As programmers, we all have a preference for the tools we use to do our work: a powerful machine, a large screen (or two), the freedom to choose our operating system, IDE, etc… .

In most companies, however, we rarely pay the same attention to keyboards. One that comes with your computer (PC or Mac, desktop or laptop) is usually the default choice, and although the keyboard is one of the most basic tools for our work, we almost never question its quality and availability, which enables us to perform most of our daily tasks.

So why ignore the quality (and look!) of the tools we use eight hours a day? ?

Classic rubber dome

If you have a problem with C/C++ one item is a very enthusiastic one (● ‘◡’ ●).

Most of the keyboards we used had rubber domed switches. The name comes from how the keys and circuits touch through a simple dome-shaped silicone membrane.

The sensation gained when a key is pressed is often considered overwhelming (” mushy “) because they provide little feedback compared to mechanical switches.

The king of machinery

The mechanical switch consists primarily of a spring that needs to be pushed beyond its actuating point (the moment of contact on the PCB) and a slider that is the part between the spring and the button itself.

Cherry Corporation’s MX series, launched in 1985, are by far the most popular choice for mechanical keyboards. They come in a variety of flavors, indicated by the color of the slider. Each color represents a different feedback (linear or tactile) and the force required to exceed the driving point.

The linear feedback switch has no resistance when the key is pressed (except for the resistance of the spring itself). The haptic feedback switch gives you a little bump along the way to tell you that the key is indeed activated.

Here are some schematics.

Linear switch (red)

Two tactile switches (brown and blue).

Notice the other piece of plastic in the blue switch? That’s the click when you press the key. The brown switch is also tactile, but its smaller bump provides lighter feedback than the blue switch. The force required varies by switch type – for example, the MX Red switch requires 45 cN (1 G is 1 centiine at 1 G), while the more robust MX Green requires 80 cN.

The layout

Layout defines the number and arrangement of keys on a keyboard. Three layouts make up the vast majority of the mechanical keyboard market.

Full: Classic 104 keys, including all alphanumeric and numeric keypads.

TKL: Literally “ten keys missing”. This layout removes the numeric keypad for a more compact keyboard.

60% : more compact layout. You can use the shortcut key to access the functions of the absent key.

As we say in French, “les goutset les couleurs, cane se discute pas” (everyone has different tastes). For keyboards, this means that the only perfect keyboard is the one that works best for you. Here are some examples of how the LesFurets team explains it when developers review their keyboards.

Thomas: True ergonomics

Obviously, this is not your everyday keyboard. It could be called a “split orthogonal ergonomic keyboard”. Like other keyboards such as TypeMatrix or Plank, Truly Ergonomic is orthogonal, meaning that each key is perfectly aligned with a column in a column.

The keyboard is divided into two symmetrical parts, one for each hand. It was tricky to use at first, but over time it has become a reliable tool. It also has the benefit of relieving wrist pain.

The keyboard has some default layouts such as QWERTY, AZERTY, Dvorak, Russian, Japanese, and DIP switches for Mac command keys – but one interesting feature is that it’s fully programmable! The firmware editor allows you to select the location of each key.

Combine this with a service that allows you to personalize your own keys and you can create a new layout that fits your needs exactly.

The keyboard is available in blue, brown (my choice) or white Cherry MX switch.

Etienne: WASD V2 TKL

Alexander: Happy Hacker Keyboard (HHKB) Pro Edition 2

HHKB Pro 2 is 60% keyboard with 55-CN Topre switch manufactured by PFU. The idea behind it is to bring the essential functionality required for UNIX programming closer to your finger. You can modify the layout through the DIP switch section, which is useful for changing questionable choices, such as the lack of a backspace key.

The keyboard has a steep learning curve at first, but once you get used to it, it becomes fun to use every day.

Typing provides pleasant feedback, and the keyboard is of high quality. Its weight and size make it easy to carry (I take it home every weekend). The printing on the PBT plastic bond is very fine.

Cool cool Supreme NovaTouch

I like the compact TKL layout with function keys and media shortcuts (Sound, music, brightness). Everything is accessible and not redundant. The 45 cN Topre switch is a good compromise between typing feedback and noise.

The keyboard is well built, but the only drawback is its high price.

Kinesis Freestyle2

The Kinesis keyboard does a lot to accommodate the owner’s body. You can place the two halves of it apart and fine-tune the tent from 5 degrees to 90 degrees to reduce ulna deflection, pronation and wrist extension.

Its compact form (between 60% and TKL) reduces mouse overreach and makes the keyboard easy to transport. Still, it has a nice set of driverless hotkeys that won’t get in the way.

As much as I like this keyboard, it has some drawbacks when it comes to layout. My biggest complaint is that the Insert key is impractical and the ESC position is awkward. Sometimes, one of the halves might be slightly out of position, which might cause me to start typing garbled characters.

Otherwise, its layout is very close to standard QWERTY. There’s almost no learning curve (I’ve already started using it with two halves), and this keyboard doesn’t lock you out, so you can easily switch back and forth between it and the QWQ.

Purists may not like its low-power, thin-film keys, but I like its lightweight typing, which is inaudible in a shared workspace.

Silicon Graphics AZERTY Layout