Ultrabook keyboards

[skaertus]

I am thinking of buying an ultraportable computer and I'm doing some research on this. My sister has an Asus Zenbook (1st generation) and, although I think it is a great piece of hardware, I've also noticed that the keyboard is definitely a weak point. I just don't feel comfortable typing on it.

After reading some reviews, I've learned that the problem is that the Zenbook keyboard has very little key travel, i.e., the keys just go down a few milimiters. I've also learned that this is a common issue among ultraportables. Then I decided to test the keyboards of the avaliable ultrabooks before buying one. I've began paying a lot of attention to laptop keyboards for a reason. I usually type a lot (as you may notice by the size of this post); I'm currently doing my PhD thesis, and that requires a lot of typing. I had a white MacBook and I felt its keyboard was just great: it was good to type on it, and I've learned that perhaps it is because it has good "tactile feedback". The Sager I bought last year also has a chiclet keyboard, but it doesn't feel half as good as the MacBook's.

Then, I decided I had to test the keyboards before acquiring a new laptop. I've been to a store today for this purpose and I tested a few ultrabooks. Most of them, such as models from Acer, Samsung and Dell, seemed to suffer from short key travel (the HP seemed a little better). The Sony Vaio Z (which is not an ultrabook, but it is an ultraportable) has it too. And even the MacBook Air seemed to have a key travel shorter than the MacBook Pro.

I would like to know whether you have any experience with this. Does this bother you on a laptop? Does this reduced key travel actually reduces the typing productivity?

 

[gorcorps]

I don't have as much of a problem with the travel distance, but some of them for some reason shrink the keys down and put a lot of space in between keys. The Vaio I looked at was especially bad with this:

The new Vizio that was next to it had much bigger keys without that stupid space in between keys.

 

[kevinsbane]

Looking for a good keyboard?

Lenovo Thinkpads. They have the best laptop keyboard in the business, bar none. I'd actually prefer to use my laptop keyboard at work if I could (I even bought a USB trackpoint keyboard just for that purpose; it doesn't mesh well with my workflow unfortunately).

In ultraportable form factors;

There's the X230, which is a somewhat chunkier ultraportable than ultrabooks/MBA, but it's a full sized keyboard, 12.5" IPS screen, with excellent battery life. One of the better ultraportable offerings. Problem is that its touchpad is pretty poor (trackpoint is excellent; if you're typing a lot, I would learn how to use a trackpoint, it's a godsend for typists as you don't need to move your hands off the keyboard to use the mouse).

If you're looking for an ultrabook alternative... you could wait for the Thinkpad X1 carbon...

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

This is one of those subjective things that no one can really tell you what works for you. I like the Thinkpad T40s and X40s (before Lenovo took over) keyboard the best, very good tactile feedback and feels very solid.

Tried the Samsung Series 9 keyboard but didn't really like it, very minimal travel and user feedback.

Now I am on the Air and the keyboard travel and feedback feels very nice for what it is, an ultraportable. The 2011 feels nicer than the 2012 I had, as that one was more mushy.

The Air and the Pro keyboard feels very similar, which is a good thing for Air users.

My advice is to actually try it out. Get a laptop that meets your specs, give it a week and try out the keyboard and then decide for yourself if its something you want.

 

[krumme]

There is 3 different Samsung 9 series keyboards. The newest Samsung series 9 IB version x3c have fine keyboard, some prefer it to Mac air, its more a matter of taste. That besides the slimmer size and sleeker design, and the better pls screen (ips), beat the air hands down.

But you will not get like Dell lattitude fx e6420 or Thinkpad typing speed (but they are closer to twice the weight also). But its very close ones you get used to it. I dont write that much each day, and never though i would get used to the new keyboard designs, but now it get along quite okey. You will get used to it 99,9% in a few weeks. Perhaps some day typing speed on the new types will be even faster - who knows

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

The Series 9 13" PLS is more vibrant than the Air, that's one area where the Samsung really shines. Touch and feel, the Air does come out slightly ahead. The Series 9 has excellent build quality, and a bezel no Air or Macbook can match. If you're a Windows guy and don't really need the space, can't really go wrong with the Series 9 unless the keyboard is a deal breaker for you. For OSX I like the Air, and the ability to dual boot is a bonus for me, though battery life under bootcamp cannot match a true Windows laptop.