We all love mechanical keyboards, but are there any normal keyboards that hold a special place in your heart?

I for one love the keyboard on the old IBM thinkpads.

I also have a special place in my heart for the old Dell membrain keyboards that used to be in every school library in the 90’s

  • @the_kung_fu_emu
    link
    English
    11 hour ago

    I will always have a soft spot for the Unicomp line for carrying forward the old Model M legacy. For odd ducks in the truly commercial space, the layout of the TypeMatrix can’t be beat!

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    54 hours ago

    I was also thinking old Thinkpad keyboards, and Dell membraine keyboards. Those were both widespread enough that nearly everyone back then had used them, and some of us still remember them lol

    • @[email protected]OP
      link
      fedilink
      14 hours ago

      I bet someone has taken the original thinkpad keyboards and put it in a housing to use like an external keyboard, just haven’t looked into it. I have the shinobi which is a mechanical interpretation of the thinkpad keyboard. It’s OK but I prefer the original.

  • @Zachariah
    link
    126 hours ago

    I really liked my Microsoft Natural Keyboard in the late ’90s.

    It was so huge, I ended up learning to mouse with my left hand, so I wouldn’t have to reach so far.

    • southsamurai
      link
      fedilink
      3
      edit-2
      3 hours ago

      Yup, best keyboard I’ve ever used. They made slightly different versions over the years that fit my hands as well, but none that lasted the way those do; mine is still fully functional.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      65 hours ago

      My boss still uses these to this day. A while ago he found a deal and bought like 10, new in box. He has one everywhere and backups to spare.

      • @Zachariah
        link
        34 hours ago

        You can see the PS/2 connector in the pic.

  • DominusOfMegadeus
    link
    fedilink
    24 hours ago

    This thing is actually what got me into Mechanical Keyboards a a year and a half ago or so. Doesn’t seem to be available anymore.

  • @wjrii
    link
    English
    14 hours ago

    My first nearly proper computer was an Atari XE Game System. The keyboard is well known to be fairly crap, but it didn’t feel that way at the time.

  • @breckenedge
    link
    36 hours ago

    Apple’s Bluetooth keyboards have been pleasant to type on, albeit a bit pricy.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      15 hours ago

      My main gripe with them is that they do not offer to pair multiple devices and quickly switch between them. They do however feel great and I’ve found nothing that comes close in terms of reliability and typing experience. I settled for a Logitech keyboard for now and it’s just fine but I wish there were more premium options available.