Happy Hacking Keyboard

[fos]

From what I understand, the Happy Hacking Keyboard is the best available. It is difficult to find a quality keyboard these days. Most are mass produced and disposable light weight models.

It would appear that the Happy Hacking Keyboard may be going out of production. This is just a guess on my part.

The beige version is still available at Linux Central:

http://linuxcentral.com

(The link directly to the keyboard will not work from this message. Visit Linux Central and select keyboards from the left sidebar menu.)

The black one is not. The link to the manufacturer is available but the page has been closed with a redirection to a smaller page with little info. The black version is also back ordered on this page. The original page dates to 2002 and the "new" page dates to 2004.

The support no longer seems to be there. I may be off base but I can read tea leaves.

If you want one, you had better order soon.

fos

[Ed]

Eventually you get here:
http://www.pfusystems.com/hhkeyboard/hhkeyboard.html

Where it says the product is End-Of-Life (EOL) as of Dec 2006.

You might consider the cheap alternative at Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823141120

It's back in stock after being back ordered for awhile. I like mine as a small form factor keyboard for testing out systems I build. Got good reviews at the egg and it's pretty cheap (around $16 with shipping). Just not quite as small as the HHK.

- Ed

[fos]

That is a good price. I saw the same keyboard at Directron but significantly more expensive.

Thanks for the link.

fos

[sammil]

I saw in one of the Debian or Gnome lists a reference to Pckeyboards. They seem to have acquired the old IBM Selectric keyboard technology or a clone thereof. I now have their model with the old clackety-clack keyboard and am happy. It takes pressure to get the keys down and it is loud, but I have a feeling it will last. And sturdy - around six pounds. And quite big. And for those who wish quieter keys or a bit more compact they have an answer.

Plus mine - the Customizer 101 White - doesn't have those silly Windows keys. You can get Linux variants also. Downside? Possibly price, around $59 - $69.

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/

[danieldk]

I have been using my HHKB for some time now. My review:
http://slackworld.berlios.de/01/hhkb.html

[danieldk]

Eventually you get here:
http://www.pfusystems.com/hhkeyboard/hhkeyboard.html

Where it says the product is End-Of-Life (EOL) as of Dec 2006.


Note that there are three different products:

- HHKB
- HHKB Professional
- HHKB Lite 2

It doesn't seem HHKB Lite 2 is out of production. The others were too expensive anyway. If you go to the PFU order page, you'll see that the black HHKB Lite 2 will even be restocked on 11 april.

FWIW: I ordered mine (in 2005) from LinuxCentral. If this one breaks down, I'd buy a now one. I also have two friends and a coworker who are happy HHKB users (no pun intended :p).

[Ed]

You're right, not knowing the product I just assumed it was pertaining to the entire keyboard line.

Wow, you're right about the Pro being expensive, too. No wonder it's EOL.

I'm happy with the A4Tech mini keyboard, especially for $16. But then again I don't code for a living.

- Ed

[coyotito]

I find my keyboards in the garbage :)
the cheap ones you can buy are useless.
--the university f.ex throws out some good sturdy ole models.
I have a loud and big old Dell kbd. Wouldn't mind buying an IBM or HHK but I want
Norwegian layout and that you don't get from these manufacturer's --?

I found an old PS2 kbd I really liked but it did not work properly on my PS2 port, it's an old model that seems to require more power or something. Good quiet, responsive, indestructible no win keys, but I would have to buy an active USB converter and use one of my USB ports

[fos]

I finally purchased a HHKB Lite. I purchased it from Linux Central for $85 plus shipping which brought the total to $101.

All small keyboards are a compromise. The HHKB does not have the function keys across the top. No big loss, I don't miss them. They are still available as a FN shift option.

I set the delete key to a backspace key via the dip switch. The ~ key is on the wrong side and the delete key is on the end of the second row instead of the top row. That is taking a little getting used to. The arrow keys are positioned correctly but are set on a lower level than the rest of the keys.

All of that takes a little while to get used to. Switching back to regular keyboards is also funny for a few minutes.

But, typing the regular characters is much faster than other keyboards. The touch, depth, and feedback are perfect for me. That makes it all worthwhile. I am probably going to order another for my school computer so I don't have to switch.

Jeff