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?
Monday, June 29, 2015
Saturday, June 27, 2015
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.
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
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| Front view |
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| Left side view |
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| Right side view |
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| Topre switch with key cap |
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| Topre switch with key cap showing the switch stem |
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| PBT dye sublimation key cap showing texture |
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| PBT dye sublimation key cap with Topre switch stem |
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| Topre switch without key cap |
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| Showing key caps texture and dye sub legends |
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| Backside view |
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| Cable routing and back plate |
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| Keyboard foot extended |
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| Keyboard foot retracted |
Topre Realforce 104UB USB Keyboard English Layout Black XF11T0
Friday, June 26, 2015
Das Keyboard 4 Professional (Cherry MX blue) image gallery
All right. Here's my first attempt at an image gallery. Enjoy!
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)
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| Front view |
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| Left side view |
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| Right side view |
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| Cherry MX blue switch |
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| Laser etched key cap, showing some wear |
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| Backside of the key cap |
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| Media control keys and knob |
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| Laser etched back plate |
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| Foot ruler, notice the magnets and marks they make on the keyboard |
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| Foot ruler in place |
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| 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)
Thursday, June 25, 2015
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
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!
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!
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
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....
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....
Monday, June 22, 2015
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.
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.
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