Not long ago there was this dude here that made a typewriter from an old laptop by using text only Debian neovim and a few other tools which made me think, it's funny how something like a typewriter evolves to a personal computer only to.. de-volve? back to a typewriter.
I love my keyboards the same way my wife loves shoes. We can't get enough of them. Clicking on different switches feels like a constant dopamine flow and a lesson in paying attention. If you have no idea what I'm talking about I highly recommend you start trying mechanical switches.
If you want a full size foldable keyboard with function keys and a trackpad, I can recommend the ProtoArc XK01[0]. This is a good enough keyboard that I use it as my main keyboard at home, and it's surprisingly cool to be able to just fold up your daily driver keyboard and take it with you.
I've just recently got a mechanical keyboard, after doing a workspace ergonomics assessment, and also cultural influence from various other developer friends, etc...
It's a Keychron Q10 Max (Alice Layout) - looks like a split keyboard but it's one piece. It's excellent typing, has both wired (USB-C) and wireless (Bluetooth, probably also radio too? I don't use that) connectivity too. I don't normally use the LED lights, but occasionally they are fun...
It's heavy, so not portable like the one the author uses. Had something like that before, the portability was nice, but then didn't use it much. This is not (practically) portable, but still has all the flexibility, and it's a joy typing with it. I wouldn't go as far as I love a piece of euqipment, but I do look forward using it every day.
I do think more about keyboards as I use Mac, Linux, built in laptop keyboards, this stand alone one, etc... And because of the variety it's really hard to build up some muscle-memory. Ctrl, Option, Alt, Fn, ... basically all the extra keys beside the alphabet are slightly different in all systems. So it's more conscious typing than I'd hope for, but not toooooo bad (and it's not the keyboard's problem, I might have to look into remapping stuff, but it's not that level of pain yet).
I had some huawei tablet for reading before, but now the main goal was to be able to ssh/kubectl to remote machines and for quick surfing, chats, etc (my new laptop is heavy).
I was trying to find a case + keyboard with good reviews, no luck
then, I didn't think it was possible, I've found out that you can use an apple magic keyboard with it and I had a spare one, so I have a case and a bluetooth magic keyboard.
The keyboard, comparing to anything that is sold for tablets is amazing, laptop experience.
On “field trips” where laptop is too much and just the iphone is too little, I have been pairing my ipad with a k380 for the last 200 years and cannot complain much. The only warning I get is that k380 causes some kind of interference with the apple pencil and other bluetooth connected devices. Can’t precise exactly how much though.
I'm stuck in the same relationship with them:
MX Master 3s/4 is my perfect productivity mouse. Problem? The rubber coating gradually disintegrates and accumulates dirt.
ERGO K860 is my perfect keyboard. Problem? The plastic ABS surface of the keys wears and smooths in just a few months. The first set of AAA batteries have a far longer life!
If only they didn't cheap out on the materials and plastic quality.
You can do that with iPhone, too, using the (poorly named) "USB Camera Adapter", which splits out a USB type-A jack. (I assume you need a similar adapter on most Android phones, too, since I've never seen one with a type-A jack built in.)
reminds me the time i had an iPhone SE (1° gen) and i could play 1-3 minutes of garageband with my Korg keyboard using it and then it stopped saying my (adapter) wasn't offcial :) the official gadget in Brazil was > 10 times more expensive than the cheap copies
If you get an Android you can use termux and do literally anything. I like to write websites, write newsletters in vim and run a jekyll instance, transcode video with ffmpeg, etc.
Yes, it can be confusing if you don’t read the article. He said he went on a 10 day trip and didn’t take a computer. That is context for why he got a Bluetooth keyboard. I doubt he decided to bring a monitor on the trip.
I'd highly recommend the iClever BK05S. It's the same size as a normal laptop keyboard, so your fingers don't need to feel cramped. It lays flat and stable, it types well, it pairs easily, it charges with USB-C, and you can use it as a wired USB-C keyboard in a pinch.
Only problem is where to get it. Unavailable everywhere, spoke to the manufacturer on alibaba and they told me its EOL:( And if it breaks they probably won't repair it anyway.
It's a derivation of an old Kickstarter project: Jorno keyboard
Next step is to get a foldable keyboard: Action is selling one for 6 eur or go fancy with IC bk-05s). Fits in a jacket pocket and with some getting used is almost as good
I think the main complaint is with virtual Qwerty keyboards rather than the idea of virtual keyboards overall. If the KeyBee keyboard had a control key it would be very good. (Well, the fork of it that allows extra-alphabetical custom keys along the top, anyway.)
Logitech k480. I carry it everywhere. Has a three way switch, iPhone, iPad and Mac. Only problem is it interferes with headphones/wifi somehow. Mac cries piteously when the k480 connects.
I also like my K480, and got a couple for friends as well. One failed suddenly, and on opening the flat-flex had just come out of its socket. I like the sturdy rubberized channel for putting phones and tablets in. They hold in securely enough to carry it around the house and not have the tablet falling out.
I’ve had both - the 380 is much lighter to carry around than the 480.
I wouldn't recommend either though, for both, the keys are not nice to type on if you don’t press perfectly downward, if you have any angle other than vertical, the keys occasionally bind a little. This is amplified on the 480 with longer key travel. They’re different types of key mechanisms on both but suffer the same problem.
If you have any kind of case, the 480 stand slot can be harder to use.
I used to have long conversations via text. Some friendships existed primarily via text. The move to touch screens destroyed that. It just doesn't work for some reason. Nobody wants to have a long conversation using their phones. I'm not sure if it's due to the keyboard per se. I think it's more because you take the phone with you everywhere rather than sit down specifically to have a conversation. I'm not going to just keep talking forever throughout my day, so without a special time and place, it just stops altogether.
I love my keyboards the same way my wife loves shoes. We can't get enough of them. Clicking on different switches feels like a constant dopamine flow and a lesson in paying attention. If you have no idea what I'm talking about I highly recommend you start trying mechanical switches.
*dudette! https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48250144
[0] https://www.protoarc.com/products/xk01-tp-foldable-keyboard-...
It's a Keychron Q10 Max (Alice Layout) - looks like a split keyboard but it's one piece. It's excellent typing, has both wired (USB-C) and wireless (Bluetooth, probably also radio too? I don't use that) connectivity too. I don't normally use the LED lights, but occasionally they are fun...
It's heavy, so not portable like the one the author uses. Had something like that before, the portability was nice, but then didn't use it much. This is not (practically) portable, but still has all the flexibility, and it's a joy typing with it. I wouldn't go as far as I love a piece of euqipment, but I do look forward using it every day.
I do think more about keyboards as I use Mac, Linux, built in laptop keyboards, this stand alone one, etc... And because of the variety it's really hard to build up some muscle-memory. Ctrl, Option, Alt, Fn, ... basically all the extra keys beside the alphabet are slightly different in all systems. So it's more conscious typing than I'd hope for, but not toooooo bad (and it's not the keyboard's problem, I might have to look into remapping stuff, but it's not that level of pain yet).
Happy typing, everyone!
My first mechanical keyboard was a das keyboard, which was also quite heavy, and it completely spoiled other keyboards for me.
I've tried quite a few others since in various configurations, but discovered if it doesn't feel like it's got a lead brick in it, I'm not interested.
I had some huawei tablet for reading before, but now the main goal was to be able to ssh/kubectl to remote machines and for quick surfing, chats, etc (my new laptop is heavy).
I was trying to find a case + keyboard with good reviews, no luck then, I didn't think it was possible, I've found out that you can use an apple magic keyboard with it and I had a spare one, so I have a case and a bluetooth magic keyboard.
The keyboard, comparing to anything that is sold for tablets is amazing, laptop experience.
Love-hate relationship with their products.
I have M570 trackball and it's perfect for me and i love it.
Only problem -- the switch on it fails in one year and starts doubleclicking like crazy.
(I am aware of DIY fixes to replace the switch that needs desoldering and soldering)
Accumulated six useless M570 trackballs in past six years. I hate that.
They are waiting for me to find enough time and motivation to attempt the DIY fix. Maybe after I retire in a few decades.
If only they didn't cheap out on the materials and plastic quality.
Logitech k380? Jesus Christ those round keys are ugly as unemployment.
It's a derivation of an old Kickstarter project: Jorno keyboard
Also ctrl-z for undo! I recommend looking into Unexpected Keyboard for a virtual Qwerty with a control key.
Other pluses: rearrangeable keys (dvorak), runs on AAA batteries.
The legends eventually fail, and the keys take a shine.
I wouldn't recommend either though, for both, the keys are not nice to type on if you don’t press perfectly downward, if you have any angle other than vertical, the keys occasionally bind a little. This is amplified on the 480 with longer key travel. They’re different types of key mechanisms on both but suffer the same problem.
If you have any kind of case, the 480 stand slot can be harder to use.
Logitech k480? Oh my god and it even has round keys!