor switches that most laptops use--most that I've seen anyway. There is some feel to closing the switch, and there is a little (definitely not noticable) travel in the key past closing the connection. This is a tiny amount only noticeable when you are looking for it. The problem: My Apple keyboard has already trained me to bottom out the keys so I do it on the Thinkpad keyboard too.
3. The Cherry. This one is amazing. Press the key, feel the closed connection, and there is plenty (1/16" - 1/8" travel) of play in the key past the closed switch. I like it. Very nice to the hands and fingers.
What I do NOT like is (and I know this will be blasphemy in this group) CLICKY KEYBOARDS. The Cherry is a great compromise between tactile feel and noise level.
The keyboard layout takes some getting used to, but you do get used to it. I just wish that they made a similarly laid out version for the Mac.
Now looking for a Mac keyboard (preferrably full size) that rivals this Cherry.
