Why are HHKB boards so great?

[TopreFan333]

This is why they're so phenomenal...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-purchase_rationalization

Could apply to literally any other mechanical keyboard.

[GL1TCH3D]

The title of the OP implies these boards to be intrinsically great, that motivates people who does not think the same to express their views. A title in the line of "why do you like the HHKB" would be a more balanced call for people to share their experiences. By the way, do you remember threads in the line of "why are MX boards so great"? That calls some controversy, so you are harvesting what you sow.


There are some facts about the HHKB that makes it a fine 60% board, for example the layout, that takes advantage of keys located at more intelligent places than the standard, like control, and backspace. Also, it splits the extremely long right shift and backspace to get three additional one unit spots. The empty spaces at the bottom look elegant.


However, it also has some compromises that does not keep its high end nature according with its price bracket. The ABS spacebar, its lack of programmability, The flimsy construction - here some like that its very light -


For keyboard aficionados like GH members the lack of alternative caps may be in detriment of customizability. Of course who needs extra caps if it comes with nice colored PBT ones. But again, we are a special bread of users, not the mainstream joe that keeps everything in stock form.


In any case calling something "so great" will give you some emotional responses.

Just chiming in a bit here...
If I were just to take the title at face value my response would simply just have been that the keyboards have a very smart layout.

You are correct that some people would undoubtedly get emotional over such a title simply because. like you said, the title makes it sound like there's something inherently amazing about it that everyone would agree with.

Personally I would just say that the op just didn't know what the good aspects about it were. I felt the same way at some point until I tried it and really liked it and learned for myself why I liked it.

[TopreFan333]

Unusable arrow and edit key layout (that can't be reprogrammed).

It's not that hard, and you move your hand less far than you do for dedicated arrow keys. 

Fn key placement that overloads your right pinkie even more than a normal board. Slippery grip tabs that allow the board to move around when typed on.

To each his/her own I guess. Isn't any 60% board going to require a lot of use of some kind of FN layer though? I'd be interested to hear the counterpoint on this, actually. I'm not having too much trouble adjusting so far, and I'm only a couple weeks into using this thing regularly.

No aftermarket keycap choices.

I wouldn't mind a few color options for modifiers, but yeah, this isn't the board for you if you're into blowing a fortune on changing your keys on a whim. The idea is it comes with nice, functional keycaps out of the box and you use those. Definitely not a great keyboard for a hobbyist -- more for, you know, just typing on it.

ABS spacebar.

I'm always surprised people care so much about this. When it starts to (gasp) show signs of wear, you could always buy a replacement using some of the $ you've not been blowing on replacing the keys every time a new group buy comes up or whatever

Only one useful mod - can't change the switch feeling except by buying ANOTHER overpriced board and swapping domes.

Again, not a keyboard for hobbyists. I personally love the way the switches feel and would rather just type than spend my time ****ing around with switches.

[Hypersphere]

The HHKB Pro 2 has a following and people are willing to pay premium prices for these keyboards. The reasons I like them are as follows:

+ 60% form factor.
+ Symmetry.
+ Layout.
+ Dye-sublimated PBT keycaps.

Some improvements I have wanted to make:

- Silencing, especially the return-stroke "clack", and in a black case. I did this by installing silencing rings from a donor silent RF keyboard into a black HHKB Pro 2 recipient.
- Heavier switches. I did this by installing 55g domes from a donor 55g RF keyboard.

Now I have a black 55g silenced HHKB Pro 2. I am very pleased with it.

[osi]

They're not... most overrated board ever. Owned one for 3 months and got rid of the piece of ****. Worth nowhere near the price they want for it, and not even plate mounted. PCB mounted MX keyboards get hate on, yet nobody says the same for HHKB due to the hype. If you want to try Topre, go for the Leopold 660C. Better layout, and plate mounted. Feels so much better.

HHKB layout sucks too, some people will claim it's "amazing" mainly due to the symmetry.

Disregard this newb troll trash

[ideus]

There will be PBT space bars available soon, when a GB for them open, by Matt3o. Just in case someone reading here is not aware of it yet.

[Gravitar]

I find the design to be so pleasant, and the layout seemed to be really thought out. I have found a downside though, when I have to use a different keyboard, my hands are used to the layout of the HHKB(ctrl where caps lock usually is, escape and delete moved down, etc...)

[ctm]

I guess it has something to do with it's cool name and appearance. 

[cptmullet]

I've had a HHKB Lite for many years and I liked the layout as a basic windows user, however, as time moved on I really started to miss the full functionality without FN layers. I eventually moved back to standard keyboards and find TKL to be the optimal set up.
I think the moved `/~ key was the hardest thing for me to cope with, followed by no arrow keys, and no f keys respectively.

[TopreFan333]

I would point out that the promotion of the CTRL key doesn't do a whole lot for Mac users. It doesn't mess anything up, and I don't miss Caps Lock, the the CTRL key just doesn't have the same significance on the Mac, at least not in the general applications I use anyway -- it's all about the CMD key.

[GL1TCH3D]

I would point out that the promotion of the CTRL key doesn't do a whole lot for Mac users. It doesn't mess anything up, and I don't miss Caps Lock, the the CTRL key just doesn't have the same significance on the Mac, at least not in the general applications I use anyway -- it's all about the CMD key.

Real hackers use windows duh

[demik]

I would point out that the promotion of the CTRL key doesn't do a whole lot for Mac users. It doesn't mess anything up, and I don't miss Caps Lock, the the CTRL key just doesn't have the same significance on the Mac, at least not in the general applications I use anyway -- it's all about the CMD key.

Real hackers use windows duh

real hackers dont own computers, they just use other's computers to not get hacked

[GL1TCH3D]

I would point out that the promotion of the CTRL key doesn't do a whole lot for Mac users. It doesn't mess anything up, and I don't miss Caps Lock, the the CTRL key just doesn't have the same significance on the Mac, at least not in the general applications I use anyway -- it's all about the CMD key.

Real hackers use windows duh

real hackers dont own computers, they just use other's computers to not get hacked

Show Image

Yea but they still use windows on those computers

[Sygaldry]

The title of the OP implies these boards to be intrinsically great, that motivates people who does not think the same to express their views. A title in the line of "why do you like the HHKB" would be a more balanced call for people to share their experiences. By the way, do you remember threads in the line of "why are MX boards so great"? That calls some controversy, so you are harvesting what you sow.


There are some facts about the HHKB that makes it a fine 60% board, for example the layout, that takes advantage of keys located at more intelligent places than the standard, like control, and backspace. Also, it splits the extremely long right shift and backspace to get three additional one unit spots. The empty spaces at the bottom look elegant.


However, it also has some compromises that does not keep its high end nature according with its price bracket. The ABS spacebar, its lack of programmability, The flimsy construction - here some like that its very light -


For keyboard aficionados like GH members the lack of alternative caps may be in detriment of customizability. Of course who needs extra caps if it comes with nice colored PBT ones. But again, we are a special bread of users, not the mainstream joe that keeps everything in stock form.


In any case calling something "so great" will give you some emotional responses.

Let's be honest. The HHKB is a great keyboard.

As is almost every other keyboard posted here.

Why is it intrinsically wrong to imply something is great?

I see nothing wrong with how OP has phrased his/her question.

[dustinhxc]

I love Topre 45g. switches to start off with. The reason I enjoy HHKBs is mainly because of the size! Theyre so adorable!

[steve.v]

I love Topre 45g. switches to start off with. The reason I enjoy HHKBs is mainly because of the size! Theyre so adorable!

I was surprised at how small my HHKB was, it looked bigger in pictures and videos lol.

[TopreFan333]

Real hackers use windows duh

Oh no. Does this mean... my career as a hacker is not going to work out?? I guess I'll send back this keyboard, vape pen and leather trenchcoat

[Korth]

I just find it completely baffling that some people can't just go "Hey, I don't like the HHKB (Topre), but you do, and you are also willing to pay what it costs. That's cool and doesn't threaten or affect me in any way".

Well ...

I don't like the HHKB (any kind), I don't like tenkeyless and tiny form factor keyboards in general.  But some of you do, and you think the HHKB is worth paying for.  That's cool and doesn't threaten or affect me in any way.  Except that I have more keys than you do, nyaa-nyaa-nyaa! 

[steve.v]

I just find it completely baffling that some people can't just go "Hey, I don't like the HHKB (Topre), but you do, and you are also willing to pay what it costs. That's cool and doesn't threaten or affect me in any way".

Well ...

I don't like the HHKB (any kind), I don't like tenkeyless and tiny form factor keyboards in general.  But some of you do, and you think the HHKB is worth paying for.  That's cool and doesn't threaten or affect me in any way.  Except that I have more keys than you do, nyaa-nyaa-nyaa! 

I'm a programmer, and my HHKB has every key I need

[brimborion]

I have two HHKB, but they are Lite and have rubber domes. I still like them though. For people who are not sure if they'd like the layout, it might not be a bad idea to try one. The rubber domes in them are among the better you'll find.

[katushkin]

I'm only getting a Topre board because I was given two Topre artisans for free...

And because of the division between those who like and don't like the HHKB (th layout doesn't appeal to me) I'm buying a Realforce 55g.

Soon ^TM

[ideus]

This is another thread sponsored by the "HHKB Buyers-Remorse Sufferers Support Group".

[TopreFan333]

This is another thread sponsored by the "HHKB Buyers-Remorse Sufferers Support Group".

Another thread hijacked by "anybody who doesn't like what I like must be wrong" trolls.

[Polymer]

I'm a programmer, and my HHKB has every key I need

Except a PBT spacebar ...

[Bucake]

I'm a programmer, and my HHKB has every key I need

Except a PBT spacebar ...

...SOONNNNN

[saturnotaku]

HHKBs are seductive in that every time I think about selling mine, I type on it some more and realize I can't quit it. So I'll add keyboards rather than replacing my Type-S.