over 6 years ago from Mike A., @AllPrototypes.com
Hello guys, I would love to hear your tips and recommendations on your favourite keyboard and mouse combo that you use for work.
I have a standard Apple mouse/keyboard but I am thinking to move to something that will make me more effective/productive.
What keyboard and mouse do you like and why?
Mechanical keyboards all the way. Cherry MX Clears + DSA keycaps = Touch typing on little clouds.
Edit with explanation on arrowless keyboard:
I've gotten used to not using the traditional arrow keys. I find myself being able to move much more quickly around my machine when my fingers don't move from the home row. (It's way less strain on your wrists once you get used to it!) I achieve this with a "60%" keyboard. My arrow keys are mapped to IJKL using a function key. Some people use the vim-style HJKL but I never could really get used to that.
Do you have a link to that beaut? I've been wanting to switch to a mechanical keyboard recently and love the look of yours :) that wood grain enclosure is freaking sweet.
Haha, awh shucks! Thanks.
So, it's a Vortex Pok3r, with a Royal Glam keyboard case, with DSA keycaps(which means flat, not contoured)
I've been wanting to try a 60% keyboard for a while now. How is not having the arrow keys?
Frustrating at first, but it's so worth it. Very liberating not having to move your hands far
did it take you long to adapt?
hmmm... let's say, maybe, 2-3 weeks before it settled into muscle memory
What's the benefit of a mechanical keyboard?
The key benefit in my honest opinion is personalization. There are dozens of switches to choose from, they all feel VERY different from the rest. Learning the feel of each switch is gratifying, and i'm a much faster typer on my MX Clears or MX Blues than I've ever been than using the scissor switch on macbook keyboards (and I've been using macbook keyboards full-time pretty much since highschool) my WPM also jumped about 20-30 after a week or two... That's not saying much as a coder since you aren't paid by your WPM... my wrists don't hurt nearly as much, my fingertips also don't feel like they are slapping dead weight anymore. The actuation of a mechanical IS NOT at the bottom of the keystroke. Some switches are in the middle, and others are near the top of the key press. Getting used to the key travel and when the key actuates is important. To me, it's so friggen hard to compare. It's a love it, or hate it thing. But I strongly feel that people that invest the time and effort to get comfortable with a switch they like, it pays off.
Edit: I know some people that have used MX Blues their whole life that switch to MX Reds or even something completely out of left field like a Topre switch or a Gateron, and they instantly fall in love with it. It's a matter of finding the switch that works for you and makes your fingers little happy clams :)
Thanks for that explanation! I'm going to go for it. I've been experiencing some wrist pain lately so I'm going to try and switch (no pun intended haha) things up to see if it helps.
Interesting. Are there any mechanical keyboards that AREN'T loud as hell? I'm surrounded by developers at work and the sound of their keyboards banging all day drives me absolutely insane.
ROFL! Me too! Yes, there are. Topre switches especially the HHKB Type-S is very quiet, and has a more familiar feel since it incorporates a rubber dome. Kind of feels like a piano key(?)
The only problem is, is that particular keyboard (to me) is expensive as hell :/
Edit: My MX Clears with rubber dampeners is fairly quiet. I would even say it's quieter than my new macbook pro with these ridiculously shallow clacky ass scissor switches! I do like the new macbook pro keyboard (probably for the sound alone) hahaha, as I love irritating my coworkers :troll:
I personnally went the mechanical keyboard way. It's fantastic and feels much better typing all day long.
I use a Vortex KBC Poker 3 with Cherry MX blue. Smoothest feel and most satisfying clicks all around. The 60% layout saves room on your desktop and you get used to combinations keys really fast (for arrows, functions keys, etc.)
Apple Magic Trackpad for the mouse. So much time gained with gestures and multitouch. Works like a charm on Windows and Linux too.
Same for me! POK3R with Cherry MX Red and blank keycaps, and a Magic Trackpad. I'm in love, as it replaced my Apple Bluetooth keyboard and takes about the same space on my desk.
What I’m using:
What would I buy if the Apple extended wired keyboard went away? (It might, given there’s no Bluetooth version and it hasn't been updated to match the Magic Keyboard.) I’d buy a Microsoft Surface Keyboard. Just look at this thing… amazing!
I can not use a desktop keyboard that doesn’t have full sized arrows and a keypad. And, if you want a matching mouse… this could be okay.
I even use the extended mac wired keyboard with my PC at work :) Love the key travel and full number pad. It's by far my favorite keyboard.
I had one of these and loved it, but it died on me recently :(
Matias Aluminum Wireless is a great wireless alternative to the full sized Apple Keyboard.
OMG space grey, too! Thanks. :)
I have it, but I kinda wish they offered a small version too without the numberpad. Regardless, it's a great product especially for the features it has over the apple keyboard (aka built-in rechargeable battery).
Don't forget some quality mousepad eg. QcK. Makes a ton of difference.
My combo:
Keyboard: CM Storm - Quickfire Rapid-I
Mouse: Razer DeathAdder Chroma
I love it so much that I have the same setup pretty much everywhere I go (Home, Office, Backpack if traveling)
My exact same setup! Good stuff.
Logitech Wave for multiple reasons:
The same thoughts go when choosing a mouse:
I choose my keyboard and mouse, I think, 8 years ago and never changed. Every time I go to a colleague set up it pisses me off.
This setup is productivity all the way.
PS: I am not sponsored by logitech by all means, but I should!
I'm using a Solar Logitech keyboard K760. It's awesome: I never charged the battery.
I'm using the Magic trackpad as a mouse. I would miss the OSX gestures with a common mouse, which are super convenient.
Beside a Wacom tablet, I have this setup. And love it. 
Wrong forum - apologies
Imo the magic mouse is not precise enough and is too expensive (but perhaps it's just me) I found this mouse last year and it's awesome, 30$, lightweight, precise and durable. https://www.amazon.com/SteelSeries-Rival-Optical-Gaming-Mouse/dp/B015WKY3FU
I just got the Das Keyboard Ultimate and I use a Logitech MX Master and a Magic Trackpad.
microsoft ergonomic.
At home, I use an Apple wireless keyboard & Magic Mouse.
At work, I use a Logitech Wireless Solar Keyboard K750 & MX Anywhere 2.
My combination consists of a HappyHacking Pro 2 mechanical keyboard and a Logitech M570 wireless trackball. Typing on the keyboard feels great due to the layout and tactile response of the topre switches and setting up keyboard shortcuts has been helpful navigation around the computer as well. I've been using the logictech trackballs for years now and I absolutely love them. I'm not a fan of moving my mouse around the desk and I feel that I have more control using my thumb to move the cursor. It takes getting used to, but I much prefer it over any other mouse/trackpad.
I use Cherry Clean Desktop keyboard and Steelseries Rival 100 mouse. Right now I am looking at Zowie FK2 mouse. Also this could help with mouse selection https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J14fyar5ns
I currently use my Macbook Pro laptop as the keyboard and a gaming mouse. I grabbed the Steelseries Kana V2 a couple of years ago and its still going strong, easily customisable and incredible precision. I'd happily recommend any gaming mouse as they're built for precision, speed and to last.
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