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Hardware Technology

'Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard' (nickjanetakis.com) 183

Full stack developer and teacher, Nick Janetakis, says the Amazon Basics keyboard is one of his favorite general purpose/programming keyboards. "It hits all the major points that make a keyboard good and it also happens to be only $14," he writes. From his blog post: Quiet as Possible: I have one freelance client (ahem Ryan!) who has really loud mechanical key switches. Every time we hop on a screen sharing session that involves typing I can't tell if he's lighting off fireworks in his office or writing code. [...] I tried a bunch of keyboards and [the Amazon Basics keyboard] is really very quiet while having tactile feeling keys. (You can listen to this YouTube video to hear what the keyboard sounds like.)

Tactile Feeling Keys: The Amazon Basics keyboard fits in between with mid-height keys. They have a decent amount of resistance to them so you can definitely feel each key press, but it's not so much that it hurts your forearms after long hours of coding.

Easy to Clean / Avoids Stuck Keys: After a quick wipe down it looks pretty much as good as new -- even years later. The mid-height keys are excellent for avoiding dirt and stuck keys because it's almost impossible to get anything stuck under a key. Only dust particles get caught under there.

Scratch Resistant Key Cap Labels: After ~5 years of extensive use and abuse only 3 keys had minor chips in their label. I lost the upper part of the L's label, a third of the O's label and half of the ,'s label. Not too bad IMO. I've seen a lot worse with less usage. The labels look like very tightly pressed stickers that are flat to the touch. They almost look like maybe they were heat sealed onto the surface of the key. It's hard to say. Even if I take my nail and try to scrape off a label, it doesn't budge.

Useful Media / Extra Keys: Speaking of keys, it's a nice perk to have a keyboard that has extra keys that you can configure without bloating the size of the keyboard. Amazon has done a fantastic job here at maximizing the usable space of their keyboard. That's 9 distinct keys or 13 if you count the media combo keys. That's really useful. You can always remap any of them to other actions if you prefer. It's a dream come true if you plan to use something like i3wm on Linux which is heavily keyboard shortcut driven.

Compact Size but Sticks To Standards For Key Placement: Everything is where you expect it with this Amazon Basics keyboard and you get the full size backspace / backslash keys.

Caps Lock / Num Lock / Scroll Lock Have Lights on Their Key Switch: With this keyboard, each lock key has its own light which I animated below.

Robust Wire / USB Cable: I have to say the Amazon Basics keyboard is solid in this area. Even on my old keyboard from years ago, the wire has zero signs of wear and tear.

Solid Rubber Feet to Avoid Slipping: There's 4 pretty large rubber grips on the edges of each corner so there's really no reasonable chance of it ever slipping from pressure or normal usage.

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'Why the Amazon Basics Keyboard Is My Favorite Keyboard'

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  • by DogDude ( 805747 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:36PM (#59154916)
    Neat. My favorite is the IBM M Types. I have two. They've lasted for almost 40 years, and I didn't have to give any money to Amazon to get them.
    • by PPH ( 736903 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @09:23PM (#59155118)

      Sturdy. A keyboard should be tough enough to beat a man to death with. And then used to write his epitaph afterwards.

      • :-)

        I remember this one as (can't find it on the net for some reason):

        "A keyboard should be tough enough to beat a user to death with. And then afterwards use it to delete his account."

    • I've been using the same Northgate Omnikey since the late 90s. It's nice that Amazon's keyboard is only $14 and all, but replacment costs of a good keyboard aren't much of an issue.

    • My favorite keyboard is the one built into my Macbook Pro. .
      .
      .
      .
      .

      Just kidding!!!! It is a total piece of garbage.

      My real favorite is the Microsoft Natural Keyboard [amazon.com]. Great tactile feel, and no more RSI pain in my wrists.

    • I have one (acquired relatively recently) that was manufactured in the early 90s; easily my favorite keyboard. The affirmative snap of the buckling springs guarantees that a key was pressed, contrasting some mechanical switches that produce a click/snap independently of the actual electrical switching. Reminds me of older light switches. Agreed, however, with any complaints about noise; I've heard plenty of daisy wheel typewriters that are much quieter.
    • by thomst ( 1640045 )

      DogDude confessed:

      Neat. My favorite is the IBM M Types. I have two. They've lasted for almost 40 years, and I didn't have to give any money to Amazon to get them.

      I second that.

      I learned to touch type on an IBM Selectric typewriter, and the feel of the Model M is identical.

      I've tried a whole bunch of keyboards, from the Model M to the original Compaq keyboard (ugh) to the Microsoft Natural keyboard (ditto) to the Logitech KM400r I'm using right now (it's wireless, and I'm using my media computer with the 55" flatscreen in our living room, where it's not practical to use a wired keyboard), as well as assorted laptop keyboards (from the original Think

      • Re:IBM M type (Score:5, Informative)

        by rickb928 ( 945187 ) on Wednesday September 04, 2019 @09:13AM (#59156894) Homepage Journal

        "I learned to touch type on an IBM Selectric typewriter, and the feel of the Model M is identical."

        Well, it's not, this former Selectric technician tells you, but it's damned close. The only thing closer is the Displaywriter keyboard, which the Model M is similarly designed, buckling springs and all. The Displaywriter keyboard, sadly, was not only a few inches deep due to the key modules, but they did get dirty and need replacement. These were actually considered 'beamspring' keyboards, and shared the key module design with several terminals, 5150 and 3101 the most common ones. Very satisfying to use.

        The Selectric keyboard presented that tactile feel due to the keylever pawl being released when the interposer was engaged. A nice snapback also. Electric typewriters had a similar feel since they used power rolls and cams or followers to drive the typebar, all needing reset, though the Selectric reset when you released the key. Selectrics also introduced the key interlock to avoid mechanical issues, which 'stored' a keypress long enough for it to be triggered in order, most of the time, without weird results of two key interposers being engaged at the same time (which would probably break something hard to fix).

        I learned to type on an Underwood Touchmaster Five, at one time the preferred typewriter for speed typing contests. Yes, faster than electrics, for a while. Selectrics are rate limited due to design. Not that typewriters are very interesting any more.

    • by nagora ( 177841 )

      I only have one. I'd love to get another one.

      Also, I don't buy anything from the scumbags at Amazon.

    • I love my IBM model M keyboards as well. I also have an old clone ("Focus Electronics" 2001) that is at least 30 years old that works fine. They are a bit loud but feel great and are very reliable.

    • and I didn't have to give any money to Amazon to get them.

      Oh don't worry, Amazon is giving this guy money.

    • by Quirkz ( 1206400 )

      Every older keyboard I've been exposed to has too much vertical climb between front and back row of the keys. The Type M doesn't look as extreme in the pictures as some, but it seems like that would still make my wrists hurt after a while.

  • Amazon basics has only been around for around 10 years... how did they get it 20 years ago?
  • by Rick Schumann ( 4662797 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:39PM (#59154930) Journal
    If they're going to shamelessly shill a product on Slashdot they may as well just have a shopping cart and allow you to buy it directly. :p
    • by mykepredko ( 40154 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:42PM (#59154958) Homepage

      https://www.amazon.com/AmazonB... [amazon.com]

      Interesting that 6% of the reviews are one star - interesting that many people complain about what the writer thinks are features (keyboard noise is a big one).

      • In my experience, 6% is a strong 1-star amount, although my experience is NewEgg based, not with that newcomer Amazon.
    • If they're going to shamelessly shill a product on Slashdot they may as well just have a shopping cart and allow you to buy it directly. :p

      Way too obvious, anyone on /. would be smart enough to solve the quest that is entering a search on Amazon.com

      And they'd be smart enough to buy this way awesome keyboard, am i right? Am I right or am I right, or am I right? /wink /wink /nudge /nudge

  • by mykepredko ( 40154 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:39PM (#59154934) Homepage

    Everybody has their own favourite keyboard, mouse and their own requirements. I appreciate articles like this because it gives me more opportunities to think about my needs, get an appreciation of different products and what's out there.

    But don't tell me that what you think is best is best for me or anybody else.

  • by Marc_Hawke ( 130338 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:40PM (#59154940)

    I've never liked a chiclet keyboard. I like 'cupped' keys that caress my fingers.

  • by SensitiveMale ( 155605 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:40PM (#59154946)

    Do yourself a favor. Buy a buckling spring keyboard and treat your fingers and wrists well. Cheap keyboards are cheap for a reason.

    • How do you feel about other mech switch options? I honestly prefer Cherry-ish browns to other switches, including buckling spring stuff.

      • I just switched from a buckling spring because I wanted a keyboard with backlight for typing in low light.

        After much deliberation, the one I chose was a Logitech Carbon with their Romer-G switches. Took a week or so to get used to it after the Model-M but I'm quite happy with it now.

        Illumination is better with the Romer-G because the LED is in the center. With Cherries the LED is off to one side (hence all the weird lettering on Cherry-based number keys, trying to get numbers and symbols at the top of the k

      • by Cederic ( 9623 )

        I'm finding Logitech's "Romer-G Tactile" keys very comfortable to use.

        A few years in they're a little bit noisier than when they were new but still much much quieter than other mechanical keyboards. They're still very precise and have a very nice level of resistance that gives certainty without making my fingers tired. When I'm writing I'm doing 2000 words/hour without even thinking about the keyboard, which is how it should be.

    • by AmiMoJo ( 196126 )

      I've got two original Model Ms, a couple of other mechanical boards (both Alps) and some Sanwa rubber dome models.

      They mech keyboards are lovely but actually a decent rubber dome feels good (tactile but soft and smooth) and is quiet. I can type just as fast on them, in just as much comfort.

      There are plenty of bad keyboards out there, but mechanical / Model M aren't the be-all and end-all.

    • by Luckyo ( 1726890 )

      I would, but then I'd have to wear hearing protection to use a computer.

  • But really, did you expect anything less?

    • Fitting. Turns out your entire physical makeup is an advertisement for your sperm or eggs.

      Testimonial: "It's a decent, inexpensive keyboard, that facilitates churning out upmodded Slashdot posts."

  • For an extra $5 the Lenovo Preferred Plus is really excellent. Nicely tactile for a rubber dome, quiet enough for the office, better key travel than a laptop-style keyboard.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PYV5HGC/

    That said, there’s a Unicomp buckling spring Model M style keyboard on my wishlist because I have nostalgia for that tactile, clicky feel. Luckily my office mates wear noise-cancelling headphones to listen to podcasts...

    • Those Lenovo keyboards are quite good for a $20 keyboard. It's what I have on my desk at work, as they are pretty much at the top of the list for keyboards you'll likely run into at a typical office. They are certainly better than the $20 Microsoft or Logitech keyboards.

      I can't speak for the Amazon keyboard, but it looks a lot like the OEM keyboards that are coming in with the new Dell systems, which are pretty much crap.

  • Really small. Really heavy. Indestructable. Tactile. Visually appealing. Win win win win win.
  • While I think that it sounds like a great keyboard, it's 5 years old.
    What is Amazon building and selling now? And how does it fare?

  • by weilawei ( 897823 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @08:58PM (#59155022)

    *cracks knuckles* Okay, down the list.

    Quiet as Possible: Alright, fine. I don't personally care, because I started with a PS/2 and a model M, C64, and a Tandy 1000. (Family full of programers from IBM and DEC; what can I say? Used computers are awesome.)

    Tactile Feeling Keys: Still no argument.

    Easy to Clean / Avoids Stuck Keys: Also yes. See https://i.imgur.com/5QMBB.png [imgur.com] for reference.

    Scratch Resistant Key Cap Labels: Nope, only needed to learn the layout initially.

    Useful Media / Extra Keys: I hate most of these. Stop taking away my home/end/pg up/pg down/scroll lock/insert/print screen keys. Stop making my arrow keys tiny. Don't you dare touch my number pad. I really only ever use brightness and volume for special keys. That is permitted. Also... why doesn't my MBP have an Esc key?! Of all things? (Actually, I press it constantly because I don't rest my fingers on the usual home row, but a good deal higher. It drives me insane. The keyboard is utterly unusable due to the touchbar--and yet I sit here typing thing on a mid-2016 MBP. Oh, my fingers...)

    Compact Size but Sticks To Standards For Key Placement: No! No! No! I'm average height, medium build; and it's still horrifically cramped to have a compact layout. I don't want to do the funky chicken.

    Caps Lock / Num Lock / Scroll Lock Have Lights on Their Key Switch: Good, you didn't forget Scroll Lock.

    Robust Wire / USB Cable: Must have, but I also tend toward Bluetooth keyboards these days. I actually use a Magic Keyboard primarily, because (it was purchased for me, &) I find it has pretty excellent build quality for a metal keyboard that I can slip in my backpack between everything. I can't understand how they screwed up the laptop keyboards so badly.

    Solid Rubber Feet to Avoid Slipping: It should either have enough friction or a design such that it doesn't slip. I would rather have adjustable feet in the back to raise the angle.

    • by fintux ( 798480 )

      Compact Size but Sticks To Standards For Key Placement: No! No! No! I'm average height, medium build; and it's still horrifically cramped to have a compact layout. I don't want to do the funky chicken.

      Not only that, it is not sticking to standard key placement. For me, the function keys lose a lot of their functionality when there are no gaps between the groups of four. Also, they are not on their standard places because of this (the right edge of F12 should be aligned to the right edge of backspace). Then, the Control keys are too small. I would probably constantly keep hitting the Win-key instead of the left Control. The rest of the layout seems fine, but I really hate how hard it is to find a good key

  • Comment removed based on user account deletion
  • by sqorbit ( 3387991 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @09:05PM (#59155056)
    What? A Blog post? About how great a shitty keyboard is? Go home Slashdot, you're drunk! It's shit posts like this that makes people who write blogs claim they have a real job.
  • My current keyboard (and the one I happen to like the most right now) is the Logitech K120. Fairly basic (and inexpensive) but does the job right. Full size proper keys (unlike the Amazon one in the link which has those chiclet style keys), full size function keys (unlike some keyboards I have used that have tiny F keys that make using Visual Studio and other tools that have F key shortcuts harder), full size numpad (also something I use a lot) and generally good keys. Its wired too so I dont have to worry

    • I prefer the Logitech K120 at work. Looks similar to a standard Dell keyboard. Coworkers don't even look twice at it. If I had an expensive keyboard, it would probably walk.
    • I'll give up mod points to agree with you.

      The Lotigtech K120 is nearly perfect. You might have to super glue the rubber feet back on after they fall off after about a year, and the key label decals eventually wear off. But for $15, they'll last through several drink spills and at least five years with a good upside-down vacuum annually.

      The important features for me: standard size and spaced keys, number pad with over-sized Plus, Enter, and 0, correct 4-key arrows and 6-key, F1-F12 row, lighted Num/Cap/

  • by chrism238 ( 657741 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @09:12PM (#59155072)
    Remember when Slashdot articles used to ..... Oh, never mind. Bye.
  • from amazon with built in keyloggers
  • Sadly - If it doesn't work - is the only time i really ever consider my keyboard.

    I did the shit I always do and it came out fucked up on the screen.

    That's a problem

  • How does the amazon basics keyboard compare to it?

    Is there a standalone keyboard that has the same nice feel and quiet operation of the w530?

    • I don't know how they stack up to the laptop-installed keyboards, as I've never used one of these, but this keyboard appears to be of a similar design:
      https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-... [amazon.com]

      Once upon a time, IBM had some very nice standalone thinkpad keyboards.
  • I've been using MS split keyboards ever since I saw one in the hardware storage room of my new job back in '98 and wheedled it from the Ops Support guys.

    The Ergo 4000 is the latest one, bought one 18 months ago when I started a new contract, it's been great. The shortcut keys work well, not that I use all of them. Works well as my gaming keyboard (mainly FPS), I have another, older, one at home.

    I have no idea why any serious typist uses a standard, stress-inducing keyboard.

    • As an actual ergonomist, it astounds me that someone who does a significant amount of writing or coding would spend so much time focusing on all of the detail about the keys themselves, but keep the same wrist-wrecking configuration! (That said, I would love a quiet mechanical version of that keyboard)
    • by jimbo ( 1370 )

      I don’t know, I’ve been using standard keyboards for 30 years, basically anything my current employer threw at me. From Model M, Dell, HP to $20 no/weird name things. I never had any problems, I learn the layout, type very fast and have no hint of carpal tunnel syndrome or other issues.
      As a “developer”, “sw engineer” or whatever current employer choose to call me I could’ve asked for any keyboard I wanted, it just never occurred to me.

      I don’t like split keyboa

    • I loved the original MS Natural keyboard, but couldn't stand the newer ones unless they're very fresh. For some reason, every one I've ever used winds up with sticky/squishy key travel despite < 1 yr of use.
  • by Fringe ( 6096 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @10:03PM (#59155198)

    Those who can... etc.

    I also don't care if he is a "full-stack developer"... generally the generalists aren't very good. And, from his page, not really a server dev, at least by normal Slashdot standards.

    He's what, 35-ish? I don't care that he has no degree, but his CV doesn't scream, this guy can code and code fast.

    So what makes him an expert? I doubt he can out-type me... on my Unicomp (Model M descendent) I'm using at this moment. No backlighting, no extraneous extra keys, but buckling springs that don't wear out, injected characters that don't wear out, and enough tactility that I usually type not only not looking at the keyboard but not even looking at the screen. I know when I've hit the wrong key, and I can fix it without looking.

    So why is his opinion relevant?

    • Re: (Score:3, Informative)

      by nickjj ( 4795255 )

      Author here.

      In my defense, I don't control how things get posted on the internet. I woke up today to see this posted here.

      > "Those who can... etc."

      I spend over 50% of my time doing freelance work (writing code and deploying / infrastructure work). I'm not a teacher in the sense that I teach at school while not working in the field. I just happen to have video courses but I don't think I'll ever stop working in the field because I like it.

      If you read the article you'll see I'm not a home row typist. I typ

  • Best News Ever! (Score:5, Insightful)

    by clovis ( 4684 ) on Tuesday September 03, 2019 @10:28PM (#59155286)

    So now we can sell stuff through Slashdot. yay!
    I, too have some items I want to sell.
    1997 Toyota Camry, 4cyl less than 190K miles. Maintenance has been done several times! Best offer over $6,500
    Sony 36" Wega TV. $600. Shipping not included
    Set of 12 IBM x330 1U rack mount servers. Some drives may not be working. Earplugs included
    non operative Chihuahua, $17, Free shipping in Omaha Steaks box
    Antique waterbed from Forrest Gump era. $200. Has a few stains of unknown source

  • I keep trying to find a really well-made third-party keyboard offering the Mac keyboard layout. So far I’ve failed. Since we’re on the topic already... anyone have any recommendations?

  • if I wanted to type on a laptop keyboard I'd buy a laptop. A thinkpad - a Real Man's keyboard. Not that amazon shit. Meanwhile I use a dell desktop keyboard from the 2015 erra. Works great. Cost me zero (extra). That and the Dell Ultrasharp monitor are the only dell products I own and perhaps the only one's worth owning too?

  • by gumpish ( 682245 ) on Wednesday September 04, 2019 @12:00AM (#59155612) Journal

    Full stack developer

    Stopped reading there.

    • I've been hearing those words lately; still not quite sure what it means. I'm quite adept at stacking things, and quite high, so I might qualify. Or is it some sort of balancing act against the dreaded "stack overflow"?
    • Full stack developer

      Stopped reading there.

      Why? It just means a developer who doesn't specialize in one part of the application stack. Most often it means a web developer who does UI, application logic and database work. Not as "prestigious" as an OS engineer, better than a sysadmin. But none of that really matters anyway; the key qualification for this article is "uses a keyboard a lot".

      To be interesting to me, the other qualification I'd like to see is "suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome". FWIW, the best option I've found for that is the K

  • I'm actually really looking forward to a discussion of favorite keyboards. I have a keyboard I bought a few years ago that meets all of the objective criteria: solid build, mechanical switches, etc, etc, etc... And I continuously mistype on it, for no reason that I can figure out. It's really strange. So I'm looking to change.

    One aspect that I think many people are not aware of, is the fundamental difference between ANSI and ISO [ultimateha...yboard.com] layouts.

  • by zmooc ( 33175 )

    It has a numpad in the position where your mouse should be for optimal ergonomic goodness.

  • Aren't you supposed to mark blatant advertising?
    • You want the more reputable den of thieves just down the spanning tree. Slashdot is not what you seek.

  • I refuse to buy any keyboard with a windows key!
  • Was lucky enough to have obtained two Model Ms very early in my career. I still us eon on my desk at work everyday and one at my home office.

    Despite a stack of signal converters that are required...old AT-style DIN connector to PS/2 connector served well for many years. But newest machines are "legacy-free" and require PS/2 to USB converter too. This is OK because my Logitech TrackMan Marble FX (bought 3 a long time ago) is PS/2-only too, so I got some of these USB dongles that support a PS/2 mouse and a PS

  • that I recently rediscovered, and all it's _many_ useful media and productivity keys! Now with a nice DIY USB adapter on my Linux desktop: https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
  • No thanks.

    Yes, it's cheap and easily replaceable.

    But for anyone who has to operate the damn thing for long periods, it sucks.
    Terrible type-feel.

  • Quiet as Possible: I have one freelance client (ahem Ryan!) who has really loud mechanical key switches. Every time we hop on a screen sharing session that involves typing I can't tell if he's lighting off fireworks in his office or writing code. [...] I tried a bunch of keyboards and [the Amazon Basics keyboard] is really very quiet while having tactile feeling keys. (You can listen to this YouTube video to hear what the keyboard sounds like.)

    So what the author is saying is that I need one of those loud

  • I remember being in online chat with someone who was swapping out hardware. They announced to the world:

    "Wow! This new keynoard is great!"

    I assume they got the hang of it, eventually.

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