Board logo

Laser keyboards any good?
v8kid - 8/5/15 at 07:15 AM

Thinking about buying a laser keyboard anyone any experience with them?
I guess they must work but do they always recognize the correct character and are they surface/ambient light sensitive?

Seen a demo and looked cool but was in a darkish environment.

Cheers!

Slimy38 - 8/5/15 at 08:09 AM

Look cool, work well (pretty accurate) even in a fairly bright environment, but a nightmare to touch type. It's similar to trying to type on a touch screen or tablet, there is no feedback to know where and how hard you've pressed. For me the novelty wore off after about ten minutes.

bi22le - 8/5/15 at 08:32 AM

jean michel jarre ?!?!

v8kid - 8/5/15 at 11:34 AM

Thanks, just wanted to know if it was a viable alternative - looks not!

dhutch - 8/5/15 at 11:48 AM

I guess it depends what you are using it for.

Likely an order of magnitude better for typing on than a phone, but nothing like as good as even the most entry spec/price physical keyboard.

Personally I have a full size, buckling spring keyboard at home. Great feel, cracking sound, low level of rsi/fatigue issues!


Daniel

Slimy38 - 8/5/15 at 01:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dhutch
Personally I have a full size, buckling spring keyboard at home. Great feel, cracking sound, low level of rsi/fatigue issues!


Daniel


I've often considered a gaming keyboard for very similar characteristics. One of my first keyboards was a full microswitch one which was fantastic to work with but as soon as things switched to USB it stopped working (even with the little adaptor things).

David Jenkins - 8/5/15 at 02:20 PM

My son always mocks my old Cherry keyboard every time he sees it. The thing is way over 15 years old, maybe over 20 years, doesn't have a Windows key, and is that off-white/cream colour beloved for PC stuff of that era. But it works, and is really nice to use - I dread the time when it fails, as the equivalent modern Cherry keyboard is over £70.

I don't miss the Windows key as I use it on my Linux machine.

v8kid - 8/5/15 at 08:26 PM

Windows key ?

David Jenkins - 8/5/15 at 08:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Windows key ?


You know - that stupid key with the Windoze symbol on it - the one that does special stuff when using Windoze. My keyboard hasn't got one, and I don't miss it anyway.

james h - 8/5/15 at 11:14 PM

I built a computer for doing my uni work and writing essays on. I chose a corsair keyboard, and it is just brilliant. It has light up keys which i'm not bothered about, but the best thing is the superb tactile nature of the cherry mx brown keys.

I wouldn't go back to any other style of keyboard now - you just can't beat a good mechanical keyboard! Whenever I use a mac chiclet style it just feels terrible in comparison.

v8kid - 9/5/15 at 03:14 PM

quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Windows key ?


You know - that stupid key with the Windoze symbol on it - the one that does special stuff when using Windoze. My keyboard hasn't got one, and I don't miss it anyway.


Feck thats good! I canny stop pressing the blessed thing now. My life is complete.

I must get out more.

Cheers!

james h - 9/5/15 at 04:14 PM

Press the windows key and an arrow key at the same time, it snaps the window to full or half screen. Windows + 'E' opens files browser.

David Jenkins - 9/5/15 at 05:55 PM

quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Windows key ?


You know - that stupid key with the Windoze symbol on it - the one that does special stuff when using Windoze. My keyboard hasn't got one, and I don't miss it anyway.


Feck thats good! I canny stop pressing the blessed thing now. My life is complete.

I must get out more.

Cheers!


MikeRJ - 9/5/15 at 06:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
quote:
Originally posted by v8kid
Windows key ?


You know - that stupid key with the Windoze symbol on it - the one that does special stuff when using Windoze. My keyboard hasn't got one, and I don't miss it anyway.


Feck thats good! I canny stop pressing the blessed thing now. My life is complete.

I must get out more.

Cheers!


All the Windows key shortcuts are listed on microsoft.com. Some of them are actually useful!