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Mechanical Keyboards

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ankhtahr:
Even while it's debatable whether this keyboard is mechanical, this thread is definitely the right place to write about it.

As I have already written in the Blog thread, I have received a new keyboard today. It's a Leopold FC660C. A keyboard with the capacitive Topre switches, which are highly praised, but also debated in keyboard enthusiast circles. The base mechanism of Topre switches is basically a rubber dome. That gives a first impression of Topre switches being nothing but fancy rubber dome keyboards. These rubber domes have a conical spring underneath, which then activates a capacitive sensor under each key when compressed. As this mechanism doesn't close an electrical contact it's very easily possible to build keyboards which support N-Key rollover, i.e. n keys pressed simultanously and registering. Also these key switches don't exactly feel like typical rubber dome switches. The overall impression can simply be shortened down to "smooth". Topre switches feel very smooth. Not too much of a tactile bump, but still very well pronounced. A very nice sound, and in comparison with most other rubber domes a very distinct bottoming out, which gives them a feeling almost like mechanical switches.

The only big problem with Topre switches/keyboards is the price tag. These things are not very common, but very high quality, so the price is extremely steep. Topre, the japanese company behind these switches, produces the "Realforce" keyboards, which seem not at all special, but are simply high quality keyboards which have Topre switches. With a price tag of over $300. Then there are the Happy Hacking Professional keyboards, which are made by PFU Fujitsu, and until a few months ago this was the only keyboard which was made by a different company than Topre to use the Topre switches. HHKBs are very expensive as well, and feature a very minimal design. Too few keys for my taste. Now the Leopold FC660C entered the market. It's a bit less expensive (in comparison with most other keyboards it's still a high price), has an interesting key layout, which suits my usage very well, and has a quite nice build quality as well. This may be one of the smallest keyboards I own, but it's still one of the heaviest. (Definitely heavier than a Cherry G80-2551. Probably not the case with most plate mounted Cherry MX keyboards)

Altogether it's a very nice keyboard, for people who are willing to throw a bundle of money in the direction of third party Topre producers.

mtmerrick:
$300 for a keyboard  :psyduck:

ankhtahr:
apparently I was exaggerating a bit. I just looked them up, and Realforce keyboards rarely go over $300. Maybe Anniversary Editions and silent ones can be that highly priced. The most generic Realforce is $235. The HHKB is $260. The Leopold I'm typing on right now did cost me $200 including shipping to Germany.

mtmerrick:
~$250 for a keyboard is still insane. less so, but still....  :psyduck:

bhtooefr:
It's literally one of the two parts of your computer that you use the most, and for the most part, it doesn't become outdated (Windows keys being the biggest exception - even outdated protocols aren't an obstacle) you can move it from computer to computer.

I'm typing this post using an IBM Model F, part number 6110345, made in 1984.

In January 1984, the keyboard listed as an option for the 5272 (which is the 3270 PC's display) - that keyboard being IBM P/N 6110344, which is identical to my keyboard except for the keycaps - was $295.

So, basically $300 for a keyboard, in 1984. Or, $661.39, today.

It wouldn't sell worth a damn in 2013, even considering that the electronics will be much cheaper today, but it's worth every penny.

You want more insane... same price list, $632 for the 87-key beam spring boards used on the 3278/3279 terminals. However, the 5251 terminal's 83-key beam spring board was only $265. $270 for the 83-key Model F for an IBM PC or XT.

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