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Bartosz Wójcik
Bartosz Wójcik

Posted on • Updated on

Best keyboard for programming — change my mind.

It's been over 20 years and believe it or not, I'm using the same Chicony natural keyboard throughout my entire cybersecurity career.

It's my first keyboard and I'm wondering why this trend has been abandoned and besides myself, I don't know or seem to have seen this type of keyboard on anyone else.

Chicony Natural Keyboard

It's the best keyboard I have tried. Period.

  • natural layout, very ergonomic
  • it's built like a tank, years and years of hard work & abuse

I know it's a matter of getting used to it, but when I have to write something on a traditional keyboard it's terribly uncomfortable and I feel like I have to bang my elbows into my ribs to keep my hands straight.

My friends who have never seen a keyboard like this have a hard time hitting the keys.

I remember magazines from 199x-2000 - Chip, Computer World, where there were tests, reviews - Chicony, Microsoft, Cherry, different styles, some broken, with touchpad:

Chicony 7903 Model

Chicony 7903 Model

Cherry 5000 Natural Keyboard

Cherry 5000 Natural Keyboard

Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard

Chicony, as far as I know, no longer makes such keyboards (which is why I bought a second one a few years ago as a backup in case mine died), the Cherry 5000 is an archaeological relic that you can occasionally come across on eBay, and the only manufacturer of such keyboards that keeps improving them is Microsoft and recently Logitech:

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000

Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard

Logitech ERGO K860 Wireless Split Keyboard

Kinesis Advantage2 Ergonomic Keyboard (KB600)

Kinesis Advantage2 Ergonomic Keyboard (KB600)

What is your keyboard fellow programmer?

Do you use such keyboards, how do you feel about natural keyboards? Which keyboard is the most comfortable to type on and what can you recommend?

Leave the comment with the:

  1. Keyboard model
  2. Pros & cons
  3. Images
  4. Links

Thank you :)

Top comments (1)

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eriqjb profile image
Erik Burger

I also had the Chicony KB-7903, it was really great. I threw it away since it still had a DIN plug … (I was young and did not know better). It took me really long to find an adequate replacement, but nowadays I am quite happy with the Perixx Periboard-535. It's a great keyboard and comes closest to the Chicony, and even has USB. :-)

eu.perixx.com/products/perixx-ergo...

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