Today, it’s all about keyboards.
Most folks think of keyboards and mice as just add-ons that come with laptops or desktops. I used to be one of them, too. I would just use whatever keyboard or mouse was available at work. Spending extra money on them seemed absurd. But think about it—white-collar workers use keyboards and mice for eight hours straight. If a good keyboard can add aesthetic and functional value, then no pricey keyboard is too much—unless, of course, you plan to sit on your bag all day, in which case, get a comfy cushion instead. In short, the impact is real.
I first stumbled upon the world of mechanical keyboards when I tried one out at a store and fell in love with its click-clack sound. It was none other than the classic Cherry keyboard, and I couldn’t resist buying it. This led me on a journey of exploring and switching keyboards, eventually settling on the PFU Happy Hacking Keyboard for both home and work. Using Topre’s electrostatic capacitive switches, it offered a quiet yet tactile ‘breaking-chocolate’ feel, which was unmatched for a while.
The Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) stands out because of its unique key placements—Control and Caps Lock are swapped, and the same goes for Backspace and the backslash. Back in the Unix console days, the Control key was where the Caps Lock is now, but IBM moved it down. Having the Control key up top is surprisingly convenient; it saves your pinky from extra movement and your wrist from awkward angles during copy-paste actions. Because of this, I’ve sought out keyboards where the firmware allows me to remap the Control key.
Even after trying other keyboards, I often found myself returning to the HHKB. Notable mentions include the Razer Huntsman Pro Mini. It uses optical switches that are quieter with a unique, satisfying feel. It’s not as springy as membrane keyboards or as loud as mechanical switches, and while it doesn’t have the tactile ‘crunch’ of the Topre, it’s oddly addictive. I used it for about a year. Another favorite was the COX Endeavor Original Retro Tenkeyless Keyboard. Like the HHKB, it’s a non-contact keyboard with a low key pressure that, combined with its tactile feel, makes typing feel like you’re gliding over clouds. It also has a feature to adjust the stroke height via switch capacitance, but I’ve never tried it. Still, it was a long-time staple at home.
These days, it’s the golden era of keyboards with a plethora of switches coming out of China 🌱. With excellent quality and reasonable prices, you can mix and match switches, housings, and stabilizers to your heart’s content. Recently, models like the rainy75 and aula F87/F99 have been impressively high-quality for their price, making it tempting to collect three or four of them. Personally, I enjoy a slightly heavier key feel, so I liked the WOB switch in the rainy75 or the aula’s gentle switch. Both have a pebble-like tactile sound, not as high-pitched as electrostatic keyboards but softer than other clicky switches.
On a personal note, I’ve always had a soft spot for the butterfly keyboard of the 12-inch New MacBook. Despite dust issues, its shallow yet clear key feel was appealing. With each upgrade, it got better, so its sudden discontinuation was disappointing. I still occasionally type on it just for the clicks. The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro has a similar feel and can be used for a long time without getting tired, although I rarely use a keyboard with my iPad—actually, I rarely use the iPad itself. I won’t be buying an iPad Pro 11 or the New Magic Keyboard (suddenly?). Lastly, let me mention the MS Surface Laptop Go’s keyboard. Rarely known, it’s shockingly good. If you have some spare cash, buy one on clearance and experience it. With an Intel Core i5-1035G, just swap the SSD, and it’ll fly! Or maybe not, who knows.
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