Which 60% portable keyboards should I be considering?

[c4clicky]

BACKGROUND

- I once owned a DELL AT102W with Alps switches and it was lovely.
- I get on quite well with the size of the keyboard on my Lenovo X220 laptop (work).
- I find lengthy typing on my Apple Magic Keyboard unpleasant (home).
- I spend approximately 25% of my time writing code, 50% of my time writing documents and 25% of my time on the internet.
- I am a reluctant Microsoft child.
- I haven't regularly used a mouse for about 10 years, so shortcuts are my best friend.

YOUR THOUGHTS?

The questions are as follows:

1. Which 60% portable keyboards should I be considering?
2. Assuming the answer is HHKB; how do you think I would get on with the layout given:

- That I have only ever used an ISO layout?
- My reliance on CTRL/ALT shortcuts?
- My positive experience with Alps switches?
- My abusive relationship with Microsoft?

Thanks,

Thomas

[Blaise170]

If you liked Black Alps switches, you might consider the KBP V60 and replacing the switches with some.

[seebart]

Why do you assume the answer is HHKB? Have you ever tried a 60% ? Welcome to DT!

[scottc]

I'd recommend just using the Matias quiet clicks and not replacing them at all. They're a fairly good tactile switch in their own right, much better than black Alps in my opinion.

If you want a layout more like your X220, check out the Matias Mini.

[c4clicky]

Thanks.

The Alps switches are my only experience of mechanical keyboards, so I am open to the alternatives.

The HHKB seems incredibly popular, so that's why I had assumed it would be recommended. It certainly reviews well, but what I hadn't been able to establish was whether the usage profile of HHKB users was similar to myself.

Thank you for the other suggestions - I will have a proper look.

[pcaro]

Just here for you and cheapper than the HHKB (but in USA):

for-sale-f55/maltron-dual-handed-3d-wit ... t9425.html

[Muirium]

Okay, I'll bite. 60% is a great format and you should be able to tell pretty much immediately if it suits you or not. If you want a cheap experiment, a Poker is a nice, competent entry level board that happens to be compatible with all the best caps GBs and many, many cases. Can't go wrong with that. The Poker's no endgame keyboard, but it's a perfect 60% intro. I consider it to be among the better MX keyboards still made today in any size.

But I don't have one. Because I went straight to HHKB!

The only other 60% that I do have, and I consider to be in the same league as the HHKB, isn't any cheaper! I'm on it now. It's my Kishsaver:



So much clicking after all this time away in America with only my HHKB! These vintage IBMs aren't exactly the easiest thing to find. But Ellipse is making new ones for >$300 apiece. Beware: they weigh 3 kilos (no exaggeration) so "portable" only if you're trying to increase your daily workout.

Seriously, though, get a Poker. Then you'll know if 60% is even relevant to you. People love or hate them.

[HzFaq]

A little bit extra on Mu's point about the Poker; if you can, try and get the original PokerX. The caps/case compatibility is still there but they are much easier to mod as they don't have a mounting plate for the switches so you can try out different switches quickly/cheaply without having to stump up for a new board. You'll also probably be able to pick one up for pretty cheap these days (there's been a few FS threads where they've been around €50).

[Muirium]

Indeed. The original Poker can't be beat as an experimental testbed. It's pretty much the ideal MX kit board.

The downsides with the whole Poker family are those very MX switches (for Topre and IBM snobs like me, or potentially Alps fans like the OP!) and function layer isn't nearly as smart as the HHKB's. Kishsavers are programmable so I use exactly the same navigation layer on mine as I'm used to on my HHKB. Pokers use WASD for arrows instead, which I find awkward compared to the HHKB diamond:



Of course, there are ways around this in software. Not least in the Poker itself which (was it the Poker II?) introduced a programmable layer so you can define your own right in the board. You can guess what I'd use that layer for if I had one!

[ron310]

The poker3 uses IJKL for the arrows on the default layer, but using a dip switch on the back, you can change the cap locks to another "fn" key and then program WASD as arrows. This way, you have a set of fn keys and arrows for either hand.

[c4clicky]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I feel like jumping straight in at the deep end and ordering a HHKB Pro 2/Pro 2 Type S.

The only thing stopping me is the arrow keys; these play quite a big part in my daily workflow and whilst I could copy with an inverted T on a function layer, I am not sure how I feel about that diamond.

I think the options are therefore:

- HHKB Pro 2/Pro 2 Type S - suck it and see with the diamond.
- Pok3r - keep the inverted T in a function layer.
- Leopold FC660C - it's a bit uglier than the others, but has dedicated arrow keys.
- Realforce 87U - just forget 60% all together.

Muirium/other HHKB users - do you spend much time in Microsoft Word or Excel?

[Muirium]

Me? No. Been Microsoft free for donkeys years. But I do write and edit text hours of every day, and I've quite a few spreadsheets on the go as well. The HHKB's navigation layer works very well for me. But so does a TKL! You've identified the best one on the market today, right there.