Realforce 87u or HHKB?

[Rafen]

I just received my first topre board yesterday and I am in love! now I want to purchase another board for work and I can't decide on which one to get. I want the 87u in 55g like i have so there isn't much variation between what I have at work and home, but I use a Poker II at work so I'm thinking about getting the HHKB. Does the difference in switch weight make that much difference? Or will I be fine using a 45 and 55 board? I just don't want a bunch of variation between them so my fingers don't become weak from using lighter switches. Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.

[ComradeSniper]

I have both and love them both. I don't think you should have any trouble going back and forth between the two.

[Defect]

45g vs 55g
GG

[Rafen]

I just went ahead and ordered the HHKB with a red ecs key! Now i got to sell some of my other boards 

[atlas3686]

You not going to have any trouble, I have my HHKB at work and Realforce 55g at home and I have no problem what-so-ever. When I first started I would press the wrong backspace the first time I pressed it on the Realforce each day but you get used to that after a few days.

[riotonthebay]

I just went ahead and ordered the HHKB with a red ecs key! Now i got to sell some of my other boards 

Good choice.

[esoomenona]

On my RF, I switched the Backspace and \| keys and Capslock for Ctrl with Keytweak, and Ctrl::Alt and Alt::Win with AHK to emulate the HHKB layout.

[Hypersphere]

The HHKB is a great choice, especially for its combination of a 60% form factor and efficient/intuitive layout. In fact, I rotate among some rather diverse boards, including the HHKB Pro 2, IBM SSK, and IBM XT. I like the HHKB layout so much that I have remapped the IBM boards as closely as possible to the HHKB layout to make it easier to switch boards.

[riotonthebay]

On my RF, I switched the Backspace and \| keys and Capslock for Ctrl with Keytweak, and Ctrl::Alt and Alt::Win with AHK to emulate the HHKB layout.

Yep, I really enjoy the HHKB layout. Unfortunately though I need a split backspace because I use \ and ` quite a lot (as a programmer). I suppose I could manage with Backspace becoming \ and Fn-Esc being `, though.

[esoomenona]

But there is already a ` key, at the top left...

[eth0s]

I just received my first topre board yesterday and I am in love! now I want to purchase another board for work and I can't decide on which one to get. I want the 87u in 55g like i have so there isn't much variation between what I have at work and home, but I use a Poker II at work so I'm thinking about getting the HHKB. Does the difference in switch weight make that much difference? Or will I be fine using a 45 and 55 board? I just don't want a bunch of variation between them so my fingers don't become weak from using lighter switches. Let me know what you think. Thanks for looking.

Changing from 45g to 55g is not confusing, and your finger muscles will not atrophy while you're using the 45g keyboard.  However, switching back and forth between the RealForce and the HHKB is confusing to your muscle memory.  I do it almost everyday, and it takes me a minute or two to acclimate to the new layout.  Is this a horrible inconenience?  No.  It is mildly annoying though, I have to be honest.  But it hasn't stopped me from doing it.  And I switch between a 45g HHKB Type-S and a Variable weighted silent RealForce 87U.  Anyway, my advice is to get w/e you want, and don't worry about switching back and forth. 

[aref]

I used to have both 45- and 55-gram Topre 87U keyboards. I did have a problem when going from my 55g to my 45g. The 55g switch has exceptional feel for me; however, I found the 45g lacked feel. Odd as it sounds, when I want a change in key-switch feel after using the 55g Topre keyboard, I transition to a lighter Cherry key switch. Lately, I've been using an MX Red, 45g, KB, which has a completely different feel from Topre's 45g switch. I can also use MX Blue switches for a change in switch feel. However, Topre's 45g, at least for me, has an odd feel when coming from their 55g switch. The 45g feels kind of soft and mushy--it lacks feel, I'm repeating myself, mea culpa.

If you like the 55g switch, stay with it. The reasons I make a change in keyboards are twofold: my fingers tire after using the 55g switch for hours at a time; and at times I simply get somewhat bored with the same key-switch feel (I want to feel the mechanics of a key switch; and when I lose a switch's feel, I have to make a change, which helps [me] to maintain my momentum when writing).

My sense is that you should buy what suits you. And, you may want to note that the feel of Topre's 45g switch is much different from the 55g switch; to me it simply lacks the feel of Topre's 55g switch's properties.  My preference, not that this matters, is Topre's 55-gram inside an 87U keyboard. I've never used an HHKB; after buying 45g and 55g 87UBs, the Realforce 55g became my preferred keyboard and topre switch.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best with your new keyboard, enjoy it.

[AKIMbO]

I used to have both 45- and 55-gram Topre 87U keyboards. I did have a problem when going from my 55g to my 45g. The 55g switch has exceptional feel for me; however, I found the 45g lacked feel. Odd as it sounds, when I want a change in key-switch feel after using the 55g Topre keyboard, I transition to a lighter Cherry key switch. Lately, I've been using an MX Red, 45g, KB, which has a completely different feel from Topre's 45g switch. I can also use MX Blue switches for a change in switch feel. However, Topre's 45g, at least for me, has an odd feel when coming from their 55g switch. The 45g feels kind of soft and mushy--it lacks feel, I'm repeating myself, mea culpa.

If you like the 55g switch, stay with it. The reasons I make a change in keyboards are twofold: my fingers tire after using the 55g switch for hours at a time; and at times I simply get somewhat bored with the same key-switch feel (I want to feel the mechanics of a key switch; and when I lose a switch's feel, I have to make a change, which helps [me] to maintain my momentum when writing).

My sense is that you should buy what suits you. And, you may want to note that the feel of Topre's 45g switch is much different from the 55g switch; to me it simply lacks the feel of Topre's 55g switch's properties.  My preference, not that this matters, is Topre's 55-gram inside an 87U keyboard. I've never used an HHKB; after buying 45g and 55g 87UBs, the Realforce 55g became my preferred keyboard and topre switch.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best with your new keyboard, enjoy it.

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

[aref]

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

Akimbo:
I've read this from other HHKB users. I've never used an HHKB so I have no frame of reference.
How do Topre 45g switches on an HHKB feel compared with the same switch on a Realforce KB?
I know you've used both KBs; and getting some good comparative information would be helpful.

[HannibalChew]

HHKB all the way.

[Novus]

Realforce

[Macsmasher]

On my RF, I switched the Backspace and \| keys and Capslock for Ctrl with Keytweak, and Ctrl::Alt and Alt::Win with AHK to emulate the HHKB layout.

I loved the backspace location on my HHKB so much I did the same. I used AHK.

[riotonthebay]

But there is already a ` key, at the top left...

GET OUT OF HERE

Okay yeah you're right, I was stuck in the 60% mindset. Gonna do this with my TKL.

[rowdy]

I like my HHKB, but I miss the arrow and function keys too much to use it for development at work.

[Rafen]

I like my HHKB, but I miss the arrow and function keys too much to use it for development at work.

I felt the same way when I first started using my Poker II but after a while I got use to it and don't mind the layout at all.

[Rafen]

HHKB all the way.

I ended up ordering an HHKB in black (gray). Can't wait for it to get here.

[Rafen]

I used to have both 45- and 55-gram Topre 87U keyboards. I did have a problem when going from my 55g to my 45g. The 55g switch has exceptional feel for me; however, I found the 45g lacked feel. Odd as it sounds, when I want a change in key-switch feel after using the 55g Topre keyboard, I transition to a lighter Cherry key switch. Lately, I've been using an MX Red, 45g, KB, which has a completely different feel from Topre's 45g switch. I can also use MX Blue switches for a change in switch feel. However, Topre's 45g, at least for me, has an odd feel when coming from their 55g switch. The 45g feels kind of soft and mushy--it lacks feel, I'm repeating myself, mea culpa.

If you like the 55g switch, stay with it. The reasons I make a change in keyboards are twofold: my fingers tire after using the 55g switch for hours at a time; and at times I simply get somewhat bored with the same key-switch feel (I want to feel the mechanics of a key switch; and when I lose a switch's feel, I have to make a change, which helps [me] to maintain my momentum when writing).

My sense is that you should buy what suits you. And, you may want to note that the feel of Topre's 45g switch is much different from the 55g switch; to me it simply lacks the feel of Topre's 55g switch's properties.  My preference, not that this matters, is Topre's 55-gram inside an 87U keyboard. I've never used an HHKB; after buying 45g and 55g 87UBs, the Realforce 55g became my preferred keyboard and topre switch.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best with your new keyboard, enjoy it.

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

In what way does it feel different?

[Polymer]

However, switching back and forth between the RealForce and the HHKB is confusing to your muscle memory.  I do it almost everyday, and it takes me a minute or two to acclimate to the new layout.  Is this a horrible inconenience?  No.  It is mildly annoying though, I have to be honest.  But it hasn't stopped me from doing it. 

I used to think this was really annoying but I basically forced myself to get used to it...now it doesn't take any time at all to switch back and forth..It is like learning to drive on both sides of the road..eventually you can do it without thinking about it..

What I think is weird is when I'm on my HHKB, the CTRL position is completely natural..but on my RF I swapped the CTRL to be in the same place as the HHKB (so where Capslock is normally) and when I switch back between the two I have to think about the CTRL on the RF but not at all on the HHKB even though they're the same position?  Not sure what it is...

[zoolzoo]

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

Akimbo:
I've read this from other HHKB users. I've never used an HHKB so I have no frame of reference.
How do Topre 45g switches on an HHKB feel compared with the same switch on a Realforce KB?
I know you've used both KBs; and getting some good comparative information would be helpful.

The HHKB switches are mounted onto the plastic case, while the RF switches are plate mounted.

[AKIMbO]

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

Akimbo:
I've read this from other HHKB users. I've never used an HHKB so I have no frame of reference.
How do Topre 45g switches on an HHKB feel compared with the same switch on a Realforce KB?
I know you've used both KBs; and getting some good comparative information would be helpful.

45g on a realforce feels mushy.  45g on an hhkb does not and is more tactile.

[Rafen]

So the 45g on the HHKB would feel similar to the 55g on the Realforce ( not talking force but tactile feeling) ? I love how the 55g Realforce switches feel.

[atlas3686]

So the 45g on the HHKB would feel similar to the 55g on the Realforce ( not talking force but tactile feeling) ? I love how the 55g Realforce switches feel.

The 55g is definitely still more tactile in my opinion.

[Rafen]

So the 45g on the HHKB would feel similar to the 55g on the Realforce ( not talking force but tactile feeling) ? I love how the 55g Realforce switches feel.

The 55g is definitely still more tactile in my opinion.

Well I ordered the HHKB so I hope I enjoy the switch. I have been typing on reds for the last year and completely forgot about how amazing tactile feedback is.

[aref]

I used to have both 45- and 55-gram Topre 87U keyboards. I did have a problem when going from my 55g to my 45g. The 55g switch has exceptional feel for me; however, I found the 45g lacked feel. Odd as it sounds, when I want a change in key-switch feel after using the 55g Topre keyboard, I transition to a lighter Cherry key switch. Lately, I've been using an MX Red, 45g, KB, which has a completely different feel from Topre's 45g switch. I can also use MX Blue switches for a change in switch feel. However, Topre's 45g, at least for me, has an odd feel when coming from their 55g switch. The 45g feels kind of soft and mushy--it lacks feel, I'm repeating myself, mea culpa.

If you like the 55g switch, stay with it. The reasons I make a change in keyboards are twofold: my fingers tire after using the 55g switch for hours at a time; and at times I simply get somewhat bored with the same key-switch feel (I want to feel the mechanics of a key switch; and when I lose a switch's feel, I have to make a change, which helps [me] to maintain my momentum when writing).

My sense is that you should buy what suits you. And, you may want to note that the feel of Topre's 45g switch is much different from the 55g switch; to me it simply lacks the feel of Topre's 55g switch's properties.  My preference, not that this matters, is Topre's 55-gram inside an 87U keyboard. I've never used an HHKB; after buying 45g and 55g 87UBs, the Realforce 55g became my preferred keyboard and topre switch.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best with your new keyboard, enjoy it.

45g on hhkb feels way different compared to rf.

In what way does it feel different?

Rafen: I know this was meant for Akimbo; but I thought I'd respond. To me, 45-gram Topre switches in a Realforce feel a bit soft, almost a bit mushy, nothing like an 87U with 55g Topre switches, which feel exceptional. However, as many have said, Topre's 45g switch feels different, firmer I would guess, in an HHKB. I'll look forward to your observations re the Happy Hacking KB. I hope that you find it a good purchase.

[rowdy]

So the 45g on the HHKB would feel similar to the 55g on the Realforce ( not talking force but tactile feeling) ? I love how the 55g Realforce switches feel.

The 55g is definitely still more tactile in my opinion.

Well I ordered the HHKB so I hope I enjoy the switch. I have been typing on reds for the last year and completely forgot about how amazing tactile feedback is.

If you've been enjoying the reds, 45g Topre will seem similar, just more thocky