Keyboard for PC- any recommendations from typists out there

Nilrem

ThemeOne wrote: »

Trying them out seems easier said than done though. In recent years I've only seen keyboards sold packed up in their boxes in shops.

I've never really found a keyboard I'm 100% happy with, and am reluctant to buy the expensive ones in case I don't like them.

Aye, these days I'm tending to stick with Logitech as I'm generally happy with the feel of them, but really miss the days when you could actually check them out.

However I think some of the small specialist stores still have demo keyboards on display, at least for the more expensive models, otherwise it seems to be a case of trying out friends keyboards.

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

They've probably appreciated in value more than IBM shares. :eek:

Aye, IBM seems to be a bit of a zombie company these days, mind you a model M would be a great zombie killing weapon:p

Mr_Toad

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Depends what he/she is used to.

Experienced keyboard wizards would sell their first-born for an IBM Model M or Das Keyboard, but they don't appeal to people who grew up with laptops.

I spent my working life as a software engineer and still have my Model M, although I no longer use it.

When typing up documentation and notes my preferred keyboard, and I've tried loads, is the Das Keyboard, they are truly marvelous to use. I did the full geek thing and went for the totally blank one, I never look at the keyboard anyway when I'm typing anymore.

I also have Corsair K90 mechanical that is better than average to type with, this one is my main programming keyboard, it is sold as a gamers keyboard having programmable keys but I have them programmed for various development functions.

On my iMac, my main home machine, I use a Matias Tactile Pro.

http://matias.ca/tactilepro4/

Another really great keyboard but not quite as good as the Das keyboard. It's main advantage is that the keytops show all the alternate characters which was fantastic when I first got the Mac. Having used a Mac for years and having become familiar with the alternate character layout I would now buy the Das for Mac.

All of the above sounds very geeky but a keyboard was/is my main tool. I spent all of my working days with them and the above is a result of 40+ years of trial and error and personal experience.

Ideally you need to try some different keyboards. I prefer the mechanical ones and they come with differently weighted mechanical keys but that's not the end of the story.

Another factor is key spacing. I can touch type on my keyboards but the spacing on the Das and the Matias are different. When I first got the Matias my typing was abysmal because the keys were ever so slightly closer together and even now when moving from one to the other it takes a little while to adjust.

50Twuncle

Try http://www.goldtouch.com/
They are quite expensive but do allow fast typing once you get used to the weird layout !!