The difference between an Egdx and the HHKB rectangle is NOT a matter of preference..
If it isn't then you are saying that all HHKB owners prefer HHKB is because of some other reason because of preference? weaboo? brand name? price? Topre? etc?
Egdx is fully programmable
hasu has TMK firmware for HHKB, that doesn't make HHKB more programmable?
It conforms to the shape of ones hand
It (ErgoDox) was designed to conform ergonomics, not exactly portability/minimalism which was what HHKB was after. That is why GeekHack has a separate forum for ergonomics, that is why Lexmark had M15, that is why there are other manufacturers whom have made ergonomic keyboards of sorts. The only reason is because there is a need for those who wants an ergonomic keyboard not because it was portable/minimalistic.
If one wants to compare something more ergonomic, they need to compare against μTron. Not HHKB. Comparing HHKB to ErgoDox is almost like comparing apples and oranges.
It conforms to the natural resting angle of ones wrists
Again ErgoDox has that upper hand due to the fact that it was targeting people who desire ergonomics, not necessarily portability and/or minimalism.
If you want to talk about ergonomic, talk about the likes of
alphagrip,
datahand, various other chorded keyboard like the
BAT keyboard, etc. There are many suitable candidates for ErgoDox to compete against with not HHKB. HHKB was never really intended for ergonomics.
It can be modified for any mx switch.. linear, or tactile
It is not like one can't change the rubber domes on the HHKB to make it light, heavier or varied. Sure Cherry MX range is all about customisation and Topre isn't exactly flexible simply because the way it was designed.
If one wants to have the layout of the HHKB but prefer it using Cherry MX format. There is always
GH60 which ended about a month ago which is a bit of a sad thing from Cherry MX perspective because it only existed as a GB option, not that one can simply for instance walk into the shop and pick up a GH60.
When I am referring to GH60 I am referring to a design none other than this which hopefully can refresh one's memory:
If you decide you'd like a different switch, you can easily swap them out without desoldering.
You can't easily change that on Topre switches because it was based on a fundamentally different design of the switch. Again nobody said you cannot swap the rubber domes out to make the feel heavier, etc. BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! you don't even need to desolder as well, only a set of screw drivers and donor rubber domes to swap out Topre switches.
ONCE AGAIN there is things like GH60 for instance if one wants Cherry MX equivalent of HHKB. No?
Egdxs' split-design also accomodates people with broad shoulders whose arms are further apart
Talk about ergonomics again, which is comparing apples and oranges.
The HHKB... is derivative, and is quite simply the least common denominator in design, and it performs no better or worse than any other rectangular keyboard..
I never proclaimed HHKB as being any better or worse than rectangular keyboard. It is an old design that PFU has been peddling for awhile before the likes of ErgoDox came along. If one wants to add more fuel to the fire, comparing apples against with oranges.
ErgoDox (at this current stage) does not come pre-made, it is still a D-I-Y kit. ErgoDox is pretty much more or less like any other GB which involves interests and money pooling before such an idea would become viable.
HHKB is already made manufactured product which one does NOT need to pool money in for an idea. It does not require any soldering work of any sort unless if one wants to make modifications. HHKB unlike ErgoDox can be picked up from stores ready made, and ready to use. Comparing HHKB to ErgoDox is like comparing one's preference to a pre-built car against kit car. EVERYONE HAS THEIR OWN TASTE.. no? do you want to start splitting hairs over preferences with premade stuff versus D-I-Y like you did by pitting HHKB against ErgoDox?
The only thing that makes it special is like you've said, it's "made in japan"... If being a weeaboo is all ur after... mission accomplished..
Never really after weaboo status, there is a more fundamental reason which if I were to go explain it would be roughly another "wall of text" full of it.
But to those who actually want to extract every ounce of knowledge and science out of the keyboarding hobby, to go BEYOND simple ownership and materialistic acquisition of trophies..
Not everyone wants to pour money into making a perfect keyboard. Not everyone necessarily would share a keyboard hobby like this forum for instance. There are no trophies for materialistic acquisition. The final product is of the product itself.
What I personally am happy is that HHKB is not some vaporware, ErgoDox isn't vaporware as well but ErgoDox STILL cannot be purchased from any chain branded electronic shops. HHKB, sure is heavily surrounded within SE Asia but that does not mean you can't walk into any electronic store in Japan for instance and not see HHKB for sale.
There are plenty of cool projects which never got materialised and remains vaporware. Clearly neither HHKB nor ErgoDox fit into the category of being as such one of them. However HHKB has been around LONGER than ErgoDox.
The path towards KEYBOARD zen is only revealed to those who are willing to rethink traditions and minimize their ancestral hoarding.
Everyone has different approach to what they want in life. It is wrong to impose one ideal method that suits of particularly one or more than a handful of people onto the rest of us. Sure in your ideal world maybe ErgoDox should be the main keyboard that every kid would crave for and every person would buy when they can, not in mine and not in reality.
