laptop style desktop keyboards

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
I am on a quest from God to find the ultimate keyboard... It must have laptop style keys which are so slim and quiet that my hands would be more than happy to write hundreds of lines of code a day with.

So far I have personally encountered two candidates:

1. Logitech's Ultra X keyboard

Pros:
  • Full size keyboard which preserves classic key layout

Cons:
  • No USB interface
  • because of the above, no USB hub onboard either

2. Viewsonic's KBM-KU-201 Slim

Pros:
  • USB interface
  • 2-port USB hub onboard

Cons:
  • Not a standard full size keyboard layout (look at cursor keys, page up/page down, numerous other keys in odd locations

It was painful to find two keyboards so close but yet so far away... if only I could take the keyboard layout of the Logitech and put it on the Viewsonic...

but then I came accross this online:

Viewsonic KU709 Slim

It appears as though this is my Holy Grail, but I have not seen it in real life- can anyone who has this keyboard confirm that it's keys are truly 'laoptop-like' (soft, quiet but very low profile keys so shorter keystrokes) ? Can you tell me what you think about the kayboard? Many, many thanks!
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
Hmm. have I confused the KU709 with the KW208? Looking at the images again the KU709 does not have the classic desktop keyboard layout either... the cursor keys amd the whole page up/page down/insert/delete/etc.. section is misplaced...

Argh!

The KW208 is wireless... no USB hub :(

A wave of sadness creeps upon the realm...
 
W

wisdomtooth

Golden Member
Dec 21, 2004
1,155
0
0
to Lozina:

Hmm.. Looking at the specs lower down on the pages of the Viewsonic 201 and 709 you linked to, they have a 3mm key travel. That's pretty standard for most desktop keyboards.

If you want a REAL laptop-feel 2mm keystroke-travel desktop keyboard with 2 USB ports, you might want to look at this one.

It's even got the laptop touchpad and pointing stick!

And nobody has ever gotten fired for buying that brand. :D

The DiNovo Media Desktop sure is sweet... No USB hub though which the OP wanted (it's Bluetooth). Neither does the Wireless Desktop version. I love the way they look though!
 
VirtualLarry

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,587
10,225
126
Well, hmm. I too, went on that sort of quest, for for a different reason - I prefer full-size keyboards, but I like IBM's Trackpoint widget on their laptops. So I settled on a couple of IBM Trackpoint II PS/2 keyboards. Basically Model-M style "clicky" designs with a trackpoint stuck into them.

But it appears that wouldn't help you. If you want "quiet-style" keyboard, check out the Memorex 5120 "multimedia" style keyboard.

There are also the newer-model IBM SpaceSaver Trackpoint IV desktop keyboards. Similar to my Trackpoint II and the keyboard that wisdomtooth pointed out. I guess it depends if you like those touchpads on the keyboard or not. I personally don't.

You might also check out the Logitech Internet Navigator or whatever it's called, it has a scroll wheel right on the keyboard, and "soft-click" keys. The scroll-wheel might be useful for scrolling around in source code without having to move your fingers too much.
 
1sikbITCH

1sikbITCH

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
4,194
574
126
http://www.grandtec.com/vik.htm

It's a thin piece of rubber with little rubber keys. Layout is larger than a laptop, but smaller than a regular keyboard. It's ABSOLUTELY silent and easy on the fingers as well. You can also wash it in the dishwasher or roll it up and stick it in a briefcase or knapsack.
 
W

w00t

Diamond Member
Nov 5, 2004
5,545
0
0
Originally posted by: Alptraum
Originally posted by: biostud
What about logitechs DiNovo
Click to expand...

I have one and am quite happy with it.
Click to expand...


i would like it if i did what he did but dam its expesive o well.

edit: http://www.frozencpu.com/scan/...ds/mp=menu_search.html
check out that link look at the kool glowing keyboards they have laptop keys on most of them. but sitll man u will here noise with the laptop keys i would suggest normal keyboard with keys low so its quiter.
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
Hey thanks all for some great links! still pouring over all the information...

Zepper:
The Viewsonic hub is only USB 1.1... I would just get a separate compact USB 2 hub to go with the Benq or Logitech.
Click to expand...

Hmm, good catch... I wanted the USB hub in the keyboard to provide convenient access for my USB flash drive- which is 2.0 ....

w00t:
Wow those are some nice looking keyboards... yeah I don't expect them to be completely silent... just not as loud as traditional giant-keyed keyboards which sound like you're working on a typewriter :D

1sikbITCH:
Wow that's pretty interesting! Do you use one now? Any gripes about it? I am just concerned that perhaps the keys don't depress as smoothly as say, a laptop's since it's fully enclosed rubber... would this be a valid assumption?

And yeah that DiNovo is a bit over the budget I had in mind (say 30-60 tops) :D Besides I don't use bluetooth with anything...

Thanks again everyone- you gave me alot of homework to study :)
 
1sikbITCH

1sikbITCH

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
4,194
574
126
Lozina- my wife has two of the ones I posted. She bought one for home, and then bought another to take into the law office where she works. At home she transcribes court trials and hearings from cd and tape, and ends up typing for 12-16 hours straight sometimes. She said to tell you that if anything, it's TOO smooth at first. It took her about a week before she could stop double-typing every letter. Now her hands just float around, fingers barely even touching the board, and she types super fast.

 
I

imported_DocHolliday

Senior member
Nov 19, 2004
899
0
0
My friend has one of the older viks and when you press the buttons they sort of tilt to the side instead of going straight down... he says he's used to it, but whenever I type on his comp it makes me insane... does her keyboard do this as well?
 
J

jvarszegi

Senior member
Aug 9, 2004
721
0
0
That Coolermaster Q Alloy looks like it's the keyboard of my dreams. I can't find any place to order one (or three), though! The one place I do find will only sell to Australians! ARRRRRGHH! Not even eBay has them.
 
1sikbITCH

1sikbITCH

Diamond Member
Jan 3, 2001
4,194
574
126
Not that I noticed, Doc, but I admit it feels really weird to type on it. She said it took her a week and then she liked it so much she won't use a regular keyboard unless forced to.
 
L

Looney

Lifer
Jun 13, 2000
21,938
5
0
Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
http://www.grandtec.com/vik.htm

It's a thin piece of rubber with little rubber keys. Layout is larger than a laptop, but smaller than a regular keyboard. It's ABSOLUTELY silent and easy on the fingers as well. You can also wash it in the dishwasher or roll it up and stick it in a briefcase or knapsack.
Click to expand...

I used one of these at the local gaming store (i guess they chose this because you couldn't damage them easily and they're easy to clean), and i just couldn't get use to it... but of course i only used it for 30mins. Not too sure if i have the patience to try it for a week and see if i like it, but for that price, it might be worth it.
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
Originally posted by: jvarszegi
That Coolermaster Q Alloy looks like it's the keyboard of my dreams. I can't find any place to order one (or three), though! The one place I do find will only sell to Australians! ARRRRRGHH! Not even eBay has them.
Click to expand...

You try Froogle?
 
lozina

lozina

Lifer
Sep 10, 2001
11,711
8
81
Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH
Lozina- my wife has two of the ones I posted. She bought one for home, and then bought another to take into the law office where she works. At home she transcribes court trials and hearings from cd and tape, and ends up typing for 12-16 hours straight sometimes. She said to tell you that if anything, it's TOO smooth at first. It took her about a week before she could stop double-typing every letter. Now her hands just float around, fingers barely even touching the board, and she types super fast.
Click to expand...

Hmm I'm getting more tempted to try it out- I can be pretty patient sometimes. It's not too pricey to give it a try either
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom