[1] FILCO Majestouch Ninja - Cherry MX Browns
Make it yours with a nice pack of keycaps.[2]
If you're not sure which Cherry MX switches to get read more about them here [3] and search for comparisons. I hate reds. I love blues. My wife's ears hate my blues. Now I use browns.
I have owned many many keyboards and built a couple too and I honestly believe that FILCO is the best consumer mechanical board or at the very least my favorite :)
[1] https://www.amazon.com/FILCO-Majestouch-Ninja-Cherry-Keyboar...
[2] https://www.amazon.com/s?k=cherry+mx+keycaps
[3] https://www.cherrymx.de/en/blog/cherry-mx-switches-at-a-glan...
EDIT: You notice I picked a TKL (10 key less) unless your an accountant or mathematician num pads are highly overrated and take up valuable desk real estate.
EDIT: Check our https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/ for inspiration ... but beware ... it can turn into a bit of an addiction.
Good Luck!
And if you're right-handed they move the mouse further away, which is terrible for RSI.
The Filco is a fine keyboard indeed. Good recommendation.
If you wanna play games, consider a mechanical keyboard, else consider a flat laptop-like keyboard.
Long answer:
I used to believe that mechanical keyboards have to be better because most people praise them and they are more expensive, but it really is a matter of preference and use case. I bought myself a corsair mechanical keyboard and I really didn't like it besides for playing specific games. A laptop keyboard always felt the best to me. They are flat, so your wrist is always in a correct position while with mechanical keyboards i'd find myself having to bend my wrist backwards despite having a small pad. They are extremely responsive, you get instant feedback from the keys, and I mean instant because it takes less effort and distance to trigger each key. As a result they also make typing faster in my experience. So unless you're in for gaming or have a good pad, i'd say you really don't need it.
The only benefit for me is I started to appreciate keyboard macros (built in/QMK, or AHK), IDE custom snippets, and gaming mouse macros (navigation mainly eg: goto implementation/definition, booarks, etc).
It made me a slightly better dev because I now take advantage of these features
I had to learn touch typing, but it was well invested time.
When I got an Ortho keyboard, I tried to learn to touch type, but it was quite slow. Eventually I learned to hover-type on that too. I love the look and sound, but not much more than that.
The biggest problem with using an ortholinear keyboard is that sometimes I want to just work on my laptop and for a while My typing speed on a regular qwerty keyboard slowed way down and had a lot more typos. Now I can mostly go back and forth.
edit: meant Kinesis
I personally have the X-Bows, and like it quite a bit as a starter ergo keyboard. [1][2]
I've also backed the Glove80 on Kickstarter (after learning about it on HN!) as a deeper dive into ergo. [3][4]
[0] http://xahlee.info/kbd/keyboarding.html
[1] http://xahlee.info/kbd/xbows_keyboard_review.html
[2] https://x-bows.com/collections/keyboards
[3] http://xahlee.info/kbd/glove80_keyboard.html
[4] https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moergo/glove80-the-incr...
It is a traditional layout, no split, nothing like that. But I have personally found that I only get sore wrists and fingers when I let the room temperature get too low, so I keep it warm and my keyboard choice seems to have no effect.
This is a problem I was struggling with until recently.
Specifically, I prefer low profile keyboards like the Apple magic keyboards. The problem I was having is that I wanted a low profile keyboard and mouse that I could easily switch between my Mac laptop and windows desktop.
I looked for a kvm for months that would address my specific needs for mouse/keyboard and 2 monitor setup (1440p gaming displayport / 4K uhd usb-c).
I finally found the Logitech MX keys and mouse combo. It's low profile and feels good for me. Plus it specifically has built in device switching. For monitor switching I just manually change the inputs as needed.
If I was looking at getting a new keyboard I would also consider hall effect and optical key switch design keyboards.
I can recommend the Kinesis Advantage too, but I later sold mine -- weight lifting did an even better job of eliminating ergonomic problems, as did piano practice once before, and I think it's generally a better strategy to not need ergonomic devices.
I imagine ergonomic designs probably makes the most sense for people that do large volumes of typing with high WPM. For me I just really like the compact layout of my FC660C, small boards allow me to have a mouse either side, swapping mouse hands is another great way to avoid RSI.
I have to say, I found the Kinesis Advantage to be fantastic. It really did work, solving my ergonomic problems, wonderfully and very quickly. The need for it did depend on the volume of typing -- back when I used it, I switched off of it, but then had to switch back after some days with more typing.
Mechanical keyboards are cool but turns out they aren’t for everybody. I spent a lot of money on them and ultimately discovered I don’t really like any of them. They’re clunky to type on for me. I tried Cherry red, blue, brown, and also Topre, and I still just like my dumb $30 keyboard more.
The Matias comes close.... very close... but not quite.
I never would have guessed that quirky looking circular thing could be worth it, but maybe it's not a bad swing I guess :)
The minimal key travel is very efficient for fast typing and the added feet absorb shock when you bottom out if you bang hard.
I've been doing this for about 10 years -- works great.
- Chiclet Keyboard
- Inexpensive
- Wired
- Full QUERTY layout (inc. number pad).
- Maybe a dedicated calculator button.
- No LEDs/special features/special software.
Advantage including:
- Lower compression depth/lower pressure per key press.
- Lower noise.
- Lower cost.
- Increased reliability.
- Plug and play.
Amazon Basics and Dell both make good keyboards in this category but Amazon Basics' keyboard no longer has the dedicated Calculator button. I buy these keyboards on purpose and legitimately don't understand people who WANT a Model-M clone, I typed on those for years, terrible keyboards. Just loud, attract grime, and cause hand fatigue.
PS - Although the trendy tide could be turning with MX LOW PROFILE gaining some interest.
edit: Maybe check out the CHERRY Stream Keyboard for $30 on Amazon (US).
Not cheap, but I use it for ~8 hours every workday.
The TEX Shinobi TrackPoint is for me much easier and better to use than on modern ThinkPad keyboard, was quite a surprise.
[1] https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090
I haven't used the trackpoint module, but they've put a ton of thought into every other module, so I expect it would be quite good.
I'm a bit of a pointing device hoarder (I have at least four different trackballs and a couple of ergonomic mice), so I always have a few close at hand. I find myself using a regular trackball/mouse (alternating between my favorites to reduce RSI) for my primary pointing device, but the mouse layer is very handy for when I just need to move the mouse a bit and don't want to move my hands from the keyboard.
I have purchased the wrist rest, the trackball and the extra key module, after ~5 months of daily usage (9-10 hrs per day) of the "basic" UHK v2.
It's a fantastic keyboard and it is totally worth the expense.
Maybe someday I'll have to try more of the other kinds, that people discuss. Time/$/priorities...
Edit: I've tried multiple MS split keyboards but they were also a bit stiff. The nearest other I've liked was a Belkin that I found somehow at work, but I forget which model.
(Ps: if someone seriously wants to try my Advantage enough to make it super-easy for me to mail it to them, it's just sitting here in the box...)
I should probably reset the key mappings to factory default before sending it to you, unless you want to try my layout for some reason (I can send you rough notes). I didn't like theirs (made my thumbs push sideways too much). But the user manual says how to reset it.
I hope the inner box is good enough for shipping -- cardboard, not especially thin, but originally it had a bigger shipping box around it. I'm thinking, I add tape, shipping label, put outside on the right day. We can also drop it at the post office or FedEx office, but you might have to wait longer that way, until we happen to be near there (edit: health slows me down currently).
If you still prefer to pay, you can do it by reviewing my web site and providing suggestions (but not required). I don't plan to add pictures or visual design, but I do plan to consider a sans serif font later, and I hope it can be useful for some people, for some things, so suggestions welcome. Especially when considering the first link "how to read content at this site...". Another payment is if the keyboard is useful to you, after some months, I'd be glad to hear it. Or persuade DanG (dang) here to un-shadow-ban any comments that include a direct link to my site. I'll try not to post so many as when he did (oops -- I thought at the time they could be useful, but probably overdone); I think he does a good job really for the site.
I’ve tried the mechanical (red switch) version, but actually prefer their membrane version because it’s quieter and I like the tactile feedback better (I haven’t tried the brown/blue switch models though).
I have to warn about the Matias Quiet versions though - they are not durable and keys are failing quickly. Unbelievable the difference in quality.
Many people make a fuss about ergonomic keyboard layouts. I just do not understand why. My recommendation is this:
1. Chose a layout which is useful for your language(s) and programming - best layouts for this are often from multi-lingual countries like UK International (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QWERTY#United_Kingdom_(Extende...), or Canadian, or such. (Some national layouts like German are horrible because keys like '{' or '}' cannot be reached in an ergonomic way. It might therefore be better to put rarely-used regional characters on dead-keys, which is exactly what UK International, for example, does.)
2. Learn to touch-type on that one layout, and stick to it.
Anything else is very unlikely to ever give any return in time you invest. Especially when you are coding - the key that is used most often for code is empirically the "Delete" key, and that's for a reason.
After some time I found Drevo BladeMaster with CherryMx Silent Red, this was it, small, RGB backlight, media Knob. The software is kinda janky, but I was really happy with this... Then I realized I had another requirement: I prefer 75% keyboard, this is a TKL, but smaller, with the "delete, page up, page down.." keys closer to the rest of the keyboard, and still have all the Function keys. I had to sacrifice the dedicated media keys for the size, but I'm extremely happy with my Keychron K2 with Gateron Red
[1] https://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional/
[2] https://www.wasdkeyboards.com/code-v3-104-key-mechanical-key...
[3] https://www.drevo.net/product/keyboard/blademaster-pro
[4] https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-k2-wireless-mecha...
If you want a standard keyboard, DAS and WASD offer some good options.
If Ergonomics are important and you don't mind the learning curve, go for split. The Ergodox EZ is a great option here. I have 2, one for my work desk and one for home, been using them for a few years now and haven't looked back.
Whatever you do, go with a mechanical keyboard. Purely subjective, but you really can't beat the tactility of it.
BUT, if you can wait a few months... they have a modern version slated to release this summer.
https://kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards/advantage360/
IMO it fixes most if not all issues I have with it.
- Wireless via Bluetooth
- Ditching USB-A for USB-C
- Split keyboard while retaining its finger ergonomics
- Update styling, which will (hopefully) be much easier to
transport and less of an eye-sore
- Ability to change 'tenting' which should increase
ergonomicsOne thing to note is that people with large hands and/or long finger lengths can find the fixed size hand wells too cramped.
Another thing to note is that they are loud.
Some of the features to consider (by no means exhaustive):
1. Width: 60%, TKL, or full-size
2. Height: Normal or low-profile
3. Key layout: Ergonomic, ortho, staggered
4. OS-friendly layout: Mac or Windows
5. Switches: clicky, tactile, linear
6. Misc: RGB, programmable keys, wireless
Personally I like 60% low-profile clicky keyboards. I use a Keychron K7 at home and MX Keys Mini at work.
If you live near a Best Buy, pay one a visit, they usually have keyboards on display which you can type on. I suggest trying at least the following:
1. Logitech MX Keys Mini. This provides a very nice laptop-like typing experience.
2. Logitech G815/915. This is a "gaming" keyboard with low profile mechanical clicky ("blue") switches.
Based on that, you can decide if you care about mechanical switches or not. If you really like the low-profile clicky feeling, the Logitech are great, but wide compared to your Thinkpad, and also expensive (>$200). Keychron has narrower versions with lots of customizability. There's some other vendors too, here's a list [1].
If you prefer the laptop-like typing experience, the MX Keys and the new Mini variant are very popular, for a good reason.
1: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/hotiws...
It’s not as important now, but one thing I really like about them is how portable they are. If I have to travel to work at a client site or visit an office, a Pok3r is trivial to bring along.
Once you’re really used to a semi-exotic keyboard, it’s really frustrating when they’re not available.
Anyway I wonder if there’s a set up that combines the benefits of a mech keyboard with a trackpad conveniently placed right below and feel as “natural” as when using a MacBook Pro (or similar laptop with built in trackpad).
I have an additional touch pad that I use with the same keyboard on my desk.
I recommend you go to a shop that has a bunch of keyboards and try them all out. Then you should be able to figure out what kind of switches you like and which ones you don't like. I bought my keyboard with "Cherry Red" switches. The switches are "linear" and don't make a clicky sound, i.e. they are perfect :) Feels like some 80s/90s keyboards. The final version of the Apple II is very close I think.
Maybe a good question to start with is "how much are you planning to spend"?
My only experience before this is a pre-owned Cherry MX Blue. I am quite comfortable with the feedback I am getting from Mistel.
Regarding comfort, I enjoy it more than my Thinkpad t470s keyboard.
I also find that I no longer have the occasional mild pain I have in my wrists and forearms.
There is also a bluetooth version though I have not used that model.
https://www.amazon.com/Mistel-Mechanical-Keyboard-Ergonomic-...
If I were buying today, I'd buy a Moonlander, the newer version of the Ergodox.
They're nearly not as well known as they should be because they don't do any marketing at all. And at $104 they're not expensive by premium keyboard standards.
Also the brown keys of the K3 had production issues and in my case more than 10 of them broke, more than the number of spare keys delivered. Reportedly efforts to have Keychron ship replacement keys under warranty have failed.
That said, there's nothing more comfortable and pleasant to type on for the whole day than my Kinesis keyboard. Well worth the $350 price tag and the learning curve.
(For example - recently I tested a Keydous NJ80 - didn't get used to the layout - but loved the quality. Most mech keyboards are great unless you try the really high end stuff first... I'd say you get what you pay for and around 80-100 USD you can get a good enough keyboard)
It is a tenkeyless backlit keyboard.
Get a Keychron hot swappable, buy some Boba U4/U4T (U4 is silent, U4T is thocky) and install them. and for under $120 and 0 soldering you have a world class typing experience
Granted, they feel lighter than i'd expected for a ~$300 keyboard, but they've been rock solid for me for the past few years.
Maybe you got one made on a Friday afternoon?
Good luck in your hunting (and in my case pecking)
It is a membrane keyboard, not mechanical, but it works well for me. The numpad is separate from the main keyboard, so that works well too.
It is wireless - which is a good thing and a bad thing. Good because it is convenient, bad because unlike the logitech M series, if you lose the usb radio, I don’t think you can order a replacement, so the keyboard becomes useless.
[0] https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/d/microsoft-sculpt-ergonomic...
It can connect 2 devices and support both Bluetooth and Unifying.
Most important it has numpad with a compact size.
Also like the K3, but not nearly as much.
I have the medium-clicky keys on the K2.
What’s bad about it?
Mechanical keyboards is a huge rabbit hole (reddit.com/r/mechanicalKeyboards).
I split my keyboards up in three categories: writing, programming, gaming.
For gaming i like to have a smaller keyboard with easy reach for all the essential keys. Here i often use a split keyboard or a 60% keyboard.
For programming i dont like too small keyboards (less than 60% is frustrating) and i don't enjoy programming using split keyboards.
For writing i often use 40% or split keyboards.
Currently at my home office i use an Alice-style keyboard from Switch Couture [1]. Here i have silent linear switches (Rosélios [2]). I like the alice-style for my general work, as i both write a lot of emails and do a bit of programming. From time to time i switch to one of my split keyboards, if i have a lot of writing to do. I currently don't have a favorite split board, but i use both Kyria [3] and Lily58 [4]. The stagger is a bit different and i'm not sure which i like more. I have an unbuild Corne [5] that i'm gonna try soon.
I don't often go to the office, but when i do, i take a small 40% board with me. It's a simple AMJ40 [6] that doesn't take up much space. At the office, most days go with in-person meetings anyway, so not much typing is done.
When i'm off work, i usually switch to either a Space65 or Think6.5 V2. Both are 65% from Graystudio [7]. The Space65 uses Holy Panda switches, which are louder tactile switches on an aluminium plate, whereas the Think6.5 V2 uses Gateron Milky Yellows on a FR4 plate, which are much more quiet. If i decide to do some gaming, i usually pull out one half of my Kyria and switch to one of my gaming layers. I have layers for WoW, Diablo, LoL, HotS etc.
I have other boards too, but they rarely see use, as these 6 boards seems to cover my needs.
As i said to start with, this is a rabbit hole. I've spend $3000 on keyboards in 2020, as i needed a covid hobby. I stopped buying new boards and accessories in the start of 2021, as the spending and FOMO got out of hand. Had to go cold turkey.
[1] https://switchcouture.com/products/switch-couture-acrylic-al...
[2] https://zealpc.net/products/sakurio-roselio
[4] https://keyhive.xyz/shop/lily58
[5] https://keyhive.xyz/shop/corne-v3
[6] https://flashquark.com/product/amj40-40-mechanical-keyboard-...