DEV Community

Cover image for What Are Your Favorite/Current Mouse and Keyboard Setups?
Kyle Galbraith
Kyle Galbraith

Posted on

What Are Your Favorite/Current Mouse and Keyboard Setups?

I am digging my new remote work setup but I still need to hunt down a wireless mouse/keyboard setup that is compatible with Mac and Windows. My current Logitech K350 setup has atrocious lag on a Mac which renders it almost unusable.

So I'm asking the incredible community here. What are your favorite or even just your current mouse and keyboard setup? Have you had to have a setup that went across platforms? Also looking for links to any recommendations!

Top comments (35)

Collapse
 
wtr profile image
Wataru Nishimoto

I'm using Fortitude60 and Magic Trackpad 2.
Fortitude60 is a self made keyboard. I made this keyboard with Soldering iron.

Key map could fully customized and keycap and key switches could customize too.

Fortitude60

Collapse
 
kylegalbraith profile image
Kyle Galbraith

Wow, that is impressive. I don't think I'll be going down this path, but very cool none the less.

Collapse
 
stunny profile image
Alex Vogel

Thats so cool! Where can i get the PCB and other components to put together one myself?

Collapse
 
wtr profile image
Wataru Nishimoto

I bought PCB and other electronic parts from
booth.pm/ja/items/1071554
yushakobo.jp/

Those are Japanese shops so it might be hard to get from them.

I have not used but there are other shops

massdrop.com
input.club
kbdfans.cn

For the key caps
pimpmykeyboard.com

Thread Thread
 
stunny profile image
Alex Vogel

Thank you man! I will reply with a picture when i put it together :)

Collapse
 
nikola profile image
Nikola Brežnjak

Love the question!

I've gone through a lot of setups during the years (R.A.Ts, Logitechs for mouses, and Microsoft ergonomical keyboards I'm looking at you), but nowadays (although not wireless) this is my setup:

What you're seeing here are:

This is definitelly not as nearly as 'fancy' of a keyboard, but I can't see myself going back to 'normal' keyboards anymore. As for the 'mouse', I no longer need to leave my keyboard to 'go' fetch the mouse 🤯

If you want to hear me go on and on for how awesome TypeMatrix keyboard is, listen to these two podcast episodes:

Hope this helps 👍

Collapse
 
jimpriest profile image
Jim Priest

I'd love to try a roller mouse myself but they are really expensive.

Love my CODE keyboard. codekeyboards.com/

Collapse
 
kylegalbraith profile image
Kyle Galbraith

I am quite fascinated by the mechanical keyboard trend. I find them to be quite noisy, but maybe that's just because I haven't tried one out yet.

Thread Thread
 
stephensauceda profile image
Stephen Sauceda

It depends on the switches a keyboard uses. Some are louder than others. And you can get some sound dampners for them as well that cuts the noise (at the expense of some key travel).

Collapse
 
terabytetiger profile image
Tyler V. (he/him)

That RollerMouse looks really really slick!

Collapse
 
nikola profile image
Nikola Brežnjak

It's actually a v1.2, and I am looking to upgrade to the newest 3.0, but it will wait for the time be$ng :)

Collapse
 
joshmedeski profile image
Josh Medeski

I'm using the ErgoDox EZ (with blank keys, because I like to look like a badass) and the Logitech MX Master.

I'm curious about switching to a laser trakball or vertical mouse and would LOVE to upgrade to the latest ErgoDox EZ model so I can switch out switches to my heart's desire.

Collapse
 
mcat profile image
Mark Catalano

My current setup is an older model apple keyboard without the num pad and an older model magic mouse. Not super happy with this setup as I miss having a num pad and the mouse often drops its connection.

I think if I were to make a switch it would be to a Logitech MX master wireless mouse paired with a current generation apple magic keyboard.

Collapse
 
skartzquest profile image
Stephanie

I have the wireless Logitech MX master and absolutely love it. It's nice and comfortable, glides smoothly and I've never had issues with connect. I think the mouse wheel is honestly my favorite part of it with the ability to freewheel.

My keyboard presently is the Black Widow Chroma. I'm not too fond of the Razer software issues lately but the keyboard works great so I see no need to replace it, I'll likely switch brands when I do though (either Corsair or DasKeyboard). I couldn't survive without a num pad, and a mechanical keyboard is a must for me.

Collapse
 
thorstenhirsch profile image
Thorsten Hirsch • Edited

Hi Ryan, I recently bought the Prime 13 from DasKeyboard with brown Cherry MX switches. I decided to go with the UK layout because some important keys for development (like []) are positioned better than in the DE layout, to which I'm used to. But the UK layout still has the 2-row return key that I prefer over the 1-row return key of the US layout. Now here's the thing:

The UK layout of the Prime 13 is buggy!

A special feature of the Prime 13 is the flipped position of the symbols for the shift key (e.g.: ;:?), which are on the bottom, while the normal symbols are on top (e.g.: ,./). It's actually not so weird as one might think, because the backlighting is on the top of each key, so the top symbol (normal) is brighter than the bottom symbol (shift). But they forgot to flip the symbols on the 6 UK keys that differ from the US layout. I asked the support of DasKeyboard about this issue and they confirmed, that it's not an individual problem, but all Prime 13 keyboards with UK layout are affected. Thus they cannot help me. Very disappointing.

Now I've got an incosistent keyboard.

Photo of the Prime 13 keyboard with buggy UK layout

Collapse
 
chijos profile image
Chirag Joshi • Edited

I've been using the Ducky One Two and the Logitech MX master at work for a year now. Love them both. Just stock Apple keyboard and mouse at home though - can't wait to swap these out.

Collapse
 
darksmile92 profile image
Robin Kretzschmar

Mouse Setup

Logitech USB Mouse M500 (Model: 810-004116)

Quick overview
  • Wired USB
  • Ideal for big hands
  • Price is OK
Price

~30€ on Amazon

Why this one

Because it is big enough to let my hand rest on it in a comfortable position. It is also precise in terms of accuracy and I like the DPI-switch button to be able to scroll infinite or to have a scrolling resistence.
This model has button on the side also to navigate more quickly (when using the mouse of course).

Picture

Logitech M500

Swiftpoint GT

Quick overview
  • Wireless (USB Bluetooth Dongle)
  • Various configurations
  • Usable on other device (tablets, smartphones, touchscreens)
  • Nice boxing :)
Price

~$149 on Indiegogo.
I got mine during the funding phase for $129.

Why this one

I like switching between those two and this model attracted my attention when it was funded. It is more ergonomic then I thought, I recognize the relief of my wrist after using it just half an hour after the normal mouse!

Picture

Swiftpoint GT

Keyboard setup

KLIM Dominator

Quick overview
  • Mechanic keyboard
  • Quality
  • LED RGB Color fully adjustable per key
  • Price is OK
  • Nice feeling
Price

55€ on Amazon

Why this one

I wanted a keyboard with fully customizable LED colors. This is just for fun but it was one of my initial requirements. They keys should not stand out too high so a smooth gliding while typing is possible. The noise is not too loud even it is a mechanical keyboard and they naturally make noises.
The keys give a feedback on pressing them that feels smooth.

Picture

KLIM Dominator

Collapse
 
ballpointcarrot profile image
Christopher Kruse • Edited

I have two. At work I use an Ergodox EZ with Cherry blue switches (my coworkers are very understanding to let me continue to use that in office). I love the stress relief that comes from letting your shoulders rest with your hands further apart by splitting the keyboard.

At home, I just recently built a TADA68 from scratch (ordered the pcb, some Kailh copper switches, and an aluminum base that is quite hefty). The switches have a very high actuation point, so you need very little pressure to activate a key press - makes typing on it feel more like your fingers are dancing. 😁

ergodox1

ergodox2

tada68

Collapse
 
erebos-manannan profile image
Erebos Manannán

I wish there was such a thing as a good keyboard, but I've not found one.

I spent tons of money and bought two Logitech G710+'s back in the days when I first tried it out and it seemed excellent, but the build quality is terrible and I broke literally like 20 caps on the two of those in the about 2-3 years I tolerated them. I've never broken a cap in a keyboard before or since then, and the internet is full of similar stories and not even a hint of recognition of a problem from Logitech.

Nowadays I'm using a pretty cheap mechanical QPAD MK-50, has worked perfectly fine and the only issue is that it's a bit louder than the G710+ was, and the keys are a bit more stiff than I'd like.

I really liked the Logitech Wave for the slight curves it had but I couldn't find anything like that, that was mechanical, and a mechanical keyboard is pretty much a must for me nowadays.

I also use Microsoft All-in-one media keyboards for a few things, AES-128 encrypted wireless keyboard + trackpad combos that seem to be pretty much the best money can buy in that style of a keyboard. I wish there was more of a gap between the trackpad and the keys tho, I keep accidentally poking at the pad when I'm trying to type.

For the mouse I've got an even sadder story, my main mouse is a Logitech G700, bought over 7 years ago, and there's nothing else on the planet that comes even close to being as good. It's a combination wired/wireless with a rechargeable battery - unplug the USB cable from the mouse and it's wireless. Quick DPI change options and more than enough buttons in general, though I'm old fashioned and only use the 2 + wheel really. Also the wheel has an unlock button that allows it to free spin at huge speeds with minimal effort, which I can't live without anymore.

Excellent fit in my hand, perfect features, obviously durable. Can't really go wrong with that.

I've tried various other mice, but really only Logitech seems to make mice with the features I like. Annoyingly most of Logitech's are also either too small, or too weird with like 12 buttons or something ridiculous like that.

Collapse
 
erebos-manannan profile image
Erebos Manannán

Oh and it really irritates me that the trend in keyboards is to make completely useless idiotic additions, backlighting, hell sometimes even with RGB lights, extra displays, tons of media keys (especially love those poorly placed power off and sleep keys that you press accidentally), and all kinds of other nonsense, and then you can't find a solid good keyboard that's good for typing a lot on, as well as gaming (i.e. anti-ghosting features).

Collapse
 
computersmiths profile image
ComputerSmiths

For programming and general use: Apple wired keyboard (why did they discontinue this? Wireless keyboards and KVM switches don’t work together) and Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer 3.0

For gaming on my PC: Logitech G810 Orion (can pick colors per key) and G903 mouse (in wired mode).

Mostly it’s consistency and what works for you. If there was only one ‘best’ keyboard we wouldn’t have hundreds of options to choose from.

Collapse
 
drrial profile image
d3rrila

Currently not a developer.
My keyboard is a Ducky One 2 TKL with Cherry MX Blue
My mouse is a Razer Naga Chroma
If I were using Windows, the mouse would have much more utility, given that all buttons, including the twelve(!) extra buttons can be remapped freely, but unfortunately there is no official Linux driver support and the community made Linux drivers only allow for color changes, not for remapping. :(

Nonetheless both are very precise, although I currently can't really leverage it, because at work I have to type on a laptop keyboard for 8 hours a day, and it really messes with my coordination :)