Keyboard Snob
I don't ask for much, do I?
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Layout
I just want a keyboard that has keys laid out nice. I think the Microsoft Curve series gets the right mix of 'angled for hands' but without the stupid "ergonomic" split style.
...oh while I'm on the topic, and I want a keyboard that doesn't waste space and weight on the numpad. I use it... rarely. But not enough to justify it being there ALL THE TIME.
- http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se0500
- http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab
...but please, don't swap out the menu or right-meta (windows) key for function, to double-up functions on existing keys. I want multimedia keys, just not the keypad.
Mechanism
...and I want a keyboard that has decent key mechanicals. Buckling spring looks to be the best of the bunch! :)
Keycaps details
...finally, I want a keyboard that has keytop shape of cylindrical (NOT flat chiclet which is horrid), with deeper cylindrical for the FJ home keys (instead of knobbly bits). I have an old Acer (PS2 era, and it has microswitches) with keytops of this style, and it's a fantastic feel (TODO: get photos :) Spherical keytops would be cool too, but unlikely :)
TL;DR
- Microsoft Curve layout
- No keypad, a.k.a. "tenkeyless", but no key substitutions
- Buckling spring key mechanism
- Deeply curved FJ keys instead of nubs.
In conclusion
So will someone make one for me? PLEASE? :)
till then... Das Keyboard professional4 is pretty nice, and this is my mockup of a tenless version:
(based off the daskeyboard 4: http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-professional/ , and in contrast with their own tenless variant: http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4C-professional/ )
Appendum
Showstopping design points...
- Chiclet keys. Removing the tactile centering of the key is FAIL
- Coffee. If the keyboard smells like coffee, I wont use it. Anyone who invents plastic made out of coffee beans will earn my eternal loathing
- Meat. If the keyboard is made of meat, I also wont use it, regardless of how clever it's autodynamic reconfigurability is!
