PDA

View Full Version : What keyboard do you use for programming?



Chiel92
December 22nd, 2012, 12:05 PM
I'm looking for a good ergonomic keyboard for programming purposes, and I'm wondering what kind of keyboard other programmers prefer.

So, what keyboard do you use for programming?

Majorix
December 22nd, 2012, 06:11 PM
I don't think it matters, as I am using most of my time planning/researching instead of actually writing code. But when I do, I use the plain old keyboard of the notebook (a Turkish QWERTY).

EmmEight
December 22nd, 2012, 06:21 PM
QWERTY all the way. Style is up to you. But my favorite is a flat style model with a numpad.

Wireless is nice.

exploder
December 22nd, 2012, 06:58 PM
I use a SIIG mini keyboard, it saves on desk space.

lykwydchykyn
December 22nd, 2012, 09:15 PM
I use the keyboard that came with my Dell opti 745. When I got a new system, I kept the keyboard because the ones that come with the new Dells are horrid -- even with the back legs up it was flat on the desk. I like an angle.

I keep eyeing those ergonomic split keyboards, because I notice after a while that my pinkies are hitting the keys at an off angle that causes them to get fatigued after a day of typing (especially in emacs with all the ctrl-this and ctrl-that), and I'm thinking the ergo keyboard would be better. My only worry is that I'd get too used to it and wouldn't be able to handle typing on the laptop any more.

Warpnow
December 23rd, 2012, 03:03 AM
IBM Model M

Bandit
December 23rd, 2012, 03:23 AM
I use a SIIG mini keyboard, it saves on desk space.

Yea desk space is a plus.. Running a Apple mini Bluetooth Keyboard myself.. It goes great with my mac mini..

http://www.softwarewithstyle.com/uploads/apple_wireless_keyboard.jpg

mr john
December 23rd, 2012, 03:12 PM
That Apple one looks horrid. I'd definitely go for Microsoft or even standard Dell.

MG&TL
December 23rd, 2012, 03:37 PM
I got one of these second-hand, but it works really well after I cleaned it out (yes, it was gross...earwax!?), and has a really nice "clicky" feel.

http://www.nessales.com/ebay/16777/DSC07816.JPG

mreq
December 23rd, 2012, 04:16 PM
My VAIO's keyboard by far. Can't write faster anywhere else. It's sort of macish...

Bandit
December 23rd, 2012, 06:27 PM
That Apple one looks horrid. I'd definitely go for Microsoft or even standard Dell.

I was skeptical at first. But after using it I found it very solid and well constructed. I really begin to like it and am pleased with my purchase.

haqking
December 23rd, 2012, 06:30 PM
http://blog.fooyoh.com/_data/funnyman/images/20071105/funny-keyboard5.jpg

codingman
December 23rd, 2012, 06:46 PM
A mac keyboard that I got with my old iMac.
Unfortunately, the stupid thing broke because the mainboard literally smoked.

mreq
December 23rd, 2012, 06:50 PM
haqking: haha, reminds me of WoW paladin keyboard ;)

Bandit
December 24th, 2012, 09:18 AM
haqking: haha, reminds me of WoW paladin keyboard ;)

LOL, had forgot about that.. Think that one has to many keys to play a paladin.. :KS

CryptAck
December 24th, 2012, 09:31 AM
I'm using my Dell XPS 13 Ultra-book's. Although, I'm not necessarily the biggest fan.

I tend to like the standard QWERTY's, something like this...
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-keyboard-k270?crid=26

Chiel92
December 27th, 2012, 05:27 PM
Interesting that most of you have regular keyboards.
Anyone using stuff like http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards.htm ?

montag dp
December 27th, 2012, 05:37 PM
Just a regular QWERTY style. Probably more unusual is that I do most of my programming in Fortran (90).

BlindSoothsayer
December 27th, 2012, 11:22 PM
I'm using the standard QWERTY keyboard that came with my VAIO, but I'm using the Dvorak layout instead of qwerty. I can type a good 20 wpm faster, and make less typos, but that's probably only because I never bothered learning qwerty properly. It took a few weeks to learn Dvorak, but I like it. It would be really nice to have something with an actual number-pad though.

Bandit
December 28th, 2012, 10:33 AM
I'm using the standard QWERTY keyboard that came with my VAIO, but I'm using the Dvorak layout instead of qwerty. I can type a good 20 wpm faster, and make less typos, but that's probably only because I never bothered learning qwerty properly. It took a few weeks to learn Dvorak, but I like it. It would be really nice to have something with an actual number-pad though.

How would one change the layout?

fdrake
December 28th, 2012, 10:46 AM
simple..

AM Ramakrishnan
January 11th, 2013, 04:42 AM
I bought my keyboard at a used store in the local university campus. It was kind of dusty, but after being cleaned with an an anti-microbial wipe it was excellent. it does not have any square keys left of the arrow keys. They are all well angled for touch-typing.

Mikeb85
January 11th, 2013, 06:57 AM
The keyboard on my Lenovo ThinkPad T530. Without a doubt the finest keyboard I've ever used. That being said, I'm just beginning to learn how to program (spend the last 8 months learning/playing with Ruby, now learning some Rails stuff).

GWBouge
January 11th, 2013, 08:10 AM
Just the stock keyboard that came with my Dell. For a cheap, rubber-dome keyboard it's actually pretty decent, but after 5 years of heavy use it's lost some action and response.

http://cdn.overclock.net/8/86/860645cd_38550_xlargenss_ndo4190.jpeg

I've tried ergonomic, chiclet, flat/slim ... I just can't get used to anything but a standard board with tall keys, lol. Nor have I ever had any use for any gaming/macro type boards. I really want to try out a Das Keyboard Silent, though.

Metallion
January 11th, 2013, 08:41 AM
Interesting that most of you have regular keyboards.
Anyone using stuff like http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/keyboards.htm ?

I do! After visiting a physiotherapist and noticing that I was already developing RSI, I decided I needed a more ergonomic setup. I use this set from Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/natural-ergonomic-desktop-7000/WTA-00001

Especially the mouse makes a big difference. It's just so much more natural to hold your wrist at a slight angle like that and it shows. I can seriously feel the difference when I need to type on a regular- or notebook keyboard now.

Also I made sure that my monitor is set to a proper height and my laptop is up on a stand so I can more or less keep my back straight while on the clock.

An ergonomic setup is seriously underrated in the IT world.

Chiel92
January 30th, 2013, 12:28 PM
Yeah, I think that one, http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en...7000/WTA-00001 (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-us/p/natural-ergonomic-desktop-7000/WTA-00001), is indeed good. It's a shame that's it's pretty heavy. I would like to have a lighter one, for portabililty.

Umbra Diaboli
January 30th, 2013, 12:58 PM
Filco majestouch 2 ninja - The greatest keyboard in the world! :D

3rdalbum
January 30th, 2013, 01:41 PM
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkd0ZyCKLH9l2TEYc2AwLL6GRMejrj1 UvJMXih6kEJatwfP_pn-A

Razer Arctosa. Makes quite a bit of sense really. Gamers put their keyboards through a lot of strain, especially when losing, so a gaming keyboard is likely to be reliable and long-lasting. Gamers play for hours on end, so a good gaming keyboard will be comfortable for marathon coding sessions. Gamers need good tactile and audible feedback that they've pressed the keys correctly, so a gaming keyboard will probably be quite easy to type on.

And yes, it's quite a nice keyboard to use for coding.

mJayk
January 30th, 2013, 07:03 PM
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQkd0ZyCKLH9l2TEYc2AwLL6GRMejrj1 UvJMXih6kEJatwfP_pn-A

Razer Arctosa. Makes quite a bit of sense really. Gamers put their keyboards through a lot of strain, especially when losing, so a gaming keyboard is likely to be reliable and long-lasting. Gamers play for hours on end, so a good gaming keyboard will be comfortable for marathon coding sessions. Gamers need good tactile and audible feedback that they've pressed the keys correctly, so a gaming keyboard will probably be quite easy to type on.

And yes, it's quite a nice keyboard to use for coding.

But bloody expensive :D

MasterNetra
January 30th, 2013, 08:40 PM
QWERTY English only, as its the only one I've ever used.

TheGeekWhoLived
January 31st, 2013, 05:15 AM
On my desktop, I've got a Logitech G510, but I really like the feel of the "chiclet" keyboard on my Gateway laptop. It took a few days to get used to it, but that's probably more because the laptop before it was a 14" Dell. I got really tired of not having a numpad.

Ji Ruo
February 2nd, 2013, 11:16 AM
[Gamers put their keyboards through a lot of strain, especially when losing

I've managed not to smash mine so far, though it crosses my mind several times a day. I still have my Arctosa, but I ended up going for a mechanical one with quieter switches.

Ji Ruo
February 2nd, 2013, 11:17 AM
But bloody expensive :D

Compared to a $5 keyboard from a computer market I guess. It's great as a bargain gaming keyboard. Horrible if you can't touch type, the keys are all black lettering on black on mine.

Tinker Tantrum
October 3rd, 2013, 11:49 AM
I use the Microsoft Ergonomic 4000. This keyboard, combined with touch typing skill, make my computing experience fun and engaging.

http://images.pcworld.com/reviews/graphics/123241-2312p094-1b.jpg

TeamRocket1233c
October 3rd, 2013, 01:47 PM
IBM Model-M Buckling Spring, Dell AT101 with black ALPS sliders, Das Pro Clicky with Cherry MX Blue switches, or Das Pro Tactile with Cherry MX Brown switches for recommendations, and I wanna get an AT101, however my current keyboard is the MS Natural Elite.