I’m genuinely just confused what the hype is with HHKB. It sounds just like a membrane but for 250 dollars. What the hell is the hype about?
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I would love to get an Alice hhkb but can never find one available
I’m not sure what you’re reffering to when you say “HHKB”. The layout? Topre? Both?
If it’s about the layout, HHKB is a “perfected” 60% layout for people that enjoy UNIX layout.
The R4 Control keycap is missing as there is no use for it, letting space for deliberate presses on Alt/Super key, and same goes for the right blocker, the open space there makes so that you never miss your Fn key (a very important one in this layout).
The beauty of a 60%, and HHKB implicitly, is the fact that you do not have to move your hand too far off the home row when using the keyboard. People prefer using layers, split 1.5u Backspace and UNIX Control for that exact reason.As for Topre…that’s just preference. The switches aren’t like anything else on the market. They have a much more “meaty” tactility compare to the “toothy” tactility MX offers, the silenced version sounds very clean with no weird metalic noises from the leaf or spring, and the bottom out is much more firm than regular robber domes over membrane as you have a solid PCB under the dome. Also, compared to membrane rubber domes, you don’t need to bottom out to activate the switch.
Alright, I’ve seen your comments and will form opinions only once I’ve tried it. Give me a year to save the money.
It’s a really great typing experience in a really intuitive (for me) form. Also its way beyond a basic membrane: independent soft rubber domes sitting on light metal springs over contact pads on a PCB. All parts independent of each other increasing ability to repair and replace vs a membrane.
Enjoy the layout enough that chose it for my New Model F board.
I had some real severe buyers remorse getting one of those new model Fs. Hear me out. The general typing experience was astonishingly good. Honestly as a typing experience goes I couldn’t compare it to any of the hundred or so MX switches. It was just so very pleasant to type on.
But the space bar killed it for me. There was no amount of tuning I could do to make it feel less cheap and rattly than it already was. If they ever add the ability to use aftermarket stabs I will GLADLY fork over another $350-$400 to get another.
I understand what you mean and IIRC the floss mod I did on mine solved all the problems. Floss modded every spring on my board and it just got so much better, including the space bar.
It’s a e s t h e t i c