Slim Keyboards
I’ve been searching for the perfect keyboard for years. What I seek is generally known as a slim keyboard. But it is easier to express by stating what I don’t want: a wide honking keyboard with number pad, function keys, internet buttons, and wrist support.
Not only does a wide keyboard take up too much precious desk space, but it causes more arm movement to reach the mouse which is further away. Some days, my elbow actually hurts from this activity. A wrist rest, while well-intentioned, actually causes the opposite effect of hurting my wrists. (Research goes both ways on these things, so it’s better not to have one and remember to raise your wrists while typing.) And I really can’t remember the last time I used a function key or internet button. (On the other hand, function keys on the C-64 were chic!) Honestly, there are a lot of keys I could do without anyway. Caps lock: I don’t yell a lot. Scroll Lock: I have scroll bars. Break key: I have Ctrl-C. Menu key, Windows key: Did we really need to create new worthless keys?
I’ve looked at so-called slim keyboards, but each one has its own problems. Take the Ortek MCK-91 for example. The keys have too much resistance, and the space bar is too far left, causing me to hit alt or menu instead of space. The escape key is too small for a vi user. Or see the Zippy WK610 for another example. The backspace key is too small and I miss it. Wait, all the keys are too small — only squirrels can type on this thing!
I keep a constant watch on Newegg, my beloved hardware site where I can run a search just for slim keyboards. But I do have a keyboard, and it’s the closest thing I’ve found.
The Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2. Only the essential keys, all very reachable on right-size keys that have a nice feel. The escape key and control key are right where they should be. The useless keys are still around for compatibility, but you get to them using the function key. My only complaints are that I don’t use the compose keys (they just get in my way to access the alt key), and it would be nice to have page keys (you hit function and the arrow keys to reach them). Also, typing makes more noise than some keyboards.
I’ve had the keyboard ever since I ran into the Linuxcare folks at LinuxExpo 98 using it. I’ll continue to keep an eye out for that perfect keyboard, though. If you think you’ve found it, let me know.