Which Keyboard Do you recommend?

I’ve been using a Microsoft Natural keyboard for the last couple of years both at home and in the office.
The time has come for me to replace the keyboard at home, as it’s beginning to have issues with certain keys etc.,
So what kind of keyboard should I get?
I’ve looked at some of the really cool projector style ones, but they’re totally impractical.
I’ve got quite large hands and hate small keyboards
I don’t mind noisy keys, but the quieter the better

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By Michele Neylon

Michele is founder and CEO of Irish hosting provider and domain name registrar Blacknight.

22 comments

  1. The projector would drive you mad as there is no tactile feedback. Go for the MS Natural Keyboard. They mightn’t be able to make a proper OS but when it comes to hardware, they have talent 🙂

  2. I have used the Microsoft wireless Comfort keyboard now for two years. I like it so much that I have one for work and one at home. My hands never go near a mouse as I use the computer primarily through keyboard commands so as you can appreciate, I use the keyboard a hell of a lot! I like this because even when sitting over a desk for 8 hours then going home to regularly sit in front of another desk for a further three or four hours I really need a keyboard that doesn’t cause problems like RSI or anything else similar. I can type probably faster than most people using this and because the keys are slightly shaped in places their really easy to hit without many rist movements.
    I’m also very particular when it comes to keyboards. If the keys don’t have a good enough reaction I quickly get frustrated. The best way of getting a keyboard is to find a shop that has a good few in stock and play around. I was lucky when I found this. I went into a local reseller just as a MS sales rep was doing his rounds. Pluss, I use to do work in the MS games and hardware team so I got to mess around with quite a lot of their range as well.
    In Linux, this thing is flawless as well. Quickly remapping the media keys on the top is no problem thanks to Gnome and probably the same in KDE as well.

  3. If you can find one, the IBM Model M is _very_ nice, but it is quite noisy, and also quite hard work for a while if you’re used to a keyboard which responds on a light press of a key. You can buy them new (same keyboards made by a different company) but they’re quite expensive.

  5. Robert – I’ve heard a few of the hardcore geeks talking about them alright! I use Windows and Linux, so ideally a keyboard that catered for both would be ideal
    Darragh – Sounds good, though I will never use a wireless keyboard ever again, as I am cursed with battery issues.
    Niall – You know me to well 🙂

  6. Apparently the ultimate keyboard of all time will be
    the Optimus Keyboard
    http://www.artlebedev.com/everything/optimus/
    Each key is a 32×32 configurable LCD screen
    Downsides:
    1) The max lifespan of each key is about 5 years
    2) It’s gonna be at least $1,500
    The Logitech G15 is used a lot by gamers – but maybe you might find all the extra buttons useful. Or really annoying. But the little screen looks fun.
    http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

  7. Stewart
    I’ve been dreaming of the Optimus for over a year already 🙂
    The Logitech G15 looks like it would drive me mad. The screen would probably get pulled off it in about a week.
    Michele

  8. good god that’s a hell of a keyboard! Don’t particularly see the need for all that LCD stuff but hay, that’s just me. I’m a traditionalist…

  15. Evert
    Looks nice, but I won’t use a wireless keyboard, as I already mentioned. A wired version of that would probably be fine 🙂
    Ciaran – ROFL

  16. I’m a natural keyboard fan too with a Microsoft Natural keyboard on my desk since the Elite came out 8 or 9 years ago. I recently added a 2nd PC to my desk and switching between a natural and a conventional layout all day wasn’t an option, so I got a MS Natural Ergonomic 4000 keyboard. The layout is just the same but the key action is far better, and the wrist rests have soft pads.

  18. I used to have an older version of MS’s ergonomic keyboard which I loved, but then I ran out of desk space and switched to a standard MS keyboard which for my computer use has served me well.
    Microsoft Wired 500

  19. I use a Microsoft Wireless MultiMedia 1.0A Keyboard and Mouse. Really good, I picked it up in America for $80 and I have seen them here for e140! So it was a nice bargin 😀

  20. I have had my Logitech Dinova for about 2 and a half years and spilled just about very substance known to man on it and it’s still kicking.
    Robust and compact but not lame for guys with a bigger hand – nice feedback on the keys but fairly quiet…
    I’d only advice it for peeps who like/don’t mind typing on lappy keyboards though because that’s what it feels like…
    But otherwise I’d choose no other.

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