Can you recommend a good keyboard for programming / coding?

[tsukeyomi]

Hi there!

I'm a "newbie" here, so please go easy on me  I searched and read the FAQ but couldn't find an answer...

I'm looking for a keyboard, mainly for programming. My budget is 40 to around 80 euros maximum. I don't know how much GOOD keyboards cost, probably way more than that, but I think with that amount of money I should be able to buy something not too bad (right?).

Other than programming, I will do light gaming, but nothing too pro (maybe MMOs or other single player games - nothing hardcore). I don't need special features, I'd like the keyboard to be durable, not loud (not too much, at least). I'd also like something with cord (no Bluetooth or stuff like that) as I hate the idea of running out of batteries or keep spending money/time to replace them. I think this is pretty much all.

Any suggestions? I hope I'm not breaking any rule and I also hope this thread isn't too "stupid" or obvious to the vast majority of you. If so, I apologize, but I feel a bit lost and want the best product for my money.
I'd especially like to hear opinions from experienced software developers or web designers/developers, but anyone is welcome to give his suggestion.

Thanks a lot!

[ideus]

It is a question most of us have at some point. However the many factors involved in the decision make this a subject of careful research on your own. As an starting point I suggest you to check the Deskthority wiki.

You should define the type of switches first, the layout, the caps material - this is maybe a question you may answer down the road, after you get a keyboard -

For switches type I suggest you the switch review directory.

For layout is a little more complex, but for stock boards I think you have basically the full size, and the ten key less (TKL) options. If you can live with less keys than a TKL you may consider many varieties of 60% to 66% keyboards, however I do not think these may be the best for coding, if you use functions keys frequently.

The type of switch is a very important factor in your decision. Good reading!.

PD: If you are gonna game with your board, linear switches maybe more appropriate like REDS.

[tsukeyomi]

Hi ideus!

Thanks for replying. You pointed out a great set of links and information which are a must-read for sure - I already quickly browsed through the resources you indicated.

The thing is, for a beginner that is a lot of material to read, learn and apply; I was thinking to buy the keyboard in these upcoming days, and since It is a very busy period of the year for, I unfortunately do not have the time now to learn all the mechanics and knowledge behind keyboards in order to pick one myself.

In other words, I was looking for a quick suggestion, maybe based on models that are famous/known to be good for programming and the other requirement I posted above.

Is there anything of that kind around?
Thanks again for your time, patience and help. It is certainly appreciated.

[Snowdog993]

How about just getting an IBM Model M keyboard?  Hello!

[tsukeyomi]

How about just getting an IBM Model M keyboard?  Hello!

Thanks for the suggestion! I was actually looking for something more modern and maybe ergonomic, but you're right. I didn't mention anything about that!

Let's say I'd like it to use the USB bus, without having to use any kind of adaptors.

Thanks anyway!

[Jumpjet]

Got to be the new Das keyboards in MX Brown, hasn't it?

[BucklingSpring]

Got to be the new Das keyboards in MX Brown, hasn't it?

Or Matias QP and Mini QP

[Snowdog993]

http://pckeyboard.com/page/UltraClassic/UW40P4A
  I can't help you anymore than this.  You want to get something in the 40-80 euro range, as you said?  My recommendation is still valid.  Even now you can get buckling model M's new with a USB cable (no converter or adapter....)

[DrHubblePhD]

Right now I am building some boards for a user named Oneproduct who is a programmer, you could try and get his opinion.

[Ngt]

I'm developer too so I can try to help you.

First thing first, how do you write on your keyboard? Are you a heavy typist, smashing keys? Or are you more a soft typist?

Do you like to have a tactile feedback when you write or nothing?

You said you want a quiet board so I guess a clicky keyboard is not what you are looking for.

[Veridis]

I'm also a programmer. Topre has great tactile feedback and is really quiet, but for 8-10 hours of typing they make my fingertips sore. I find that MX browns are nice because they are easy to press yet still have a bit of tactile feedback. If you don't care for tactile feedback, I would imagine red switches would be good too.

[Snowdog993]

One more suggestion I can give you is possibly the Rosewill RK-6000.  I am trying very hard to stay within your budget, yet get you something mechanical that is good.
It's a nice keyboard to start with.  Not noisy and not bad to type on, even if you mash like crazy on it.

http://www.rosewill.com/products/2523/ProductDetail_Overview.htm

Happy holidays!

Edit: If you can afford a few more bucks I would strongly recommend the RK-9000.  It's all up to you and your empty wallet.

[rowdy]

Do you need the numpad much?  If not, definitely consider a TKL keyboard.  That is mildly good for ergonomics as it means you can have the mouse a bit closer and thus don't need to have your arms skewed out too far.

I like stiffer switches, and I tend to alternate between MX blacks and MX greens at work for programming and documentation.

I can get away with MX greens - another guy is using MX blues, and another guy hammers his membrane keyboard extremely loudly, so MX greens are hardly noticeable.

I also prefer stiffer switches for gaming - far less occurrences of accidentally pressing keys just by resting my fingers on them, as sometimes happens with MX reds.

Please do not that I am a heavy typist, and bottom out all the time, including on my Model M

[Fragil1ty]

HHKB Pro 2

/thread.


edit: nevermind, you want it for gaming too, I don't know. I'm out. Get a .. KUL ES-87.

[Jumpjet]

Worth remembering that many so-called gaming boards are called such by simply including dedicated media controls (the Filco gaming board is a classic example...I've got one!). You can add these controls to ANY mechanical board using the AutoHotkey app. It's hands-down brilliant, and really helps to open up your options.

[awts]

Get a RealForce 87U55! 

[rowdy]

Worth remembering that many so-called gaming boards are called such by simply including dedicated media controls (the Filco gaming board is a classic example...I've got one!). You can add these controls to ANY mechanical board using the AutoHotkey app. It's hands-down brilliant, and really helps to open up your options.

Strange that you would add media keys and then call it a gaming keyboard.

Wouldn't that be a gaming keyboard?

So-called "gaming" keyboards often have macros and backlighting.  And a silly shape case

[Hypersphere]

@tsukeyomi: When you say you want a keyboard for coding and programming, what are your special requirements in this regard? Are you looking for a particular layout?

In my own case, I do not do a great deal of coding/programming, but I do some. My preferred layout is that of the "Happy Hacking" keyboard (HHKB Pro 2). This includes swapping Backspace and Backslash and changing CapsLock to Control. Of course, you can do this in software, but some keyboards are already set up this way or have DIP switch settings. One keyboard that has DIP switch settings for these and other features is the Kul ES-87.

My first mechanical keyboard was an IBM Model M full-size that I used primarily with a Mac but also with linux and Windows machines. At present, I rotate among my current favorite keyboards: IBM Model F XT, RF 87ub 55g, HHKB Pro 2, and KBP V60 Matias Quiet Click Mini keyboard.

You could find a Model M in your price range, but most good mechanical keyboards will cost at least 80 Euro or about 100 USD.

[ideus]

Some general comments: Topre will be out of your price range, unless you find a really good opportunity. You have said you do not want a buckling spring, thus, your only choices may be alps or mx switches. For alps you may consider some of the Matias but all of them are out of your price range.

I also think the Rosewill RK-6000 may be an option. I do not use full size keyboards anymore, but you may like it, and there is no compromises on having some key not available directly like most under full size keyboards.

As far as I know there is no such thing like a preferred coding board, however some fellows may think that such honor is for the HHKB Pro, however its layout is not for everyone, the cost is higher than your top bracket for prices and it is a Topre board, that while nice is not for everyone, and I am not sure how it may work for gaming.

[Snowdog993]

I wonder if the OP has made a choice and will let all of us know what he decided on.  I'm very curious now.

[Paranoid Android]

Like on all the other recommend-a-keyboard threads, there isn't really a best keyboard of all time. (Though the Model M comes pretty close)
It all depends on what kind of keyswitches and layout you want, and then you can decide which keyboard is the best for your price range and preferences.
I think that if you don't have a need for a tenkey keyboard (depends on what kind of coding you do I guess), a tenkeyless keyboard is easier to use with the mouse and it typically lowers the price if you are going the Cherry MX route (I really don't know about Alps and Topres though).

There's quite a good guide on the mechanical keyswitches from Cherry if you search online.
Actually, here. I'll link it.
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

But really, depending on where you are in the world, I would go check out a nearby computer store after checking if they have any mechanical keyboards in stock online, because there's nothing as defining as actually pressing down a key.

I'm sorry if I missed something and this was all already said in the thread.

[rowdy]

Like on all the other recommend-a-keyboard threads, there isn't really a best keyboard of all time. (Though the Model M comes pretty close)
It all depends on what kind of keyswitches and layout you want, and then you can decide which keyboard is the best for your price range and preferences.
I think that if you don't have a need for a tenkey keyboard (depends on what kind of coding you do I guess), a tenkeyless keyboard is easier to use with the mouse and it typically lowers the price if you are going the Cherry MX route (I really don't know about Alps and Topres though).

There's quite a good guide on the mechanical keyswitches from Cherry if you search online.
Actually, here. I'll link it.
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

But really, depending on where you are in the world, I would go check out a nearby computer store after checking if they have any mechanical keyboards in stock online, because there's nothing as defining as actually pressing down a key.

I'm sorry if I missed something and this was all already said in the thread.

Welcome to Geekhack!

An informative first post

[Paranoid Android]

Like on all the other recommend-a-keyboard threads, there isn't really a best keyboard of all time. (Though the Model M comes pretty close)
It all depends on what kind of keyswitches and layout you want, and then you can decide which keyboard is the best for your price range and preferences.
I think that if you don't have a need for a tenkey keyboard (depends on what kind of coding you do I guess), a tenkeyless keyboard is easier to use with the mouse and it typically lowers the price if you are going the Cherry MX route (I really don't know about Alps and Topres though).

There's quite a good guide on the mechanical keyswitches from Cherry if you search online.
Actually, here. I'll link it.
http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/official-mechanical-keyboard-guide

But really, depending on where you are in the world, I would go check out a nearby computer store after checking if they have any mechanical keyboards in stock online, because there's nothing as defining as actually pressing down a key.

I'm sorry if I missed something and this was all already said in the thread.

Welcome to Geekhack!

An informative first post

Well...
Thanks...
(For the lack of a better thing to say)

[sethk_]

I take AP Programming, and we use Java, and honestly my Poker 2 works fine, even though it is a 60% board.

[rowdy]

You're probably limited by the IDE.

There are very few programming languages that use characters a 60% (or even a 40%) board cannot easily enter.

But if your IDE relies heavily on function keys and other weird key sequences, a more conventional TKL or even full size keyboard may be of benefit.

[Jersern]

I personally am not a programmer. I do a lot of typing (so I guess that's as far as my experiences go) and personally I think you can't go wrong with a Topre. Unfortunately the price tags on them are so high I think selling your kidneys won't cover the cost! Topre switches are relatively quiet especially if you do a rubber band mod or buy a silenced version. They're okay for gaming. I mean I use it to play BF4 when I have time. If they're too expensive, a better option is a MX Clear switched keyboard as it reduces fatigue. These aren;t very loud and difficult to bottom out so I guess that reduces noise output quite a bit! The WASD Codes are apparently pretty good. I haven't used on personally. A Model M is a solid contender since it is very sturdy those it is very loud!

[zshang]

I'm a programmer too, I prefer Cherry MX Clear or Topre, to be more specific, my choices will be Poker 2 (Or any other 60% keyboards) with Cherry MX Clear and HHKB Pro 2

[hoggy]

If you're thinking of an ergonomic keyboard, take a look at -
Kinesis advantage
Matias ergo pro
Axios (search these forums), not available right now
Keyboardio, again there's a bit of a wait.

They will cost more, but if you work out their cost per day over their lifetime, they are pretty cheap.