Ask HN: What keyboard do you recommend build+use?
I'm looking for my next keyboard to build/work on and wanted to see what this community might recommend.
24 comments
I absolutely recommend a split Keyboard. I bought one and it changed my life.
https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/
I have a Dygma Raise. It's cool, but the main problem is that it doesn't work under the BIOS or Grub. Besides it, I love it. You may find some other split keyboard is better for your specific case.
https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/
I have a Dygma Raise. It's cool, but the main problem is that it doesn't work under the BIOS or Grub. Besides it, I love it. You may find some other split keyboard is better for your specific case.
UHK. Warning though, once you start you can’t go back. It presents to the machine as a mouse on holding the mouse key. I take my hands off the keyboard to use the mouse 80% less now. No it’s not the same as janky Mac OS mouse keys.
http://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/
http://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/
Any of the larger Matias keyboards. I love my Matias mini with quiet clicks. It took a couple of days to get used to, but I don't think I will ever look elsewhere. If you want actually tactile switches stear clear of Mx brown.
The quiet clicks have had some reliability issues. The clickies have not.
If you like linear switches, maybe look on any of the contactless keyboards. Wooting, razer huntsman, varmilos electrocapacitive, or steelseries. Those will be much nicer feeling than something like a contact-based linear switch.
The quiet clicks have had some reliability issues. The clickies have not.
If you like linear switches, maybe look on any of the contactless keyboards. Wooting, razer huntsman, varmilos electrocapacitive, or steelseries. Those will be much nicer feeling than something like a contact-based linear switch.
I used the Matias Ergo Pro for exactly 14 months. After the first month I bought a second for home. At 13 months (ie, one month out of warranty), the first one started having reliability issues with the quiet click switches failing. At 14 months the second keyboard started failing in exactly the same way, also one month out of warranty. Their support was unwilling to help outside the warranty period.
Recommend staying away from them.
Recommend staying away from them.
I would stay away from the quiet click switches (like thenergo pro). There seems to be some kind of greasing issue.
If you want a Matias keyboard, the clicks switches are not affected by the erroneous behaviour.
If you want a Matias keyboard, the clicks switches are not affected by the erroneous behaviour.
i've owned a split matias. I liked it but the keys started having double fire issues or sometimes not firing depending on the key.
For the price i felt like i was dealing with too many issues. =/
For the price i felt like i was dealing with too many issues. =/
As I have said: the clicks switches do not have the issues. If you want a Matias keyboard that is the way to go.
I love the dactyl manuform. There is a learning curve but it was worth it because I type faster and completely without any pain I had in my hands with regular keyboards.
I have build a customized clone of this one couple years back but I'm sure there are even newer forks: https://github.com/tshort/dactyl-keyboard
oh man i've coveted this setup for maybe 8 months now. i can't pull the trigger because it's so expensive to get the case printed that it's a risk if i don't like it =\
but yea the people who do have it seem to swear by it... maybe one day if i get a lot of expendable income.
but yea the people who do have it seem to swear by it... maybe one day if i get a lot of expendable income.
Because of the price I just bought myself an Ender and printed it myself. Was a nice project.
When I was considering it myself I made a simple calc that I'll use this keyboard for at least 5 years. With the amount I type per day and clearly gained health benefit I would pay even more to have even better equipped version of the dactyl (track ball, magnetic scroll, etc.)
Oh that's one way to do it... How much was the all in cost if you don't mind me asking?
Kinesis Advantage, there is nothing that comes close. I've tried others but the Advantage is truly a work of art.
Edit, sorry you said build. This is not a build your own.
Edit, sorry you said build. This is not a build your own.
Ergodox-EZ. I don’t have shoulder pains anymore.
IBM Model M. I have 5 or 6 and that's probably enough to last me the rest of my life.
If you want to get wrist-deep in there, you could get one, bolt-mod it, fit an internal USB converter to it and so on.
Some models have built-in trackpoint or trackball pointing devices, which makes them arguably more practical and more hackable.
If you want to get wrist-deep in there, you could get one, bolt-mod it, fit an internal USB converter to it and so on.
Some models have built-in trackpoint or trackball pointing devices, which makes them arguably more practical and more hackable.
Are any of your Model Ms new enough to have modifiers other than Ctrl and Alt?
I have only one, it's a lovely bit of kit but that was one thing that put me off using it myself.
I always thought a modern trackpoint version might be my ultimate keyboard but I couldn't get on with the key travel.
I have only one, it's a lovely bit of kit but that was one thing that put me off using it myself.
I always thought a modern trackpoint version might be my ultimate keyboard but I couldn't get on with the key travel.
Nope, they're all 1980s and early 1990s models. Just the way I like it.
I use them on Windows (very occasionally) and on Linux (mostly). I use old Apple mechanical keyboards on MacOS boxes.
I miss having a Windows key, and I don't really need CapsLock, so I just remap CapsLock to Super and presto, 100% functionality.
This is a built-in function in Windows -- it's just a Registry key -- so all you need is to set it. There's a handy FOSS program called SharpKeys to do it for you, after which SharpKeys itself can be uninstalled. https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/
(It's built in on macOS as well; I have a Lenovo USB keyboard with Trackpoint on one of my Macs and I remapped CapsLock to Command there.)
I also redefine the Right Alt key as a Compose key.
In Linux, these are both desktop-dependant. In GNOME-based desktops (GNOME, Unity, Cinnamon etc.) it's either in keyboard settings, or banished to the Tweaks app (for stuff that the GNOME developers don't need and therefore consider irrelevant and unimportant.)
In KDE it's in System Settings somewhere, like everything the KDE devs want. (Want to resize your start button? Want to resize the clock? Want a panel spanned over 2 monitors? Tough, you can't.)
In Xfce environments, e.g. on openSUSE, I just use `xmodmap` in my login scripts somewhere. Can't remember now; it's years since I did it.
I don't need a right-click-menu key, so I ignore that. I don't use media keys anyway, so I don't care about them.
But for my purposes, I find having Command/Windows/Super to be handy, and that is trivially easy to achieve on the main 3 desktop OSes.
I use them on Windows (very occasionally) and on Linux (mostly). I use old Apple mechanical keyboards on MacOS boxes.
I miss having a Windows key, and I don't really need CapsLock, so I just remap CapsLock to Super and presto, 100% functionality.
This is a built-in function in Windows -- it's just a Registry key -- so all you need is to set it. There's a handy FOSS program called SharpKeys to do it for you, after which SharpKeys itself can be uninstalled. https://www.randyrants.com/category/sharpkeys/
(It's built in on macOS as well; I have a Lenovo USB keyboard with Trackpoint on one of my Macs and I remapped CapsLock to Command there.)
I also redefine the Right Alt key as a Compose key.
In Linux, these are both desktop-dependant. In GNOME-based desktops (GNOME, Unity, Cinnamon etc.) it's either in keyboard settings, or banished to the Tweaks app (for stuff that the GNOME developers don't need and therefore consider irrelevant and unimportant.)
In KDE it's in System Settings somewhere, like everything the KDE devs want. (Want to resize your start button? Want to resize the clock? Want a panel spanned over 2 monitors? Tough, you can't.)
In Xfce environments, e.g. on openSUSE, I just use `xmodmap` in my login scripts somewhere. Can't remember now; it's years since I did it.
I don't need a right-click-menu key, so I ignore that. I don't use media keys anyway, so I don't care about them.
But for my purposes, I find having Command/Windows/Super to be handy, and that is trivially easy to achieve on the main 3 desktop OSes.
FWIW, there is a more general-purpose solution if you want extensive remapping: Kinto.
https://benreaves.medium.com/kinto-a-mac-inspired-keyboard-m...
E.g. when using a Model M on a Mac for a longer time, I redefined Ctrl as Cmd, meaning that PC-like keystrokes Just Work™ (Ctrl-C to copy etc.) and also redefined CapsLock as Ctrl.
For me, the feel of an IBM keyboard tells my muscle memory to use PC-type control keys. The above fixes that.
Others, for reasons that elude me, want the same _positions_. In 35 years of using Macs, I'd never noticed that Cmd is next to the space bar and Opt/Alt is further away. Kinto lets you do this: remap Alt as Cmd, Ctrl as Opt, and I think CapsLock as Ctrl.
The point being that this is an easy situation to work around and there's a choice of solutions.
E.g. when using a Model M on a Mac for a longer time, I redefined Ctrl as Cmd, meaning that PC-like keystrokes Just Work™ (Ctrl-C to copy etc.) and also redefined CapsLock as Ctrl.
For me, the feel of an IBM keyboard tells my muscle memory to use PC-type control keys. The above fixes that.
Others, for reasons that elude me, want the same _positions_. In 35 years of using Macs, I'd never noticed that Cmd is next to the space bar and Opt/Alt is further away. Kinto lets you do this: remap Alt as Cmd, Ctrl as Opt, and I think CapsLock as Ctrl.
The point being that this is an easy situation to work around and there's a choice of solutions.
Logitech MX keys (wireless). I used mechanical keyboards for years and switched to this and am way happier. The important thing for me, is that pressing a key requires very little effort/force - for putting less stress on your body. I now think mechanical keyboards are a gimmick, only useful for the clicky sounds and RGB light. Being wireless is an added bonus. It lasts 2-3 weeks of 16~ hour day usage.
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We'll all have different usecase so I'll only talk about my own.
I'm not a "mechanical" keyboard enthusiast myself so I'd approach this slightly different to many others I think.
I generally like a narrow, low-travel keyboard with a trackpad or trackpoint. i.e. a laptop sitting centrally below an external monitor.
I value symmetry. So I try to get the same modifier keys for each hand to make touch typing easier. That's not always possible with a laptop which would be a good reason to make something custom.
I dislike number pads and mice as I think they pull right hand off centre, which leads to discomfort long term.
I guess the perfect design, from my personal perspective, would hinge on if you can get low travel keys for an external keyboard build or not.
Myself, I can compromise with just sticking to a laptop and a non-qwerty layout all the time but it does mean that I have the same keyboard when I'm travelling away from my desk.
I'm not a "mechanical" keyboard enthusiast myself so I'd approach this slightly different to many others I think.
I generally like a narrow, low-travel keyboard with a trackpad or trackpoint. i.e. a laptop sitting centrally below an external monitor.
I value symmetry. So I try to get the same modifier keys for each hand to make touch typing easier. That's not always possible with a laptop which would be a good reason to make something custom.
I dislike number pads and mice as I think they pull right hand off centre, which leads to discomfort long term.
I guess the perfect design, from my personal perspective, would hinge on if you can get low travel keys for an external keyboard build or not.
Myself, I can compromise with just sticking to a laptop and a non-qwerty layout all the time but it does mean that I have the same keyboard when I'm travelling away from my desk.
Rama Works Thermal.
I love it. I got the original, I think there’s second version. It’s one of those small run mechanical keyboards that you’ve gotta find out about at the right time to get in on the preorder.
What’s good?
So it’s heavy. About 1.5kg. When typing on it, it doesn’t move. At all.
It has this pretty neat metal plate that the keys are attached to that flexes when pressed and helps to provide a nice feeling of feedback.
I’ve got it in the HHKB layout. Which means my arrow keys are on another layer and require a fn button to use. Some people will hate that, I found it means my hands need to move around less.
I also pair it with a Magic Trackpad. Which combined is smaller than a standard full size keyboard.
Now, should you get one — or something similar?
When fully built this could be one of those $~1000 keyboards. But if you want one, you’ve gotta follow a maker or foundry that’s producing them. You’ve gotta work out if they’re legit and can actually deliver (rama has been doing this for year).
Then you’ve gotta get switches, and there’s lots of options. Then keycaps. For each you could spend more than a decent off the shelf keyboard.
If you’ve read this far you probably know already know the answer. It’s a lot of work, costs a decent amount of money, with a huge payoff — if you get it right.
If you’ve never built one before, find a well reviewed but cheap board with hot swap sockets. Try some switches, find what feels good. And go from there. Don’t drop big money straight away.
I think everyone who works closely with computers should build their own keyboard. It’s you most personal, direct interface with the computer.
With a great keyboard, as you switch computers you keyboard comes with you.
I love it. I got the original, I think there’s second version. It’s one of those small run mechanical keyboards that you’ve gotta find out about at the right time to get in on the preorder.
What’s good?
So it’s heavy. About 1.5kg. When typing on it, it doesn’t move. At all.
It has this pretty neat metal plate that the keys are attached to that flexes when pressed and helps to provide a nice feeling of feedback.
I’ve got it in the HHKB layout. Which means my arrow keys are on another layer and require a fn button to use. Some people will hate that, I found it means my hands need to move around less.
I also pair it with a Magic Trackpad. Which combined is smaller than a standard full size keyboard.
Now, should you get one — or something similar?
When fully built this could be one of those $~1000 keyboards. But if you want one, you’ve gotta follow a maker or foundry that’s producing them. You’ve gotta work out if they’re legit and can actually deliver (rama has been doing this for year).
Then you’ve gotta get switches, and there’s lots of options. Then keycaps. For each you could spend more than a decent off the shelf keyboard.
If you’ve read this far you probably know already know the answer. It’s a lot of work, costs a decent amount of money, with a huge payoff — if you get it right.
If you’ve never built one before, find a well reviewed but cheap board with hot swap sockets. Try some switches, find what feels good. And go from there. Don’t drop big money straight away.
I think everyone who works closely with computers should build their own keyboard. It’s you most personal, direct interface with the computer.
With a great keyboard, as you switch computers you keyboard comes with you.