Call me cynical, but I think a lot of the small style keyboards I see around the office are more of a fashion trend than anything.
I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards.
Fast forward a few years and I was made fun of at a programming job for preferring a full keyboard with a number pads. I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dollar amounts into Excel.
Now the trend is for brightly multi-colored keys, which are often unlabeled [1], and basically an otherwise standard rectangular keyboard which has no obvious ergonomic benefit over a full 100+ key keyboard.
[1] This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
> [1] This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
But you could still enjoy looking at your keyboard with the coloured keys while not using it to type at that exact moment.
> Call me cynical, but I think a lot of the small style keyboards I see around the office are more of a fashion trend than anything.
I believe it part of the human ability to experiment, to optimize, to research, trying out something different, or perhaps more negatively to be discontent with current options you know and going for the mentioned solution.
It is a matter of optimization, and using the freedom you have to experiment. What you want to optimize for, depends on your concerns. Weight, size, ergonomics, aesthetics, modability.
For example, I like having Bluetooth on a device like a keyboard, but I also like the ability to turn it off, and barely use it. Because USB is usually good enough. I'm cool if this adds a little bit in size/weight. You might not be cool with that. Hence, we get choice.
> This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
The purpose of showing the values is (initial) learning curve, and reminder.
Unlabeled has a different purpose: if you (sometimes) assign a different key layout, assign different keybinds which depends on factors (such as the language you type in, OS or program you use, or location you're at) then it is useful. Also, that part of the keyboard is not going to have worn use, and the resale value might be higher. On top of that, the designer does not have to cater to all kind of weird/different niche layouts.
I do agree I am not a big fan of colored LED keyboard, but it might look pretty if you assign it certain colours and have your computer idle.
> I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dollar amounts into Excel.
I use a 40% board and one of my layers brings up a numpad. I really just prefer typing on one of these boards much more than a traditional keyboard. It's more comfortable, more fun (because I can flash my own layout with QMK) and it served as a nice introduction to electronics and embedded programming. What's wrong with that?
I don't use a num pad since I switched my stacks to IPv6, but I do like having my mouse closer to the enter key. I use a 60%.
I also put my keyboard in my backpack 3/4 times a week and move to a hot desk on a different floor when I have some real work to get done.
It works for me, I spend most of my time in vim keybindings and have a layer for arrows if I need it. Even when I use my laptop keyboard, moving over to the arrows is annoying to me since I have to take my fingers off the home row.
It may be, that people who started with laptop keyboards instead of model M keyboards prefer what they are used to and what they learned on.
It's not a trend, it's a workflow. I touch type but I have keycaps with letters, I have a red escape key and a tux for the mod4, because I like the look. I hope I'm not going to hell for that.
Personally I prefer the numpad-less keyboards, I don't use number entry that much and the reduced space between keyboard and mouse (I'm not a keyboard / vim wizard) helps with comfort / RSI prevention. I use an Apple wireless keyboard.
That said, I would like something a bit more ergonomic or tactile, maybe, but all mechanical keyboards are at least 4x as tall as this one is - the flatness really helps prevent RSI in my case. I guess a wrist support would already go a long way, I prefer to keep my wrists on the table.
I'm optimistic about them (depending on what "small style keyboards" mean to you). I consider ergodox in this category, due to how it does ctrl/z, function keys and layers.
Ergodox-EZ is quite beautiful. The build quality on it is solid. It's heavy, for a keyboard. This is not a logitech or microsoft keyboard where they cynically use cheap materials.
But, there are these "small" hacks: It joins Z with the ctrl key. Z has to be hit twice to type Z. Sounds like the end of the world, right?
No function keys, a layer key has to be used to get to those. Took me a bit of time to find where F12 was to get to the boot loader :)
My anecdote: I am programming and typing efficiently with it (vim, tmux). And I'm hopping onto a laptop keyboard with normal keys and at 100% speed, maybe with the exception of alt-tabbing and accidentally minimizing all windows in Windows 10.
I think this is sort of right, but I do think there is some value in key reduction for certain people. I switched to a 60% keyboard with roughly this [1] layout. The use of the modifier key lets me do almost everything I need to do without moving my hands around. Putting control where caps lock is was great for me because (a) I used caps lock rarely so I don't need it in such a primary position and (b) it let me stop reaching to the bottom corner with my pinky for control, which I use constantly. A keypad is probably advantageous in certain circumstances, but I had literally never used mine so I wasn't too concerned about losing that part.
My typing speed and accuracy went up (I measured that), and my hand fatigue was considerably less (that's subjective).
Then I acquired a configurable keyboard in a normal layout, just with no numberpad. But here is the thing: I don't use _any_ of the keys outside of the ones I had on my old keyboard. It's been years at this point and I don't think I will ever go back to using them. My next keyboard will definitely be another 60%.
A former coworker had a 60%, and an independent numberpad that he could use when needed, or slide out of the way for desktop real estate. That seems like a great setup to me.
I'm not sure I would recommend this to anyone, but I would encourage anyone to consider that a 60% (or perhaps less!) might be good for them. Also I would say that the adjustment period is _much_ faster than one might expect.
As for colored/blank keys, those are definitely purely aesthetic. Nothing wrong with making your things look nice!
Don't forget that we're not too far from our ancestors collecting shiny seashells and pearls. Most of humans decisions aren't made following pure reason and rational thinking. Fancy cars / sneakers / coffee machines / pocket knives / &c, people are collecting/buying all kind of "nice" things for the sake of it. Some people I know spend more on shoes than I spend on rent.
I use the Microsoft Surface wireless keyboard (poorly named but its ergonomic) and the Logitech MX Trackball mouse. I had bought them both cause I had pain in my hands and once I made the switch to both its been very rare for me to have my hands hurt in that way since.
As a result I could care less what other devs think. As soon as I say I use a trackball I get poked at but I can move my mouse much faster and its been great for gaming as well.
Edit:
In case anybody is in a similar situation and is willing to try anything I'll post the amazon links I just got off Google here:
This is the keyboard, I believe I got mine at a BestBuy when it was slightly cheaper for a moment, it's normally like $120 or so, but totally worth it, I have one for work and one for home, one of which my wife bought me.
And this is the Logitech Ergo MX Trackball, it is the latest installment in a very small market, everyone who had a Trackball heard about it and we all talked about it, I ultimately bought two of them.
I use the heck out of my Trackball when gaming. I feel like aiming is easier in FPS games. My friend trusts me to shoot down helicopters or just snipe any NPC while playing Far Cry 5. I do wonder what I'd be like with a regular mouse as a comparison but I don't want to go back.
This is a real annoyance of mine. None of the real nice mechanical keyboards are available in a fullsize layout. A numpad is NOT negotiable for me...several creative apps I regularly use use the numpad for control (and no, the regular number row keys ARE NOT mapped to the same commands).
> Now the trend is for brightly multi-colored keys, which are often unlabeled
A close look will show you that people rarely go for unlabeled keys, nicely shaped keycaps with high-quality labels(double-shot) are the preferred thing right now. Like the very expensive SA keycap sets.
40% is a little bit too small for me, but I used a 60% at my last job as a second keyboard - I had multiple machines at my desk that I wanted to use at the same time and didn't want to give up so much desk space for the lesser used one.
I have zero use for the number pad, but looking at this reminds me of how much I'd appreciate having more of the symbolic ascii characters directly available.
Most of them would be of little value to the average end user, but I can't imagine that something like the article's charm table wouldn't be of use to developers - and the people that define the languages they use.
Completely tangentially, I think all keyboard caps should come with braille bumps by default, it would make learning to type easier and come with the added benefit of learning braille by osmosis (which I've always thought would be a bad-ass way to deliver a speech).
I use HHKB everyday. Small keyboard is not fashion only, it also means less movement.
And also if I have to work on windows I my right hand is closer to the mouse.
I always find for full keyboard if I try to align G and H key to the center of my monitor, the numpad and mouse are too far and some desk don't have such a big space. But if I don't it's make my spine hurts, and I don't think it's good for anyone.
> [1] This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys
I completely agree with you here. I've been using a Das Keyboard S for years and at this point I tend to forget it's even there except as a keyboard-shaped lump on my desk. It's only when someone else tries to use my computer and stops with a blank stare that I remember that most keyboards have labels on them. :P
1) engaged. I type with my fingers on the home row. This is for when I'm actively involved and typing / editing.
2) casual. For navigating. I usually do it with my fingers on the arrow keys, sometimes hitting page up/down. I don't use my other hand. My typing will not be used for input. Sometimes I use the mouse / mousewheel.
I thought the same thing, but I tried a split 40% layout and am typing on one now. It excels when there are long sequences of numbers and symbols, which are now within easier research. Pinkies are weakest, and on a typical keyboard there's about 14 keys assigned to the right pinky. I'm left-handed as well, and this layout allows me to put BOTH my thumbs to greater use and shift more work away from my pinkies and towards my left hand. In my typing pre-test on my old keyboard I typed about 65 wpm. Now for standard text it's closer to 70.
I was concerned that typing code might be slower, so I used the "custom text" feature on keyhero.com to practice typing JavaScript code. While I didn't pre-test typing code, I often type it around 50 wpm, which seems fine-- coding is often more thinking than typing.
I'm using an Ergodox EZ which has 75 keys, but I'm experimenting with this 42 key layout. So far, I prefer it. (I also receive no "fashion" benefit from trying this, as all 75 keys would appear to be in use to co-workers!)
I thought the same as you until I used a planck[1].
I thought not having direct access to numbers or symbols would be a pain, but it really wasn't. The typing experience was comfortable and my wpm went up. I would say I still prefer something in the 60% range (HHKB) layout, ideally with dedicated arrow keys.
> This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
That's not how aesthetics work. I mean, you are more then welcome to dislike blank caps, but it makes perfect sense.
Custom mechanical keyboards are expensive, I would wager the fanaticism is due in part to owners defending their investment. The popularity of reduced keyset mechanical keyboards is, in my opinion, primarily about lowering the BOM cost.
That being said, I'm typing this out on a Logitech K380 which is a 60% keyboard and it's fine. It's Bluetooth and can pair to 3 devices simultaneously, which is literally the only reason I'm using it.
I can never seem to find a keyboard that meets all my needs. Given the popularity of mechanical keyboards, the variety of connectivity options out there, the myriad of keyboard layouts that exist; I think there's a business opportunity for someone to make a modular system of interchangeable connectivity modules and keyboards.
>I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards.
I remember when laptops didn't typically have number pads. I rue the day when almost everyone started putting them on laptops larger than 14". I feel "off center" with them on a laptop. With a desktop keyboard, I just shift the keyboard to the right a bit so the traditional keys are centered and the number keypad is off to the right.
16:9 ratio is another bugger for me. Between 16:9 and number pads on laptops, I'm an odd man out. It's tough when my preferences aren't mainstream. I'm also a lefty, so there's that.
I participated in two "Drop"s for the XMIT keyboards. First time I got the 60%. I love it, it's hooked up to a Raspberry Pi that I run as a terminal. Then I bought the 120-key Sun layout, oh man it's big! I never use the numpad or the extra function keys on the left. Having arrow keys is nice I guess.
Numpad is weird. I'm a leftie, my previous keyboard was a Microsoft Sculpt, I loved that because I could put the wireless numpad on the left(or lose it entirely).
I think as long as the shift key is the right size, I'm looking at you Logitech K400, and the arrow keys are ⊥, most keyboards are acceptable.
The smallest I can go is a "65%" essentially the main keyboard area with an extra right column that generally houses pageup/down ins/del. The extra column allows for a full inverted t arrow cluster.
This is what I believe as well. I prefer no numpad- there is a number row afterall. I will not give up anything else though. I see so many of these keyboards with no function keys or even a number row. It's all hidden behind some mode toggle. It's for the birds.
They do look nice but they seem to cross my personal boundary into being less pragmatic as a result.
I use an 80% keyboard (TKL) for gaming, but a full-sized keyboard for work/normal typing. The TKL keyboard lets me have it positioned a lot closer to my mouse, which allows for a more ergonomic posture for long gaming sessions. I could never give up the ten key for numeric input though - it's just too convenient and quick.
I'm mostly typing on Corne keyboards now; a split kit keyboard with 42 keys, so still considered 40%, but fewer keys than most other 40% boards. (so you have to learn to cope with not having dedicated arrow keys, for example)
I can't imagine ever going back to a non-split keyboard; for me, it's a much better typing position to have my hands shoulder-width apart rather than squeezed together. I think that's more important than the "every key is within reach of the home row" argument for the 40% size in particular (although I've kind of fallen in love with the 40% size, but I could cope with going to a larger keyboard again better than I'd cope with going to a non-split, I think)
But more than that, as a programmer, there's something meditative about maintaining the custom hardware I use to do my job. Double-checking the soldering, tuning the firmware, taking it apart to polish the components and then putting it back together again, etc. Reminds me of the Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, in a lot of ways.
I know a lot of people who think they can touch type the number row, but I've yet to meet anyone who can actually do it at anything resembling their normal typing speed and without errors. If people could there would be no reason for the numberpad to exist. I'm a very fast typist and I've always struggled with touch typing the number row.
Thirty minutes into using a split 40% keyboard and I was using the number row at full speed, something that has eluded me my whole life. And of course, it's a hell of a lot easier to hold down a key with my thumb and touch type the qwerty row than to make the normal awkward stretch that fullsize keyboards use.
That told me pretty much everything I needed to know. Once I learn a layout I can type any key that's on the home row or the rows that are directly above or below it and a thumb modifier faster than I can type any keys outside of the three home rows sans a modifier.
The idea that many people have that somehow 40% keyboards are about having less keys at your immediate disposal is completely backwards. There are 36 keys that are within a 1 key displacement of the home row. With the natural 36 and two thumb modifiers on each side that's already 180 keys that are all touch typeable, and that's without even getting into any of the fancy stuff like being able to tap for one function and hold for another, or using two modifiers at once, or using a vim style leader key, or chording, or having modes that you can switch into.
The smaller keyboards aren't about having less keys, it's not like I woke up one morning and decided to never use function keys or curly brackets again, it's about removing all the cruft that that can't be pressed easily and mapping it in a way that it can.
It really annoys me when people try to claim scientific evidence (Fitts’s law in this case) for their unscientific choices.
There is no frequency-of-use analysis, nothing about the cognitive cost of remembering a very very unique set of key bindings (the guy on my team with a 40% keyboard still struggles with some common keystrokes after several months), just “fitts’s law and we move less”.
Not sold on the RSI benefits. See, I bought a Planck, thinking that the ortholinear layout would make sense. But it didn't work really. Maybe I'm just accustomed to the staggered layout, but it just felt too cramped. Besides, I don't think that less movement automatically leads to less strain. In fact it felt like my fingers didn't get to stretch enough, and my wrists were too close for comfort. All in all, the mouse still seems to be the biggest issue for me, especially the micro movements, so I adjust the mouse to have more travel. But in the end the most comfortable experience is a laptop with a decent touchpad, no need to reach for the mouse and the wrists don't move much or at all.
I have an ortholinear 40% that sits in my closet collecting dust. I used it for a little while, but just didn't like it that much. Despite the claims of it being more ergonomic, I found that I was contorting my pinky into some strange positions to hit some of the keys, and was getting some strain. Plus, with 40 keys, you probably need 2 additional layers to get in all of the functionality.
I also have an ErgoDox (68-key split ortholinear). I used it for a while but I just never liked ortholinear.
I have used a 60% keyboard for most of the past 4 years that seems to me about as functional as a full-sized keyboard. Basically all that I lose are the arrow and function keys (and ESC), all of which can be easily emulated with a second layer (I don't even think about it any more). I mapped caps lock to ESC.
I know that some people need a numpad, but I don't, and I like the form factor of a 60% (plus I built it up with switches and keycaps from an old Apple Extended Keyboard, which were much better than the modern Apple stuff).
Getting a (read: multiple) 60% keyboard really changed my life. It makes a lot more sense for not offsetting the mouse way to the right or the keyboard to the left (as you would with a full size). As well, not having to strain my wrist to hit arrow keys got rid of any pain I had. It's awesome having everything under my hands. I'll definitely follow this 40% project.
I really can't see how having to hold down two keys at the same time is going to help RSI. (because to get to the special keys you have to hold down a modifier key)
When you have your fingers contorted and under stress trying to hold two keys down, thats when RSI really kicks in.
I would go out on a limb and say that these keyboard are going to make one's RSI even worse.
I use many different computers every day, and for the past 3 years, I have preferred 40% keyboards to get the job done.
Basically, the smaller the keyboard, the easier the layout is to remember. When it fits completely under your hands, with no extra columns or rows necessitating hand movement away from the home row, you can then commit the layout to your body's muscle memory faster. It then becomes more efficient and comfortable to use.
EDIT: On my current layout, I do something pretty unconventional, which is saying a lot considering I'm using Dvorak. So I've mapped the B key on my Mods layer to Backspace, D to Delete, T to Tab, and E for Enter (just to name a handful). Now, I prefer this to having mods requiring a long pinky reach to either side. It's also liberating using a layer for an extra level of intention before hitting stuff like Delete, Backspace, and Enter. If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've accidentally hit Enter one on a message or button when you didn't mean to. Especially if you've dabbled with HHKB layout. With this type of arrangement, worrying about that is a thing of the past.
If you want even better ergonomics, add tenting, concavity, and move the modifier keys + return/backspace to the thumb cluster (which should be shaped and angled so you're not moving your thumb laterally to hit it). The Dactyl-Manuform[1] is a good example of these things.
I have a ... I don't know, it's like a 60% but with added arrows and ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdn off to the right like on a 80%, but it's not a 80% or a standard 75% because there's no F key row.
I wouldn't want to go any smaller, I already have an extra 'super' key to access F functions, and I already have minor issues just with the physical size. Maybe I have big hands? Either way, I like the desk space back, but I think there are limits here.
Unfortunately, I type in dvorak layout and the keyboard I purchased did not work out. I have to press 3 keys to type the letter 'z' because of the strange meta layers.
I switched to dvorak because I had minor wrist pains and I hoped that switching to dvorak would help. The pain went away (maybe a coincidence), but dvorak was a pleasure to type so I stuck with it.
Everytime there is a new keyboard, I try it out and become disappointed because it is heavily optimized for qwerty layouts.
Personally, I prefer the Kinesis Advantage 2 for most of my typing work. It's more pricy than many other keyboards but I've always found dev work pretty easy with it.
I love my Keebio Iris; I've built three at this point, for my two work machines and my home office. 60%, split, columnar, programmable with QMK. Since they're completely split, with only a cable between them, I can place them in whatever angle is perfectly comfortable for me, and I have room for my track ball between them for super easy access [0]
The main power in these custom boards is in the firmware, allowing you limitless customization. If you're the sort of person to place Escape or Control on your CapsLock button via OS tools, this takes that to another level. I never have to take my hands out of home position.
Some of my layout details [1]:
* When spacebar is held down, it activates a navigation layer instead of typing space. In this layer, I have HJKL arrow keys, along with page up/down, home/end, my numrow becomes function keys, and Tab/CapsLock cycle through browser tabs.
* The CapsLock button is Escape when tapped, Control when held down.
* The damn. key [0] is Control-Alt-Delete when tapped once, Control-Shift-Escape when tapped twice.
* The fn key, when held, turns the right half of the board into a traditional numpad descending from the 789 keys in the numrow.
* The raise key, when held, gives access to any special characters not already in the main layout (-_{}[]+=|\)
I also have a separate BDN9 macropad [0] with rotary encoders for volume/zoom, and keys mapped to the debugging navigation keys for software debugging. Also has a screenshot macro (print screen, win+R, type "mspaint", enter, wait 750ms, control+P). It has a key that will open notepad on a single-tap (win+R, type "notepad", enter) or type out a long email header I use frequently when double-tapped.
There is certainly an aesthetic component (I love the look and feel of my boards and my keycaps), and the build was a big draw (soldering everything together, programming the layout), but the benefit of having a totally custom setup for my specific needs is fantastic.
I'm a big fan of 75% keyboards. The layout retains nearly everything from a full-size keyboard except the number pad (i.e. there are F-keys, numbers, arrows, Escape, Home/PgUp/PgDown, etc.), but compresses it all into a single rectangular block.
For me, it's the perfect balance of compactness and usability. Fits snugly in my backpack but allows me to use my preferred set of keybinds since all the relevant keys are there.
People like to talk a lot about KB ergonomics, reducing carpal syndrome and there is a reason for it, but I don't understand why almost nobody does the one thing that contributes the most for improvement - inverted KB stand. This thing on the bottom - https://imgur.com/a/yne4lPR . People fiddle with layouts, key travel, key shape, switches etc. but that doesn't really matter if your wrists are crooked. If your wrists aren't straight you will injure them over time, that's a fact. And I see almost none KBs which allow changing KB level in a good way (in a bad way almost all of them - with stupid stands in back of KB).
> It’s sort of obvious to figure out that the less we have to move our hand from the home row to the arrow keys, the more time we save. There is however a more formalized way to look at this in the field of user interface design.
I feel like this thinking is flawed. When you are pressing a sequence of keys, your fingers don’t wait for the first key to be pressed before the next finger starts moving to its key. This means that it is in position right after the first key is hit. One of the reasons that more optimized layouts (Dvorak, etc) don’t seem to produce any speed up, Even though from a Fitt’s law perspective they should.
Having a tiny keyboard will not make you faster and may slow you down because of all the layers you now need to use.
I use the olkb plank (https://olkb.com/planck?category=eotw) both at home and at the office. It started as fun to build, solder, and program but I soon realized that I was less fatigued after typing all day. My wrists don't break outward and I maintain my proper starting position longer as result of having less distance to travel between keystrokes. Take it for what it's worth, but at the very least they are a fun hobby project.
What's everybody's preferred "shit I'm developing RSI and need to make ergonomic changes" keyboards? Wrist and thumb is unhappy, if that's happened to any of you.
I never have any problems with wrist fatigue, and I've sometimes wondered if it's because I type "wrong". Holding your fingers at home row and stretching always felt weird to me, and I learned to type naturally. I primarily use three digits on each hand plus thumbs (no pinkies), and I move my hands back and forth as needed - no stretching or reaching.
I can type ~60 WPM if I'm really trying, but I never really have occasion to type that fast
[+] [-] dangus|6 years ago|reply
I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards.
Fast forward a few years and I was made fun of at a programming job for preferring a full keyboard with a number pads. I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dollar amounts into Excel.
Now the trend is for brightly multi-colored keys, which are often unlabeled [1], and basically an otherwise standard rectangular keyboard which has no obvious ergonomic benefit over a full 100+ key keyboard.
[1] This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
[+] [-] terandle|6 years ago|reply
The best way to have a numpad if you really need one, I have found, is to have a separate one like how the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard does it.
[+] [-] kranner|6 years ago|reply
But you could still enjoy looking at your keyboard with the coloured keys while not using it to type at that exact moment.
[+] [-] Fnoord|6 years ago|reply
I believe it part of the human ability to experiment, to optimize, to research, trying out something different, or perhaps more negatively to be discontent with current options you know and going for the mentioned solution.
It is a matter of optimization, and using the freedom you have to experiment. What you want to optimize for, depends on your concerns. Weight, size, ergonomics, aesthetics, modability.
For example, I like having Bluetooth on a device like a keyboard, but I also like the ability to turn it off, and barely use it. Because USB is usually good enough. I'm cool if this adds a little bit in size/weight. You might not be cool with that. Hence, we get choice.
> This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.
The purpose of showing the values is (initial) learning curve, and reminder.
Unlabeled has a different purpose: if you (sometimes) assign a different key layout, assign different keybinds which depends on factors (such as the language you type in, OS or program you use, or location you're at) then it is useful. Also, that part of the keyboard is not going to have worn use, and the resale value might be higher. On top of that, the designer does not have to cater to all kind of weird/different niche layouts.
I do agree I am not a big fan of colored LED keyboard, but it might look pretty if you assign it certain colours and have your computer idle.
[+] [-] leshow|6 years ago|reply
I use a 40% board and one of my layers brings up a numpad. I really just prefer typing on one of these boards much more than a traditional keyboard. It's more comfortable, more fun (because I can flash my own layout with QMK) and it served as a nice introduction to electronics and embedded programming. What's wrong with that?
[+] [-] jethro_tell|6 years ago|reply
I also put my keyboard in my backpack 3/4 times a week and move to a hot desk on a different floor when I have some real work to get done.
It works for me, I spend most of my time in vim keybindings and have a layer for arrows if I need it. Even when I use my laptop keyboard, moving over to the arrows is annoying to me since I have to take my fingers off the home row.
It may be, that people who started with laptop keyboards instead of model M keyboards prefer what they are used to and what they learned on.
It's not a trend, it's a workflow. I touch type but I have keycaps with letters, I have a red escape key and a tux for the mod4, because I like the look. I hope I'm not going to hell for that.
[+] [-] Cthulhu_|6 years ago|reply
That said, I would like something a bit more ergonomic or tactile, maybe, but all mechanical keyboards are at least 4x as tall as this one is - the flatness really helps prevent RSI in my case. I guess a wrist support would already go a long way, I prefer to keep my wrists on the table.
[+] [-] tony|6 years ago|reply
I'm optimistic about them (depending on what "small style keyboards" mean to you). I consider ergodox in this category, due to how it does ctrl/z, function keys and layers.
Ergodox-EZ is quite beautiful. The build quality on it is solid. It's heavy, for a keyboard. This is not a logitech or microsoft keyboard where they cynically use cheap materials.
But, there are these "small" hacks: It joins Z with the ctrl key. Z has to be hit twice to type Z. Sounds like the end of the world, right?
No function keys, a layer key has to be used to get to those. Took me a bit of time to find where F12 was to get to the boot loader :)
My anecdote: I am programming and typing efficiently with it (vim, tmux). And I'm hopping onto a laptop keyboard with normal keys and at 100% speed, maybe with the exception of alt-tabbing and accidentally minimizing all windows in Windows 10.
[+] [-] tomtheelder|6 years ago|reply
My typing speed and accuracy went up (I measured that), and my hand fatigue was considerably less (that's subjective).
Then I acquired a configurable keyboard in a normal layout, just with no numberpad. But here is the thing: I don't use _any_ of the keys outside of the ones I had on my old keyboard. It's been years at this point and I don't think I will ever go back to using them. My next keyboard will definitely be another 60%.
A former coworker had a 60%, and an independent numberpad that he could use when needed, or slide out of the way for desktop real estate. That seems like a great setup to me.
I'm not sure I would recommend this to anyone, but I would encourage anyone to consider that a 60% (or perhaps less!) might be good for them. Also I would say that the adjustment period is _much_ faster than one might expect.
As for colored/blank keys, those are definitely purely aesthetic. Nothing wrong with making your things look nice!
[1] https://i.imgur.com/dPJ9dk6.jpg
[+] [-] lm28469|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] giancarlostoro|6 years ago|reply
As a result I could care less what other devs think. As soon as I say I use a trackball I get poked at but I can move my mouse much faster and its been great for gaming as well.
Edit:
In case anybody is in a similar situation and is willing to try anything I'll post the amazon links I just got off Google here:
This is the keyboard, I believe I got mine at a BestBuy when it was slightly cheaper for a moment, it's normally like $120 or so, but totally worth it, I have one for work and one for home, one of which my wife bought me.
https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-3RA-00022-Surface-Ergonomic...
And this is the Logitech Ergo MX Trackball, it is the latest installment in a very small market, everyone who had a Trackball heard about it and we all talked about it, I ultimately bought two of them.
https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ergo-Wireless-Trackball-Mous...
I use the heck out of my Trackball when gaming. I feel like aiming is easier in FPS games. My friend trusts me to shoot down helicopters or just snipe any NPC while playing Far Cry 5. I do wonder what I'd be like with a regular mouse as a comparison but I don't want to go back.
[+] [-] TylerE|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] alpaca128|6 years ago|reply
A close look will show you that people rarely go for unlabeled keys, nicely shaped keycaps with high-quality labels(double-shot) are the preferred thing right now. Like the very expensive SA keycap sets.
[+] [-] a_t48|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] yarg|6 years ago|reply
Most of them would be of little value to the average end user, but I can't imagine that something like the article's charm table wouldn't be of use to developers - and the people that define the languages they use.
Completely tangentially, I think all keyboard caps should come with braille bumps by default, it would make learning to type easier and come with the added benefit of learning braille by osmosis (which I've always thought would be a bad-ass way to deliver a speech).
[+] [-] Bayart|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] namelosw|6 years ago|reply
And also if I have to work on windows I my right hand is closer to the mouse.
I always find for full keyboard if I try to align G and H key to the center of my monitor, the numpad and mouse are too far and some desk don't have such a big space. But if I don't it's make my spine hurts, and I don't think it's good for anyone.
[+] [-] taneq|6 years ago|reply
I completely agree with you here. I've been using a Das Keyboard S for years and at this point I tend to forget it's even there except as a keyboard-shaped lump on my desk. It's only when someone else tries to use my computer and stops with a blank stare that I remember that most keyboards have labels on them. :P
[+] [-] m463|6 years ago|reply
Personally I type two ways:
1) engaged. I type with my fingers on the home row. This is for when I'm actively involved and typing / editing.
2) casual. For navigating. I usually do it with my fingers on the arrow keys, sometimes hitting page up/down. I don't use my other hand. My typing will not be used for input. Sometimes I use the mouse / mousewheel.
The 40% keyboard fails #2
[+] [-] markstos|6 years ago|reply
I was concerned that typing code might be slower, so I used the "custom text" feature on keyhero.com to practice typing JavaScript code. While I didn't pre-test typing code, I often type it around 50 wpm, which seems fine-- coding is often more thinking than typing.
I'm using an Ergodox EZ which has 75 keys, but I'm experimenting with this 42 key layout. So far, I prefer it. (I also receive no "fashion" benefit from trying this, as all 75 keys would appear to be in use to co-workers!)
[+] [-] lewisflude|6 years ago|reply
I thought not having direct access to numbers or symbols would be a pain, but it really wasn't. The typing experience was comfortable and my wpm went up. I would say I still prefer something in the 60% range (HHKB) layout, ideally with dedicated arrow keys.
[1] https://olkb.com/planck
[+] [-] _jal|6 years ago|reply
That's not how aesthetics work. I mean, you are more then welcome to dislike blank caps, but it makes perfect sense.
Do clocks without numbers also disturb you?
[+] [-] cptskippy|6 years ago|reply
That being said, I'm typing this out on a Logitech K380 which is a 60% keyboard and it's fine. It's Bluetooth and can pair to 3 devices simultaneously, which is literally the only reason I'm using it.
I can never seem to find a keyboard that meets all my needs. Given the popularity of mechanical keyboards, the variety of connectivity options out there, the myriad of keyboard layouts that exist; I think there's a business opportunity for someone to make a modular system of interchangeable connectivity modules and keyboards.
[+] [-] Antoninus|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] Clubber|6 years ago|reply
I remember when laptops didn't typically have number pads. I rue the day when almost everyone started putting them on laptops larger than 14". I feel "off center" with them on a laptop. With a desktop keyboard, I just shift the keyboard to the right a bit so the traditional keys are centered and the number keypad is off to the right.
16:9 ratio is another bugger for me. Between 16:9 and number pads on laptops, I'm an odd man out. It's tough when my preferences aren't mainstream. I'm also a lefty, so there's that.
[+] [-] undersuit|6 years ago|reply
Numpad is weird. I'm a leftie, my previous keyboard was a Microsoft Sculpt, I loved that because I could put the wireless numpad on the left(or lose it entirely).
I think as long as the shift key is the right size, I'm looking at you Logitech K400, and the arrow keys are ⊥, most keyboards are acceptable.
[+] [-] sleepybrett|6 years ago|reply
Something like this: https://d2rormqr1qwzpz.cloudfront.net/photos/2019/01/06/1059...
I've tried smaller boards, but as a software engineer having to do things like chord numbers or arrow keys is simply to much of a chore.
[+] [-] billpg|6 years ago|reply
Maybe because I learnt to type with a keyboard with no number pad and I never felt the need to switch.
[+] [-] helen___keller|6 years ago|reply
There's legitimate preference at play in terms of 40 vs 60 vs 100, choice of switch, etc, but a lot of the fanaticism itself is indeed fashion.
If there's ever a doubt, just check out all the keyboard photoshoots that get upvoted to the top of /r/mechanicalkeyboards
[+] [-] 2OEH8eoCRo0|6 years ago|reply
They do look nice but they seem to cross my personal boundary into being less pragmatic as a result.
[+] [-] gothroach|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] mewse|6 years ago|reply
I can't imagine ever going back to a non-split keyboard; for me, it's a much better typing position to have my hands shoulder-width apart rather than squeezed together. I think that's more important than the "every key is within reach of the home row" argument for the 40% size in particular (although I've kind of fallen in love with the 40% size, but I could cope with going to a larger keyboard again better than I'd cope with going to a non-split, I think)
But more than that, as a programmer, there's something meditative about maintaining the custom hardware I use to do my job. Double-checking the soldering, tuning the firmware, taking it apart to polish the components and then putting it back together again, etc. Reminds me of the Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, in a lot of ways.
[+] [-] xouse|6 years ago|reply
Thirty minutes into using a split 40% keyboard and I was using the number row at full speed, something that has eluded me my whole life. And of course, it's a hell of a lot easier to hold down a key with my thumb and touch type the qwerty row than to make the normal awkward stretch that fullsize keyboards use.
That told me pretty much everything I needed to know. Once I learn a layout I can type any key that's on the home row or the rows that are directly above or below it and a thumb modifier faster than I can type any keys outside of the three home rows sans a modifier.
The idea that many people have that somehow 40% keyboards are about having less keys at your immediate disposal is completely backwards. There are 36 keys that are within a 1 key displacement of the home row. With the natural 36 and two thumb modifiers on each side that's already 180 keys that are all touch typeable, and that's without even getting into any of the fancy stuff like being able to tap for one function and hold for another, or using two modifiers at once, or using a vim style leader key, or chording, or having modes that you can switch into.
The smaller keyboards aren't about having less keys, it's not like I woke up one morning and decided to never use function keys or curly brackets again, it's about removing all the cruft that that can't be pressed easily and mapping it in a way that it can.
[+] [-] pdpi|6 years ago|reply
There is no frequency-of-use analysis, nothing about the cognitive cost of remembering a very very unique set of key bindings (the guy on my team with a 40% keyboard still struggles with some common keystrokes after several months), just “fitts’s law and we move less”.
[+] [-] dsego|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] dlevine|6 years ago|reply
I also have an ErgoDox (68-key split ortholinear). I used it for a while but I just never liked ortholinear.
I have used a 60% keyboard for most of the past 4 years that seems to me about as functional as a full-sized keyboard. Basically all that I lose are the arrow and function keys (and ESC), all of which can be easily emulated with a second layer (I don't even think about it any more). I mapped caps lock to ESC.
I know that some people need a numpad, but I don't, and I like the form factor of a 60% (plus I built it up with switches and keycaps from an old Apple Extended Keyboard, which were much better than the modern Apple stuff).
[+] [-] TACIXAT|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] KaiserPro|6 years ago|reply
When you have your fingers contorted and under stress trying to hold two keys down, thats when RSI really kicks in.
I would go out on a limb and say that these keyboard are going to make one's RSI even worse.
[+] [-] equalunique|6 years ago|reply
Basically, the smaller the keyboard, the easier the layout is to remember. When it fits completely under your hands, with no extra columns or rows necessitating hand movement away from the home row, you can then commit the layout to your body's muscle memory faster. It then becomes more efficient and comfortable to use.
EDIT: On my current layout, I do something pretty unconventional, which is saying a lot considering I'm using Dvorak. So I've mapped the B key on my Mods layer to Backspace, D to Delete, T to Tab, and E for Enter (just to name a handful). Now, I prefer this to having mods requiring a long pinky reach to either side. It's also liberating using a layer for an extra level of intention before hitting stuff like Delete, Backspace, and Enter. If you're reading this, there's a good chance you've accidentally hit Enter one on a message or button when you didn't mean to. Especially if you've dabbled with HHKB layout. With this type of arrangement, worrying about that is a thing of the past.
[+] [-] fouric|6 years ago|reply
[1] https://github.com/tshort/dactyl-keyboard
[+] [-] Nursie|6 years ago|reply
I have a ... I don't know, it's like a 60% but with added arrows and ins/del/home/end/pgup/pgdn off to the right like on a 80%, but it's not a 80% or a standard 75% because there's no F key row.
I wouldn't want to go any smaller, I already have an extra 'super' key to access F functions, and I already have minor issues just with the physical size. Maybe I have big hands? Either way, I like the desk space back, but I think there are limits here.
[+] [-] songzme|6 years ago|reply
Unfortunately, I type in dvorak layout and the keyboard I purchased did not work out. I have to press 3 keys to type the letter 'z' because of the strange meta layers.
I switched to dvorak because I had minor wrist pains and I hoped that switching to dvorak would help. The pain went away (maybe a coincidence), but dvorak was a pleasure to type so I stuck with it.
Everytime there is a new keyboard, I try it out and become disappointed because it is heavily optimized for qwerty layouts.
[+] [-] nabeelms|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] vollmond|6 years ago|reply
The main power in these custom boards is in the firmware, allowing you limitless customization. If you're the sort of person to place Escape or Control on your CapsLock button via OS tools, this takes that to another level. I never have to take my hands out of home position.
Some of my layout details [1]:
* When spacebar is held down, it activates a navigation layer instead of typing space. In this layer, I have HJKL arrow keys, along with page up/down, home/end, my numrow becomes function keys, and Tab/CapsLock cycle through browser tabs.
* The CapsLock button is Escape when tapped, Control when held down.
* The damn. key [0] is Control-Alt-Delete when tapped once, Control-Shift-Escape when tapped twice.
* The fn key, when held, turns the right half of the board into a traditional numpad descending from the 789 keys in the numrow.
* The raise key, when held, gives access to any special characters not already in the main layout (-_{}[]+=|\)
I also have a separate BDN9 macropad [0] with rotary encoders for volume/zoom, and keys mapped to the debugging navigation keys for software debugging. Also has a screenshot macro (print screen, win+R, type "mspaint", enter, wait 750ms, control+P). It has a key that will open notepad on a single-tap (win+R, type "notepad", enter) or type out a long email header I use frequently when double-tapped.
There is certainly an aesthetic component (I love the look and feel of my boards and my keycaps), and the build was a big draw (soldering everything together, programming the layout), but the benefit of having a totally custom setup for my specific needs is fantastic.
[0] My primary work setup: https://imgur.com/a/uvuDeE3
[1] My QMK layout file: https://github.com/imnotpete/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboa...
[+] [-] rococode|6 years ago|reply
For me, it's the perfect balance of compactness and usability. Fits snugly in my backpack but allows me to use my preferred set of keybinds since all the relevant keys are there.
Here's a site with a rundown of most of the popular sizes: https://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2017/08/full-size-...
[+] [-] Yizahi|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] celeritascelery|6 years ago|reply
I feel like this thinking is flawed. When you are pressing a sequence of keys, your fingers don’t wait for the first key to be pressed before the next finger starts moving to its key. This means that it is in position right after the first key is hit. One of the reasons that more optimized layouts (Dvorak, etc) don’t seem to produce any speed up, Even though from a Fitt’s law perspective they should.
Having a tiny keyboard will not make you faster and may slow you down because of all the layers you now need to use.
[+] [-] rwbaskette|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] 6gvONxR4sf7o|6 years ago|reply
[+] [-] gbrown|6 years ago|reply
I can type ~60 WPM if I'm really trying, but I never really have occasion to type that fast