Does it matter what kind of keyboard you type on?

littlerockguy

I have been typing on the same keyboard for almost 17 years and I'm so used to it I don't want to go to another kind of keyboard if anything happens to this one.

In fact I have a backup model of the same keyboard since they are so hard to find. It's the old IBM Model M keyboard. I love the sound of the feedback and the racket it makes compared to the newer keyboards. I can't believe how much they are going for on ebay these days!

If you do a lot of typing in your life these are awesome!. I got mine hooked up to my imac however I cannot use the Control-C to copy and Control-V to paste on my keyboard and I have to use the mouse to do those commands, it's worth being hooked up to my mac when I am doing transcription at home once in a while. Do you have a favorite style of keyboard?

LRG

Band on the Run

I am dating myself. The old IBM Selectric typewriters had the best keyboards in my opinion. They keys had springs on them. I could type much faster than on a computer keyboard. It was better in ergonomic terms. I use laptops so I don't have my choice. There is such a difference in the feel. Computer keyboards are so flat.

If I were typing all day, I would spring for the best desktop pc and keyboard made.

TheClarinetist

Personally, I prefer lower keys with very little feedback... It allows me to type much, much faster than on a larger keyboard. Also from a speed perspective, QWERTY keyboards are designed specifically to slow down your typing, so bleh... Though it's hard to find anything else.

I do know what you mean, though. I grew up with one of those keyboards (or one very, very similar). They're nice.

FatFreek 2005

Hi LRG,

I had a keyboard many years ago that looked kind of like yours. It was a Northgate and I loved the feel / click. Also the function keys in two columns on the left which I used for AutoCAD. Unfortunately, that one bit the dust as it couldn't cohabit with later computers and I opted to buy ($9.95) one of the "natural" keyboards a dozen years ago. It doesn't have the click that I like but I love the "natural" slanted key positions. It's tough to type on an ordinary keyboard since.

Len

Simon

There's nothing like a bent-spring mechanical keyboard to type on.

I have a 'das keyboard' which has the same type buttons and lovely tactile feedback. Definitely recommended.

See: http://www.daskeyboard.com/

Amelia Ashton

I have been using laptops for the last 10 years but that first key board brought back memories.

Balaamsass

My older Dell laptop 17" had a much nicer feel to the keyboard than my HP laptops.

I agree with the others, though the FEEL of the IBM selectric and keyboards can't be matched. They (IBM) spent a LOT of time listening to the best typists during design. I actually knew one of the IBM engineers who spent his ENTIRE career at IBM on keyboard ergonomics and improving speed.

Aussie Oz

no, they all put the same words on the screen.

oz

Anony Mous

I love my Apple-style keyboards. The keys are very low so they require less travel to press and very comfortable as they still have the mechanical spring in them.

GLTirebiter

For computer keyboards, the collapsing-spring IBM ones are tops. They have good feel and solid tactile feed-back. I used to have one at work, but after eleven years and three computers I finally killed it (a coffee spill, not wear-out). The "pro grade" HP workstation keyboard is better than they give you with home PCs, but it lacks the rock-solid feel of the IBM.

Yes, it does make a difference. Especially so if you use one all day for writing code, typing specifications, and so forth. It also makes a difference that it can "take a licking and keep on clicking"; some of the fancy "ergonomic" designs just won't hold up like the beefy IBM keyboards.

Does it matter what kind of keyboard you type on?

Share this