It’s not typically that one thing as properly often called the Pleased Hacking Keyboard will get reworked from the bottom up. And when it does occur, these modifications normally draw criticism from longtime followers. Have a look at Porsche’s swap from air-cooled to water-cooled engines within the 911, or Microsoft’s transition to a extra tablet-like interface for Home windows 8. If individuals are used to one thing, they received’t respect seeing it change drastically, no matter whether or not these modifications are in the end good or dangerous.
The most recent iteration of the Pleased Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) makes massive modifications to the mannequin’s practically 30-year-old legacy, and it might simply be seen in the identical mild. In addition to the format, virtually each facet of this keyboard has been altered. Fortunately, fairly a number of of those modifications do really feel like enhancements.
The HHKB Studio is a hot-swappable 60 p.c mechanical keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity, built-in touchpads, a built-in trackpoint, and a novel programmer-oriented format. The Studio has a PBT plastic case and keycaps, multidevice connectivity, and key map customization by the corporate’s proprietary Keymap Software software program. However earlier than we dive into this new iteration, we’d like to check out the legacy.
Many years-Previous Legacy
The Pleased Hacking Keyboard has been round for many years. It was designed across the concept of a singular, specialised, long-lasting keyboard that could possibly be used throughout a number of computer systems and working programs (again when such an concept was novel and new). It has been often upgraded since to additional refine its distinctive format and multidevice utility.
The primary mannequin of HHKB pioneered its distinctive format, chopping keys from the underside corners, shifting the Backspace/Delete key and including a second key within the high proper, and buying and selling the Caps Lock key for a Management key, which was simply accessible to the pinky. In following iterations, the keyboard moved from a standard rubber-dome format to Topre electro-capacitive switches, added USB pass-through, and ultimately launched Bluetooth connectivity. Nonetheless, throughout each era, the distinctive format has remained a relentless. Whereas the most recent mannequin has stayed true to the format, virtually each different facet of the keyboard has been modified.
{Photograph}: Henri Robbins
One of many defining facets of the HHKB was the Topre electro-capacitive swap, a tender tactile swap with a rounded bump created by a rubber dome on high of a conical metallic spring. The HHKB was one of many solely keyboards obtainable with these switches, which was each a blessing and a burden. They had been uniquely pleasurable to sort on, however on the identical time, Topre switches’ rarity and distinctive building made modifications to the switches or keycaps far tougher. As a substitute of with the ability to take away and change particular person switches, any modification would contain taking aside the whole keyboard.
Now, the HHKB Studio has adopted the MX-style swap that has develop into virtually ubiquitous in trendy mechanical keyboards, bringing it nearer to the world of modular keyboard designs. However as a substitute of sticking with an present mechanical swap, the corporate has designed its personal MX-style swap in collaboration with Kailh, a well known aftermarket swap producer.
Different noteworthy modifications embody the brand new trackpoint within the middle of the keyboard, low-profile mouse buttons beneath the house bar, and touch-sensitive “gesture pads” on the entrance and sides of the keyboard. The HHKB Studio additionally maintains the wi-fi performance of the earlier era and preserves the in depth use of PBT plastic within the case and keycaps. The Bluetooth performance is enhanced by an LED bar within the top-left of the keyboard, and the quick-adjustment dip switches on the again at the moment are hidden behind a battery cowl.
Typing Really feel
The HHKB Studio’s swap from Topre to MX-style switches is a controversial change: One may argue it “offered out” by shifting to MX-style switches. Nonetheless, that will be ignoring an vital element. These switches are improbable to sort on. They mix the distinctive sound and really feel of Topre tactile switches with the smoothness of a contemporary linear swap, making a silenced linear that produces a tender, deep, and satisfying bottom-out. I’ve by no means felt one other swap prefer it. And, for followers of Topre switches, I do assume that is one of the best linear equal attainable.
Taking aside the switches, they seem like constructed from the same building as Kailh’s clicky switches. Particularly, the design is harking back to Field Navy and Field Jade switches. The one main distinction is that the precise clicking mechanism (a small spring referred to as a “click on bar” that provides a tactile bump and produces a sound when pressed) has been eliminated, and a sound-dampening pad has been added to the underside of the swap housing.