I've worked at quite a few places and most employers unfortunately don't put allot of emphasis on a quality keyboard.
What is your favorite keyboard, and why exactly do you prefer your keyboard over others?
Obviously this keyboard should have features that a programmer would prefer i.e. comfort, ease of use over multimedia related features.
6 answers
In the past I used a microsoft natural keyboard, and for the past 2-3 years I have been using the Microsoft natural ergonomic keyboard 4000.
It has a nice wrist wrest, and little less radical 'natural' design to it. I personally don't use the stand for it, just have it resting as flat as possible on my desk. It actually has some multimedia related gadgetry on it, like volume control, play/pause and speaker adjustments but really those are fairly standard functions anyone would want (programmer or end user).
answered 2 years ago by:
246
510
I actually have 2 of these, and love them. For some reason my 2nd one's space bar is a little nosier than my other one, must be a lemon!
0
+1 for the natural. typing on a straight keyboard is torture (i've been doing it for a month here waiting for a new batch of keyboards)
84
I'm a big fan of the MS natural keyboard. I've owned several since they first came out. I actually preferred the original one where the front sat up way higher...
497
I have seen this keyboard before, and I must say it looks like a solid piece.
I use the Logitech dinovo
keyboard and number pad are separated so u can move the num pad away to clear up some room when its not needed
num pad also acts as a calculator
its a little pricey but worth it imo(got mine refurbished for half price)
answered 2 years ago by:
30
84
And advantage to this one in secure environments is that the wireless signal can actually be encrypted! We've got one of these in our conference room and I remember setting that feature up. The keypad can also be used as a simple calculator.
Logitech mx5000 desktop combo. It's bluetooth so it works nice w/ my work laptop (love wireless things).
answered 2 years ago by:
2309
510
I personally don't see the benefit of wireless for desktop peripherals, I mean the wire has never been an issue but I can see how it might make your desk look a bit cleaner.
2309
well my desktop (at work) is a laptop, and I travel a lot, so it makes porting everything around easy. plus I like to put my feet on the desk, kick back, put the keyboard in my lap code in comfort
510
Yeah if you like to put the keyboard anywhere but on the desk I can see how it would help in that regards, not sure if that's a good thing posture wise hehe.
I used to work w/ a guy who used the Kinesis Advantage Pro keyboard. there may be something to it cause that guy could cut code like nobody I've ever seen.
answered 2 years ago by:
2309
510
Wow, pretty amazing look to it. I can bet it takes a while to get the hang of it. It sure would draw attention at work.
84
Interesting. At first glance you'd think that would be a significant re-training...but then again...it looks like the only real re-training you'd have to do is for your thumbs. I think that keyboard might drive me batty because my left thumb is my spacebar hitter... My right thumb does almost nothing while I type.
497
ha! That has to be some hardcore linux guy, def. not a corporate type.
2309
Actually, no. couldn't be further from it. He was a completely windows C#/VB developer (to an extreme).
I like the Logitech G11 gaming keyboard. Yes it is for gaming primarily, but I find it useful being able to code and game on the same keyboard :)
Turns out there is a newer version, the G15.
answered 2 years ago by:
497
I'm very happy with my two Das Keyboards. They have a very light touch and loud audible feedback and you really feel when the keys hit bottom.
answered 2 years ago by:
276
497
that looks like a pretty plain jane keyboard to me, I guess the difference is in the touch of the keys?
276
Das Keyboard is actually a very radical keyboard in that they make great keys that are good for typing. Pictured is the "Professional" that I use but the "Ultimate" version is remarkable, though not for me personally.