My laptop has a mechanical and honestly I want my old membrane back. Mechanical is loud, membrane is not. The only benefit I get is that if I break a key I replace a key as opposed to the entire board being fucked.
Only some mechanicals are loud (admittedly some of the most popular switches are the clicky type for some god-aweful reason). Some are made to be silent and are no louder than fingers/nails bumping the plastic around as per any other keyboard.
Next step. Ergo split with non qwerty layout. I put together a Lily58 keyboard and switched to Colemak-DH. Years of discomfort just vanished. The advantages were instant for me. Im a bigger dude and typing on even a full-sized keyboard meant my hands were at a 45 degree angle perpendicular to the keyboard at all times. I had to contort my wrists to type. Then my shoulders were cramped because I had to squeeze them together.
The split instantly relaxed my shoulders. The ability to angle the keyboard meant no more contorting my wrists. Colemak has its own benefits and overall my fingers feel much better.
The only drawback I have is I want a bigger thumb cluster. That’s a personal preference you don’t even realize until you get a split keyboard. Once you start doing motions to eliminate using your pinky as a hold finger even more comfort opens up for you.
The best part is it’s a super portable keyboard by default. So if I want to take it to work I can rubber band both halves together and shove it in my bag. Or better yet print out a foldable case. I got big honking full-sized switches and keys. You can go low profile and make it as discreet as possible.
This but do this as gradual steps, first get a split or a column staggered split keyboard, with regular querty layout and only when you are used to using one especially how the layers work, consider an alternative key layout if needed, frankly just having a split keyboard itself is an improvement in ergonomics, alternative layouts could help buy learning a new one will take time and you’ll have to switch to querty at work anyway, unless you want to carry your custom keyboard everywhere
That’s relative to the buyer. Of course only pay what you’re comfortable with. My Lily58 was less than $150, and the only reason it got that high is because I had to buy some extra controller boards after I broke one. Before that it was closer to $110 all parts included. Pre-mades are more expensive, but the DIY kits are a fun day project and are considerably less in cost.
Even then you are paying for a luxury item, and it’s a luxury for a reason. It’s like paying extra for custom fitted shoes. Knowing if all the benefits are worth it is only something you can decide. Most people will say they usually are though.
Mechanical keyboards
Every keystroke feels and sounds like heaven!
My laptop has a mechanical and honestly I want my old membrane back. Mechanical is loud, membrane is not. The only benefit I get is that if I break a key I replace a key as opposed to the entire board being fucked.
Only some mechanicals are loud (admittedly some of the most popular switches are the clicky type for some god-aweful reason). Some are made to be silent and are no louder than fingers/nails bumping the plastic around as per any other keyboard.
Next step. Ergo split with non qwerty layout. I put together a Lily58 keyboard and switched to Colemak-DH. Years of discomfort just vanished. The advantages were instant for me. Im a bigger dude and typing on even a full-sized keyboard meant my hands were at a 45 degree angle perpendicular to the keyboard at all times. I had to contort my wrists to type. Then my shoulders were cramped because I had to squeeze them together.
The split instantly relaxed my shoulders. The ability to angle the keyboard meant no more contorting my wrists. Colemak has its own benefits and overall my fingers feel much better.
The only drawback I have is I want a bigger thumb cluster. That’s a personal preference you don’t even realize until you get a split keyboard. Once you start doing motions to eliminate using your pinky as a hold finger even more comfort opens up for you.
The best part is it’s a super portable keyboard by default. So if I want to take it to work I can rubber band both halves together and shove it in my bag. Or better yet print out a foldable case. I got big honking full-sized switches and keys. You can go low profile and make it as discreet as possible.
This but do this as gradual steps, first get a split or a column staggered split keyboard, with regular querty layout and only when you are used to using one especially how the layers work, consider an alternative key layout if needed, frankly just having a split keyboard itself is an improvement in ergonomics, alternative layouts could help buy learning a new one will take time and you’ll have to switch to querty at work anyway, unless you want to carry your custom keyboard everywhere
Did you type home row style?
Yeah that’s how I learned to type all the way back in middle school.
Colemak-DH Gang, rise up!
If only you could buy them at a reasonable price…
That’s relative to the buyer. Of course only pay what you’re comfortable with. My Lily58 was less than $150, and the only reason it got that high is because I had to buy some extra controller boards after I broke one. Before that it was closer to $110 all parts included. Pre-mades are more expensive, but the DIY kits are a fun day project and are considerably less in cost.
Even then you are paying for a luxury item, and it’s a luxury for a reason. It’s like paying extra for custom fitted shoes. Knowing if all the benefits are worth it is only something you can decide. Most people will say they usually are though.
Not to your work neighbours it doesn’t!
Brown caps gang