At home I use a full-size Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry MX Blue switches and aftermarket light pink PBT keycaps. My only regret with that board is that I didn't buy a tenkeyless version of the same board instead.
At work I use a tenkeyless WASD CODE with Cherry MX Brown switches (so I don't deafen my coworkers with my typing). I'm planning to replace the keycaps with the same pink PBT keycaps I use at home once the stock caps start getting shiny.
I wanted a keyboard that could switch the modifier keys to Mac order. Unfortunately, its hardware overrides the Mac OS setting that I used to rebind CAPSLOCK to ESC, so it's not ideal. I'm currently attempting to reverse-engineer it on the weekends so that I can modify it to allow me to switch CAPSLOCK to ESC instead of CTRL. If anybody has any advice or resources on that front, please let me know.
A Python developer with a knack for math. TKD black belt, ask me about 2013.
Applied Math Alum @SMU, but I can tell you all about commutative rings too.
https://www.pbk.org/
Check out Karabiner. I used to use it back on Yosemite- or at least the Yosemite version- and found it to work quite nicely. Just revert any changes you made through macOS and let Karabiner handle the changes you want.
At home and the office: CoolerMaster Quickfire Rapid (tenkeyless) with Cherry MX Brown switches. For travel: KBParadise V60 Mini with Gateron Blue switches. I couldn't stand the new MacBook Pro keyboard.
The travel one is a 60% layout and it still takes me a while each time to remember all of the modifier combos.
I've been a professional C, Perl, PHP and Python developer.
I'm an ex-sysadmin from the late 20th century.
These days I do more Javascript and CSS and whatnot, and promote UX and accessibility.
I have the wired full-width apple aluminium plank thing.
I like it despite it being Apple and coming with all the terrible design decisions that entails - very difficult to clean, uses a layout halfway between UK and US, has symbols on it that make no sense, etc.
It feels nice, has an incline that, while not adjustable, is about right for me, and it looks smaller than it is meaning it doesn't dominate my desk. It also has USB ports on either side which will take something low-power like a mouse, meaning less scrabbling around with cables. Won't take anything like a USB drive with a bulky casing because of how it's too cramped, likewise don't put one of those tiny flush drives in unless you want to have to use a screwdriver to get it back out, but it's better than nothing.
Overpriced, though: I paid about £25 for each keyboard (I have 2) on ebay because the Apple price is unreasonable.
I am going to get a beating for this but I use Logitech G110 at work and a Logitech 510s at home though bare in mind I was around 18 - 21 years old when I purchased these keyboards, they are both still going strong and I am 29 now...
I expected to hate it, especially with the Touch Bar and my previous experience with Apple input devices. But I find I really love using it when I'm not 'docked' at my desk. Rebinding CAPSLOCK to ESC makes up for the lack of a tactile ESC key for Vim.
A Python developer with a knack for math. TKD black belt, ask me about 2013.
Applied Math Alum @SMU, but I can tell you all about commutative rings too.
https://www.pbk.org/
I don't know why I didn't think to ask this question myself!
I have been consistently using an OLKB Preonic with Cherry Browns. I love this thing to death, especially because someone added a feature where the keyboard "boops" and "beeps" with every keypress.
It makes git commits (and everything else) really fun.
At work I use a US version DAS keyboard with Cherry Browns. At home I just use the amazing stock Macbook Pro butterfly switch keyboard (only a little sarcasm here due to the public complaints of the keyboard, although personally, I've never had any sticking issues with it.)
I use Anne Pro with Gateron blue switches at work, Fnatic Gear Rush with Cherry MX blues (you can see a pattern here) at home (I use it mostly for gaming, occasionally for coding). I started using mechanical keyboards few years ago, I don't think I can go back to regular (rubber dome) keyboards, still looking for something better than my Anne Pro (not that it's really bad, but I have some small issues with it).
these things are tanks. theyre great for prose and writing code of literally any kind because the keys arent too sensitive to make it easy to spam characters on accident but if youre a fast typer like me, the keys give way enough that you can make the unconscious strokes and movements really effectively and without hand stress
my only problem with them is that theyre loud and typing for a long time can get a little straining on them
Currently: Cooler Master QuickFire Stealth Tenkeyless. Cherry MX Brown switches.
I recently (as in just put in by drawer a few minutes ago) tried the Kinesis Advantage 2 as I started having pain from my thumbs rolling under my palm to access the Command key about a thousand times a day.
I knew there would be an adjustment period and I dedicated myself to basically relearning how to touch type with the Advantage. I finally got to where I could code without stumbling around.
But the special keys (command, alt/option, and control) were in just too weird of a spot. I use these keys A LOT in coding and some of the combinations were just too weird, e.g. Command+Control+Up in Xcode goes between the header/implementation/tests of a file in Objective-C.
That's just one example, but relearning a dozen other commands that I can intuitively on a "normal" qwerty keyboard was just too much.
Instead, I'm going to try using my right Command or move my whole left hand when using the left Command key.
My Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard isn't that impressive but I found if you develop pain from an intense day of typing it might be worth something other then the standard keyboard configuration.
I was just testing some keyboards and I didn't have a huge difference in typing speed as I measured it, but it was more about the length of time I could type before my fingers were tired. Plugging along at around 60-80wpm (depends what I'm typing) for a while eventually my little pinky fingers give out on a non ergonomic keyboard and they kind of hurt but I have this problem less on an ergonomic keyboard so I'm currently using that.
When programming I typically have more spaces between my typing then my testing because of pausing to think but after an intense day where it's more I know the patterns and just have to put them into the computer (typing most of 8 hours) my little pinky fingers still have issues but it is better then it used to be with a more standard keyboard.
I was using a K95 until now but it started to fail because the cable had to be in an specific angle and decided to buy a TKL keyboard , which it's a Corsair K63 with Cherry MX red.
The benefit o a TKL keyboard is that your right/left hand is much closer to the keyboard so you can be much more agile, apart from saving space in your desktop.
Using a Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard like @rhymes
and @jess
at work, and a Kinesis Freestyle 2 for Mac at home. Both are great and have definitely helped my wrist pain.
I use the WASD CODE with Cherry MX Blue switches (coworkers don't mind the noise... or at least they never say they do :) ) and blank color-coded keycaps - separating letters and numbers from special characters and other keys.
I have a Microsoft Sidewinder X4 at work. Does the job well enough, though I would upgrade to a mechanical keyboard if I had the money, as the one I have at home is so comfortable.
SealShield Silver Wave Ergo. It's similar in layout and shape to the Microsoft Natural keyboards, but the Ergo is dishwasher safe and 100% coffee proof.
At home I use a full-size Filco Majestouch 2 with Cherry MX Blue switches and aftermarket light pink PBT keycaps. My only regret with that board is that I didn't buy a tenkeyless version of the same board instead.
At work I use a tenkeyless WASD CODE with Cherry MX Brown switches (so I don't deafen my coworkers with my typing). I'm planning to replace the keycaps with the same pink PBT keycaps I use at home once the stock caps start getting shiny.
I wanted a keyboard that could switch the modifier keys to Mac order. Unfortunately, its hardware overrides the Mac OS setting that I used to rebind CAPSLOCK to ESC, so it's not ideal. I'm currently attempting to reverse-engineer it on the weekends so that I can modify it to allow me to switch CAPSLOCK to ESC instead of CTRL. If anybody has any advice or resources on that front, please let me know.
Check out Karabiner. I used to use it back on Yosemite- or at least the Yosemite version- and found it to work quite nicely. Just revert any changes you made through macOS and let Karabiner handle the changes you want.
Love Karabiner. I definitely don't use all the features it has but it's straightforward to setup and change your keys.
Thanks, I'll try that 😁
I'm using two keyboards.
At home and the office: CoolerMaster Quickfire Rapid (tenkeyless) with Cherry MX Brown switches.
For travel: KBParadise V60 Mini with Gateron Blue switches. I couldn't stand the new MacBook Pro keyboard.
The travel one is a 60% layout and it still takes me a while each time to remember all of the modifier combos.
I have nearly the same keyboard: CoolerMaster Quickfire with Cherry MX Brown switches, but I went for the Stealth so the labels won't wear off.
I have the wired full-width apple aluminium plank thing.
I like it despite it being Apple and coming with all the terrible design decisions that entails - very difficult to clean, uses a layout halfway between UK and US, has symbols on it that make no sense, etc.
It feels nice, has an incline that, while not adjustable, is about right for me, and it looks smaller than it is meaning it doesn't dominate my desk. It also has USB ports on either side which will take something low-power like a mouse, meaning less scrabbling around with cables. Won't take anything like a USB drive with a bulky casing because of how it's too cramped, likewise don't put one of those tiny flush drives in unless you want to have to use a screwdriver to get it back out, but it's better than nothing.
Overpriced, though: I paid about £25 for each keyboard (I have 2) on ebay because the Apple price is unreasonable.
I am going to get a beating for this but I use Logitech G110 at work and a Logitech 510s at home though bare in mind I was around 18 - 21 years old when I purchased these keyboards, they are both still going strong and I am 29 now...
I'm using the keyboard built into the MacBook Pro. I find the placement easier with my screen setup.
It does the job, though I wouldn't mind something that was a little bit quieter.
I expected to hate it, especially with the Touch Bar and my previous experience with Apple input devices. But I find I really love using it when I'm not 'docked' at my desk. Rebinding CAPSLOCK to ESC makes up for the lack of a tactile ESC key for Vim.
What year? I don't mind the "old" one, but I've heard some horror stories about the new "butterfly" switches.
It's the 2017 model. I've heard the same stories, and it does sound worrying, but I've been using it for a year with no problems... yet.
I don't know why I didn't think to ask this question myself!
I have been consistently using an OLKB Preonic with Cherry Browns. I love this thing to death, especially because someone added a feature where the keyboard "boops" and "beeps" with every keypress.
It makes git commits (and everything else) really fun.
At work I use a US version DAS keyboard with Cherry Browns. At home I just use the amazing stock Macbook Pro butterfly switch keyboard (only a little sarcasm here due to the public complaints of the keyboard, although personally, I've never had any sticking issues with it.)
I use Anne Pro with Gateron blue switches at work, Fnatic Gear Rush with Cherry MX blues (you can see a pattern here) at home (I use it mostly for gaming, occasionally for coding). I started using mechanical keyboards few years ago, I don't think I can go back to regular (rubber dome) keyboards, still looking for something better than my Anne Pro (not that it's really bad, but I have some small issues with it).
amazon.com/Dell-Genuine-104-key-Ke...
this boi <3
these things are tanks. theyre great for prose and writing code of literally any kind because the keys arent too sensitive to make it easy to spam characters on accident but if youre a fast typer like me, the keys give way enough that you can make the unconscious strokes and movements really effectively and without hand stress
my only problem with them is that theyre loud and typing for a long time can get a little straining on them
Currently: Cooler Master QuickFire Stealth Tenkeyless. Cherry MX Brown switches.
I recently (as in just put in by drawer a few minutes ago) tried the Kinesis Advantage 2 as I started having pain from my thumbs rolling under my palm to access the Command key about a thousand times a day.
I knew there would be an adjustment period and I dedicated myself to basically relearning how to touch type with the Advantage. I finally got to where I could code without stumbling around.
But the special keys (command, alt/option, and control) were in just too weird of a spot. I use these keys A LOT in coding and some of the combinations were just too weird, e.g. Command+Control+Up in Xcode goes between the header/implementation/tests of a file in Objective-C.
That's just one example, but relearning a dozen other commands that I can intuitively on a "normal" qwerty keyboard was just too much.
Instead, I'm going to try using my right Command or move my whole left hand when using the left Command key.
My Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard isn't that impressive but I found if you develop pain from an intense day of typing it might be worth something other then the standard keyboard configuration.
I was just testing some keyboards and I didn't have a huge difference in typing speed as I measured it, but it was more about the length of time I could type before my fingers were tired. Plugging along at around 60-80wpm (depends what I'm typing) for a while eventually my little pinky fingers give out on a non ergonomic keyboard and they kind of hurt but I have this problem less on an ergonomic keyboard so I'm currently using that.
When programming I typically have more spaces between my typing then my testing because of pausing to think but after an intense day where it's more I know the patterns and just have to put them into the computer (typing most of 8 hours) my little pinky fingers still have issues but it is better then it used to be with a more standard keyboard.
amazon.in/Logitech-MK215-Wireless-...
Wireless.. Nice and handy.. Full-length.. Only con is small arrow keys..
I was using a K95 until now but it started to fail because the cable had to be in an specific angle and decided to buy a TKL keyboard , which it's a Corsair K63 with Cherry MX red.
The benefit o a TKL keyboard is that your right/left hand is much closer to the keyboard so you can be much more agile, apart from saving space in your desktop.
Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic Desktop: I hated it in the beginning, now I think it's cool and the ergonomic stuff is real
Using a Microsoft Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard like @rhymes and @jess at work, and a Kinesis Freestyle 2 for Mac at home. Both are great and have definitely helped my wrist pain.
I use the WASD CODE with Cherry MX Blue switches (coworkers don't mind the noise... or at least they never say they do :) ) and blank color-coded keycaps - separating letters and numbers from special characters and other keys.
I've recently upgraded:
Happy Hacking Keyboard and Ergodox.
Corsair Raptor K50
Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000, Wireless Mouse and Keyboard combo
I have a Microsoft Sidewinder X4 at work. Does the job well enough, though I would upgrade to a mechanical keyboard if I had the money, as the one I have at home is so comfortable.
Apple keyboard.
DasKeyboard TKL at work and a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S at home.
SealShield Silver Wave Ergo. It's similar in layout and shape to the Microsoft Natural keyboards, but the Ergo is dishwasher safe and 100% coffee proof.
Logitech Comfort Keyboard K290
DasKeyboard TKL at work and a Cooler Master MasterKeys Pro S at home.
Surface Support
Older gen daskeyboard!
pok3r with cherry brown
IBM Model M keyboard. When I can't get one of those, Unicomp Spacesaver M.
Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard 4000
Really nice, but takes some time getting used to it.
Same, but the wireless version! I also have a separate keyboard tray so my forearms are below the desk, parallel with my legs while I sit.
main: 104-key WASD, Cherry MX Brown blue and grey keycaps
backup: CORSAIR STRAFE Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Cherry MX Brown