New Keyboard
I confess I have this thing for keyboards. I’m always looking for a better one, and I’m never perfectly satisfied.For many years I’ve been working on a Deck Legend (red), and it’s worked out great.
A good keyboard for me has to have:
1) Quality. I pound on my keyboards. They have to hold up.
2) Non-ergonomic design. I’m a mutant (or my bones are permanently warped) but using an ergonomic keyboard makes my hands and arms ache after 10 minutes of use. I need a plain, old-fashioned QWERTY rectangular setup.
3) Good action (please no snarky comments here). Keys have to travel well, feel solid, and not wobble. I like a good “clack” sound, too—which eliminates most membrane or “chiklet” or Apple-type keyboards.
4) Illuminated. Over the years my office has grown dimmer, by design. I like the feel of subdued lighting when I write. Add to this the glare from my dual monitor setup and I find that without a lit keyboard I can’t see anything.
You might’ve guessed from all this, I found a replacement to my trusty Deck Legend: The Logitech Illuminated.
The DECK’s red LEDs were never powerful enough to quite overcome the light from my monitors. The Logitech has beautiful, brilliant white LEDs.
The most amazing thing about this new keyboard is it’s practically two-dimensionally flat! Only 9 mm thick. Set on my black-stained lacquered desk it looks like the keys are embedded into the surface. This flatness somehow makes typing more comfortable for me.
The key action has taken little getting used to. They don’t make an audible “clack” like the DECK, rather than use a Scissor-type switch which has a nice non-mushy, but different feel to it.
Overall I rate it 8.5 out of 10.
Only two things are missing. First, it’s not wireless—probably impossible to drive all those LEDs and still be wireless without sucking down the batteries. Second, because it is so flat it has no USB ports like many modern keyboards do.
But it’s darn close to being perfect.
Syne suggested I sign my old DECK and put it up on eBay. Anyone want the keyboard that wrote HALO: GHOSTS OF ONYX? No? No takers?
Labels: Writing Gear
posted by Eric Nylund at 1:14 PM
25 Comments:
Sign it and donate it to Child's Play for their auction!
Best idea today!
I honestly have no idea how Mac users make do with rubber chicklet keys. I'm tall, and thus have large hands. So, I'm in the same boat as you where I need a keyboard with a long travel distance on the keys. Pretty much means doom when I try to type on a laptop.
Luckily, I'm a fan of ergonomic keyboard, and have fallen into mutual respect with a couple. Still looking for the dream keyboard, though.
I like the keyboard on my Vaio FW. Everything is spaced out just right, the keys make the right amount of clicking and, so far, they seem to hold up to abuse. The keys did kind of squeak a bit at first, which was a little annoying, but it seems to have worked itself out.
I'll take the one that wrote MORTAL COILS.
I agree with alot about the keyboard. i also prefer tyhe ones that makes the clacking sounds. to me its feels likeim getting things done and it kinda gets me to work harder..., and i also never liked the ergonomic designed keyboards either.
for me, it really ain't about the keyboard, it's mainly the system I'm writing on, The computer with the thick body that holds the screen is one I would perfer. I'm not really sure why, but it feels more comfortible to me to write on. I do like the clack sound of the typewriter, but I also like the laptop since it's movable and lighter weight than the type writer.
Laptops have worked for me this past year since it helped me write the first draft for three books.
:^)
Dakota
I'm with you, Eric. I like a clacker! I custom built my last computer, but kept the old Dell keyboard I had laying around because I can't stand the membrane style ones. I have a laptop too, but can't use it for lengthy writing because I can't get comfortable. Haven't tried backlit though, might have to give it a try to help relieve the strain on my eyes.
What about this one, Mr. Nylund? :)
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/gaming/pc_gaming/mice_keyboards/devices/4956&cl=us,en
Click the "Product Tour" on that page. It does a better job of informing than I would.
True, it CAN be used for gaming, but it can also be used for whatever else can make use of macros and shortcuts and LCD-apps.
I never thought I would get used to my Mac keyboard, but I have, although occasionally the tips of my fingers hurt because it seems that those are what I'm using to type more than anything now, probably 'cuz it's kind of small. And you get used to the sound problem. At least, I did.
And the keyboard auction is a brilliant idea. I'm assuming the port or w/e at the end of the keyboard's cord is USB?
Nikoda – A Vaio FW? The 17 inch job?
Anonymous –same keyboard
R104D these keys don’t clack per se, but there is a satisfying feel to them.
Scott- ah yes. I remember my favorite for years was the old Dell keyboard. Brings back memories.
Angel – Cool
D.Dave- yep USB
then it's worth more since it wrote multiple books
Well, the exact spec is 16.4, but yes. ;o) I watch Wall-E on Blu-ray way too much on it, but it's sooooo pretty I can't help it.
Haha.. I love the fact that you don't comply with 'silent is better' type keyboards. ITS FUN to hear the clacking - I agree!
P.S. Eric, you're awesome - and if you ever need an artist for anything from a pitch to covers I'm your GUY!
All the best~
That is a pretty keyboard, but I don't think I could use it. I always have the little tabs out to angle the board, and I feel like I'm the only one who does this. =]
I've use three different key boards to write my three books.
1st: Half on my old lap top, half on my dad's.
2nd: All on my dads laptop.
3rd: 1/4 on my dads laptop, and 3/4on my new lap top.
Dakota McDaniel- You wrote three books. I've been trying to write a book for years but I never get past the first chapter.
Before last year, I had the same problem.
Being lucky enough to test many a keyboard, I'd recommend the Microsoft SideWinder X6. Yes, its a gaming keyboard, but it also is one of the best functioning keyboards I've ever used.
Bare in mind that my idea of a perfect keyboard is much like Eric's: standard layout, backlighting, and easy but audibly mentionable keys. I also find that low profile (you don't have to push far, ie laptop keyboards) keys are much better than high profile (ie, standard $2 keyboard from 1982).
Thus, my favorite keyboard of all time is IBM's model. It's the main reason why I have a Lenovo T60 laptop. The only reason I don't use the external keyboard I have now is because no drivers have been made on it for Vista...but I'm happy with the X6 as well. Keys are just as good, low profile, and the extra features are awesome (knobs for volume control and backlight brightness, detachable numpad that can go on either side of the keyboard, a calculator button [surprisingly, so useful!], media keys that work with any non-browser media application [it will know if you're using itunes vs. VLC or WMP]). But I use it because the keys are the best and easiest to type on.
And I've been testing the Logitech G19 for the last few months as well...excellent keyboard, but the high profile keys don't suit my needs. Also much quieter, though the LCD screen is wonderfully useful.
I feel like I'm spamming already, but I'll also mention the Everglide DKT, which I use for PC testing. Perfect keyboard for on-the-go. Simple, standard layout, good keys, and you could literally hit it against a brick wall and it would work fine. I know, because I've done it.
Logitech is a good choice, but I still haven't seen anything that matches the IBM standard. Microsoft has pretty much done it with the X6, so my 100WPM high is still good to go.
Are your fingers all dented in from all that typing.
R.L. Stine says that he wrote 300 books with his left index finger.And it's all beat up a ruined.
Sorry,
I meant to say "and it's all beat up AND ruined," I accidently put A instead of AND.
Thanks Jeremy – I’ll keep you in mind!
Dakota—Yeah, the angel tabs drive me nuts : ) Three books! Wow.
IMNOTAGIRL—I should write up a post about getting past the dreaded “50-page” hurdle of novels.
Jamez—I bow to your superior keyboard knowledge. I’ll have to check out some of the boards you mention. 100WPM! Holy Smokes! (I need to take a typing class).
Don't worry Eric, it's only 100 WPM for copying. I find that my best stuff is usually 100 WPH.
I take it Key blocking isn't an issue for you then?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8a5p8UuuLE
Yep, I'm a big "flat keyboard" convert - less need to curl the fingers or flex the wrist, less travel required or each keystroke. I'm using the the current Apple USB keyboard (keypad model) at home - http://www.apple.com/keyboard/ - , and I have a Logitech DiNovo at work - http://bit.ly/3asnfq
@Bradley Robb - "rubber chiclet keys"? Yes, the current Apple keyboards (laptop and otherwise) have distinct keys with rounded edges, but they're far from "rubber" and have some of best action for any laptop or thin-profile keyboard out there.
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