Best Membrane Keyboard

[dante]

Are there any good TKL Membranes out there?

NONE.  The only one in the history of keyboards that came close is the IBM RT3200 spacesaver.  Have no idea how it types but they smooshed the navigation cluster all together which is not typically tenkeyless.

I would LOVE a HP Silver/Gray 2880 in Tenkeyless format.

[davkol]

Apart from MS SideWinder X6, most if not all compact RD keyboards have rather 75% layout than 87 key.

BTW why is this thread called Best Membrane Keyboard, while everyone is talking about rubber-dome-over-membrane keyboards?

[morpheus]

Apart from MS SideWinder X6, most if not all compact RD keyboards have rather 75% layout than 87 key.

BTW why is this thread called Best Membrane Keyboard, while everyone is talking about rubber-dome-over-membrane keyboards?

Is there a difference between rubber domes and membranes? Sorry I am ignorant, so please let me know if there is.

[davkol]

Just read the wiki. ZX80 keyboard was nothing like a rubber-dome-over-membrane keyboard.

[y0fate]

More expensive = better, right?
...right?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000U1DJ2


EDIT: How could I forget the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175014

[nappi11]

How could I forget the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175014

That's not even bad, here it costs 339.95€, which is over 450$. It must be very hi-tech I guess.

[y0fate]

How could I forget the S.T.R.I.K.E. 7? http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823175014

That's not even bad, here it costs 339.95€, which is over 450$. It must be very hi-tech I guess.

All it is g510 on crack...

[1391406]

More expensive = better, right?
...right?

Right.

[dante]

My favorite membrane is the HP SK2880.  Compared to my previous favorite [Dell Quietkey] it has better feeling keycaps - which are almost POM like.  It has shorter throw and a smaller foot print.  Doesn't feel too mushy either.

Among the current silver and black HP business keyboards, my favorite model was the 9109.  Actually had a snappy, tactile feel to them.  Whenever I found one at work I'd snatch it for my stockpile.

I'll snap up one on ebay and compare notes.

[Findecanor]

Are there any good TKL Membranes out there?

I have a Fujitsu in tenkeyless layout, but it was mushy by default. I put a Key Tronic rubber sheet in it, though. 

I have seen tenkeyless chiclet boards also, but I missed what model it was.

[morpheus]

My favorite membrane is the HP SK2880.  Compared to my previous favorite [Dell Quietkey] it has better feeling keycaps - which are almost POM like.  It has shorter throw and a smaller foot print.  Doesn't feel too mushy either.

Among the current silver and black HP business keyboards, my favorite model was the 9109.  Actually had a snappy, tactile feel to them.  Whenever I found one at work I'd snatch it for my stockpile.

I'll snap up one on ebay and compare notes.

Cool, thanks for your contribution to keyboard science!

Honestly, I looked up those two HP models and they look exactly the same to me. I suppose you'd have to take it apart to see the difference, if there is one.

[morpheus]

That's not a quiet touch, btw. That's a picture of a Dell AT101W, which (usually) has black Alps sliders. Most definitely not a membrane board.

These are Dell Quiet Touch keyboards:

Show Image

Just got this in the mail.

It feels very good for a rubber dome keyboard. Almost like a poor man's Topre, but still not in the same league. Still, it's a pretty smooth ride, and for 17 bucks it's definitely worth it.

[AuRinBei]

The Razor Lycosa is pretty good. The keys definitely have some pop to them. Completely pointless since at its price you might as well go mechanical, but my friend got one on sale.

[terrpn]

Olivetti ANK27-101 and Dell Quiet Touch here

[dorkvader]

Olivetti ANK27-101 and Dell Quiet Touch here

I love my olivetti keyboard: It's great.

I'm going to be getting a  membrane keyboard that has a heavy metal case and NKRO. In terms of features, it's certainly one of the better ones. We'll see how good it really is when it arrives.

[SidusNare]

I'm a fan of a few of the lesser IBM keyboards, like:

and

[fuzzyx3000]

Are there any good TKL Membranes out there?

I liked this one quite a bit, although the angling on mine was a bit off.
http://www.amazon.com/HP-AS601AA-ABA-Mini-Keyboard/dp/B0025ZSBNG

[jkercado]

The old IBM M4's are nice, very snappy.



Here's a video I made a few months ago:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mFNp6x3skHs

[dorkvader]

Show Image

That looks like a buckling spring model M2 to me.

[sth]

model M is membrane... so model M is the best membrane keyboard.

[invariance]

Been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro at work for a number of years now, mainly for the comfort of the ergonomic layout, but recently got $h!tted off with how grotty it was getting and the stiffness of the keys and gave it a thorough clean out.
Ended up being worse until I lubricated the kay shafts with petroleum jelly.
Now it is nice and smooth to use.
It's not 'clacky' anymore and more 'thunky' - quieter/muted.
I think the only errors I make on it now are my own spelling.

[TrueOP]

That's not a quiet touch, btw. That's a picture of a Dell AT101W, which (usually) has black Alps sliders. Most definitely not a membrane board.

These are Dell Quiet Touch keyboards:

Show Image

Just got this in the mail.

It feels very good for a rubber dome keyboard. Almost like a poor man's Topre, but still not in the same league. Still, it's a pretty smooth ride, and for 17 bucks it's definitely worth it.

I just told my friend to order this looks like best one in this price range :o
*the Dell Quiet Key

[CommunistWitchDr]

Been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro at work for a number of years now, mainly for the comfort of the ergonomic layout, but recently got $h!tted off with how grotty it was getting and the stiffness of the keys and gave it a thorough clean out.
Ended up being worse until I lubricated the kay shafts with petroleum jelly.
Now it is nice and smooth to use.
It's not 'clacky' anymore and more 'thunky' - quieter/muted.
I think the only errors I make on it now are my own spelling.

Somebody needs an ergo mechanical for work!

[czarek]

Well to me best membrane keyboard is IBM Model M. Beats individual switches boards (Cherry, Alps) in terms of sound and feel.

[Zykos]

I have a keytronic e03601 and I think it is one of the best membrane keyboards I have ever typed on.

[yasuo]

but,IBM M also membrane contact  though with mechanical switch (Buckling Spirng)

[fohat.digs]

Early Dell Quiet Keys from Malaysia.

IBM KB-8923

Late-1990s-early-2000s Compaqs

[walterwhite8]

one more vote for the classic microsoft elite
wish i could have topre or cherry switches inside.

[davkol]

one more vote for the classic microsoft elite
wish i could have topre or cherry switches inside.

Show Image

LOL, that's not an Elite in the picture, that's a Pro.

[walterwhite8]

Opps thanks for pointing out.
What're their differences?
elite is with the diamond shape?

one more vote for the classic microsoft elite
wish i could have topre or cherry switches inside.

Show Image

LOL, that's not an Elite in the picture, that's a Pro.

[BucklingSpring]

I'm surprised no one mentioned any NMB's

As for current model - My vote goes on Unicomp QT

[nappi11]

I'm surprised no one mentioned any NMB's

As for current model - My vote goes on Unicomp QT

+1 to this NMB Compaq I'm using right now .

[davkol]

one more vote for the classic microsoft elite
wish i could have topre or cherry switches inside.

Show Image

LOL, that's not an Elite in the picture, that's a Pro.

Opps thanks for pointing out.
What're their differences?
elite is with the diamond shape?

Elite has weird arrows and no multimedia buttons.

BTW please, use bottom posting.