Friday, August 30th 2013

Now, a Mechanical Keyboard for Developers

Aug 30th, 2013 05:14 Discuss (25 Comments)

Jeff Atwood, behind the "Coding Horror" blog, collaborated with WASD Keyboards to co-develop a mechanical keyboard for quick, comfortable typing, with a consistent tactile feedback that doesn't come with the clicking noise associated with mechanical keyboards. Called CODE Keyboard, the contraption is a no-nonsense 102-key mechanical keyboard with white LED back-lighting, so you can code away into the night. Its gaming credentials aren't bad, either. CODE Keyboard packs Cherry MX Clear switches, which are said to provide great tactile feedback, without a noisy activation. The switches and other electronics are placed on a thicker 2-layer fiberglass PCB, with a steel back-plate that grounds the keyboard. This adds to its 1.2 kg weight.

The CODE Keyboard supports both USB and PS/2 inputs, when plugged into USB, it offers 6-key roll-over; and N-key roll over, when wired to PS/2. You'll notice that the key between Ctrl and Alt has no label, that's because it can be used as both Win (on Windows) and Command (on OS X), by flicking a row of DIP-switches at the back. The same switches can be used to change the keyboard layout from QWERTY to Dvorak or Colemak, disable the Win key, and change Caps Lock to Ctrl. Its context-menu key doubles up as a Fn (function) key, which gives it six multimedia keys over existing ones. In the package, you get a detachable USB cable, a PS/2 adapter, and a tool to remove and place keys, to clean or mod the keyboard. All this, with no drivers or software whatsoever. Find this the holy grail of keyboards? Prepare to input $149.99.

Source: Engadget

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25 Comments on Now, a Mechanical Keyboard for Developers

RejZoR

Looks like every single keyboard from 1990... with some LED's stuck under the keys. One would expect entire computer to come with it for that price...

btarunr

Editor & Senior Moderator

I guess we'll never know until we try it out. Cherry MX Clear is a very rare switch.

progste

i would be curious to try it out but for 150$ it better be on the same level (or better) of the best gaming keyboards out there

RCoon

I wanted to order a tenkeyless cherry mx clear keyboard but their order link is down :(

jigar2speed

I am using a TVS Gold black (I think it's 10 year old now), awesome mechanical keyboard.

haswrong

too small enter, too long right shift (whose right part should have been broken into the backslash above the enter). just how long until rolling back to the proven design from keytronic from the late 199x? been touching (and washing) that keyboard for 15 years and have no intent to cease for as long as we both live!

de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder

haswrongtoo small enter, too long right shift (whose right part should have been broken into the backslash above the enter). just how long until rolling back to the proven design from keytronic from the late 199x? been touching (and washing) that keyboard for 15 years and have no intent to cease for as long as we both live!

this is an ascii style keyboard. this is way better for coding because the \ is right above the enter.

bigger backspace is better.

why on earth does it cost so damn much. i just liked the keyboard too! and i dont like mechanical keyboards because of the noise.

RCoon

de.das.dudethis is an ascii style keyboard. this is way better for coding because the \ is right above the enter.

bigger backspace is better.

why on earth does it cost so damn much. i just liked the keyboard too! and i dont like mechanical keyboards because of the noise.

MX clear switches do not cause the inherant noise mx blues make.
Also MX Clear's are very rare and expensive.

de.das.dude

Pro Indian Modder

RCoonMX clear switches do not cause the inherant noise mx blues make.

which is why i like it :rolleyes:

#10

m1dg3t

Rare & expensive switch LoL

They just arent popular for std use, they are quite popular for POS applications and prolly equipment control ie CNC etc...

The price is ridonculous!!

#11

AsRock

TPU addict

Rare is a funny word if they did not try to rip companys of for the price of them they be less rare.

Nice simple keyboard but lacks being able to be programed for me to be interested but understandable why.

Other wise clear or not many people ripping many other people off so buy one to be ripped off.. Yeah right the sun don't shine were i'd tell were put it.

#12

Brusfantomet

haswrongtoo small enter, too long right shift (whose right part should have been broken into the backslash above the enter). just how long until rolling back to the proven design from keytronic from the late 199x? been touching (and washing) that keyboard for 15 years and have no intent to cease for as long as we both live!

if you want a bigger enter key, try getting some Scandinavian qwerty keyboards. they have double height enter keys.

Also, i can see why somebody would want mx clear, have browns myself and the thought of having a more pronounced actuation appeals to me at least.

#13

GSquadron

For me, this keyboard is really not worth it
I wouldn't buy it even for 5$
This is quite simple, because I am used to my keyboard and is the best I have ever had before

#14

1c3d0g

This is PERFECT!!! :D And it comes in an 87-key version, EXACTLY what I wanted for ages (plus being mechanical, led-backlit etc.). Instant-buy for me. :cool:

Note to other companies: is it really so hard to design a simple, reliable keyboard such as this CODE keyboard? Gheeez!

#15

Static~Charge

At half the price, I'd buy 3 or 4 of them on the spot. But a hundred and fifty bucks?! No way.

#16

Volkszorn88

For that price I rather buy a Filco.

#17

Wile E

Power User

de.das.dudewhich is why i like it :rolleyes:

MX Brown has the feel with no noise as well, and they are more common.

#18

Wrigleyvillain

PTFO or GTFO

Yeah mech KBs are not cheap in general but this one seems a little overpriced.

#19

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

haswrongtoo small enter, too long right shift (whose right part should have been broken into the backslash above the enter). just how long until rolling back to the proven design from keytronic from the late 199x? been touching (and washing) that keyboard for 15 years and have no intent to cease for as long as we both live!

The scandinavian version will likely look like you want. They usually do.

Static~ChargeAt half the price, I'd buy 3 or 4 of them on the spot. But a hundred and fifty bucks?! No way.

So buy two of them.

#20

Scrizz

This is perfect for me imho.
I don't care for macro BS.
I want a solid reliable keyboard with non-rainbow LEDs.
I don't want a colorful child's toy.

It'd be great if they lopped $40-50 off. :D

#21

crazyeyesreaper

Not a Moderator

really like the simplicity and function but way to high a price.

#22

rooivalk

I would never understand why coders need special keyboard. It's not like they're in the same league as novel writers or something like that. If you like the tactile feels, it's okay, but other than that it seems a little bogus.

I've been using logitech membrane keyboards for years in the office and have no complaints about speed or reliability. My speed depends on my problem solving ability after all.

and oh, I rarely see any busted keyboard, membrane or mechanical. I have $2 membrane keyboard from high school that survived endless stream of coding, gaming, even my friends use it to hit each other, and it still works! dirty though.

#23

Wile E

Power User

rooivalkI would never understand why coders need special keyboard. It's not like they're in the same league as novel writers or something like that. If you like the tactile feels, it's okay, but other than that it seems a little bogus.

I've been using logitech membrane keyboards for years in the office and have no complaints about speed or reliability. My speed depends on my problem solving ability after all.

and oh, I rarely see any busted keyboard, membrane or mechanical. I have $2 membrane keyboard from high school that survived endless stream of coding, gaming, even my friends use it to hit each other, and it still works! dirty though.

I used to think the same way, until I actually tried a mechanical keyboard. It's amazing the difference such a small change can make to typing comfort.

Now I hate the membrane keyboard I'm stuck with. lol

#24

Frick

Fishfaced Nincompoop

rooivalkI would never understand why coders need special keyboard. It's not like they're in the same league as novel writers or something like that. If you like the tactile feels, it's okay, but other than that it seems a little bogus.

I've been using logitech membrane keyboards for years in the office and have no complaints about speed or reliability. My speed depends on my problem solving ability after all.

and oh, I rarely see any busted keyboard, membrane or mechanical. I have $2 membrane keyboard from high school that survived endless stream of coding, gaming, even my friends use it to hit each other, and it still works! dirty though.

Professional coders can write quite a lot... Really rather a lot.

And as WileE says, it's more like you usually get hooked once you try one seriously. Obviously you are fine if you never try them. I have tried them, but didn't get hooked for some reason.

#25

crmaris

I write lots of code from time to time but I am pretty sure that pro reviewers write much more that coders :)

Love this keyboard but it is too expensive :( Around 100 bucks would be a way more appropriate price.

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Now, a Mechanical Keyboard for Developers

25 Comments on Now, a Mechanical Keyboard for Developers

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