Keyboard trends @ CES

Well, one thing that is for sure, the gamer's keyboard market seems to be getting more and more crowded with no signs of slowing down.  So, perhaps this boom is here to stay for a while.  I don't think one can easily escape from any mechanical keyboard vendors without spoting a RGB keyboard.  Even Matias is putting out backlit keyboard (with scissor switches however, I think).  The latest innovation in that area is to store the lighting program in the onboard memory, some comes with 8MB of that.  So, look out for some very fancy color effects to either excite the player or to drive the competition crazy with brilliance.....

The second trend seems to be retro styling.  There are quite a few keyboards trying to emulate that old-school typewriter look and feel.  Now, I am waiting for some clever vendor to use 400g load springs for the key switches to complete the effect.  Nothing wrong with that, just that fashionable things seem to come and go and then come back again.  At this rate, we will have a psychedelic RGB lighting retro typewriter style caps with 400g weighted keys mechanical keyboard.  Maybe Unicomp could put out a RGB lighted buckling spring Model M keyboard?  Welcome to a blast to the past.

Microsoft announces Surface Ergonomic Keyboard

I have tested the sculpted ergonomic keyboard just a while ago.  I found the keyboard rather pleasant and worthy successor to the illustrious line of natural ergonomic keyboards.  However, the intermittent wireless connection issue pretty much ruined it for me.  Ah, the Microsoft designed ergonomic keyboards are like old flames that never really dies out, even though I have not been using one of them for a while.  So, when there's news about a successor, I can't wait to find out more.

Like most tech companies, Microsoft likely did see something good and something bad in its products.  Later on, the firm will put out a new iteration to fix issues found and hopefully not introduce new ones.  So, this week, Microsoft announced a new iteration of the their famed ergonomic keyboard, the Surface Ergonomic Keyboard.  Upon first glance, one can easily see the Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard design DNA.  However, instead of the bat wing like design, the two keyboard halves are now fused as a single piece.  Speaking of fusion, the numeric pad is also fused making this pretty much as standard ANSI 104 keyboard.  That's a good thing.  Microsoft also introduced a minimalist type Surface Keyboard that may appeal to other folks.  My love affair has always been with ergonomic keyboard designs, however.  Another key change is the wireless protocol is now Bluetooth 4.0 rather than something funky Microsoft cooked up in the lab.  I am hoping that this will help with the wireless connection issues that I had.  There are also other changes such as a new palm rest material, color changes and minor touches.  I am assuming that this will have a scissor switch design like its predecessor.  I don't believe there will be significant changes to how it types,  Oh, one more thing, the magnetic tilt bar is nowhere to be found.  So, fans for the forward keyboard tilt will have to come up with some home-brewed hacks.

The elephant in the room is price.  Microsoft has increased the price quite a bit to $130.  That number definitely puts it within shouting distance of a Topre Type Heaven on a Black Friday special and many other high end Cherry MX mechanical keyboards.  Microsoft probably figured that the Surface brand represent a significant premium quality difference and superior experience.  There's only one way to find out if this keyboard warrant such distinction.  :)

Need a mechanical keyboard for iPad? There’s a Razer keyboard for that

Perhaps slowly deprecating the Mac computers to favor big iPads and with Apple fervent push toward enterprise acceptance, there’s little doubt that a keyboard is required for that to happen.  Apple themselves produced one to go with the big iPad Pro.  Along with Microsoft ceding the mobile market and bring Office to iOS, there’s increased validity about using an iPad Pro for productivity and pivot the product line away from a purely consumer device.  So, what if someone wants a mechanical keyboard for that brand new iPad Pro?  Razer to the rescue.

Tech Report noted Razer has announced a mechanical keyboard designed to accompany the large iPad Pro, aptly named Razer mechanical keyboard case for iPad Pro (12.9").  Of course, I am geeking out on the mechanical switch design and specification.  To accommodate iPad’s profile, Razer has designed a new keyboard switch, named Ultra-Low Profile Switch.  The switch itself is colored green, thus meaning it’s a clicky type switch according to Razer’s nomenclature.  The video seems to demonstrate that point as well.  It’s force-distance curve seems to scale like that of a clicky switch as well with activation and reset points further apart.

The switch itself is a modified scissor switch with a cone or probably a plunger to facilitate a smoother force-distance relationship rather than a typical on/off switch feel that many scissor switches exhibit.  Since the switch has a relative short 2mm travel, Razer elected to go with a high resistance, 70g key weight.  So, someone who are used to touch typing or using a virtual keyboard might not like that; however, the design decision here is probably to make sure that the keys are not accidentally activated when gliding from one key to the next since the travel distance is so short.

The keyboard itself is a Bluetooth device and has an estimated battery life around 10 hours or so.  The cost is on par with high end desktop mechanical keyboards around $170 or so.  Maybe Razer didn’t license Smart Connector interface to save a few pennies.  However, I suspect Razer will roll this out to other mobile device if the market accepts it.  Also, if one really wants, this might be a useful platform for someone who wants to use it for laptop or desktop environment.  So, it’s not a bad decision per se.

Anyway, let's see if there's a demand for a good portable mechanical keyboard that is tailored for the iPads and like devices.  Otherwise, a good Bluetooth mechanical keyboard like Filco's Minila Air or Majestouch Convertibles might be better suited.

Microsoft Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard Image Gallery

Since I posted a long term use review for Microsoft's Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard, here is the image gallery for your reference.

Front view

Left right view

Right side view

Numeric keypad front view

Numeric keypad backside view

Backside view

Battery compartment and wireless receiver storage 

Wireless receiver size comparison

With keyboard foot attached to tilt the keyboard forward

Left side view with keyboard foot engaged

Front view with keyboard foot engaged

Corsair announce a new Gamer focused K70 Rapidfire lines

Corsair is probably one of the few companies that closely identify itself with the PC enthusiasts.  Lately, they have been very focused on the gamer's market.  Corsair can probably say that their K keyboard product line aimed at gamers is quite successful.  Corsair, of course, has closely allied itself with Cherry.  Cherry has faithfully awarded Corsair's alliance with exclusives for years.  However, as Razer's rapid, short stroke switch based keyboard ascends in popularity, Corsair probably walked over to Cherry and said, "I want that."

Long and behold, Corsair has just announced K70 RGB Rapidfire, K70 Rapidfire and K65 RGB Rapidfire.  I will just focus on the K70 RGB since that's the flagship.  However, the rest are just tiers of the existing K keyboard line.  The K70 RGB Rapidfire keybaord itself is basically a RGB K70 keyboard with a new key switch type.  Ah...  See, it's the switch that is interesting.  Cherry has to respond to market pressure one way or another I suppose.  The switch is basically a modified MX red with shorten activation distance.  A typical Cherry MX design has about 2mm stroke distance for activation.  This new one shortens it to 1.2mm.  So, the keys activate faster because it has a shorter distance to travel.  The spring weight is kept around 45g, just like the MX red.  Also, it is a linear spring design.  Therefore, this is basically a short stroke Cherry MX Red.

I am guessing that Kailh must be doing quite well with the short stoke key switches they are selling to different keyboard vendors.  Each month or so, a new keyboard comes out with that particular feature.  Now, I am guessing such key switch design is gaining some popularity in the gaming circle, hence Cherry has no choice but to follow in this case.  It's interesting to think that we are going back to a shorter key stroke distance again because rubber domes and scissor switches tend to have shorter travel distance.  One of Cherry MX's claims to fame is the restoration of longer key stroke distance back to the good old days like the Model M.  I wonder how Cherry feels about that.

In any case.  Now, Cherry has come out with a short stroke mechanical keyboard switch.  Let's see if it shows up elsewhere like Ducky, Cooler Master or other vendors.  Then again, I wonder how long the time exclusive would be until we see another vendor get to use it.  As production cycle begins to shorten for keyboard switches like just about everything else, I wonder if Cherry can keep up with timed exclusives to a single vendor while allowing Kailh or other switch makers scoop up the rest.  Oh wait.  Kailh already did....

The other trend I worry about is the beginning of the short travel distance arms race.  Just watch, somebody is going to come out with a new switch with 1mm activation, and then another one with 0.5mm and finally Apple will just point and laugh at everybody because the virtual keyboard, technically, has no travel distance....

Microsoft Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard Long Term Use Review

Again, after using or trying to use the keyboard for a while is the only way to understand if such board can be incorporate into someone’s workflow or part of the day to day system setup.  The person style can change and adapt.  So, sometimes, a person’s perception changes after using a keyboard for a while.  My impression and opinion for Topre switch changed and morphed a few times and finally settled down.

In any case, this is a quality Chiclets keyboard.  The key caps are broad, stable, just flat and tactile enough so that one’s fingers don’t just glide off too easily.  It has that soft curve eye appeal along with plush palm rest with a good design DNA and thoughts put into it.  The key switch are crisp, dances with agility and quiet elegance; for a scissor switch that is.  Indeed, it does deserve its moniker as a sculpture.  However, it is still a scissor switch based keyboard with flat Chiclets design.  So, if one simply cannot abide in shallow key travel distance, rubber dome like force distance curve behavior or simply don’t like the flat keys, there’s no need to apply.  However, if you are a fan of Chiclets style board with Natural Keyboard ergonomic sense, then you might have just found your perfect keyboard.

The Chiclets style keys caps are large, comfortable to type on.  The tactile feedback is pretty good for scissor switch, even though the key travel is relatively shallow compare to a standard mechanical keyboard switch.  If someone who has used any laptops for the last 5 years or so, one should be pretty familiar with the Chiclets keyboard design.  There’s no need to pound on the keys like some of the stiffer scissor switches out there.  The keys switches are fairly quiet, a bit better than most of the mainstream products in the same class I believe.  This is a very good office keyboard because of this.  Overall, this is a good, comfortable keyboard based on the popular Chiclets keyboard design and engineering.

Since I do strike the key fairly hard at times, the keyboard does flex ever so slightly and makes little squeaky sounds when the rubber foot pad shifts position.  The magnetic foot bar sometimes pop out of place.  Perhaps a few more magnets would resolve that.  If that’s the only problem, I think I can overcome that.  However, there’s more.  Let’s just say that I want to like this keyboard because I am a huge fan of the Natural Keyboard.  However, because of a fatal flaw, this keyboard is off the short-list.  My last 3 keyboards have been Natural Keyboard family members.  So, it was not easy.  My muscle memories are so ingrained with its design.  However, I ran into a very serious issue that I didn’t expect:  wireless interference.  This is rather surprising, but then again, when everything these days are on the 2.4GHz band, I should be more surprised that there aren’t more interference.

Long story short, this keyboard misses key strokes.  If I type “Hello World.”, I get “hlllo Worl.”  Yeah, not going to work for me.  I moved the keyboard to another location, hoping that someone is not using their microwave oven or something, but the result is similar, just a bit more abated.  I might lose one character out of 20 or so rather than every 4 keys.  I thought I found the culprit: the number pad.  Maybe the two wireless transmitters are competing over the same band.  So, I gladly shut the pad off.  The situation improved somewhat, but it just wasn’t like using the Logitech Nano-receiver enabled keyboards; which hardly missed a beat.  Finally I figured it out….  The transceiver on the computer is too far from the keyboard.  The limit seems to be around a foot and half or so.  Probably in the name of saving battery power, the transmission wattage is probably too low to go beyond that.  So, this explains why I didn’t experience such issue with laptop setup, but for a desktop, it is a show stopper.  No, fresh battery didn’t make much of a perceivable difference.  Indeed Microsoft proudly boasts how long the battery lasts in its product page.  This might be a design choice or some hidden constraints that I am not aware of.  Either way, this is rather perplexing because Microsoft knows how to make wireless transmitters that also has a reasonable battery life; ex. Xbox wireless controllers, which work well over 10 feet with multiple devices in the same band. 

So, for my use case, this keyboard just didn’t work out.  I might get a USB extension cable to put the transceiver closer to the keyboard, but that kind of defeats the point of being wireless.  I might as well call it close to wired keyboard, but not really.  This keyboard is liken to a classical Greek tragic figure; great at just about everything; especially if you like the guy, but that fatal flaw is just too much to overcome.

In conclusion: this keyboard indeed has what it takes to continue the Natural Keyboard legacy.  However, the wireless transmission needs work.  Therefore, if you can put the USB receiver closer to the keyboard, then you shouldn’t experience any issues.  For my use case, I might as well hook up a wired keyboard for my desktop scenario.  I don’t experience any issues for laptop setup on the other hand.  So, unless I am dying to use a split ergonomic keyboard on a desktop, there’s little selling point given that there are so many other good choices out there.

Grade: B- as it stands, A- if the wireless issue is resolved

Hands on impression of butterfly switch

Ah…  Black Friday and then Christmas shopping season.  The busiest shopping time around the US it seems.  I had a chance encounter with the Macbook and of course had to try my hands on the new butterfly switch.  Boy.  It was not what I expected and not exactly in a positive way.  Apple’s reputation precedes it.  Therefore, it’s always risky to be critical of Apple products; but if I am honest, then I need to call it for what I see it is.

The extremely short key travel of the butterfly switch exacerbated all that is associated as a negative in a scissor switch in my humble opinion.  I was surprised how stiff the switch was even though it was rated at 55g.  Because all of that compression happens so quickly, it felt like tapping on tablet with almost no feedback.  It felt that the keys just suddenly sink after I push it hard enough.  The experience was so jarring that I had to take a double take to make sure that someone wasn’t pulling a fast one on me.  Now, I must say that I could get used to it if forced.  I am sure some people enjoy using the board, but I must admit that I am not a fan.  At this point, I can see why Apple went back to a more traditional scissor switch rather than the hyped butterfly version because the butterfly switch felt so alien to older hands like me.  People who do buy extra boards are more likely to prefer the older or more classical style, I guess.

People who don’t use more traditional or mechanical keyboards much or are used to the virtual ones on a tablet will probably adapt to the butterfly switch relatively quickly.  I wouldn’t be surprised that they prefer it after some use.  However, I am not exactly a huge fan of virtual keyboard or a real keyboard pretending to be one.  So, this is really not my cup of tea.  This really does drive home a major point for me tho.  If you have chance, try before you buy.  You never know what might change your mind…..  even if it's something with great reputation like Apple products.

Everyone tries to guess where Apple is going next- my prediction of its next moves

Piezoelectric effect illustration 

Soon after introducing the new Apple Magic Keyboard, Apple Insider has discovered a patent on a possible new keyboard mechanism that Apple is considering.  The patent mentioned using piezoelectric material for switch activation and perhaps haptic feedback.  Now, piezoelectric are sensitive to pressure applied and itself can generate a slight mechanical moment given an electric field.  So, Apple might be thinking of making an array of little trackpads with each cell to function as a key switch.  It’s going to even thinner than a butterfly switch that for sure.

So, the word is thin.  I don’t remember how much moment a piezoelectric material can generate without some sort of amplifier, but the moment it generates is small and requires quite a bit high voltage.  So, I am going out on a limb and say that Apple is not only trying to build a thinner keyboard, but moving toward a virtual keyboard design in general.  I have commented earlier that Apple is hard at work to unify the user experience across its Mac lines.  I have a feeling that the next goal is to unify that user experience with that of the iDevices.  Since all the iDevices have virtual keyboards, the logical step then is to get rid of physical keyboard and go into a virtual one.

Apple is pretty patient with its plans and it needs a stop gap or stepping stone to move users away from a physical keyboard to something in between- hence piezoelectric actuators and sensors based key switch.  The travel will be very small, and likely the feedback as well.  The switches are pressure sensitive rather than mechanical movement sensitive.  Unless it’s supplemented by solenoid like device (just like the iPhone) and without an amp, the tactile feedback from a piezoelectric device is likely small as well.  So, by slowly taking away the sensations of key travels and tactile feedback of the keys themselves, people are more likely to accept a virtual keyboard later on after they get used to a piezoelectric one.

I am not sure if I like what I am predicting since I really enjoy using a mechanical movement based keyboard.  Not that physical keyboard is going to disappear overnight, but Apple pretty much commands the trend of industrial design and large chunk of capacity for much of the personal computer manufacturing industry.  Just look at the popularity of the Chiclets keyboard on laptops.  It’s not easy to find one without it nowadays.  I think physical keyboard will likely become rarer and everyone will be tapping on a pad like thing instead.  Physical keyboards are not going anywhere, I am sure.  Somehow, I feel things will be less lively and less interesting if Apple goes with the virtual keyboard route.  Typing on a virtual keyboard is a portability compromise, not really the best way in my humble opinion.  So, not a fan of that future, I must say.  So, hopefully this is just one of those experiments rather than a sign of things to come...

Image credit- ("SchemaPiezo" by Tizeff - Template:Ownnn. Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons)

If it's an Apple product, iFixit will do a teardown- the new Magic Keyboard

iFixit.com is well known for their teardown prowess.  Like it or not, Apple products announcements simply command attention, even for something as mundane as a keyboard, something many folks don't think too much about until it breaks.  As expected, iFixit did perform a product teardown of all the new accessories.

My main interest of course is the keyboard.  Indeed iFixit confirmed quite a few things in the magic keyboard teardown.  Yes, it is a scissor switch, not a butterfly switch.  To see a butterfly switch, iFixit's got it covered as well.  Comparing the two kind of switches, I think Apple went with the more traditional scissor switch because it doesn't need LED keyboard lighting.  The scissor switch design seems to take more real estate than the butterfly one.  That's a major design factor if one needs keyboard lighting as one prefers the support mechanism to be out of the way as much as possible to allow better lighting.  Butterfly switch design moves the support arms out of the LED's way to make even key lighting, but the trade-off is a more stressed hinge in the middle as it flexes during key presses.

The other thing is that the key travel for this keyboard is indeed quite shallow, measured to be around 1mm or so.  That's pretty close to what Apple Macbook's as well.  The key caps are indeed completely flat, another Chiclets style keyboard signature.  In any case, I think the speculation that Apple is trying to merge its desktop and laptop user experience is not without merit.  Given the market trend, laptop usage is now the dominant one.  Thus, it is no surprise again that Apple is showing preferences to its mobile platform.

Apple introduces new Magic Keyboard

Probably not getting top billing from Apple anymore, the Macs now play second fiddle to the iDevices.  Never the less, Apple continues to move forward in this space, albeit with less fanfare now....  In any case, today, Apple announced a new Magic Keyboard with integrated battery and uses Lightning cables for pairing and charging.

Now, I am far more interested in the key switch mechanism.  According to many sites, it is reported that Apple returned to the scissor switch mechanism rather than using the new butterfly type developed for the new laptops.  It's interesting to say the least that Apple went back to a scissor switch rather than using the butterfly design.  As usual, there are some improvements such as key stability over the previous generation, but nothing too surprising.  Granted, both are basically the same operationally, except the support structure mechanism, but still something a little unexpected.  Perhaps the butterfly switch is more expansive to make or has deficiencies in some way for desktop use cases.  Then again, there's no need to use butterfly switch if keyboard switch height is not a concern.  Maybe the board was already designed while the butterfly switch was still in development.   Apple is well known for running parallel internal design competitions.  Maybe, just maybe the scissor group won this round.  No one outside of Apple knows at this point.  It's likely they will never disclose the reason behind the decision.....  So, we are all left guessing.  Fun to speculate, but the proof is in the finished product.  Let's see how the users' reactions are after a while.

Apple has always marched to its own drum beat and its keyboard layout is no different in that regard.  This is an expanded version of Apple's laptop keyboard layout with full size keys.  Rumor had it that Steve Jobs hated function keys and wanted them removed.  So, the function keys size has atrophied and had shrunken to take less space.  Now, they are back to full size.....  The layout itself is not quite 60%, since it retains the function key row, but the navigation key cluster is missing and the arrow keys tucked under the shift key.  The up and down arrow keys are vastly smaller, sharing the same vertical space as a full size left or right arrow key.  So, somewhere between TKL (87 keys ANSI layout) and 60%.  How's 75%?  70% Maybe?  Since Apple does not use ANSI keyboard layout to begin with, the the comparison is moot anyway, but just for fun, I guess.

Also, because of the new integrated battery setup, there's no longer a need for that cylinder thing on the top side.  No more replaceable batteries.  So, the new shape is a wedge like to give the keyboard a bit of a tilt.  There's no option to change the angle that I can see tho.  So, stacks of post-it will do the trick I suppose.  The Lightning port is in the middle so I am assuming that one can charge the keyboard while in use.

Apple also announced a new mouse and a track pad.  Overall it's been an interesting announcement day for Apple peripherals.  From the look of it, Apple is trying to unify the desktop experience along with their laptop one....

Just as I thought....

As I mentioned yesterday, looks like Razer has a response for the new Corsair STRIFE RGB.  Razer has announced the Deathstalker Chroma.  Now, this is different from the Black Widow line, which does deploy Cherry MX clone switches.  The Deathstalker line keyboards are labeled "Chiclet key caps" whatever that means.  I am guessing it's a scissor switch with Chiclet style key cap layout for the gamer who prefers scissor switches over the Cherry MX mechanical switches.  Nothing wrong with that.  Like STRIFE RGB, this one also sports a traditional 104 keys layout with a few other extras.  Indeed, looks like the gaming keyboard market is alive and well.  I wonder what Logi has in store next.

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.

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.  

MS Sculpted Ergonomic keyboard impression, part 2

After spending some quality time with this keyboard.  I must say that it does fit a like using a pair of old gloves.  It's very comfortable to use and somewhat feels like using my old MS Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 because of the split ergo design.  I must say that I thought this doesn't have any tactile action.  However, upon closer examination, as with any scissor based switches, the tactile action is really up at the front because of the short travel distance it can afford.  Therefore, it's almost like all or nothing.  Again, this observation is confirmed when looking at the force-distance curve.  Everything is just compress together.  So, everything feels faster and more steep compared to a rubber dome or a mechanical switch.

A traditional typist like me will bottom out with a scissor switches based keyboard almost all the time.  Well, I bottom out with a Cherry MX switches most of the time.  When I bottom out while typing on the sculpted ergo keyboard, there's very little sound and shock produced.  I wonder if some sound dampening engineering are present.  Without opening it it up, I can only speculate I suppose.  All in all, this is like typing on a really high quality laptop keyboard as it should be.  This is one of the best scissor switches based keyboard I have used so far.  Maybe I will find and borrow a nice Thinkpad or a Macbook and try their keyboards out and see.  It's pretty tough to best this one out right I think.

Microsoft Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard first impression

I guess I just can't say no to another Microsoft keyboard design.  I have been using their ergonomic keyboard since the first Natural Ergonomic Keyboard way back then.  So, as I go through the keyboard tryouts, I will take another look at one of their newest ergonomic design and give it a fair shake.  Right now, I am a mechanical keyboard convert.  So, I think this revisit will give me a fresh look form a different perspective now.

MS has made some substantial change to its split sculpted ergonomic design.  The key switch has switched from rubber dome over to scissor type, no pun intended.  Therefore, this split ergo design is more closely related to a laptop Chiclets type keyboard or Apple's Mac keyboards than its ancestors.  Anyway, the scissor switches are fairly pleasant to use.  The travel distance is shorter than a traditional keyboard, but seems a little deeper than a laptop ones.  The key action is crisp, smooth and responsive.  It's not really tactile since it's a scissor switch, but it's very quiet.  More quiet than most keyboard I have heard in person.  The keycaps are large, but not totally flat, the corners are slight raised to reduce slippage.  The legends are printed with coating on top.  I must say that the keyboard is very pleasant to use.  If I have not encountered the mechanical keyboards, this one will be the replacement.  However, I still do miss the longer keystroke distance and the subtle tactile feel a mechanical keyboard offers.  So, I will stick with Das Keyboard for now.  However, I would recommend this board to anyone who likes scissor switch based keyboard.  I am tempted to get one for my laptop's docking station.....  Let me think about this one.

Another round with scissor switches keyboard

So, how does scissor based board on a laptop compare to a mechanical keyboard with say Cherry MX brown switches?  I had spent a few days with my old laptop on travel and yes, I can't wait to get my hands back on the mechanical switches based keyboard.  I like the scissor based keyboard on my laptop.  I do like it compared to some standard issued boards.  However, I miss the deeper key travels and the more ergonomically keycaps design of the traditional keyboard.  My fingers sometime wonder or slip off because it's more flat.  It doesn't happen often, but just much more rare with a cylindrical keycap surface.  Some people swear by the Chiclets design.  I am kind of indifferent mostly because I am not a touch typist.  Therefore, I like having a long keystroke travel with meaningful tactile feedback.  However, I can tolerate the key actions on my personal laptop.  Just sometimes, the keyboard flexes a bit, which is not exactly an endorsing sign of quality.  As noted before, the activation force need is more than I thought.  So, who knows.....

The work issued laptop on the other hand, does have a pretty bad keyboard, I must say.  The keycaps shape is indeed cylindrical on the top, but it's textbook mushy, squeaky, gummy, grainy and uneven key action.  I pretty much have to bottom out to make sure the keys register.  It seems to have a deeper key travel than what I found on my personal machine, but simply doesn't make a difference.  It has a harsh, rough, sticky bounce back.  It's actually my bad experience with this keyboard that drove me to start thinking about replacing the computer keyboards I use.  One thing led to another I suppose.

Thinking about the scissor switch force-distance curves

I am beginning to see that the force-distance curves are very useful tools to depict that's going on with key switches.  It's also rather useful comparing different type of switches.  At first, it's pretty overwhelming, but after a while, it becomes rather intuitive and makes a lot of sense.

Now, I can't resist taking a peek at the force-distance curves of a scissor switch.  Not surprisingly, the scissor switch shares the same shape with a standard rubber dome switch.  Wow, talk about steep slopes in both directions.  Because of the height limitation, I guess that's how it is.  However, I am quite surprised by the activation force needed.  It's much greater than a standard membrane type.  Maybe that's why I tend to pound on my laptop keyboard.

Thinking about the scissor switches based keyboard

Most scissor switch based keyboard are laptop ones, but one can begin to see its presence in the desktop keyboards.  This type of switch is made famous by Lenovo and Apple's keyboard since the introduction of the aluminium case Macbook Pro and iMac lines.  Recently Apple improved the design as a butterfly switch, but the concept is the same.  The activation mechanism is still rubber dome, but with a new support structure to slow down the dome collapse during activation.

Previously, I mentioned that Microsoft has put out another split ergonomic keyboard.  Yes, it's a scissor switched based, which I am not surprised, as they are what's in popular these days.  Tech Report has something positive to say about it as well.  So, I figure I will give it a try and see what happens.  I didn't miss the split keyboard design as much I thought either.  Then again, I usually go back to the regular setup just about every day.  So, I have gotten used to the change.  Well, let's give it another whirl for old time sake.  :)