I have used a variety of keyboards over my lifetime and this is a short description of what I have felt like using each of them. They are roughly arranged in order of my liking for them.

Noppoo Nano 75S (w/ Noppoo Brown)

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Comments:

  • Programmable!
  • Got it on an Amazon Warehouse deal
  • Noppoo brown keys are perfect and close to Cherry browns
  • Can control mouse (seldom used feature)
  • Separate Fn row allows a key for tilde and backtick.

Customization:

  • Fn + {F1, F2, F3, F5, F6, F7} for Mute, Vol -, Vol +, Prev, Play/Pause, Next media buttons
  • Mouse control using Fn + UHJK,

Peeves:

  • Trouble in connecting/disconnecting
  • Spacebar key broke: connecting it upside down helps
  • Uses lightening cable for connection, but not a standard Apple one?
  • Customization requires special software which runs only on Windows
  • Software/Manual only in Chinese

Pok3r Cherry Red MX

Comments:

  • Programmable!
  • Liner keys feel a bit mushy
  • Easiest of the bunch to carry
  • Uses the standard connector with Mini USB port

Customizations:

  • Alt as Cmd key
  • Fn + WASD as the arrow keys along with IJKL
  • Fn + ZXCVB for Mute, Volume -, Volume +, Play/Pause and Next (after firmware upgrade)
  • Have switched the Fn and Alt key right of the Spacebar (Using Dip switches)
  • Fn + Tab for PgUp
  • Fn + CapsLock for PgDn

Peeves:

  • Keep hitting Fn + Spacebar all the time
  • Typing tilde (~) and backtick is not easy to get used to.
  • Using Shift key for selection requires some practise.

Das Keyboard

Comments:

  • My standard keyboard in office
  • Cherry Blue keys with no dampers
  • Good sturdy keyboard
  • Has a ruler attached to its bottom

Customization:

  • None

Peeves:

  • The keys are not printed well and are staring to wear off

Race II

Comments:

  • Cherry blue + O-rings: less noise, but with the satisfying click
  • Programmable, but Fn key is placed at a strange place.
  • Has real arrow keys.
  • Has backlight.

Customization:

  • Fn + WASD for arrow keys (in addition to normal ones).

Peeves:

  • Fn at the strange place makes it difficult to use it effectively
  • Board is light: key-clicks feel slightly hollow

EnduraPro Black Buckling Spring

Comments:

  • Buckling spring keys are the most rigid keys I have experienced
  • Has inbuilt mouse-controlling pointing stick
  • Full-bodied, has nearly all keys imaginable

Customization:

  • None

Peeves:

  • Heavy and large.
  • Single frame and difficult to repair
  • Is built by only one company I know of (i.e. Unicomp)
  • Expensive (w/ shipping)
  • Maybe broken already

Kinesis

Kinesis

It is ergonomic and the wrist rests make it more comfortable. I find the keys to be close to Cherry Browns, and relatively easy to reach. The arrow keys are not placed at the usual place, the brackets too are at a different location, and so are the equals sign and back-tick. It takes some getting used to. It took me ~ 3 weeks before I was back at my original typing speed with it.

However, my right hand’s thumb still hurt after using it for a while. Hence, I moved the space/enter key to the same side of the keyboard using the internal programming. This made the typing a bit more comfortable for me, but a lot harder on my left hand. I also had to switch the Ctrl/Cmd key to be able to reach the Cmd (I uses Caps lock as my go-to Ctrl key).

Comments:

  • Programmable!

Customization:

  • Ctrl as Cmd key
  • Ctrl/Cmd switched
  • Cherry Brown like keys.

Peeves:

  • German layout
  • Hurts wrists anyway
  • Unwieldy

Apple Bluetooth keyboard

Apple bluetooth keyboard

Comments:

  • Wireless!
  • Chicklets keyboard, surprisingly springy and satisfying
  • Excellent to use with tablets/phones

Customization:

  • Caps lock as Ctrl key (OS setting)

Peeves:

  • Connects too easily with the Mac
  • Can accidentally have a key pressed on it

Logitech Wireless keyboard K400 (w/ trackpad)

Logitech Wireless keyboard K400

Comments:

  • Wireless + has trackpad: complete solution

Peeves:

  • The arrow keys are cramped together

Logitech Wireless keyboard

Was my first external keyboard.

Comments:

  • Wireless
  • Soft keys
  • Dropped Cranberry juice on it, spoled the Volume key

Peeves:

  • Rubber dome keys