anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu (04/22/88)
My experience with keyboards now extends to five, so I'll pass on
my prejudices as a form of consumerism.
1. Original true-blue XT:
Extremely clattery, little spring resistance, itty-bitty
return key. Not very good, but not the worst.
2. Original Zenith 158 XT clone:
Don't know who made it, but it was the second-best, in terms
of touch character and layout.
3. Genuine Keytronics 5151:
Quite an odd keyboard to *look* at, because the keys are an
odd shape (yes, some of us do look at our hands) that for me
I wear bifocals) created the illusion of flatness or lack of
vertical relief to the kayboard. But by far my greatest
objections to that keyboard were that it is extremely spongy
as to touch, with no feel of "making" the characters (with
the system unit under the desk, clickers wouldn't help much.
Also, I happen to hate having the function keys across the
top, which is clearly an emerging standard. I didn't like
the positions of the control/alt/shift cluster, either. In
sum, very disappointing after all the hoopla about what a
great thing the were.
4. Jameco clone keyboard:
A loaner while waiting for a new KB for my new office machine
(Club AT clone, only comes with 101-key keyboard), this is
another 101-key keyboard with a totally awful touch, very odd
scratchy noise (loud too) as the keys go down, and a totally
awful arrangement of shift/control/alt.
5. Maxiswitch 84-key:
Came with my first Club AT clone (the home machine). Perfect
for me. Good touch, very quiet and solid, function keypad to
the left, esc and tilde keys interchange by a switch on the
bottom (I like esc next to the main keypad 1). Am trying hard
to locate another one to replace the preceding (think I've
succeeded).
If you're relatively new to computing and expect to do a lot of
typing, give quite a bit of thought to your keyboard, since it's
the part of the machine you use the most, in some sense. The location
of function keys, numeric and cursor keypads, and various shifters
is a matter of taste and habit, and you can almost always get into
some sort of argument about what's better or best. But don't just
go blindly into accepting whatever keyboard comes with your machine,
because a different one could make a significant difference to your
life.
==Jess Anderson======(home:)========INTERNET: anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu====
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==608/263-6988=======608/238-4833===BITNET: anderson@wiscmacc===============mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP (Michael R. Volow) (04/23/88)
In addition, PC Clones Magazine (spinoff of Computer Shopper) has a review of the feel of several new keyboards, latest issue. Michael Volow, M.D. Dept of Psychiatry, Durham VA Medical Center, Durham, N.C. 27705 919 286 0411 mvolo@ecsvax.UUCP
kevin@calvin.EE.CORNELL.EDU (Kevin Tubbs) (04/24/88)
In article <171@dogie.edu> anderson@vms.macc.wisc.edu writes: >My experience with keyboards now extends to five, so I'll pass on >my prejudices as a form of consumerism. I've had experience with a few too: 1) JDR MCT-5060 ("AT" style - func. keys on left). ESC key is dangerously close to the backspace key. The keys bottom out on a foam rubber sheet, for a spongy feel that few could tolerate. Luckily, I was able to sell it. 2) JDR MAXI-5339 (101 key, switchable CapsLock<--->Ctrl). A very nice key- board. When you press a key, the resistance increases, then about 75% of the way down, you pass a "hump" and the resistance decreases just before you hit bottom. Sort of like a silent "clicky" keyboard. 3) Northgate CT-101 (101 key, switchable CapsLock<-->Ctrl). Another nice keyboard. Mildly clicky. Also, you get 30 days to return it if you don't like the feel. 4) FKB2930 (101 key). This Fujitsu keyboard came on my AT clone from Computer Products United. A solid, non-clicky touch with just the right amount of resistance. CapsLock, ScrollLock, and NumLock have status lights right in the keys. Excellent keyboard. For what it's worth, there you are. -- Kevin Tubbs, 5152 Upson, Cornell University, Ithaca NY, 14853 (607) 255-8703 kevin@calvin.ee.cornell.edu {uunet,rochester}!cornell!calvin!kevin "If you took all the CP/M users in the world, and laid them end- to-end at the equator, it would be a good thing."
doug@homxc.UUCP (D.SULPY) (06/27/88)
With all the discussion of the Northgate keyboards, I'd like to hear from other people who have bought this product. Are there any similarly priced keyboards that come highly recommended?
wjm@rigel.uucp (23384-mitchell) (03/03/90)
Admittedly, the keyboard layout and feel is a matter of personal preference. From my experience with a number of True Blue machines and clones (some Compaq's and some Brand X), I'm one of those folks who prefers the function keys on the TOP of the keyboard - they just seem more convenient there for me (yes, I can and do touch type), particularly when using 1-2-3. I also strongly favor a 101 key keyboard - the separate cursor keypad is one of the best improvements I've seen, and I like Northgate's layout for cursor keys (now if Northgate would only put the F keys on the TOP... but I can dream, can't I). As for key feel, the IBM AT 101 key keyboard is my favorite, but I'd really like to see Big Blue or someone put the Selectric action into computer keys. I've yet to see anything that matches it, although the old HP 262x terminals came pretty close. Regards, Bill Mitchell (Disclaimer - these are strictly my personal opinions, and not necessarily those of my employer or any other person. IBM and AT are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Compaq is a registered trademark of Compaq Computer Corporation Northgate is a trademark of Northgate Computer Systems)
chao@cory.Berkeley.EDU (Chia-Chi Chao) (03/03/90)
In article <189@towernet.UUCP> wjm@rigel.uucp (23384-mitchell) writes: >one of the best improvements I've seen, and I like Northgate's layout for >cursor keys (now if Northgate would only put the F keys on the TOP... but I >can dream, can't I). I remember reading in a review that Northgate can provide you with the function keys on top IN ADDITION TO the ones on the left for about $30.
macy@fmsystm.UUCP (Macy Hallock) (03/08/90)
In article <189@towernet.UUCP> wjm@rigel.uucp (23384-mitchell) writes: >Admittedly, the keyboard layout and feel is a matter of personal preference. You bet it is. I used IBM and Keytronic 101 keyboards for quite a while. Recently I got a couple Fujitsu 101 key units, and find they suit my personal preference well. They have just enough feel not to be "cheesy" like the new cheap Keytronics and Tawainese keyboards seem to be. The control key is in the usual 101 key lower left hand corner position on these. If you really prefer the "click" feel of original IBM keyboards, Honeywell made (imported?) a couple of models that were perfect. Haven't seen them around for a while, they may not still be available. These were more expensive than the $40-60 import keyboards. Keytronics premium line still seems to have a pretty heathy "click", too. (as opposed to their "econo" models) These aren't cheap, either. Now, what I need is a error-correcting keyboard....to keep those spelling errors to a minimum ;-) Macy M. Hallock, Jr. macy@NCoast.ORG uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy F M Systems, Inc. {uunet!backbone}!cwjcc.cwru.edu!ncoast!fmsystm!macy 150 Highland Drive Voice: +1 216 723-3000 Ext 251 Fax: +1 216 723-3223 Medina, Ohio 44256 USA Cleveland:273-3000 Akron:239-4994 (Dial 251 at tone) (Please note that our system name is "fmsystm" with no "e", .NOT. "fmsystem")