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Compatible 10keyless keyboard?  (Read 3087 times)

Offline thunderfat

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Compatible 10keyless keyboard?
« on: 09:28 AM - 07/15/14 »
Anyone know of any 10keyless keyboard that will work with the Xim4?  What are my options without spending too way too much? 

Offline Aiken_Drum

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Re: Compatible 10keyless keyboard?
« Reply #1 on: 03:56 PM - 07/15/14 »
Most keyboards should simply work, especially if they don't try to do anything special.  Even if you're a real tenkeyless/mechnical fan and you want one of the top-notch ones that cost a lot of money, then I expect you'd be just fine.  The basics of the protocol between the computer and the device haven't really changed in 20 years, other than the PS/2 -> USB changeover.

If you want one that's specifically known to work, I've seen a video with someone using one of the CM Storm Quickfire mechanical tenkeyless keyboards:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f633EAp4yUI

I'd say that's either the version with cherry mx blue or cherry mx brown switches, since the faceplate is sort of a dark pewter color with black logos.  The one with cherry mx red switches has a black faceplate and no logos.

I noticed because I use two of them myself, the red switches for gaming (no tactile bump half-way to interfere with rapid keypresses), and blue for writing code (nice tactile bump for satifying typing).  Everyone's taste is different.

Red: Amazon
Blue: Amazon
Brown: Amazon
Green: Amazon  (Apparently there's green now... that one's new to me.)

There's also a stealth version that puts the key labels on the fronts instead of the tops.  Some people like this.  Me, I don't get it.  But each to their own.

There's also a backlit version for a bigger chunk of change.

There's also this sort of oddball "TK" version where they try to combine the cursor+home/end area and the numpad into one... I've tried it... I didn't like it.  Moving the home/end group down a row messed me up badly.

Anyway, I gave Amazon links for examples, but Newegg sometimes has deals on them, so check there too.  Also, if you're in a hurry and have a Fry's near you, they tend to have the red and either the blue or the brown in stock, at least in the Seattle area store.  Not always, though.

« Last Edit: 04:13 PM - 07/15/14 by Aiken_Drum »

Offline thunderfat

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Re: Compatible 10keyless keyboard?
« Reply #2 on: 12:22 PM - 07/17/14 »
Thanks Aiken_Drum for the very well written response.  Amazing info!! I think I made my choice :)