Best keyboards you've used ever!

From: Jason McBrien <jbmcb_at_hotmail.com>
Date: Thu Aug 26 08:00:31 2004

Ditto on the IBM "M" I've got a collection of them, including one with a
built-in mousestick, like the Thinkpads, and one with no numeric keypad, so
it fits nice on your lap. I also have the special one used for the 3270
emulation card, with all sorts of wierd key caps.

I've always been fond of the original Apple 101-key ADB keyboard. Not
clicky, but not silent either, about halfway between a mushy Dell keyboard
and a type M.

The keyboards for my Quadex Q500 are *really* nice, if not the most
ergonomic things in the world. They are HUGE, all metal encased beasts with
at least 150 keys, most of them for odd typesetting commands like adjusting
kerning and tracking, and switching between common fontsizes. It has a
regular numeric keypad, and a keypad with numbers that go from 0 to 20,
'cause you don't want to actually TYPE 2 then 0 :) Now if I can retrofit
them to work on a PC...

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Wickens" <m.wickens_at_rhodium-consulting.com>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts"
<cctalk_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 4:05 AM
Subject: Best keyboards you've used ever!


> OK, this one is bound to get a few responses:
>
> List the best keyboards you have ever used. You might like the feel,
number of
> function keys, layout (let's not forget Dvorak or more esoteric designs)
or
> pure keyboard<->computer love (you might really get off on Vaxen).
>
> My list is something like:
>
> 1. IBM Model M (original buckle-spring technology, still standing the test
of
> time)
> 2. Unicomp PC 5250 (two rows of function keys at the top upto F24 and a
set of
> 10 on the left, can be bought new and 'broken in')
> 3. DEC LK421 (not-often-seen cut-size Unix programmers DEC keyboard)
> 4. Wyse WY-40 (very nice positive feel with sturdy base)
> 5. Early Chiconi PC keyboards (hopelessly rattly and cheap but engaging
> 'click' and quick to type on none-the-less)
> 6. My college used to have a computer room full of terminals, possibly
Adds,
> which had a very nice short travel and positive click keyboard).
> 7. ZX81 (simply because it was my first computer).
> 8. Cherry high end keyboards.
> 9. DEC keyboards with a 'Do' and 'Help' key.
> 10. SUN keyboards with 'Cut', 'Copy' and 'Paste' keys.
>
> I'm a great fan of dedicated keys, and function keys on the left. Whoever
> decided to put the out of reach at the top of the keyboard needs their
head
> examining!
>
> There must have been some stonking keyboards attached to more vintage
> hardware. I'd love to know about them (if that doesn't sound a bit
weird!).
>
> Mark.
>
> --
> Mark Wickens
> Rhodium Consulting Ltd
>
Received on Thu Aug 26 2004 - 08:00:31 BST

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