Ask HN: Mechanical Keyboard Advice

3 pointsby herodoturtle5 yıl önce3 comments

Dear HNers,

I'm an old(ish) programmer (25 years XP) and have only recently discovered the vast and fascinating sub-culture dedicated to mechanical keyboards - specifically around the optimisation of the key-pressing experience.

I tried to read up on this topic, but holy chopsticks I drowned in a deluge of the steepest learning curve.

I'm also the sort of guy that will go to town on optimising every aspect of my life - down to the most minute detail (such as the orientation of my toothbrush when putting it back in its place, to minimise the energy I'll next expend to pick it up again).

So if you'll indulge me... could you please recommend a keyboard for me?

When I was faced with the prospect of researching this topic of mechanical keyboards, I quickly came to the realisation that if I went down this very deep rabbit hole, I'd unpack its variables to the point of being able to write a novel on Mechanical Keyboard Design Patterns that would honour the original Gang of Four in its exhaustiveness.

So I thought it would be wise to first ask you lot. Primarily because I honestly don't have the time to give this decision the attention it deserves (I'm a dad with young kids and a wife working in healthcare, so time is limited these days). But secondarily because I'm darn curious what you have figured out already.

I'd particularly value insightful stories of your actual experience - the design(s) you've gone with, the Pros and Cons, what you would change if you could, cool war stories, etc.

As for the keyboard recommendation - anything goes - and I am prepared to invest in this, much like I did with my monitor setup and Aeron.

Aesthetically, I'd prefer something that's matte black, with subtle / minimal key faces. And it would be a massive bonus if it could be wireless (and not via Bluetooth, but via a little USB receiver, like my Logitech mouse).

Thanks!

4 comments

LargoLasskhyfv5 yıl önce

If I didn't own this already (meanwhile heavily modified)

http://xahlee.info/kbd/marquardt_mini_ergo_keyboard.html

I'd probably go for something from either

https://www.maltron.com

or

https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage2-keyboard/

Don't just go "mechanical", go ergonomic too!

[deleted]5 yıl önce

h2odragon5 yıl önce

I'll speak up for the original Model M's, a form of which is still sold by Unicomp [1]. Not ergonomic but nothing feels better to me.

I bought one of the logitech "mechanical rgb" keyboards last year and beat it to failure inside 7 months. The new model m that replaced it has lasted longer now and cost less too.

[1] https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/UB4041A

poke around the site they sell the trackpoints too.

rubycon225 yıl önce

I recommend getting a keyboard with hot-swappable switches, since you may want to change it up some day and instead of buying a whole new keyboard, you can just get different switches. You'll have to do some thinking about what is the ideal switch for you. Some people like super clicky switches that make it sound like you're firing a machine gun when typing. Others want something more quiet.