The best keyboard to develop with

S

Shred

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So, keyboards are a very personal thing and I am looking at a keyboard for software development. I am looking for developers who swear by their keyboards for speed, comfort and accuracy. Back in the day, I used an erganomic keyboard which I enjoyed however for some reason now, I find the spacing too far apart and my fingers are getting pretty sore with reaching, I am obviously getting old.

(Off-topic) Selling my MS Ergonomic for R200, hardly used.
http://www.ikonicit.co.za/microsoft-natural-ergonomic-4000.html

Anyways, I am currently using a MS Comfy Curve Keyboard 2000 which is great, but it's getting stale and you can't buy them any more.

Unfortunately there is no place where I can test typing on 100 keyboards so I need to make the right choice. And I don't want to make a R1000 mistake (Or a R470 mistake with the case of the Ergonomic)

I need to type very fast, very accurate. I use all 10 of my fingers and have an orthodox typing style (Like a typist).

So far, I am considering the razer black widow.

http://www.ikonicit.co.za/razer-blackwidow.html
 
I love the Ergonomic Keyboard but I do find you got to try it out with and without its legs and that weird base plate that makes it look like a UFO. I also use a basic Logitech Wireless keyboard and find it also very comfortable.
 
I find the general MS keyboards to be quite good. Currently using a wireless MS one. With all the typing that gets done one easily adapts to a certain keyboard. This is the first time I ever see someone asking for a "developer" keyboard.
 
Dont sell your ergonomic!!!!

The keyboard market in SA is really bad now. Logitech is bringing in the wrong key layouts (square enter and tiny left shift). You keep hitting backslash instead of shift and forward slash instead of enter.

MS latest keyboards are clearly not of the same quality of the last generation (like the ergonomic). Also no decent corded keyboards any more.

Most of the gaming companies are pushing the mechanical keyboards to impractical silly levels.

That said there are some nice stuff coming. I know razer is bringing a new chiclet style keyboard out with very nice programmable functions:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-deathstalker/

There is also a over the top crazy version if you want the ultimate in programmable keyboards:
http://www.razerzone.com/gaming-keyboards-keypads/razer-deathstalker-ultimate
 
I am looking at keyboards too... What about the Microsoft Arc keyboard? A friend had one, and quick typing on it felt quite comfortable. It suppose to be good for long periods of typing.
 
Make sure the Keyboard with mechanical with cherry MX switches. Any Mechanical keyboard is much more faster and comfortable to type on. Check out Filco keyboards.
 
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CM Storm Quickfire w/ blue switches. Made in the same factory as Filco but half the price.

Also check out the other CM Storm keyboards if you fancy a numkey pad/palm rest/back lighting.

If noise of the Blues is an issue, go with Browns.
 
I code on my Razer Blackwidows Ult. Vbut then again it's only personal preference.
 
I love a keyboard that can do what and when I press the button. Not this dell crap where I press ' and I have to push space or a different key before it appears
 
Mike Smit said:
What's the difference? Not very clued up on the types of keyboards.
Click to expand...

Better feeling - rubber membrane will feel mushy and non responsive when you go back to them after using mech
Faster typing - no need to depress keys fully in the case of non linear Blue and Brown switches as you can feel when they actuate (Blacks and Reds actuate at the same 2mm distance but they're linear with no tactile bump at actuation point)
Tactile feedback - feel the keys actuating with non linear Blue and Brown switches
Longer lasting - rated at 50 million keypresses
Sounds great - slamming away at a Blue switch keyboard if you have personal space

You'll never go back, guaranteed.
 
Rosewill or DAS Ultimate+. Those are the best keyboards on our green earth.


Although some fundis hold a soft spot for the old IBM/Chicony enterprise mechanical keyboard ranges. If you can find one in good nick with Cherry MX switches, they trounce anything you can find today under R800.
 
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PostmanPot said:
Better feeling - rubber membrane will feel mushy and non responsive when you go back to them after using mech
Faster typing - no need to depress keys fully in the case of non linear Blue and Brown switches as you can feel when they actuate (Blacks and Reds actuate at the same 2mm distance but they're linear with no tactile bump at actuation point)
Tactile feedback - feel the keys actuating with non linear Blue and Brown switches
Longer lasting - rated at 50 million keypresses
Sounds great - slamming away at a Blue switch keyboard if you have personal space

You'll never go back, guaranteed.
Click to expand...

Damn... I feel like I am reading one of your plasma posts :D

Thanks for the advice. Gonna learn what you just said then look around.
 
By chance, I stopped by BT games today and saw a special on a BlackWiddow Ultimate Battlefield edition for R699. Usually the ultimate edition is R1300 and the standard one is R850. Very nice, impressed so far. I must say that although I like the clicky sound of the keyboard, it is fairly loud which I should have considered. All in all so far, very happy with it.
 
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