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Upgrades Hardware

Have Keyboards Gone Crazy? 208

Posted by Cliff from the do-you-really-need-more-than-101 dept.
Ethelthefrog asks: "My office keyboard recently failed and I am attempting to choose a replacement. Unfortunately, Logitech, who make keyboards with an action I really like, seem to have gone crazy. They have trademarked their worst features: Zero Degree Tilt(tm) means I have to reach uncomfortably far for the number keys and their horrific 'Enhanced Function Keys' means I now need to engage a shift-lock type function just to get at F1-F12. Are there any geek-friendly keyboards out there that combine decent action with just the keys I need to hack and no more?"
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Have Keyboards Gone Crazy? More

Have Keyboards Gone Crazy?

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  • Cherry keyboards, by far the best keyboards in the world... Ever since I've used my first spacesaver, I've never wanted anything else... good firm action, not one of those "touch me even the slightest bit, and I'll crap out a bunch of keystrokes for ya"-type keyboards... But I guess if you like the way a logitech keyboard types... you might disagree with me on this one ;)
    • Since he specifically said he likes the Logitech action I think a better choice would be the MS Internet Keyboard Pro. It's probably a rebranded Logitech (all the MS mice are), and it's got all the keys in the right places. It's both PS/2 and USB as well although some of the special function keys don't work in PS/2 mode.

    • IBM (prices etc) (Score:2, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      IBM makes really nice keyboards for their Thinkpads, and also for desktops.

      This one [ibm.com] has both a Trackpad and a Trackpoint, is black, compact, and has two USB expansion ports. $99

      This one [ibm.com] is on sale for $38 and has USB ports as well as 15 special-purpose custom-programmable buttons.

      Here [ibm.com] you have the standard 104-key IBM keyboard in black for $29.

      And here [ibm.com] you have the whole list!

  • Happy hacker ... (Score:4, Interesting)

    by LizardKing ( 5245 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @11:35AM (#6995008)
    Despite it's naff name, the Happy Hacker keyboard is quite good. It's small as well as having the Control and Caps Lock keys in the correct place. It still doesn't beat the Sun Type 5 keyboard, but I don't know if you can connect one of them to a PC.

    Chris
    • ... because you just plug it in (it's USB) and it works. You can twat about with getting all the extra keys to do stuff if you like. The only problem that I found with mine was that playing Half-Life in Wine, I couldn't crouch-jump with that keyboard. Going back to my clicky old Dell keyboard solved that.
    • I have a Happy Hacking Lite2 which is the Happy Hacking keyboard with an inverted-T arrow key layout below the right shift key (the only keys that are not normal size). It's great because I can use it in my keyboard tray and still keep the mouse at keyboard level where it's meant to be ergonomically.

      However, I wouldn't recommend it to the question asker because he specifically didn't want to have to do a key combination to do function keys. On this keyboard, Fn+1 = F1. Also, Fn+` = Del which is kind of
  • If you used it, you would notice this article:

    http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/17/23 2247&mode=thread&tid=126&tid=146&tid=156&tid=9 9 [slashdot.org]

    It seems like a pretty nice keyboards, and it is only a few spaces down on the ask slashdot page. I am even thinking of buying one.

  • There's only one answer, no need for a thread (Score:2, Informative)

    by Anonymous Coward
    PCKEyboard [pckeyboard.com], who own the rights to the venerable IBM high-tactile keyboards (aka "the wing of death").

    They also have myriad options and some extremely programmable/configurable keyboards.

  • Happy Hacking (Score:4, Informative)

    by 4of12 ( 97621 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @11:37AM (#6995034) Homepage Journal

    I've been quite happy with my Happy Hacking keyboard [yahoo.com] for several years.

    The Control key is in the right place, it doesn't hog the desk the way those big 105 key monster do.

    The emphasis is on being compact, though, so be warned that getting function keys requires a 2-key combination, holding down an "Fn" key together with one of the other keys (eg, the numeric 1 becomes F1).

    I've been intrigued, but haven't had the courage yet to try out something that looks incredibly efficient (one-handed, Ma!) and good for portable use, too, the Twiddler [handykey.com].

  • Er... (Score:2, Interesting)

    by Firehawke ( 50498 )
    Sure. First thing comes to mind for me is that you can get decent generic keyboards with all the standard keys and none of the excess for anywhere from $3-15 USD. (I know $3 sounds low, but I had a local computer shop that really was selling decent keyboards and mice that cheap.)

  • Go Old School (Score:4, Informative)

    by Dr. Bent ( 533421 ) <ben&int,com> on Thursday September 18, 2003 @11:41AM (#6995062) Homepage
    I use an old IBM PS/2 keyboard, with the IBM logo on it and everything. It took me forever to find it but it makes my life wonderful. First of all, it's indestructable. Even after all this time the letters on the keys haven't worn off. It's got a nice tilt to it and I really like the tactile feedback from the keys because they're individually spring loaded, (instead of a plastic membrane). Also, since it's PS/2 I don't use up a USB port just for my keyboard. But the best part is no Windows keys! So when I'm playing quake on a friday afternoon, I don't have to worry about accidently tasking out because I hit the wrong button.

    Keyboards have gone way downhill in the last few years because of all the "innovation". Simple is better. I don't need a seperate button on the keyboard for checking my e-mail, opening a web browser, and connecting to the internet. That's just lame.
    • Quoth the poster:

      I use an old IBM PS/2 keyboard, with the IBM logo on it and everything. It took me forever to find it but it makes my life wonderful.

      Same with me. I'm still using the Compaq-branded PS/2 keyboard from my first Pentium-166 class machine way back in 1996. The key action is *prefect* for the way I type and the damned thing's almost indestructible. After almost 8 years of heavy use, the letters on the keycaps are as legible as new.

      Another thing I like about it is that I can just pop off

    • Re:Go Old School (Score:3, Informative)

      by Tumbleweed ( 3706 )
      > since it's PS/2 I don't use up a USB port just for my keyboard

      Dude, that's one of the things USB was intended for.

      I also use one of these keyboards, which I found recently at a used computer parts place for all of $2.50. Unbelievable.

      When I need a new one (or a black one), I'll go pay $60 for one at pckeyboards.com - they make them new. Yay.
      • My Model M is nearly dead, due to a very accident-prone wife... You've made me a very happy man..
    • Actually I disagree. I may be the exception but while I like the old keyboards as well. Server room has them I like my logitech explorer as well.

      Let me explain, I pried off the windows keys and the sleep/mode key (small recessed thing in top left corner). I also haven't installed their software. Instead I have added a winamp pluging that reads the keys, pretty much the same thing is availble for xmms when I am at work.

      So what is so great? Easy control of my music. I have long since given up on the radio f

    • I have one of these and love it. One thing I forgot to mention in my description above was that it is very, very loud. As in keep the door closed so people in the next room can hear the television loud.

      If you don't mind everybody knowing when you are typing a flurry of responses on the computer, then it is a great (!) keyboard.

    • Get a used Model M Keyboard [modelm.org]. They're built like tanks, and make an extremely satisfying "clickity clackity clackity clickity" sound thanks to those spring-loaded keys. Yowseh. Mine's nearly 10 years old, continuous service. You can program the LEDs if the spirit moves you. Everything is where it is supposed to be, and no annoying "Windows" or "Apple" key. Being mostly metal, the model M is also satisfyingly HEAVY which means they don't scootch around the desk every time the cat cuddles up around o

      • "Get a used Model M Keyboard [modelm.org]. They're built like tanks, and make an extremely satisfying "clickity clackity clackity clickity" sound thanks to those spring-loaded keys."

        I've gotta agree with you. The Model M I am typing on right now is almost 20 years old and the only problem I ever have with it is that the numpad plus key occasionally sticks.

        There's no #(*%^&*(#ing windows key. Just the essentials. And the blackslash is in the right place, the main enter key is not oversized, and

    • So when I'm playing quake on a friday afternoon

      Bullshit...you play every day, morning and afternoon.

      And you know this. Man.

      s

    • They are easy enough to get if you know where to look. They are still made by Unicomp. Their Online store is pckeyboard.com

      Typing this with a IBM logo keyboard I got from them. Now it comes without the logo, but it's still available - look that the Classic 101 model. And yes, you CAN get a 104 keyboard if you want
    • I really like the tactile feedback

      I can't stand IBM keyboards. Let me rephrase that: I fucking hate them. What you call tactile feedback, I call suppressing fire. Before I got my first PC in college, I went to the lab to type my papers. There was one PC that had one of these infernal keyboards and it was always the last one anyone sat at. Never failed that when I showed up to the lab, the only machine open was the one with the clangboard.

      It took many years to get over--WHAT? YES, MASTER I'LL DO THY BIDD

  • Keytronic (Score:3, Insightful)

    by GypC ( 7592 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @11:41AM (#6995069) Homepage Journal

    I like the Keytronic [keytronic.com] LT Classic II. Just like your basic keyboard (no superfluous or missing keys), except the keys seem to never go dead or even lose their bounce! Lifetime guarantee for $39.00.

  • I'm not familiar with this particular logitech keyboard ... but in order for the thing to operate as a regular keyboard, they must just be putting something in the driver to make the F-keys behave differently.

    If you don't install the custom drivers, I'd assume the thing would work just like any other 101-key keyboard.

    Anybody know differently?

    • Wrong, I have one of these things. When I reboot my computer (I was running an unstable kernel for a while so this happened often) the keyboard went to a mode where it sent something other than the F key codes unless you press the f-lock button. Each F key has something printed on it, (eg: undo) presumably with windows (and thier driver) you would press that button and have the action taken. I know of no way to disable this.

      • There isn't. They keyboard itself sends out a different keycode depending on wether that F-lock key is enabled. You will also notice that the f-lock key is independent of the pc. Num-lock and such need the PC to change state (light on and off) but the f-lock key will work the moment you apply power.

        So yup if you got it you need to hit the f-lock key each and every time you boot up. At least the keys don't do something stupid unless you install the drivers.

        If anyone knows different please tell us.

  • IBM Model M is the keyboard of the Gods.

    http://www.modelm.org/mboard.html

    • Or get an IBM 42H1292 -- it's the same thing (Score:5, Informative)

      by Wee ( 17189 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:54PM (#6995810)
      IBM Model M is the keyboard of the Gods.

      The Model M is an amazing keyboard. So is the model 42H1292. Both are heavy, and both feature the buckling spring switch under each key principle. Dan (from dansdata.com) reviews them here [dansdata.com]. He calls 'em "battleship boards", goes into the why they make such great keyboards. It's interesting reading, like pretty much most of what Dan writes.

      IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find. He did manage to find a company [pckeyboard.com] here in the US that uses IBM's old tooling to manufacture new 42H1292 keyboards. They don't have the IBM logo, but they are apparently functionally identical to the IBMs. They're US$50, however.

      I was inches away from buying one of the new units, and decided to do some searching before I threw down a hundred dollars. After some searching, I came across a company called IndexComputer that specializes in older OEM computer parts, specifically IBM parts (if you need port covers or whatever for an old ThinkPad, they're the people to talk to). They sell brand new 42H1292 keyboards for $20 [yahoo.com].

      I bought one a couple weeks ago as a test. It's the real deal. Even smells like a pool toy. I'm using it now, actually. I went back and bought three more for a spare and for a couple other computers I have.

      For $20 you can't go wrong with a 42H1292. If you really must have a Model M, IndexComputer sells those as well [indexcomputer.net]. They're US$50 though. I don't know if a plug-in cable is worth the extra US$30, but if you really have to get your hands on a true Model M, they're the people to talk to.

      -B

      • IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find.

        I'm sure there are similar stores where you live. Here in Toronto, there's Goodwill (charity run) and Value Village (for profit, but supports charities), as well as ton of other chains and independants. These places resell other people's used stuff. Mostly clothes, but there's always a wall of random technology at these places (phones, stereos, computers, etc.)

        There's always a pile of keyboards there, and invariably theres one
        • I work at a resal store operated by habitat for Humanity. We get keyboards in all the time. I sell the real IBM model M's for $10 and any other keyboard for $2, including a whole lot of non model M spring buckle IBM keyboards. I finally brought one home for myself the other day and just love it, my words per minute has increased (not really sure why) and it just plain sounds cooler, especially since I tend to hit my keys,especially the space bar, pretty hard anyways.
      • *sigh*...I just KNEW before I hit the "Read More" link that it wouldnt be long before somone started harping on about how wonderful the Model M is and then the whole sheep-like lot of would you chime in...

        Whatever happened to diversity?

        Look, believe it or not, spring loaded keys aren't everybody's cup of tea - especially if you have to so a lot of typing, where a soft-touch keyboard is a much safer bet for your wrists.

        The article poster preferred vintage Logitech, but I prefer the action on vintage Keytr
  • Viewmate Slim keyboard. All the keys are like a laptop keyboard, you only have to push them 1/2 as far as a regular one. there are tiny function buttons at the top, and your F-keys are directly on top of your number key's. It also has a USB port built into each side, and works great with RedHat 9. I love mine. :)

    Keyboard Link [computerhq.com]
  • Somebody's selling a brand new Omnikey Ultra on eBay. [ebay.com]

    Grab one of these, you'll type faster and more accurately. And your neighbors will know every time you press a key.

    I might have to find one for myself...I seriously dropped my old Ultra the other day, and I'm having trouble with the up arrow and zero keys. Hope I didn't crack a trace.
    • I'm sorry, but these are the biggest pieces of shit ever made.

      We threw buckets of these things away when I worked at BMC.
      • We threw buckets of these things away when I worked at BMC.

        The feeling I am experiencing right now can be summed up with one word: holocaust.

        The Northgate Omnikey and the reborn Avant Stellar are hundred-dollar keyboards, made to be actual computer components instead of some freebie add-on. Anything else, to me, feels like typing on a tray of rotten grapes.
        • Sorry guy, I subscribe to the belief that as long as the keys are loud, the keyboard doesn't feel like butter, and it's cheap - its the keyboard for me. I personally like the old-ass, loud Dell PS2 keyboards. The ones they have now (even moreso the USB ones) are just crap.

          Then again, I never saw the need for 4:1 or 5:1 surround-sound on a PC either or any computer case that cost more than $30. The only exception is the new Alienware that actually looks like an alien head, and only because it looks cool. To
          • My particular Northgate is about 14 years old. They in fact don't make them anymore, the Avant Stellar is supposed to be a remake.

            And I call you cheap. I got my keyboard for less than five dollars, the key is finding some thrift store or garage sale where all they can see is an old keyboard. Little do they know they could get upwards of $50 or $60 for it on eBay!

            Even so, the keyboard is the only entry point for you to put productive work into your computer. Anything less than the best will negatively affe
            • Anything less than the best will negatively affect the quality or quantity of your work.

              But, 'best' is a relative term. For me, its all about the key action. The faster the keys return to rest, the faster I can type. Everything else from there is just icing.

              • Why do you think I like the Omnikey?

                The keys return so fast, and with the perfect amount of audible and mechanical feedback; I get about 30% better WPM on that keyboard than most others.

  • CVT Avant Prime (Score:2, Interesting)

    by CrosbieFitch ( 694308 )
    Thats what you want.

    PERFECT.

    Avant Prime [cvtinc.com]
  • Most of those stupid function keys are based on the driver.

    I use a logitech cordless mouse/kybd combo and also suffered the f-lock combo maddness. However I used the driver for an HP Multimedia keyboard (send me a message and I can send you a copy) and it enables the volume keys and the email button, IM button and a couple others while leaving the Fkeys undisturbed.

    Otherwise use the windows default drivers. Win2k and XP default kybd drivers 90% of the time auto recognize the volume controls and sleep

  • Microsoft Natural Pro (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Basje ( 26968 ) <bas@bloemsaat.org> on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:01PM (#6995290) Homepage
    Actually, it's neither micro, nor soft, but it's a mighty fine keyboard. Unfortuanately, it is discontinued, but it was widely available, which is also a plus. I don't know about it's successor, the natural multimedia keyboard, but apart from a lot of colors it looks the same.

    Don't go for the natural keyboard elite, as it has the cursor keys in a + configuration, not an inverted T. That's annoying
    • I managed to drown my one recently, and like it so much I actually went to the lengths of opening it up in the hopes it could be fixed.

      Unfortunatly, whether it could be fixed or not, I couldn't get the thing back into one piece (it's got those annoying ribbon cables that plug in right underneath the actual keys, so you can't get it plugged in again.
    • I like the microsoft natural series, but I had to buy a few of the older generic Multimedia Elites that had the true inverted T, and a real Insert/Delete, and included the usb ports in back. (Handy to have usb there, and can plug the mouse in there also.) Had to buy online to get the older keyboards with real keys. And the believe it or not, the OSX drivers from microsoft works great for both intellimouse/ms keyboards.

      Microsoft took a great keyboard, with real keys, then ruined the Inverted T arrow keys, t

    • Actually, it's neither micro, nor soft, but it's a mighty fine keyboard. Unfortuanately, it is discontinued, but it was widely available, which is also a plus. I don't know about it's successor, the natural multimedia keyboard, but apart from a lot of colors it looks the same.

      The Microsoft natural multimedia is quite nice, but suffers from the exact same problem that the author mentioned above... that is it has a "F lock" key which turns the keys from their normal useful function key status into a retard

  • Here's the keyboard you want (Score:5, Funny)

    by lightspawn ( 155347 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:02PM (#6995294) Homepage
    eBay item 2746828346 [ebay.com].

    Sure, the bidding ended, but you can make one yourself very easily.

  • PS/2 (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Zelet ( 515452 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:02PM (#6995295) Journal
    This is a little off topic, but why are PS/2 and other old standards still included on PCs? By including these ancient standards all PC manufactureers are doing is taking away room for USB and Firewire. Think about it - a stock motherboard could have 8 or 10 USB/Firewire ports built in if it wasn't for all the legacy stuff.

    Just my 2 cents.
    • "By including these ancient standards all PC manufactureers are doing is taking away room for USB and Firewire."

      What the hell is your typing speed if you need that much bandwidth?

    • Re:PS/2 (Score:2, Interesting)

      by Xunker ( 6905 )
      First and most obvious is that everyone has them -- everyone probably has as least one PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard lying around somewhere and MoBo manufacturers don't want to potentially alienate part of their market.

      Another reason is that USB Legacy Emulation (as it is sometimes called) is still not foolproof. Goes like this: To use a PS/2 KB you have to talk to the keyboard controller which is almost certainly based off the controller original IBM 8256 (or whatever it was) which in turn talks to the keyboa

  • Best Keyboard ever (Score:2, Interesting)

    by attaboy ( 689931 )

    I have one of these at home and one at work. I've used dozens of different keyboards, and this is the best I've ever found. I picked it after extensive research and reading of reviews.

    It's by Keytronic and it's called the LT Designer (almost the same as LT Classic but w/ more of an angle to it.)

    http://www.keytronic.com/home/products/specs/ltdes igner.htm [keytronic.com]

    Good review here [gamers.com]

  • Cherry Keyboards (Score:3, Informative)

    by Specialist2k ( 560094 ) <slashdot-200408.10.spezi@spamgourmet.com> on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:04PM (#6995325)
    Are there any geek-friendly keyboards out there that combine decent action with just the keys I need to hack and no more?

    I am not sure if these are available in the US, but I can definitely recommend Cherry's G81-3000 [cherry.de] keyboard.

  • I don't know if it's legacy now, but the keyboard I use was from a dell server, and it's the best I've seen. Purely standard layout, very deep keys with solid clicking, rather large overall, but just such a serious hacker board.

    If Dell doesn't sell those anymore, you could at least get one of their new black "quiet-key" keyboards. Very smooshy, which is alright if you're into that, and very small and lightweight with no extra goofy keys.
    • Yup, I love Dell keyboards to. If your looking for more, check out Package2You.com [66.216.68.88].
      Scroll down towards the bottom of the page, they have the real old PS2 Dell keyboards (larger and tilt up more in the back then the newer older ones) and the older QuietKey keyboards from 2000 or so.
      They are system pulls, but clean and work well. And at only $1.79 each the price can't be beat. I own a dozen of them "just in case".
      Package2You seems to run out of these keyboards a lot, but after a week or so get in more stock.
  • I've been looking for a decent keyboard for months and have yet to find one that is better that the cheapo keyboard I have. I wish there was a company that let you customize the layout and features of a keyboard for a reasonable price. that might be nice, I personally have many complaints with the standard keyboard layout, before I even get to the headaches you speak of.
  • Pick up a nice old used keyboard. An IBM Model M off eBay will cost you about 15 bucks. Right now, I've got my desktop hooked up to an old SGI keyboard that I picked up at the MIT Swapfest for about 3 or 4 dollars. I love the thing - best feel I've ever seen in a keyboard.

  • Keytronic or IBM (Score:2, Informative)

    by Deternal ( 239896 )
    I like the old IBM keyboards (the ones you can beat people with and it'll still be usable). I have a model M keyboard [modelm.org] for my home server which is awesome.

    For my desktop I use a keytronics kt2001 keyboard [keytronic.com] which is very very nice, and has a high enough buffer not to go awry in games even though you use 10 keys at once :P Otherwise I might use my old keytronics M model lookalike (which sadly isn't even a PS2 model heh :P).

  • IBM Model M Spacesaver (Score:4, Interesting)

    by isaac ( 2852 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @12:13PM (#6995408)
    The IBM "Spacesaver" ps/2 keyboard fits the bill:

    • Buckling spring mechanism
    • Compact (standard IBM PS/2 layout minus the numeric keypad)
    • Durable
    • No Windows or "grandma" keys

    Personally, though I've put mine away and now use an IBM Trackpoint II keyboard - it's full-sized, it's black, it has the buckling spring model M mechanism, it has no windows keys, and it has a trackpoint built in (regretably only the 2-button, no z-axis trackpoint II) so I can keep my hands on the keyboard. In conjunction with a USB scroll-mouse, I've found input nerdvana.

    -Isaac

  • I was in the same predicament about 2 years ago. I realised I did not like any new keyboards (I particularly HATE "ergonomical" ones). I heard a lot of people were very happy with the IBM type M keyboard.

    So I looked for one, and found one for free at my old company (they were throwing it out). I've been using that keyboard for the past 2 years, and it still works as well as when I first got it. Btw, it was manufactured on the 17th of July 1987.

    It might be worth looking into one. I got hooked as soon as I
  • Seriously, this confuses people, but my _desktop_ PC uses a trackpad. It's built in to the keyboard and it's absolutely fantastic. No more stretching my shoulder all the way out there for the mouse (seriously, hold it there for a minute or so and feel the tension building) and no more reorienting your hands constantly as you move between devices. Plus, once you're past the initial orientation phase and have the speed set right, it's just way better for GUI stuff. No, you can't paint or play Quake with it bu
  • I have tried out lots of minimalist keyboards. The Happy Hacking keyboard, like many, has membrane keys, so its action is crap. Back in the early 80s, Apple tried to ship Apple ][s with keyboards like that and got most of them back. Despite occasional lapses, Apple has a good record for the quality of keyboards it ships.

    I have been using a Goldtouch [goldtouch.com] adjustable keyboard for more than a year and am very happy with it. The only serious annoyance is that they put various locking keys too close to the shift

    • I've not come across a better keyboard to type on than the current white "Apple Keyboard". While that's a completely subjective judgment that won't apply to everyone, it's a good simple and pretty minimalist keyboard. A better action than the pro keyboards, with a good feel, and just seems to have the right balance between extreme click and soft mush.

      pictures of the thing are here [mac.com]

  • It seems like nobody makes a "natural" or "Ergonomic" keyboard with a standard layout anymore.

    Microsoft's multimedia keyboards have rearranged/rotated the Delete/End/Home group.

    Belkin moved the Delete/End/Home group down to squeeze in PrintScreen/ScrollLock/Pause and replaced those with new power function keys. I didn't think it would matter, but I am constantly hitting Pause when I try to PageUp!

    I have an old Logitech with the pipe/backslash in the wrong place, but now the only "natural" type one they
    • Stock up, I fear.

      You really want the Natural Keyboard, non-pro, non-elite, etc. It lets you tilt the keyboard backwards, which is actually better for your wrists.

      The rotated delete/end/home is fine if you just get used to it, I think. The problem is that you really need to use the same keyboard everywhere to really be used to it.

      The latest MS keyboards have started really screwing with things from the delete/home/end group. The Insert key is out of that group and the delete button is double-sized.

      I'm
  • You can have my Northgate Omni keyboard when you pry it from my cold dead hands... Got it with my 386, still use it today with one of those 9pin->PS2 adapters.
  • Excellent quality keyboards, ONLY the keys that you need. (and I'm not talking about their new big keyboard, I'm talking about their smaller ones)

    http://gyration.com/

  • Belkin Enhanced USB (Score:3, Informative)

    by Alereon ( 660683 ) on Thursday September 18, 2003 @01:40PM (#6996223)
    I really, really like the Belkin Enhanced USB line. They come in black and white, have the aforementioned USB interface, have good key feel (not too loud, but not impossible to press like those &*^#ing "quiet" keyboards), and best of all, put the \ key below Enter, next to Shift, which is As It Should Be. They also print the standard ctrl+ functions on the front of the keys (for example, P has "Print" written on the front of it).

    They sell for under $20 in most office supply stores, which is cheap as USB keyboards go.
  • I miss my ASR33 keyboard. The keys are round and gray and they make a little 'bzzt' sound when you press them. Also, the keytops have a legend which tells you what the Ctrl-key equivalents are (SOH, ETX, X-OFF, etc.) The keyboard comes with a memory feature: Just push a clear plastic button switch, and all your work will be saved on durable, yellow paper tape. The keyboard comes with a convienient "Line-Off-Local" rotary switch so you can avoid those pesky time-sharing connect time charges. Also, push ^G
  • You have the old "IBM" camp of keyboard lovers. They like the "clicky" keyboards. I was one of those for a long long time.

    You have the "Keytronics" fans. I've also been a big fan of the high end keytronics keyboards. But my tastes have changed.

    I feel in love with the Dell Quietkey keyboards a while ago. They don't seem to last very long, but I love how quiet they are and how the keys feel. The bright side is I'm ordering a lot of Dell PowerEdge machines for clients, so I have a ton of surplus black quietk
  • The origional IBM PC keyboards, those heavy, rather clunky clickety-click input devices from the 80's and early 90's are, IMHO, the best computer keyboards ever made.

    They were designed to have a touch and feel very similar to the IBM Selectric (sp?) typewriters. [Typewriters are an ancient device which uses an ink ribbon and an impact device to print letters on paper.] Well-seasoned executive assistants will tell you that the Selectric's were the best electronic typewriters ever made -- this is due largely
    • > Well-seasoned executive assistants will tell you that the Selectric's were the best electronic typewriters ever made -- this is due largely to the touch and feel of the keyboard.

      Actually, a well-seasoned executive assistant (secretary) will tell you that Selectrics are too slow for those of us who type really fast. (I type around 100wpm - a Selectric cannot keep up with me.)

      I learned to type on a Selectric with no letters on the keys. Urgh. Not fun, but very, very useful.
  • ...many recommend the MacAlly iKey [macally.com] keyboard as a close replacement.

    Why they specify it as a 'mac keyboard' is beyond me - it's a USB keyboard. Maybe if you need Windows keys or something it might be a problem. I use the Apple keyboard on linux via an iMate [griffintechnology.com] USB /ADB adapter and it works like a champ. This keyboard is at least ten years old - they used to come with the $6500 computers.

    Fortunately I haven't had to try a MacAlly myself yet as Old Faithful is still going strong, but at least the pipe is nic
    • "Mac keyboards" have the ability to turn on the machine. A regular non-Mac-specific keyboard will work with a Mac, but won't be able to turn the machine on from the keyboard.

      Also, some of the key labels & functions are different, though you can work around that.

      I'd *love* for PCKeyboards.com to make a classic IBM/Lexmark-style "buckling-spring" keyboard for the Mac that has the power on ability, etc. That would be ... SWEET. Never gonna happen, though. *sigh*
    • Since the Apple Extended Keyboard is out of production...

      I love that huge oldschool keyboard!... Apple didn't codename it "Nimitz" for nothing!
  • I like the happy hacking series of keyboards, aside from the fact that it's too minimal - no F-keys included.

    I'm interested in what Logitech will come out with to accompany their bluetooth MX900 mouse (this month).

    I'll take a look at Apple's offering (esp. considering you can buy the bluetooth mouse and keyboard seperately, and the keyboard seems quite "slim", and has a good tilt like you ask).

    Another entry that is often overlooked because it is marketed towards the Playstation 2 is this one:

    http://www.
  • I'm not sure if one's allowed to endorse Microsoft on this site, but my vote goes to Microsoft's Naturale Elite keyboard. I picked one up on eBay with USB converter (in the box with the keyboard) for $25. You may not like natural keyboards, but this is truly an excellent keyboard. You probably wont be able to find one in store. Great board, great value.
  • Clickety key action that gives you the tactile feedback you need to be sure that you actually pressed that key (it's pumped up my typing rate another 10wpm,) it's incredibly durable (to the point where it can be used as a blunt weapon in case of home invasion) and the kind of heavy-duty keyboard we've all wished we had.

    It's not Microsoft "ergonomic" so you can cross your hands over each other easily if you need to hit a weird control sequence, the backslash is in the right place (and is full size)--right b
  • I prefer to stick with the laptop keyboard, because it frees up some desk space and means one less peripheral to deal with. Where I work, we buy from Gateway. For a few years I had a 9300 Solo. An okay PC with a swank 15" screen.

    I loved that keyboard. Butter soft. Almost no resistance in the keys; just enough to spring back up. Nothing like the old IBM keyboards of yore. CLANG-CLACK. CLANG-CLACK.

    The warranty ran out on that and I now have some fucking model I despise. The thickness of the laptop means the
  • If you are also looking for an "ergonomic" keyboard, check out the Kinesis [kinesis-ergo.com] keyboards.

    They have bizarre looks (they appear in the Men In Black movie [imdb.com]), but they feel great, use your thumbs for enter, space etc. and are fully programmable, so I switched Caps Lock and Escape, because I'm a vi user. And it doesn't have a numeric part, so it's quite small, which leaves your pointing device easily within reach.

  • IBM SpaceSaver (Score:3, Interesting)

    by penguin7of9 ( 697383 ) on Saturday September 20, 2003 @11:26AM (#7011906)
    I like the IBM Space Saver Trackpoint Keyboard [ibm.com]. If you don't like the Trackpoint, there is a version with a track pad [ibm.com], and there are several IBM keyboards without pointing devices.

    I also like the feel and size of the Happy Hacking keyboards, but prefer the newer layouts of recent PC keyboards (with some remapping) and a built-in pointing device.

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