Hats off to the pro photogs and those who excel in the product phtography

Man.  It is not easy to make products look good.  I have just tried my hands on taking images of a few keyboards I have at hand.  Oh boy.  It's a lot of work just to get something that look simple right.  I don't even think I got most of them right.  So, hats off to the professionals and those who are skilled in the area.  I am sure that they have it figured it all out and are able to streamline the whole process much faster than my trials-and-error approach.

Honestly, there's a lot that is involved and it's more than I have anticipated.  Oh, I spent a lot of time cleaning and still, some shots are just well, fuzzy... from the dust that is.....  Anyhow, I am pretty sure that I won't be taking product photography for granted any more.  So, another good learning experience from doing these mechanical keyboard tryouts.  Who knew, right?

Topre Realforce 104UB (ergonomically weighted keys) image gallery

Here's another attempt at a humble image gallery.  This time around it's the Topre Realforce 104UB.  It's one sharp looking keyboard with stealthy key legends.  If there isn't sufficient light, it's pretty hard to see the legends on the key caps.  So, Topre is selling that as a feature.  Kind of smart I guess.

Front view

Left side view 

Right side view

Topre switch with key cap

Topre switch with key cap showing the switch stem

PBT dye sublimation key cap showing texture

PBT dye sublimation key cap with Topre switch stem

Topre switch without key cap

Showing key caps texture and dye sub legends

Backside view

Cable routing and back plate

Keyboard foot extended

Keyboard foot retracted

Topre Realforce keyboards are available from EliteKeyboards.com and Amazon.com.  Handy link is listed below if you are looking to purchase one from Amazon.com to support this site.  Thanks!

Topre Realforce 104UB USB Keyboard English Layout Black XF11T0

Das Keyboard 4 Professional (Cherry MX blue) image gallery

All right.  Here's my first attempt at an image gallery.  Enjoy!

Front view

Left side view

Right side view

Cherry MX blue switch

Laser etched key cap, showing some wear

Backside of the key cap

Media control keys and knob

Laser etched back plate

Foot ruler, notice the magnets and marks they make on the keyboard

Foot ruler in place

USB3 hub

Das Keyboard is available from dasykeyboard.com, many retailers and Amazon.com.  Handy links are listed below if you are looking to purchase one from Amazon.com to support this site.  Thanks!

Das Keyboard 4 Professional Clicky

Das Keyboard 4 Professional Soft Tactile (4)

Chance encounter with a ThinkPad X120e

Ah, see I do try to seek out one of those famous ThinkPad to test out its keyboard.  Unfortunately, the only one I have access to thus far is the ThinkPad X120e.  It's one of those netbook+ laptop.  However, instead of a Lenovo netbook branding, it got the famous ThinkPad name instead.  So, I figure this one might feature one of the better keyboards around.

Because it's a netbook, the keyboard is about 90% of the regular size.  So, typing on it feels a little different because of the size change.  Subtle, but one will most definitely sense that space is a bit tight around the area.  The keys are sculpted like a spoon to prevent finger slippage instead of the usual flat Chiclets design on say a modern Macbook design.  It features the typical scissor switches with a few media control and system keys that are more like buttons than keys.  Since these are rarely used, there's nothing to worry about.  All in all, it didn't make any special impression on me.  It was pleasant to type on, but nothing stands out as it carries on its duties.  Strictly business,  I guess.  Maybe next time, I will see if I can try one of those famous T or the X ultrabook series keyboards.

Unicomp to the rescue

According to their company history, Unicomp is classified as a small business in Lexington, Kentucky.  Around 1996, Unicomp purchased the license, the tools and the machines to make buckling spring keyboards from IBM/Lexmark.  From the sound of it, they got the assembly line and the rights to make these famous keyboards.  I suppose they probably retained most of the people as well.

Since IBM no longer make Model Ms anymore, there is no USB version.  The only way to get those to work on a PC without PS/2 ports is to use a PS/2 to USB adapter.  Because buckling spring mechanism uses more electric current, thus a converter that only provide little bit of power will not work. Most rubber dome keyboards don't require the extra juice, so many converter makers didn't have a good business reason to provide more power than necessary.  So, choose carefully!  Anyhow, Unicomp does make them with USB interface for modern PCs and Macs.  And, if someone wants to go old school, they do sell the PS/2 version.  I don't know if they have boards with the good-ol' AT interface tho....  Ultra Classic line is Unicomp's best offering right now.  I have heard that they are working on a ten-key-less (TKL) version, but I don't think it's on the market as of yet.

So, I am hoping to get one of those classics and test them out for the Mechanical KB tryout.  I really want another chance to get to know this classic design and see how it compares to modern Cherry MX switches and Matias ones as well.  Stay tuned!

Remembering the old classic Model M keyboard, 1391401

Wow, that brings back memories.  The IBM Model M 1391401 keyboard is considered the grand-pupa of modern mechanical keyboards.  The famous buckling spring mechanism is quite an ergonomic engineering feat.  So far, it's unique feel has not been replicated.  I haven't had too many opportunities to interact with genuine IBM keyboards back in the 20th century.  The first time I touched an IBM made keyboard was my aunt's IBM PC (yes, the original).  It was a Model F, with 83 keys instead of the more modern 101 keys setup.  All I remember was the key was super hard to push.  Remember, I was just a little shrimp back then.  I never understood why the keys are so hard to push.  I felt like I was about to launch the Space Shuttle every time when I press a key.  Yeah, I was just a kid, what did I know.  Besides, the PC was for playing games with the cousins right?

Anyhow, later, on I did get a chance to use the IBM Model M keyboard for school work on the huge PS/2 Model 80.  The keyboard was a massive block of metal and super loud keys.  It was as hard to press as I remembered as a child.  I mostly used softer type keyboards made by BTC back then.  The BTC keyboards were really different from today's rubber dome as well.  It used spring, foam and foil pairing as key switch.  Therefore, the keys are very light and not very tactile.  Later, I learned typing on a traditional type writer and thus I pounded those poor keyboards out of habit.  The space bar was rather crooked from much abuse if I recall.  Still, I most certainly didn't appreciate Model M's finer quality then.  In the early 1990s, IBM stopped making the Model M keyboards and contracted it out to Lexmark (IBM's spin-off).   After a while, Lexmark stopped make them as well.  So, I missed a chance to truly experience and appreciate its greatness back in its heyday.

The good thing is that those keyboards were so well built that most of them still work today.  Thus, there's a thriving used market for them.  Just check eBay and see.  :)  There are even specialty stores such as clickykeyboards.com dedicated to restoring the model Ms and reselling them.  No one made new ones anymore and then, there's Unicomp....

SteelSeries Sensei RAW mouse impression, part 2

So far so good.  My impression of the mouse has been quite positive.  Since I don't use this mouse for gaming, but for general computing needs, I didn't need any of the fancy DPI change, but it's nice to be able to switch to a lower DPI setting for detailed work such as fine tuning and positioning graphics and things like that.  Who knew a gaming mouse feature would be useful for working on Photoshop? I also appreciate the ability to configure the mouse profile and it sticks when I take it to another machine and no need to fuss with drivers.

The mouse glides smoothly and laser tracking works quite well.  I haven't experience any strange jumps, skips or sudden acceleration.   And it's pretty light.  I would say it's about the same weight as the MS IntelliMouse Optical.  Coming from the Logitech side of the fence, most mice are light weight by comparison.  Ambidextrous buttons positioning does wonders for the buttons on right side of the mouse since I am using this left handed.  As expected, the buttons on the left side are not easy to activate because of the funny positioning of the pinkie fingers when my hand is in its normal position.  If I need those buttons, I will have to re-position my hand to gain access.  The braided mouse cord is a little rough and stiff.  So, once a while, it will catch or tangle with other wires that happens to be around.  A simple jerk motion will resolve it, but the cord seem to need some space to whip around.  The buttons are pretty light touch and clicky as it should.  They operate pretty smoothly as well.  The scroll wheel is rubberized as well, has clean discrete steps and so far does its job.

It's a pretty good mouse overall thus far.  Given my reason for getting it, which is a little bit outside of its comfort zone, it performed rather admirably.

Digging into Topre switch issue

For some reason, I was not able to go at my regular pace with the Topre Realforce keyboard.  Indeed, I felt like I have to slow down and type more deliberately and accurately.  I have been thinking about this for a while and I wasn't able to pin-point the reason.  However, I am beginning to make some progress as to why.

For one reason or another, the activation point for the Topre switch is really close to the top, like around 1mm or so.  Even though the force distance diagram is shown otherwise.  It shows that the switch is activated around 2mm or so. However, I can activate a key just by barely bumping it.  Because it's a electrostatic capacitance switch, it can actually sense distance traveled.  In fact, Topre is working on bring this type of pressure sensitive keyboard to the market according to Tech Report.  So, either I am sparky and can trigger a voltage change when I touch the key cap or the keyboard is pre-configured for a shallow activation point.  I was hoping to find some firmware that can change the activation point, but alas no such luck.  So, there's no way for me to try that theory out.

Because it had such shallow activation point, when I type fast, the finger movements might have triggered the switch, thus making more typos.  Besides, some of these switches take very little force to activate to begin with.  So, it's possible that I just bump them when my fingers return to the home row.  The only way to avoid this problem is to float the fingers above the keys like touch typists do.  Thus, I am beginning to think that the Topre Realforce is perfect for those people who really like scissor switches based keyboards or touch typist.  For a traditional typist like me who tend to bottom out on most key strokes, the remaining 3mm travel distance after activation is merely ceremonial.  Anyway, further research is required.  Maybe some of the keys are just too light for me, even for my little pinkie.  :)

Matias quiet switch versus Cherry MX brown switch, round 1

Vs.

So, I have compared the Matias tactile switch to the Cherry MX blue.  Neither switch was perfect.  I thought that Matias one was too shaky for my taste while the MX blue just had too much of a chatter.  However, I got used to the chatter, but never did I get used to the wobble.  So, MX blue came out on top and earned a spot in my everyday use gears.

So, now that I go my little hands on the Matias quiet switches based keyboard, how does it compare my favorite thus far, the Cherry MX brown?  Both are fairly quiet switches.  The brown is more clicky or scratchy depending on who you ask, while the Matias has a slightly higher pitch clicking.  The Matias places the initial tactile resistance up front where as the Cherry, the tactile resistance is a little bit more into the downward keystroke.  Thus, the Matias switch has a closer feeling to a scissor switch or a Topre one.  Matias does have another tactile resistance somewhere in the middle of a keystroke, but it's rather subtle.  Some people calls it a ghost click.  I usually missed it, but I do notice it if I press the key slowly.  Speaking of which, I just noticed that the travel distance is a bit more shallow for the Matias switch than the Cherry, but not by much.  If I don't check them side by side, I probably won't even notice it.  Matias switches are also a bit more stiff.  So, it doesn't feel as light as say a Topre or a Cherry MX brown.  Typing on the Matias Laptop Pro is straight forward and retain many of the more whimsical characteristics of the Tactile Pro, except everything is taken down a notch or two.  It's an enjoyable experience typing and the noise will likely not bother anyone unless they are looking for total silence.

Would this be enough to dethrone the Cherry MX brown for me?  I don't think so.  However, I can now say that Matias quiet switch is in my recommended pile for those who like the ALPS switches or the old Apple extended keyboards and need quiet keyboards.  It's just about as quiet as some of the rubber dome or scissor switches keyboard such as the MS Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard that I have tried.  I have a very positive outlook for the Matias quiet switch, unlike my previous encounter with the Matias tactile switch.  This makes me want to try the tactile pro and give it one more run and see what I missed the first time around.  The Matias quiet switch is a winner in my book.

Matias quiet switch keyboard, round 2

So far, the keyboard is really quiet.  I really do think that this is one of the quietest keyboard I have used.  Most of the sounds are coming from the finger and key cap interaction.  There are some clicking sound coming out, but relatively minor.  It’s like a muted version of the brown switches.  Bottoming out makes very little sound as well.  When bottoming out, it’s a bit more like the Topre with a slight clack.  The Topre sounds is pretty unique tho and I don't think there will be anything that comes close to it.  I don’t think I will have a problem with this keyboard as long as I focus on typing.  If I start thinking about the keys actions, then the wobble and jitters will become more obvious.  However, it really is not as in my face as the tactile type.  The wobble and jitters are much more controlled this round.

So do I like this keyboard thus far?  Yup.  Let's see how it compares to the Cherry MX brown next time around.

Some Topre and Ducky Channel keyboards on sale at NCIX US and Canada

Just another PSA.

NCIX's US store is have a sale for Topre keyboards.  So, if you are in the US and are looking to try a Topre switch keyboard, this is a good chance to sample it since it's rare that Topre keyboard goes on sale.  Type Heaven is on sale for $125 USD.  Realforce 104UB black version (XF11T0) is on sale for $162 USD and Realforce 104U white version (XF01T0) for $170.  I believe the Canadian HQ store is also having similar sales event as well.

NCIX is also Ducky Channel's distributor in the US and Canada. Thus, they have numerous Ducky Shine series on sale as well.  Check out the US sales page and Canadian sales page for more information.   The sale ends June 24th.

Matias quiet switch keyboard first impression

After some searches, I found a used Matias laptop quiet switch keyboard for sale.  I figure I will give the Matias switch family one more shake.  Although I think I have settled upon the Cherry MX switches family, I still want to experience other types of switches.  This is becoming a hobby of mine....

Let’s see how this keyboard behaves.  I don’t think I will have much problems with this keyboard at all.  It’s still a little less wobbly, a little smoother than the tactile one I tried.  I think the dampening bone like pad is working to reduce the jitters a little bit.  It’s still there, but not as severe that I have experienced with the tactile version.  Because the board is a laptop type, the layout is a little different.  For example, the arrow keys and the other navigation keys such as page up and down are moved and integrated to the main block.  Home and Page Up shares the same button, Fn key is needed to activate Home key.  I do use the Home key, but not as much as Page Up.  So, I am OK with this compromise.  It also has media control keys via Fn.  Not bad.  It also shares the shiny plastic covering like the Tactile one.  So, the pros and con is the same.  Now, let me spend a little more time with this keyboard and see how I like it.

SteelSeries Sensei RAW mouse impression

This mouse has  similar shape to the classic MS IntelliMouse Optical.  So, it's fairly large and familiar.  Out of the box, the buttons are configured for right handed user.  So, I need to switch the buttons over to the left handed user profile.  The primary button switch is handled by the default Windows control panel.  So, there's no need for me swap button 1 and button 2.  Button 3 and 4 are the ones I need to move from the left side of the mouse to the right side.

To do so, I need to download the SteelSeries Engine 3 utility to do so.  The software is fairly typical fare of a gaming related stuff with dark and high contrast themes.  Took me a bit to figure out how to use it, but after I program the buttons and other stuff, I saved the configuration to the mouse's onboard memory.  Then, I  moved it to another computer to see if the profile has set in without any configuration on my part.

Yup.  So, the mouse remembers the button arrangements and the light level.  It's a little silly for me in an office setting, I just keep the illumination to about half level.  I also tuned down the DPI setting a bit since I am not gaming, there's no need for me to bounce from one end of the screen to the other side with a small flick.  In fact, I need more precision at work.  There is no additional software to install.  The mouse appears to be a MS compatible mouse.  So, perfect for a locked-down work machine that I cannot do much configuration beyond swapping the mouse buttons.  The mouse is tracking smoothly and just works without much effort on my part.  Good.

The rubber coating changes appearance after some use.  I think some spots look slick where my palm and fingers are.  It doesn't bother me, but for some neat freaks, this could be a deal breaker.  Then again, if I just put my whole hand all over, then one won't notice right?  Hehehehe...  Now, that's a plan.

Ambidextrous mouse search landed in...

I have been researching for a left-handed mouse or a ambidextrous mouse for use at work to relieve muscle strain on my right hand.  It was more difficult than I thought.  Somehow, I ended up deciding to try a Steel Series Sensei Raw Mouse.  This is a large mouse shaped like the old MS IntelliMouse Optical Mouse.   Yes, this is a gaming mouse with button customization.  Aside from the familiar shape, the ability to change button functions won me over since I need to map and assign buttons on the right side for web navigation.  Besides, I caught one on sale.  That's probably the only way I can afford these fancy gaming mice these days.  The refurb price is even better tho, often available from ncixus.com or amazon.com.

So, let's see how this one goes at work after I program the buttons to do back and forward on the right side of the mouse rather than on the left side.  I discovered they are usually described as button 3 and 4 rather than the functions they serve.  Interesting....

Different mechanical keyboard brands and style

When I first began the research, my first encounter was the Das Keyboard by Metadot.  Since it's one of the grandpas when it comes to mechanical keyboards, it is not surprising.  Of course, the 800lbs gorillas are Corsair and CoolerMaster with their huge presence with the K series and the Rapid Fire series gaming keyboards respectively .  Since I don't game that much, I didn't really consider Corsair or CoolerMaster, but decided to go after the companies that cater more toward typists.

I am a longtime customer of Newegg.com, so one of my first mechanical keyboards I decided to try was the Rosewill RK-9000V2 made by CoStar with the Cherry MX blue switches.  It was on sale.....  Filco is considered the benchmark for Cherry MX based keyboards.  However, there are countless brands in Asia that I am less than qualified to talk about their products.  If one browses thru mechanicalkeyboard.com, one will discover that there are dozens of brands that are worth consideration.  There is one company that really stuck out to me however.  It's Ducky Channel from Taiwan.  It seems to have a reputation that is comparable to Filco wise.  For some reason, I really enjoy its tongue-in-cheek personality.  The demo videos such as this one for their new Mini is just funny to me.  Gotta love that end that are in all of the videos.  Hey, maybe I should see if I can try out one of their keyboards too.

Name is Flustered, Flustered by Topre

Yup.  Flustered is the word I would use to describe my experience with this keyboard thus far.  Matias was nervous and Topre is frustration.  I am just as sad that this is not working out thus far.  Looks like it's in the same boat as the Matias.  Then again, if I preferred this type of keyboard, I will be looking at a lot of money.  Th Cherry MX switches based keyboard are expansive already, the Topre ones are even more.  So, anyway, I will likely end this try out and the experiment soon and things are not looking good.  Just like the Matias, I love the sound, I love the key feel, the majestic way it bottoms it, but I am not loving it setting its own pace.

It doesn't allow me to change my tempo.  I can type at any velocity that my little fingers can do with other boards.  I have no issues with any other switches I have tried out thus far in turns of typing speed.  I am not a slug or a bullet train when typing, but it's like the keyboard is trying to set a fixed speed on me as much as possible.  Often it seems like it is forcing me to slow down.  This is odd because this is a super fast and reactive switch, much more than a rubber dome.  I just can't explain the feeling how it's slowing me down.  Perhaps it's the massive amount of typos I am having or the feeling that I have to treat it with a kid glove.  I just don't seem to be able to pick up the pace.  If I slow down too much, it feels like it's tapping its feet waiting for me to catch up. Blah!  Strange indeed.

Seriously, at this rate, I am thinking that I should try the uniformed weighted Topre keyboard just like my desire to test out the Matias quiet switches to give it another round.  We will see.  This is more $$$ than I anticipated.  Rubber dome or scissor switches based keyboards are suddenly not looking too bad money wise....

Topre, topre, where did we go wrong?

I think for Topre switch keyboard to work for me, I will have to type more gently and more slowly.  If I try to go too fast, I will get typos rapidly.  It seems to move on its own pace, rather than it moving at my pace.  So, I will have to no only adapt to the feel of the switches, but the speed which I activate them.

Yes, this keyboard is magnificent, but I would venture to say that it's not magnificent enough for me to alter everything for it.  Th keyboard is supposed to work for me, not the other way around.  Yes, the Cherry MX blue was very annoying at first.  I will never forget that first encounter.  NO amount of watching YouTube or reading reviews did prepare me for the cacophony that blasted my ears.  Yes, I did adapt to it, and it did take me a while.  Thus, I am willing to give it a few more days and see how it goes.  I am pretty sure I am making more typos on a Topre board than other ones and I have a feeling that like the Matias tactile, I want to love it, but cannot for some reason.

Trying to get a long term Topre switches tryout

After using the Cherry MX blue switches for a while, I have come to the conclusion that it is a great switch, different from the Cherry MX brown which is my favorite thus far, but warrants a place as one of the everyday peripherals I enjoy using.  My use for Cherry MX blue switches based keyboard is more likely to be typing and writing where the brown switches based keyboard is based on a multi-usage machine.  Maybe a little game here and there.  So, the blue will be home based to a work computer or a laptop docking station somewhere.

Now, what am I suppose to do with the Topre keyboard that I seem to like as well?  Yes, the ergonomic weighted keyboard is really jarring when I switch from the Cherry uniform weighted keys system over to the variable weighted keyboard.  However, after a while, that difference slowly disappears.  I believe I like the Topre Realforce keyboard, I just don'w know what to make of it because it's so different from the Cherry MXs, yet kind of close to my trusty Natural Ergo 4K. So, I am trying to figure out a place where I can use it regularly as a long term test and tryout along with the MX brown and blues and see how it shakes out.

Singing blues, I mean Cherry MX blues

After some extensive time with the Cherry MX blue switches keyboard on a keyboard design/platform that I like, I can honestly now say that I am beginning to enjoy working with on one.  Indeed, the tactile and sonic differences between the Cherry MX blue and brown switches are dramatic, but the difference distance is not like comparing a MX blue to a Topre since they do share a common design philosophy.  So, switching from a MX blue to a MX brown is less drastic than going to a Topre switch per se.

Now that I have adapted to how the blue ones work, I can safely say that I like them almost as much as the brown one.  I no longer have an aversion to the noise it makes and just accept it as part of the package, perhaps as part of its charm.  As I said before, I have a taste for tactile keyboards like how they were made back then and I am more willing to accept some of its flaws.  As it stands, brown is still my favorite MX switches thus far, but the blue with its distinct personality offers a different and compelling experience that is just as remarkable.  So, I look forward using the MX blue keyboard just as much as my MX brown keyboard.  It just elicits a different typing experience and that the preference is truly personal.  I like both.  Each has its place and is useful.

Maybe I should give the Matias tactile another run.  We will see....

Not easy to find a left-handed or ambidextrous mouse

I am right handed, but I regularly use mouse on my left hand to avoid RSI and to reduce strain on my right hand.  As it were, I am also in the market for a left-handed or ambidextrous mouse due to desk arrangement at work.  No problem right?

It's not easy I must say.  As mentioned MS or Logitech whiffed this round.  Most of the ergonomically designed mice are right handed.  Yes, there are some specialty mice that are made left-handed, but they are more expansive than a regular right handed mouse or an ambidextrous mouse.  Far more.  My left-handed work mouse has some very simple requirements, a basic 2 buttons mouse with scroll wheel and has the thumb buttons for web navigation such as backward and forward.  Simple enough right?  Wrong again.  Most ambidextrous mouse do not have the extra thumb buttons.  If they do, they are most likely for right handed use.  So, if I get those, I have to use my pinky finger to activate the buttons.  My left pinky is not exactly well positioned for such task.  Not yet at least.... If I am that desperate, I am always break out my trusty Logitech M705.   Guess what tho...  Some higher end gaming mice do.  OK, I guess I am off to see the wizard then.  This is definitely a path I did not expect to take....

Go-to brands for peripherals such as keyboard and mouse

For a long time, my go-to brands for peripherals such as mouse or keyboard have been Microsoft Hardware and Logitech.  I have been using a MS brand mouse for so long, I still remember the soap-bar mouse.  The introduction of the optical mouse was just sensational.  The first Natural Keyboard was just another icing on the cake.  Logitech is another company that I had a long history with since high school.  I always loved their sometimes off beat and somewhat radical designs.  My keyboard and mice/trackball combinations have almost always been one of theirs for decades.  So, it's no surprise that when I first looking to replace my old Natural Ergo 4K or now my Trackball Explorer, I looked at what MS or Logitech had first.  However, I have heard mechanical keyboards calling me this time and I began to explore other options.  I don't mind taking a look at other vendors, hence I have been testing and trying out various kinds of mechanical keyboards.  Looks like I will do the same with mouse this round.  My first priority is to find a good left-handed or ambidextrous mouse for my work machine.  I will likely limp along with the Trackball Explorer until it finally gives up functioning or until I cannot stand the random scrolling anymore, which ever is sooner....  Then, I will be looking for a right handed ergonomic mouse.

So, left-handed mouse....  The current crop of Logitech and MS mice are fine.  I was tempted again by MS' sculpted ergonomic mouse since its keyboard counterpart is rather impressive.  But, I am looking for a left-handed mouse right now.  Doh!  Again, same deal with Logitech.  I would love to try out the MX Master or its predecessor.  However, again, left-handed mouse.  I will make a note of it when I look for a right handed mouse, but not yet.  So, now the possibility are endless.  Let's try amazon.com and put in left-handed mouse and see what I get.  Here we go.....

Getting off topic for a moment…. Mechanical keyboard are cool, anything interesting in the mouse front?

After more than a decade of faithful service, my dear Microsoft Trackball Explorer (MS TE) is exhibiting signs of old age and functional deterioration just like its buddy, the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000.  I have been using a trackball device for a long time.  Before the MS Trackball Explorer was the Logitech Trackman FX, which also lasted a long time before the left click button finally stopped working.  The scroll wheel on the MS Trackball Explorer is now scrolling screens at random at neck breaking velocity.  Some extensive cleaning sessions helped, but only temporarily restore its sanity.

So, now, I am on a quest for a replacement trackball or mouse as well after settling down on mechanical keyboards.  I am thinking about switching back to a mouse.  I have no problem using a mouse at all.  I just like trackballs more.  So far none of trackball designs jump out at me because I prefer the off center design.  I am also definitely more of the fingers guy rather than a thumb guy when it comes to trackballs.  The MS TE design is just about perfect for someone like me.  However, there's no design like that in the market today.  I guess trackballs are not popular and thus MS let go of such fabulous design and stop making more of them long before this one’s expiration date.  Their latest mouse driver software won’t support it anymore.  I had to revert to an older version to get it to work with Windows 8.1.  Signs of times, but I cling to this until finally, it’s time to err… Let it go I guess.  Sigh...

After not using a mechanical keyboard for a while… What happens?

Do I miss it?  I think so.  I have been away for another trip and one of the few things that I was scheming about is to get a portable keyboard to use while traveling.  Do I like my laptop keyboard?  Yeah, I do.  It is actually rather good compared to other laptop keyboards I used.  So, this is matter of good versus better.  Some other laptops I have experience with?  Absolutely need an external keyboard.  I suppose that by settling with a Cherry MX type switches, I like the way they imaged tactile mechanical switches.  I really wished that Matias switches would be more stable since I really enjoyed the springy tactile key action.  Unfortunately, the key wobble and jitter really got to me.  I know that some people really like that kind of keyboard because it gives off an exciting vibe, but that doesn’t appeal to me.  So, depending on the person, I might recommend trying a Matias board and some will probably want to stay away from.  I wonder if I settle with a Topre switch, maybe moving back and forth to the scissor switches keyboard would be a simple change in the keystroke distance and force adjustment.

I do enjoy typing on a mechanical keyboard.  It’s much easier to focus on what’s being written, rather than on how to get those characters there.  So, I can concentrate on other things and let the subconscious take care of the mechanics.  That’s probably the biggest pay-off thus far.  

Testing the Topre keyboard some more

Yup.  The Realforce keyboard is going to take some more getting used to.  I just don't know what to make of it after the initial awe.  The Cherry MX switches I adapted to pretty quickly.  This one, I am having trouble with the ergonomic key weighting.  So, the next time (if I could afford to get another one to try) I get will be uniform weighted to see if I like that better.  I thought it would be cool to have varying key weights, but I think it's more of a hindrance at this point.  When my fingers become feebler, this will then be a welcoming feature I guess.

One main difference between this and a rubber dome keyboard I detected is that the Topre switches feel quicker, more nimble.  The rubber dome reset phase seems a little sluggish for typing speed while the Topre ones have springs to assist the restoration phase.  So, that part I do appreciate.  On the other hand, the force-distance curve from the Topre switch does indicate rubber-dome like behavior.  So, the Topre switches are not that much different from really well made rubber domes switches.  The switches are just so smooth that someone might want to just press the keys to relax.  I know I do.  I guess that's one of the design goals of the keyboard.

So, I think I like the Cherry MX switches a little more.  I will have to audition the Realforce keyboard as a long term study.  So far, the brown switch is on top of the heap.  The Topre Realforce is close behind with the blue a few steps right next to it.  I have a feeling that if I am using a uniform key weighting, I will like this more.  So much for the variable key weighting for me.  Oh well....

Topre versus Cherry MX brown switches round 1

vs.

OK, here comes a tough one for me.  I really do enjoy typing on a Cherry MX brown switches board, namely Das Keyboard 4 Professional.  I also got my little hands on a Topre Realforce 104U when it went on a substantial discount.  Now, the question is, which one reign supreme?

Given the for the price of the Topre board is easily twice or 3 times the price of a Cherry MX based board, is the Topre switch worth the price of admission?  I could not honestly sense the supposed tactile bump when I use the Realforce keyboard typing at normal speed.  There appears to be a initial hump, but after getting past the resistance, the key seems to give way and pulls itself in as if it's encouraging my fingers to bottom out.  It's quite different feeling to be honest.  One simply doesn't expect the key resistance to reduce smoothly as one pushes the key further in such fashion.  As one can examine the force-distance curve of the switch, the slope is much more gentle then other type of switches.  There is no abrupt inflection point, hence very little and subtle tactile feel if any.  It's like an assist helping the fingers to push and release the key given its non-linear response.  This probably explains some of its Zen like and unique quality.  However, if one examine a rubber dome force-distance curve, it's very similar to that of a Topre one.  So, those who says Topre is nothing but an expansive rubber dome is not making things up.  It appears that the spring dampens the steep snap of the rubber-dome and smooths it out to prevent it from feeling like the key is collapsing in.  (In a rubber dome, the snap is the collapsing of the dome as it flattens out.)

The Cherry MX brown on the other hand, has a clear tactile response within the force-distance curve, but occurs in a much smaller distance and with a sharper slope.  It also has a bit of that sunken sense as one presses the key, but the resistance quickly returns in a linear fashion.  Basically, the brown switches are really close to a linear spring device except for the little tactile bump in the middle.  The bump is more pronounced than one in the Topre because it is not as smooth and happens more quickly.  Therefore, I can sense the subtle tactile bump and its over rather quickly where as the Topre seems to keep going till I bottom out.

So, it's obvious that Topre is a smoother non-linear device, almost too smooth for some I would venture.  On the other hand, the Cherry MX brown is almost a linear spring switch except for the little bump and dip in the middle, so it's almost like a little scratch as I operate the switch.  It might bother some people and they will likely opt for the red switch for cleaner key stroke resistance, which is a pure spring device.

I am still thinking about this. This is purely a matter of preference and wallet size.  Topre is buttery smooth, no doubt.  Is it worth 3 times the price smooth?  Well, that depends if one is willing to pay for a top shelf experience and how much one prizes the unique type sensation.  If it's up to me, I get one of each.  Hahahaha!

Typing on clouds....

Need to type some more on the Topre Realforce keyboard.  Man, is it different, especially with the ergonomically weight keys.  It feels almost strange, like typing in a breeze.  The key actions are lighter than the Cherry MX brown.  This is a quiet keyboard.  So, unless I am on purpose banging in it, it’s just a little clacks.  There is almost no tactile bump that I can sense.  It’s almost like typing on a rubber dome, but not quite either.  It’s like a hybrid between the MX brown and the regular rubber dome based keyboard.  The return action is rather spring like, fairly quick compared to a regular rubber dome.  Can’t exactly put my finger on it, but it’s relaxing to type on this keyboard.  The keys do clack when bottoming out, but has a lower, more baritone like note when compared to the Das Keyboard with MX switches.  It sounds more akin to a bubbling spring rather than a stony brook when typing something at a normal rate.  The keys simply don't wobble or jitter at all during a down stroke.

At first, I wasn't sure if I will like this kind of switch, but it is rapidly growing on me.  If I need to unwind, I might just sit and type something.  Indeed a very Zen like approach to typing experience.  No wonder there are a lot of passionate fans.  Opinion about this keyboard is divisive.  I am sure some will abhor it because it's feels close to a mainstream OEM rubber dome keyboard and is not worth the price tag while others look at it as an experience like no other.  Is it a bit like typing on my old MS Natural Ergo 4K?  Yes, it does remind me of it, but at the same time, it's more pleasant, more peaceful somehow.  I am slowly becoming more appreciative of its qualities while typing on this keyboard.  Man, if it wasn't so expansive, I would recommend anyone to try it as an alternative to the popular Cherry MX switches.  Is it worth its asking price compare to the market alternatives?  That's the debate I suppose.