Qiuet Keyboards with Tactile Feedback? 103
zerOnIne asks: "Like many geeks I know, I love good old clicky mechanical tactile-feedback keyboards. I've got an IBM Model M (101 key) on the server, and a Linux CoolKeyboard on my desktop, and I wouldn't want to part with them. The problem is, though, that my wife and I live in a studio apartment, and my desk is necessarily right next to the bed alcove. This poses a problem on nights, like tonight, when I want to get some late-night hacking in, and she needs to get some sleep: my typing can rather loud if I get going. Is there a keyboard out there that can give me the mechanical feel of an IBM-101, but without the noise? As an aside note, whatever happened to the Linux CoolKeyboards company?"
If you find one with tactile feedback.. (Score:5, Funny)
"I put a floppy in the front loading cdrom drive... and I can't get it out."
*zot*
Re:If you find one with tactile feedback.. (Score:2)
Editing (Score:1, Flamebait)
Re:Editing AGREED - parent is NOT flamebait. (Score:1)
Burn karma, burn! Flames are getting higher!
Some folks just can't take a little criticism.
Re:Editing (Score:1)
"Its" != "It is"
"It's" == "It is"
Damned noisy keyboards (Score:2, Funny)
Then I get yelled at. (*thud*)
Hooray for stealth, yet firm keyboards!
For a while, I had one of those flexi things. Y'know, the rubber ones, with the little like upright foodpad dealies. Worst. Keyboard. Ever. Silent, albeit, but if you pressed the little pad thing that was supposed to resemble a key on a keyboard, the rubber junction just sortof toppled over rather than actually pushing the actuator on the keypad. Freaking annoying.
Re:Damned noisy keyboards - Link (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Damned noisy keyboards - Link (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Damned noisy keyboards - Link (Score:2)
There is, however, a small flexible keyboard - sold at CompUSA and maybe other places - black, round keys, that doesn't.
UNFORTUNATELY it has 5 keys that send a space character (all various sizes), two delete keys, one backspace key, and none of them in pleasant places or sizes. [all the deletes are normal small sized in slightly-odd locations, the return is the old style L flipped, except it's only half as wide as you'd expect]
damned thing. I bought it hoping that the keys sent different keycodes and I could tweak something out of it - no dice. Still good in a pinch - if you suddenly need a usb keyboard - which rarely is of any use in the server room without forethought.
Dude! (Score:3, Funny)
Dell Quiet Key (Score:4, Informative)
The only keyboard that I've tried in the last 4 months that doesn't stick when I'm typing like mad (and doesn't cause any double-types). Quiet, yet responsive.
Alternately, you can try this [thinkgeek.com] puppy.
No no no no no no no! (Score:1)
*glares at MImeKillEr*
*glares at link*
EVIL...
*wanders off, looking totally lost*
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
I'm typing on a QuietKey now and it's one of the better keyboards I've had. An alternative may be one of the Microsoft Natural Keyboards. I remember that one having pretty good (if not IBM-esque) feedback.
Oh, and ebay is probably the right place to find it. Count of 20-30 bucks or so.
___________
Another route you can go (and I mention this even knowing you're in a studio apartment) is to get a chording keyboard. Many are designed to prevent noise, but do the research first (of course).
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:1)
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
hm, the twiddler does look nice, though
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:1)
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
The same goes for any "virtual" keyboard that senses keystrokes in the air. The only workable solution might be force-feedback gloves.
-Peter
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
-Peter
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:1)
Personally, I like the old HP clacky keyboards. However, mine simply couldn't keep up with my typing anymore. I've tried SEVERAL other keyboards and found that the Dells were the only ones with the right amount of 'action' in the keys and are able to keep up with my typing speed.
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
Okay, but QuietKey keyboards have objectively have poor feedback (i.e. they are about as mushy as any keyboard I have used), and the statement was in made in the context of how good the feedback is.
So, I guess that in some cosmic sense "it all boils down to personal preference," but in the context of the actuall conversation, or the context of your original post, or the story, personal preference isn't really relevant.
-Peter
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:1)
No, not really. The level of feedback and what I consider good vs. what you or anyone else considers good is also a matter of preference. Some people might argue that the MS Natural Keyboards are the best, whereas I'd prefer to shove pencils in my nose and type with those rather than use the MS Natural kb. Personally, I think they have shitty feedback and are generally awkward to use.
Re:Dell Quiet Key (Score:2)
The first story I've seen.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The first story I've seen.... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:The first story I've seen.... (Score:2)
(Insert "It's a joke, laugh" icon here.)
hummmm... (Score:1)
Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys! (Score:5, Informative)
The Customizer [pckeyboard.com]
It's made by the same guys who made those lovely clicking IBM keybords, and one of their models is (apparently) designed to give you a similar tactile feel but with less noise. (IIRC from my e-mails to/from one of their sales guys a few years back, they accomplished it by putting a noise-dampening shim into the spring).
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:4, Insightful)
One day when I feel right about spending $50-$60 on a keyboard
I used to feel the same way, then someone asked me a profound question: What parts of the computer do you interact with the most?
the answer is the keyboard, the mouse and the monitor.
I contend that someone should spend a larger percentage of the computer cost on the keyboard and monitor. I love my logitec trackman wheel, and I love my old, IBM full clicky keyboard.
If I had to do it now, I'd spend money on one of those 'happy hacker' keyboards or something similar.
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:2)
that's what I've saying for years. my stoopid assfriends never understood why it was worth it to spend another 30-50 bucks on a better monitor, or to pay 40 bucks for a nice mouse/trackball.
now those jackasses are buying wrist straps and coke bottle glasses.
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:2)
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:2)
Happy Hacker keyboards, or something so dang close I didn't notice (I was assured they were the same by the store) are now made by Cherry. Model number G84-4100 [cherrycorp.com]
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:4, Interesting)
I sent back the one with many non-registering keys, and when it came back, none of them were fixed.
Given how much it costs to keep shipping keyboards back to the company, I've given up on it. It was a great idea, but the two keyboards I got don't work, and the company didn't fix them.
Disappointing (Score:2)
Now I'll just tell people to do what I do... buy the original IBM-branded ones used at computer shows. There are always some for sale cheap, and since they're damn near indestructable, they're a safe buy.
Re:Disappointing (Score:2)
What kind of computer shows do you mean? I've been looking for IBM model M's whenever I see used computers, and haven't been able to find one.
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:1)
Re:Buy from the original IBM/Lexmark keyboard guys (Score:2)
Shame they are not made any more ... at least I was able to a buy a couple surplus before they became unobtainium. Check out here [btceurope.cz]
for the specs.
How about some tactile feedback for spelling error (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:How about some tactile feedback for spelling er (Score:5, Funny)
thats pretty mean
Re:How about some tactile feedback for spelling er (Score:2)
MY spelling is so shit I can use it as a signiture.
Keep the spelling mistakes in, it should help remind you exactly what you were thinking about at the time you wrote whatever.
A document without spelling mistakes is like a document with no life in it.
In marketing speak (Score:3, Insightful)
seems quite difficult to give the actual feedback without the sound. moreover, wouldn't the sound be an important factor in the feedback you speak about?
Re:In marketing speak (Score:3, Informative)
I stumbled across a keyboard at work (scavanging is what everyone does after the 4th round of layoffs, right?) that is actually pretty quiet, but gives the fully clicky feel without so much clack (just ask my co-workers).
I don't think Dell even offers it anymore, but it's the Dell AT101W keyboard. Full-size, good feel -- less noise.
I personally find the QuietKey keyboards "ok". Better than probably some 75% of what's on the market, but still mushy. I just don't touch-type properly with a mushy keyboard.
Re:In marketing speak (Score:2)
Re:In marketing speak (Score:1)
5 DELL AT101W Keyboards on Ebay [ebay.com]
Re:In marketing speak (Score:2)
The feedback he speaks about is tactile [reference.com]. And no, sound is not a factor at all.
i love my happy hackers (Score:1)
one at home, one at work. great feel, proper ctrl placement, and no useless number pad to move your hand over every time you go to use your mouse
Re:i love my happy hackers (Score:1)
Re:i love my happy hackers (Score:1)
corrected link (Score:3, Informative)
less info than their main page (which is apparently down), but it still gets the point across.
Re: (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Sun Type 6 keyboard (Score:3, Informative)
Mac laptop (Score:2)
The keyboard can be modelled as a soundboard. (Score:5, Informative)
However, the sound created is rather tiny. The reason it sounds so loud is that the keyboard, especially the underside, acts as a soundboard. Lucky for your marital peace, you can deaden this effect to some degree.
-Adam
Re:The keyboard can be modelled as a soundboard. (Score:2)
I contend that building a couch fort is bad for any marrige.
-Peter
Re:The keyboard can be modelled as a soundboard. (Score:2)
i'm serious
but the idea of a second keyboard just for such purposes is a good one
Re:The keyboard can be modelled as a soundboard. (Score:2)
Plus it's made by communists who work for food. expect to pay $5.
Forest for the keys (Score:2)
Re:Forest for the keys (Score:1)
Re:Forest for the keys (Score:2)
Thank you thank you, i'm here on tuesdays and thursdays.
New IBMs (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:New IBMs (Score:2)
I think it's a little better than the Dell Quiet Key...
Apple Pro Key USB (Score:4, Interesting)
Hope this helps!
Re:Apple Pro Key USB (Score:2)
I had problems with the apple/window keys being where ALT is expected as well, as well as the problem of F13-F15 not functioning as printscreen, scrolllock, and pause/break as expected.
The help button is read as insert as expected, but something about those F keys must make them show up different.
The apple USB keyboard took a little getting used to because it has different feeling feedback, its definatly not clicky, but its totally quiet as well.
If you are looking for the click feel, i dont think the apple keyboard will give you what you want.
Personally I find its feedback feeling much better.. but to each their own!
Re:Apple Pro Key USB (Score:2)
Re:Apple Pro Key USB (Score:1)
I know exactly what you want... (Score:1)
http://www.keytronic.com/home/keyboards/keyboar
BTC 9110 == best keyboard ever (Score:3, Interesting)
It's a smaller-than-normal keyboard, but the key layout is actually very sensible. I find that for programming, the keys I need most (shift, ctrl, alt, home, end, insert, delete and of course, return) are in the perfect positions. I also do a lot of gaming, and despite the smaller keyboard size it works great for that too. In addition, the tactile feedback is excellent. There's no annoying clicking sound, but there's just enough of a noise to let you (and only you) know that you've successfully hit a key. The keys also have a very light keypress so you don't strain your fingers, and yet at the same time the feedback is just right. It's actually kinda similar to a laptop keyboard in many respects.
Give it a shot. It's only $30 or so, and I think you'll really like it if you can get past the silly silver design.
Re:Studio apartment? (Score:2)
I feel your pain (Score:3, Insightful)
Second, it doesn't have to be loud to have positive feedback. My Logitech keyboard has the exact same feedback as the old IBMs - that's why I bought it - but with less resistance and less key travel. This means I don't have to bang the keys as hard to register a press, so there's less noise.
Third, when you're looking at a keyboard, wiggle the keys around from side to side. Not only does this help select the keyboards that are probably poorly built, a lot of noise can come from the keys sliding around. It's not often that your fingers come down on a key perfectly straight: almost always, you're pushing a little to one side or the other. All keyboards have some looseness, but... well, in my case it was either "a lot" or "very little," with no keyboards in the middle ground. And you'd be surprised at some of the names (and prices) that have a lot of looseness in the keys.
I know exactly what you need (Score:1)
Earplugs!
Why the solution must be on Your side?
Re:I know exactly what you need (Score:2)
-Peter
Re:I know exactly what you need (Score:1)
wife: "Stop that damn clicking and come to bed!"
husband(skating on thin ice): "But I bought you some earplugs. Why aren't you using them?"
wife: "I'm not going to wear those !@%!$#%@#^ earplugs just so you can click all night!"
husband(now in the dog house): "But you'll be able to go to sleep then!"
wife: "I can't go to sleep with !@$%#%^^ earplugs in my ears and you clicking all night."
Angry wives (Score:1)
However, keyboard click is a problem. I find myself attempting to type quietly which tends to slow me down somewhat. As a matter of fact mouse clicks are a problem too. When I'm coding I very rarely use mouse clicks, (if at all), however surfing the web is something else. The somewhat sparodic mouse click noise tends to wake my wife up more.
So what about quiet mice as well?
Re:Angry wives (Score:1)
Quiet keyboard + soundcard. (Score:1)
Granted there would be a delay between keypress and sound, (depending on the OS and speed of your poota). But if you use the BIOS to provide the keyclick there shouldn't be much noticable delay.
If you don't like headphones then you can just pipe it to a speaker and adjust the volume.
OT: How do you repair an IBM keyboard?? (Score:1)
I recently discovered that my spare Options by IBM SelectEase has some defective keys. I tried to take one of the halves (splits into 2 pieces) apart and found that the underlying PCB layer is held together by what appears to be locking washers attached to plastic pegs. What tool can I get to pry these off? The specific key's spring has been deformed so the force required to press it has increased and the tactile feedback has disappeared (spring no longer deforms to create the clicking sound). What I wanted to do was switch its spring clip with that of a less-used key like F11. I'm well aware the potential havoc that can arise by the disassembly of these mechanical IBM keyboards. More info at PCGuide [pcguide.com] and here [pcguide.com]
I know that pckeyboard.com fixes keyboards but with the unfavorable comment here, I don't want to try them since these keyboards aren't being made any more.
Also, what causes keys to repeat intermittently? Old springs?
Re:OT: How do you repair an IBM keyboard?? (Score:2)
Re:OT: How do you repair an IBM keyboard?? (Score:1)
Re:OT: How do you repair an IBM keyboard?? (Score:1)
Here's another [3m3718.com] site that might be helpful.
I'm looking for a keyboard, too (Score:2)
I'm looking for a keyboard, too. Specifically, one that mimics the incredible feel of the keyboard that came with the IBM PS/2 Model P70. It was a 80386 running at 20MHz and came with a gas plasma display that tilted out. It was called a portable computer, and that was being generous as it had to run on A/C and weighed about 20 pounds!
The keyboard had a very light touch but never missed a key press on me. My fingers just FLEW along that keyboard! At the end of the day, I had not even a hint of fatigue from typing, either. It was the best keyboard I've ever used in 30 years of programming, and I've worked on everything from mainframes and minis to PCs. Heck, I started with a teletype which had a built-in accoustically coupled modem that we used to dial up a DEC PDP-8!
If anyone ever made a keyboard like that which I could use with my PC today, I'd buy up several in a heartbeat!
Re:I'm looking for a keyboard, too (Score:2)
Guess your looking for a better mouse too, then
Re:I'm looking for a keyboard, too (Score:1)
Like this [yahoo.com]? They have the IBM noisy type keyboards everyones either loves or hates. And they have same-layout-less-noise too. I have no idea whether the latter ones are as good as the noisy ones though.
I have one IBM keyboard. Heavy. Noisy. And I love it.
Use of the word 'hacking' (Score:1)
My point here is that politicians and non-tech/non-mechanical people use the term hacking to immediately imply malicious behavior, a threat to the public, like hacking into top secret gov't networks or stealing credit card numbers from an e-commerce site. So, what happens when the FBI (Carnivore) and the new Homeland Security Dept. flag your Slashdot username as a hacker simply because their bots picked up your name posting a message where you say something like "when I want to get some late-night hacking in"? This may sound stupid to some of you, but hear me out. I think more and more of us need to publicly use the word hack (hacked, hacking, etc.) in an attempt to make the word so arbitrarily vague, that the government cannot use the word in legislative drafts, executive orders or judicial summaries. Terms like hacking and "intellectual property" have been made dangerous black holes by the government and exploited by corporate America. And when corporate America exploits something, international businesses learn to follow suit, because they can get away with it!
So on that note, Merry Hacking and have a Hacking New Year!
Actually, I have a related problem... (Score:2)
Favorite keyboard...ever... (Score:2)
Power Computing is out of business now, but MacAlly makes USB clones of their old keyboards [macally.com] now for the Mac market. As mentioned previously in the thread, you can remap the keys however you like them, and they're BIOS supported.
They're very, very quiet -- very comfortable and have satisfying feedback.
You may need to test a couple of them though before buying, though. I own several and one of them (a Bondi model, FWIW) feels "soft" when typing.
I actually installed one of these on my token WinBox (eMachines: loudest keyboard EVER, but great feedback, ala old IBMs) for the same reason you mention -- becuase my girlfriend playing that word-scramble game on Shockwave.com was driving me completely batshit while I was trying to code.
MacAlly has a couple of other 'boards with additional features -- I'm eager to try the IceKey [macally.com].
MacAlly stuff is generally carried in your local CompUSA in the Mac section, so you should be able to test drive one.
Don't be afraid to take it out of the box and play with one if it's not on display. CompUSA employees are generally scared of Mac people and won't say a word, if they are even brave enough to come near the section.