My problem with the HHKB layout is that I do a lot of text editing (programming, emails...), and that I use the navigation cluster a lot and extensively.
In particular, I use Home and End much more often than PgUp and PgDn, and I also use quite often combinations like Shift-Home, Shift-End, Ctrl-Home and Ctrl-End.
For me, the problem is that on the HHKB Home is done with Fn+K. Try this: put your pinky on the far right side of the right Shift key and extend your index finger to the K key.
If, like me, you do not have large hands, you will notice two things:
- You extend your hand in a very uncomfortable way.
- You need to bend your wrist.
Reaching End is a little less difficult, but is still not easy.
For me, these are deal breakers. This is putting too much stress on the hand, at least on mine. It would probably be less difficult if I had bigger hands, but what can I do?
When I use my HHKB, I use it either with the SpaceFN layout or with the GuiFN layout. I reprogram the Fn key to be a Ctrl key (note: you cannot do that in software - my HHKB has a dedicated hardware controller inside that allows me to do it, if you do not have it the Fn key is basically a dead key).
