No-Nonsense, Compact, USB/PS2 Keyboards? 35
JonMartin would like to poll the collective wisdom and experience of those Slashdot readers who would like to assist him in his quest for his idea of the perfect keyboard. Check out his description and see how well his ideal matches to yours.
"I am hunting for my perfect keyboard. I have not been able to find any vendor that matches my dream spec exactly, so I thought I would ask here before I start to compromise.
Here are the desired specs:
- the main part of the keyboard must be a 101-key layout, so no Win95 keys or internet keys (I would tolerate Win95 keys if they were out of the way - ie. above the numeric keypad)
- USB connector (but must still work with PS/2 adaptor in an emergency)
- 2 USB ports (obviously these will not be expected to work with the PS/2 adaptor)
- straight Enter key (not the big-L type)
- no 'ergonomic'split layout
- compact footprint (regular sized keyboard, but no extraneous molding that takes up desk space) maybe 18"x6.5"
- good quality and construction
JonMartin mentions that a few of his requests are quite subjective, so he's willing to try a few to see how they work out, so try to leave out those recommendations that are sold "as-is", please.
Does not exist (Score:1)
Next best solution might be an Apple keyboard, but those have other problems: they don't work with PS/2 and the F and J marks are on D and K.
The IBM M boards (Score:1)
- No win95 keys
- Straight enter key
- Not a split keyboard
- Compact compared to the latest "internet keyboard" 1 million and 1 key nightmares
- Strong enough constitution that you could classify it as a dangerous weapon
Just no USB. I'd get one of those plus a USB hub. If you ask me you just can't beat the M board (and yes, I've tried. I've not broken one yet).
www.pckeyboards.com used to sell that model. Maybe they still do...
Re:Does not exist (Score:1)
I thought these were called keyboard nipples.
"The last thing I want to do is deal with a bunch of people who want something."
My keyboard (Score:1)
Re:Does not exist (Score:1)
Re:Windows Keys (Score:1)
It works with Linux on my desk (Score:1)
it works with any OS (Score:1)
IBM KB9910 (no USB) (Score:1)
They are a membrain type keyboard but are pretty responsive, come with a built in little wrist rest at the bottom (more like a sloped piece of plastic) that is not obtrusive. They have windows keys however, and they bug me, but it's at least nice to type on...
Blank keyboards/keycaps (Score:1)
I see that for the Happy Hacker Keyboard [pfuca.com] they do Dvorak ones, but I was hoping to have a completely blank keyboard... just to freak out anyone who still needs to look at the keyboard when they are typing
Re:Windows Keys (Score:1)
Re:Blank keyboards/keycaps (Score:1)
There were also some other "newer" machines (still manual, though) that had the keys marked, but the teacher (I assume) used coloured nail polish to paint over the markings.
It was a good idea, I think, as it did force everyone to learn the proper key positions and not look at the keyboard while typing.
To this day, I cite my high school typing class as the single most-useful class that I ever took in school.
Re:Windows Keys (Score:1)
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Re:Windows Keys (Score:1)
Of course, if you use a different OS,... Then the windows button is useless.
My window manager (Sawfish) defaulted to using the Windows key for task-switching. Basically, Windows+Tab does for me what Alt+Tab does for Windows. I've actually come to prefer it that way.
Re:Blank keyboards/keycaps (Score:1)
However, I recommend Spray painting... Cleaner finish, easier to get the job done. (Might cost a little bit more though.)
Tip for learning dvorak at the same time: Download a picture of a dvorak layout and keep it hidden under your desk for emergencies.
-ShunScene
Re:Windows Keys (Score:1)
MCK-91 (800) is fine for me. (Score:1)
It comes with extra keys, but i didn't mind running yet (know when you look to a driver cdrom and you feel it's really crappy? yes, i got that feeling).
Hm... i've got a picture on it on my weblog [weblogger.com].
MCK-90 is reviewed here. [hardwareseeker.com]. It's the USB version.
Re:Well.. --Same one (Score:1)
That would be a cool hack.
Well.. (Score:1)
Re:Well.. --Same one (Score:1)
That's why most standard keyboard now are USB/PS2 ie the either come with a PS2 plug and an USB converter or an USB plug with a PS2 converter.
Obviously if you want to use all the fancy features, I guess that you will need to plug you USB plug inside a real USB socket. You might want to check on that, I'm no specialist.
Oh yeah, and Apple keyboards are flimsy, but comfortable.
Re:Forget the membrane keyboards, here's the best (Score:1)
Windows Keys (Score:1)
Of course, if you use a different OS, ignore what I just said. Then the windows button is useless.
Re:happy hacking (Score:2)
The happy hacker meets all of your requirements except for the bit about the extra USB ports.
What about the requirement that the main part of the keyboard be a 101-key layout? The happy hacker is a super cut-down 60-key thingie with no function keys, no numeric keypad, no arrow keys, no separate delete & backspace.. might be cool for people who grew up with a Sun Type 3 or whatever it's based on, but I think for most people it'd be as hard to use as switching from qwerty to dvorak.. I certainly would never want one..
Re:The IBM M boards (Score:2)
amen
I've paid $35 - $70 for used, 10+ year old IBM M type keyboards. At my local best buy they will sell me a $10 keyboard. They also have other keyboards for more, including up to $70. I takes at most 5 seconds on any of those to conclue I don't want one in my house.
So whatever you think is best, try it out before you buy. With the cheap keyboards typeing is a pain. With the good ones I can't wait to get back to typing.
Re:happy hacking (Score:2)
Actually, Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 (now that's a product name!) has 2 downstream USB ports, too.
Re:Blank keyboards/keycaps (Score:2)
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Re:Well.. --Same one (Score:2)
Nothing fancy but... (Score:2)
It is from NEC. I looked at some USB keyboards, but I dislike the idea of using USB for keyboards when PS/2 works with everything.
Re:Forget the membrane keyboards, here's the best (Score:2)
I had one on my desk, and the thing is definitely not self-programming. Without software support, you're sunk, which means (unless someone writes something for Linux), it's only of use for DOS and pre-Windows 3.11 users.
These things were made in the late 80s and have been sitting around looking for a home forever. If you pick one up, you'll even find that it's got an XT/AT switch, and the cable has been chopped off so a mini-DIN (PS/2) connector could be attached in place of the standard DIN (IBM PC/XT) connector that sat there before.
Re:happy hacking (Score:2)
Happy Hacker at Pfu [pfuca.com] for those who don't know it. (Karma already at 50, not whoring with links, etc.)
Re:Forget the membrane keyboards, here's the best (Score:2)
Last I knew, the MCK-142 Pro required a DOS mode TSR to enable all of its special functions, including the extra 24 buttons. There's no way of using it in anything beyond Windows 3.1 (i.e., no Windows 3.11/Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, 2000, NT, etc.).
Is the situation different for Linux? A quick browse around, and I'm not finding any MCK-142 Pro utilities for other operating systems.
happy hacking (Score:2)
I've noticed happy hacker clones at the computer store in my home town.
Re:happy hacking (Score:2)
As far as the whole sun type 3 thing, it isn't too challenging to remap keys, although after needing to remap the keys with every fresh Linux install, I've just learned to deal with the control key where it's at. I actually like it next to the 'a' better than down low.
Re:Forget the membrane keyboards, here's the best (Score:2)
OTH, with 142 keys the damn thing is a battleship! It's bigger than the old IBM 3270 keyboards I had to work on. Definitely not for the original poster.
"What are we going to do tonight, Bill?"
Forget the membrane keyboards, here's the best (Score:4)