Filco Majestouch MINILA 67 key vs HHKB Pro2

[Macsmasher]

I was poking around on Dietec's site and noticed they have a new compact board layout...

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=1320

I know...it's pretty sad when you're idea of a fun Saturday afternoon is browsing foreign keyboard sites. Even my nerdiest fellow coder buddies roll their eyes at me haha. But hey, I tell my wife at least I'm into keyboards rather than porn. At least she supports my keyboard habit. 

My current daily driver is a RF 87U variable silent. While I've always liked the small form factor of the HHKB, the single Fn key as well as the embedded arrow keys location has been a deal killer for me. I run three displays, and the arrow keys are essential for moving windows. The shortcut to move a window is Win + Shift + Arrow. The addition of the Fn key to activate the arrows...placed far right on the HHKB...isn't conducive for regular use, for the above mentioned KB shortcut anyway. However, the new Filco layout is intriguing and seems to have addressed these inherent limitations with a compact board layout.

Edit: Arrow keys are on the primary layer and don't require Fn. (Shame on my for not doing the research before posting.)

First, there's a second Fn key. And the Fn keys are placed each side of the spacebar. Much better IMO. I could easily use three fingers on my left hand to actuate Win + Shift + Fn and my right is now free for the arrow keys. The size reduction of the spacebar makes a lot of sense, especially for a compact layout. Even though I use both thumbs for spacebar, I only strike the middle of the key. For a compact layout, using that real estate for other keys seems like a great idea.

Second, the arrow keys location seems much better, at the lower right. In addition, the arrow keys layout is standard rather than inverted as they are on the HHKB.

I also like the ability to swap Ctrl with Caps Lock. I've grown to love that for coding.

So, any opinions on the layout? Any HHKB users want to chip in their 2 cents?

[cheebs]

I was poking around on Dietec's site and noticed they have a new compact board layout...

http://www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=1320

I know...it's pretty sad when you're idea of a fun Saturday afternoon is browsing foreign keyboard sites. Even my nerdiest fellow coder buddies roll their eyes at me haha. But hey, I tell my wife at least I'm into keyboards rather than porn. At least she supports my keyboard habit. 

My current daily driver is a RF 87U variable silent. While I've always liked the small form factor of the HHKB, the single Fn key as well as the embedded arrow keys location has been a deal killer for me. I run three displays, and the arrow keys are essential for moving windows. The shortcut to move a window is Win + Shift + Arrow. The addition of the Fn key to activate the arrows...placed far right on the HHKB...isn't conducive for regular use, for the above mentioned KB shortcut anyway. However, the new Filco layout is intriguing and seems to have addressed these inherent limitations with a compact board layout.

Edit: Arrow keys are on the primary layer and don't require Fn. (Shame on my for not doing the research before posting.)

First, there's a second Fn key. And the Fn keys are placed each side of the spacebar. Much better IMO. I could easily use three fingers on my left hand to actuate Win + Shift + Fn and my right is now free for the arrow keys. The size reduction of the spacebar makes a lot of sense, especially for a compact layout. Even though I use both thumbs for spacebar, I only strike the middle of the key. For a compact layout, using that real estate for other keys seems like a great idea.

Second, the arrow keys location seems much better, at the lower right. In addition, the arrow keys layout is standard rather than inverted as they are on the HHKB.

I also like the ability to swap Ctrl with Caps Lock. I've grown to love that for coding.

So, any opinions on the layout? Any HHKB users want to chip in their 2 cents?

Former HHKB Pro 2 user here.  Props on the Ctrl / Caps Lock swap.  Not enough programmers realize the advantages of this.  I definitely agree about the arrow keys man.  I really wish they made an HHKB Pro 2 with arrow keys in ANSI.  I believe the MINILA layout is superior, and I also like how the pipe and backslash key is in the appropriate place (it's replaced with backspace on the HHKB Pro 2).  Very important if you use bash a lot, or just programming in general.

Go for the MINILA!  Also much wider selection of keycaps and custom keycaps available (from WASD).

[karljs]

I don't have much to add regarding the layout in terms of comfort or efficiency, but this ...

Go for the MINILA!  Also much wider selection of keycaps and custom keycaps available (from WASD).

is almost certainly not true.  The small spacebar, inconsistent modifiers, unusual row for delete, etc. mean that you are probably much more restricted than you would be with a typical Cherry board in terms of custom keycaps.

[llovro]

Since you already have a topre board, I would go for something different and pick up the Minilla (to try MX switches if you haven't already).

[Macsmasher]

I've got / had browns, browns with landing pads, blues and reds. Have no interest in blacks. I like my variable Topre switches the best out of all of them...by a fairly wide margin. But I like to rotate boards, and my next favorite is a good 'ol MX brown. I'd also like to have something to take to my client's, and a compact would fill the bill nicely for that.

Regarding this new Filco, I'm honestly surprised it doesn't have PBT keycaps. Well, I'm assuming it doesn't because there is no mention of the keycap material...which usually means ABS. For an enthusiast board like this, I think that's a mistake. Especially since the upcoming Leopold FC660M is boasting all PBT caps.

[linuxid10t]

I know...it's pretty sad when you're idea of a fun Saturday afternoon is browsing foreign keyboard sites. Even my nerdiest fellow coder buddies roll their eyes at me haha. But hey, I tell my wife at least I'm into keyboards rather than porn. At least she supports my keyboard habit. 

Truth is, she should probably be supporting your porn habit instead.  It would probably be cheaper

[daerid]

...But hey, I tell my wife at least I'm into keyboards rather than porn...

Wat is this i dont even...

Mine is totally supportive of my keyboard habit. And my porn habit. Booyah.

[Macsmasher]

Haha. Well, to be honest, she doesn't have any say in my keyboard purchases. I'm a self-employed software developer, and my company buys the keyboards. The best part is they're all tax deductible!

[daerid]

Same! At least until later this week haha

[ch_123]

My current daily driver is a RF 87U variable silent. While I've always liked the small form factor of the HHKB, the single Fn key as well as the embedded arrow keys location has been a deal killer for me. I run three displays, and the arrow keys are essential for moving windows. The shortcut to move a window is Win + Shift + Arrow. The addition of the Fn key to activate the arrows...placed far right on the HHKB...isn't conducive for regular use, for the above mentioned KB shortcut anyway. However, the new Filco layout is intriguing and seems to have addressed these inherent limitations with a compact board layout.

Edit: Arrow keys are on the primary layer and don't require Fn. (Shame on my for not doing the research before posting.)

The arrow keys on the HHKB are on the Fn layer (typing on mine right now.)

You can flip a DIP switch to make the left hand Meta key into a second Fn, but I really wish that they included a separate one to the left of the left Alt key.

As for the arrow keys, I think the layout they made is great, as it does not require you to move your hand from the home row (which I find quite useful when coding). I frequently use shortcuts like the one you describe, and I had no problems once I got used to it.