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Author Topic: HHKB lite2, sounds nice.  (Read 5872 times)

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Offline lam47

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 08:30:40 »
Just found this on the old youtube.
Makes the keyboard sound lovely. Does anyone have one of these and could offer an opinion?

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bi3Er29B0
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 08:48:58 »
the lite HHKB is not so nice. About the only thing it has going for it is the layout of the keys.
The real deal is the HHKB Pro. Great key feel and a great layout.
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Offline lam47

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 08:53:52 »
Yeah I think you're right. Would be silly to waste cash on one of these that could go towards the Holy Grail.
The sound in the video is nice though.
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Keyboards. Happy Hacking pro 2 x2. One white one black. IBM model M US layout. SGI silicone Graphics with rubber dampened ALPS. IBM model F. ALPS apple board, I forget what it is. And some more I forget what I have.

Typewriters. Olivetti Valentine. Imperial Good Companion Model T. Olympia SM3

Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:11:04 »
For some reason I can't view the video, its just blank where the video should be. Anyways, I would take the sound you hear with a grain of salt. I don't think any of it is 100% accurate, close maybe but it will sound different when you are typing on it in your house/cube/whatever. Its been my experience that the sound is louder in the video then what I hear in real life. Its better than nothing though and gives you an idea but take that for what it is worth.
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:14:50 »
bigpook: Funny, I noticed that too, and thought it was just my security settings (I have all plugins and Java turned off by default on most sites, and I don't believe my settings for youtube.com carry over to uk.youtube.com.)

It works fine if you take off the uk off, at least for me: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bi3Er29B0
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:15:10 »
If you like the layout of the HHKB and realize that you will be using multiple fingers to use the arrow keys and F keys and dig the small form factor then.....you will most likely like/love the key feel.
I prefer the BS keys myself and am using a Filco mini with brown cherries as I type but the HHKB has a great feel and sound. Some one here said they go "thock thock thock" and he is right. Its a great sound coupled with a very smooth key stroke. The downside is the cost though as you and everyone else well knows. But if you save up for it and get it, you will not be disappointed.
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:15:55 »
Just looking at the HHKB layout with my typical usage mode, there's no way that I could handle that layout.
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:16:11 »
Quote from: bhtooefr;12885
bigpook: Funny, I noticed that too, and thought it was just my security settings (I have all plugins and Java turned off by default on most sites, and I don't believe my settings for youtube.com carry over to uk.youtube.com.)

It works fine if you take off the uk off, at least for me: http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z1bi3Er29B0


I tried that too, but I am running linux so that may be the problem. The other youtube videos play fine for me though. Don't know whats up with this one though.
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:20:10 »
Quote from: bhtooefr;12887
Just looking at the HHKB layout with my typical usage mode, there's no way that I could handle that layout.

Yeah, that may be true. I thought I would have a major problem with the lack of dedicated arrow keys. I was wrong : ) Being able to drop my left pinky to hit function and use my right pinky to hit the arrow keys worked really well for me. The thing about the HHKB layout is that your fingers don't really leave the home row. That really rocks.
I am using the Filco mini and the page up/down and arrow keys are off to the side. My right hand has to physically move, and my arm , just to get to the arrow keys. I use the arrow keys alot so its noticeable. Thats kind of a drag....
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:25:36 »
Probably the optimal layout for me would be a full-size buckling spring version of the standard ThinkPad keyboard. (Definitely not the cut down X-series board, that's a bit cramped for long stretches for me. I actually curl my fingers backward and sometimes hit bottom row keys with my fingernails, with my left hand.)
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:27:52 »
Do you have a picture of the standard ThinkPad keyboard?
Its unfortunate that there is a limited selection when it comes to BS keys. While Unicomp is nice and all, they are not exactly breaking new ground.
If anything, all of the cool stuff is either cherry or topre.
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:29:41 »
http://www.xbitlabs.com/images/mobile/lenovo-thinkpad-t61/keyboard.jpg

That's the T61 keyboard, but all ThinkPads from the original 1994 ThinkPad 700 forward use that layout, with two modifications - the forward and back keys on (IIRC) the 30 series models (circa 2002,) and the Windows keys on the 60 series models (circa 2006.)

Edit: Better pics...

X-series condensed layout (this one's in an X61s):


Standard layout (on an X200 - starting with the three-digit series, the X series is now widescreen, and can accomodate the same keyboard as a T400 (14.1" widescreen T series.)):


I believe the X series condensed layout debuted on the circa 1998 ThinkPad 240.
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Offline bigpook

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:52:27 »
cool pics. Are these your main machines?
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #13 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 09:53:48 »
Those aren't my pics, but my X61 Tablet is my main machine. It's often got a Model M (that weighs more than it does) hooked up to it, though. :D
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Offline iMav

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #14 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 10:22:40 »
I had a X60s I used for the later half of my time in Iraq.  Absolutely loved it.  Chose it, in large part, due to the lack of a touchpad.  One really nice things about thinkpads is that they are very well supported under Linux.

I tripped over an ethernet cable and it was yanked out of the thinkpad.  Still worked fine, but the rj45 connection was never the same (and that kind of stuff bugs me).  I sold it and purchased a black macbook (which replaced a MacBook Pro that I never warmed up to...which I passed on to my wife).  Got rid of that and bought one of the new MacBooks...which is currently my main machine.

I rarely touch the trackpad on my MacBook...but, as far as trackpads go, it is nice.  Doesn't get oily and nasty like your typical Thinkpad trackpad does.  But it sure would be nice to have a trackpoint on it!  (the keyboard on the MacBook's are great as far as laptop keyboards go though).

Have I wandered far enough off topic yet?  ;)
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #15 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 10:26:58 »
I think we all just wander horribly offtopic all the time anyway. ;)

Anyway, that's what accidental damage protection is for. (I've gotta get in contact with IBM, and have them send me a box, to send this thing in for a whole crapload of repairs (basically, every part except the motherboard, RAM, wifi card, HDD, battery, LCD, stylus, and possibly keyboard is broken or not working properly in some way...) this is gonna be painful, using the old slow iBook for everything...)
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #16 on: Sat, 29 November 2008, 20:29:54 »
Oh, and I think my ideal keyboard for most use would be this with buckling springs and Windows keys, and without the touchpad:



Yes, that's essentially a T4x/R5x keyboard and palmrest with a built-in USB controller. :p
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Offline xsphat

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #17 on: Sun, 30 November 2008, 01:30:12 »
That actually wouldn't be half bad.
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #18 on: Sun, 30 November 2008, 02:06:21 »
It's not as space efficient as the HHKB layout, but it's better than, say, the Model M Mini and SpaceSaver II layout, yet offers full functionality, with only the numpad requiring a mode shift (as opposed to the HHKB, where I might as well duct tape the damn Fn key down, looking at how it works, and my typical usage pattern.)

And, note that the editing block maintains its shape, and the arrow keys are slightly offset.

This layout's my favorite laptop layout, too. (And, Dell's used a variant of it in the past on Latitudes, which is the line that they compete against ThinkPads with.)
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Offline xsphat

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #19 on: Sun, 30 November 2008, 05:28:04 »
The HHKB doesn't have an embedded numpad, so save your tape.
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Offline bhtooefr

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #20 on: Sun, 30 November 2008, 06:25:13 »
Well, I meant for editing and arrow keys and such, which I use quite often. I can easily get by without a numpad, even an embedded one.
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Offline iMav

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HHKB lite2, sounds nice.
« Reply #21 on: Sun, 30 November 2008, 06:50:06 »
I used to own a travel UltraNav keyboard just like that.  I much prefer the M4-1's...even with the inferior trackpoint.
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