HHKB Professional 2 (45g Topre): Stock

The Happy Hacking Keyboard, or HHKB, is a legend in the keyboard community.  Introduced in 1996 and developed by PFU Limited of Japan and Eiiti Wata, the HHKB has inspired legions of fans and clones alike.  Though the keyboard has an eye-watering price point for a readily-available keyboard, many enthusiasts defend the cost due to the Topre switches, unique layout, and legacy.

Personally, I felt some trepidation buying this board on Amazon because this is the second time I've purchased an HHKB.  I returned the first one because I couldn't get used to the layout (and because the black-on-black design made the keys all but impossible to read except in the most optimal lighting conditions).  Now that I've had more time with my Realforce 87U (55g Topre) and really grown to appreciate Topre switches, I figured this board deserved another chance.

This review comes after three weeks of home use, and was typed on the aforementioned HHKB.

Basic Info:

• Price: $240 via Amazon Prime
• Color: Beige
• Set-Up Time: 2 minutes 
• Though the board worked out of the box, I had to take a minute to change two of the dip switches to alter the board's layout.
• Switch: 45g Topre (Rubber Dome)

Pros:

• I still really like the aesthetic of this board.  Its iconic look has been imitated by countless other boards for a reason.  I especially like this board in beige, since it adds a lovely retro feel to the proceedings and has the added benefit of making the font much, much easier to read than the "blackout," model.  
• Topre is (generally) a pleasure to type on, even if I prefer 55g domes to 45g.  I have ordered a set of BKE Lights (for $70), but they have not arrived yet.  More to the point, I don't think their performance should be factored into a "stock" review.
• As an aside, I'm not bothered by the cost of the replacement domes, given that a set of high-end MX switches could easily cost just as much (e.g. zealios at $1 / switch).
• Given the long-term popularity of the HHKB, there's lots of accessories available for it.  This includes everything from dust covers to rubber pads for the bottom of the board.  
• I did not end up buying any accessories for this board, but I will say that my wrist rest did make the experience more comfortable.  I almost bought a travel case for the board, too, but I decided against it since I don't love this board to the exclusion of all others, and traveling with a keyboard is a bother.
• Some parts of the board's layout are so good I am replicating them on other keyboards (e.g. switching the rarely-used Caps Lock key for Control).  Others were appreciated but not essential (e.g. the "delete" key being a row lower than most other boards).  
• I complained about the delete key in my initial impressions write-up, but I acclimated to the change quickly.

Cons:

• The board's layout cannot be remapped out of the box.  Remapping is only made possible by purchasing and installing a Hasu Controller.  This is a hard sell for two reasons: 1) the controller is an added $85 cost on top of a $240+ keyboard, and 2) while installing the controller is supposed to be relatively easy, doing so also voids your warranty.  The fact that minor changes can be made to the board's layout via dip switches is a small consolation at best.
• Even the second time around, the board feels cheap in my hand.  The all-plastic construction both contributes to this and makes the price that much more difficult to swallow.  I was also not impressed by the lack of rubber on the bottoms of the flip-out feet (a feature that I think is reasonable to expect on a keyboard that costs as much as this one does).
• Though I like the included keycaps, it's annoying that I can't easily access the wide and wondrous world of aftermarket (MX-style) keycaps without also modifying the board (by installing aftermarket MX compatible sliders).  
• Not all of the layout changes that come as part and parcel of the HHKB are welcome.  I don't particularly like the diamond-shaped arrow cluster (on the [, ;, ', and / keys respectively).  I would have preferred dedicated arrow keys (or at the very least, arrow keys on the WASD function layer).
• This is more of an observation than a con, but I never used the USB pass-through ports on the back of the keyboard.

Conclusion:

I will not be keeping this keyboard in my permanent collection.  A number of factors brought me to this decision: 1) the price, 2) the use of lackluster materials (the cheap-feeling chassis), and 3) the lack of programmability (without the use of expensive and warranty-voiding aftermarket parts).  I did not end up purchasing the RAMA M60-A, either, and I do not intend to purchase a KBDFans Tofu (because the group-buy ended before I could commit and because I do not like the sharp edges of the Tofu, respectively).  What's my plan, then?  Simple: buy a Leopold FC660C.

With all of that being said, this board has more than earned its place in the keyboarding community.  I doubt anything I say could would sway the HHKB's hardcore fans.  My take-away, then, is this: it's expensive, the layout isn't for everyone, and you can find more feature-rich options at a lower price (and even options in the same form factor, assuming you aren't married to Topre switches).  It isn't a total loss, though; the HHKB isn't popular without reason, and those who embrace its quirks will be rewarded with a keyboarding legend they can enjoy for years (or even decades).

Final Score:
7/10

Initial Impressions: HHKB Professional 2 (45g Topre)

The Happy Hacking Keyboard, or HHKB is a legend in the keyboard community.  Introduced in 1996 and developed by PFU Limited of Japan and Eiiti Wata, the HHKB has inspired legions of fans and clones alike.  Though the keyboard has an eye-watering price point for a readily available keyboard, many enthusiasts defend the cost due to the Topre switches, unique layout, and legacy.

Personally, I felt some trepidation buying this board on Amazon because this is the second time I've purchased an HHKB.  I returned the first one because I couldn't get used to the layout (and because the black-on-black design made the keys all but impossible to read except in the most optimal lighting conditions).  Now that I've had more time with my Realforce 87U (55g Topre) and really grown to appreciate Topre switches, I figured this board deserved another chance.

What follows are my initial impressions after unboxing the HHKB and spending approximately 1 hour typing on it.

Basic Info:

• Price: $240 via Amazon Prime
• Color: Beige
• Set-Up Time: 2 minutes 
• Though the board worked out of the box, I had to take a minute to change one of the dip switches to alter the board's layout.
• Switch: 45g Topre (Rubber Dome)

Seems Cool:

• For better or for worse, I still really like the aesthetic of this board.  Its iconic look has been imitated by countless other boards for a reason.  I especially like this board in beige, since it adds a lovely retro feel to the proceedings (and makes the keycap font much, much easier to read).  
• Topre is (generally) a pleasure to type on, though I still prefer 55g domes to 45g.  If I end up keeping this board, I will likely replace the stock domes with either BKE Ultralights or Lights, depending on what's available.  I might even go so far as to lube the sliders on this bad boy. 
• Given the long-term popularity of the HHKB, there's lots of accessories available for it.  This includes everything from dust covers to rubber pads for the bottom of the board.  I am not sure if I'll be keeping this board so I'm not in a rush to buy in, but I am glad that the ecosystem exists should I choose to invest.

Seems Meh:

• The board's layout cannot be remapped out of the box.  Remapping is only made possible by purchasing and installing an aftermarket Hasu Controller.  This is a hard sell for two reasons: 1) the controller is an added $85 cost on top of a $240+ keyboard, and 2) while installing the controller is supposed to be relatively easy, doing so also voids your warranty.  The fact that minor changes can be made to the board's layout via dip switches is a small consolation at best.
• Even the second time around, the board feels cheap in my hand.  The all-plastic construction both contributes to this and makes the price that much more difficult to swallow.  I was also not impressed by the lack of rubber on the bottom of the board (including the lack of rubber on the bottoms of the flip-out feet).
• Though I like the included keycaps, it's annoying that I can't easily change them without also making modifications to the board (ie by installing aftermarket MX compatible sliders).  
• Not all of the layout changes that come as part and parcel of the HHKB are welcome.  While I actually like replacing the rarely used Caps Lock key with Control, having the backspace key a row lower than on most keyboards is tripping me up.  I also don't particularly like the diamond-shaped arrow cluster (on the [, ;, ', and / keys respectively) and would prefer dedicated arrow keys.

Ultimately, I am excited to give this board another go.  If it ends up as a part of my permanent collection, I'll own a little piece of keyboarding history.  If it doesn't, I'll probably go for one of the MX-style HHKB clones (the KBDFans Tofu and RAMA M60-A come to mind).  Only time (and my full review) will tell!

Input Club's Kira

The Kira by Input Club got its start on Kickstarter in March of 2018.  While the project did not make its delivery estimate of October 2018, I am glad it made it out of production and into the real world.  The board uses a 96% layout, meaning that it has almost all of the keys of a "standard" full-sized keyboard, but with a lot of the "dead space" cut away (along with a few compromises on keys, like a shorter right shift).

After almost two weeks of use at work, I am ready to provide a full review to this keyboard.  Was it worth the wait,not to mention the cost?  Find out below.

Basic Info:

• Price: $260 from Kickstarter, now available at the Kono Store
• $250 for the keyboard, $10 for shipping
• Switches: Kaihua Speed Copper
• Set-up Time: ~30 minutes
• Though the board was working out of the box, the manufacturer recommended flashing it with the latest firmware.  I also had a key-mapping issue (see cons).

Pros:

• The board has a bit of heft to it, which helps it feel solid.  It mostly retrains this feeling even without the metal frame, so I am not sure the $80 up-charge for metal was worth it.  If I could do it all again, I would probably go for plastic instead.
• The hot-swap sockets are a win for convenience and not having to learn to solder.  
• The pack-ins for this board were all great.  Pack-ins included: a travel case, extra accent keys in multiple colors, a key cap puller, and a switch puller.  As I said in my initial impressions, while I think the case is too big to EDC (or not something I could easily fit into one of my bags), it has held up nicely.  
• If I had to come up with a complaint or two, it would be that the case has a few minor finishing issues (e.g. a loose thread here and there), and I would have loved to see the case in other colors.  Then again, given that the project started on Kickstarter, I'm glad I have a finished product to review at all (and I understand how offering other case colors would have only added to the timeline and complexity of the project's completion).
• Note: I am not sure if these pack-ins are included post-Kickstarter; they are neither mentioned nor pictured on Kono's product page.  Then again, they aren't mentioned on the Kickstarter page either, so your mileage may vary.
• I like high-profile cases, and this one is no exception (though the frame does not completely obscure the bottoms of the keycaps).  I am also intrigued to see what Kono and the community do with the fact that the frame / top plate is removable and replaceable.  

Cons:

• This board came with a few unwelcome surprises.  This included the fact that: 
• I had to remap and flash the board to have "." be on the top layer instead of ">".  While this was only a minor inconvenience in the moment, it was still an unwelcome surprise in a keyboard that cost over $250.
• The indicator LED's (e.g. caps lock, num lock, and scroll lock) only seem to work when RGB mode is enabled.  
• The stem / cracking debacle was unwelcome, but not the fault of the manufacturer.  I was able to switch from Hako Clears to Speed Coppers, so it wasn't too much of a fuss for me.
• The underglow was not as prevalent as I would have liked, and is difficult to see even in low-light settings.  Moreover, the keyboard is gaudy with all of the RGB engaged; after the "oohs," and "aahs," of my initial viewing, I tended to keep the RGB off.  The fact that RGB turns back on whenever the keyboard is rebooted is also a minor annoyance, but it is easy enough to turn back off.
• I can't help but question the manufacturing tolerances of the Kira.  No one issue is a deal-breaker, but taken as a whole, they do add up.  Issues include: 
• Keys that seem a little too low or too high compared to the rest of the row they reside in (my "\" key is a bit too low, while "4-6" of my number cluster is too high). 
• The "G" key seems slightly misaligned when compared to the keys around it. 
• The bottom of each key seems to be slightly concave, giving a feeling of incompleteness / poor finishing.  A number of keys also have a bit of extra plastic / flash on their bottom ridges as well.    
• (Nit-pick) I occasionally struggled with finding the arrow cluster given its close proximity to other keys.  This was most prevalent when using the 1U "0" key (which is normally 2U on a full-sized board).  I am listing this as a nit-pick because I think this is a function of the layout, and not necessarily the board itself.  Moreover, I think this is the kind of thing I could become used to over time.  
• (Nit-pick) The included cable is bland at best, and the board offers no cable management options.
• (Nit-pick) As I suspected, the non-slip strips on the bottom have attracted a fair amount of gunk.  I am listing this as a nit-pick because A) it was less gunk than I expected, B) it was relatively easy to clean off, and C) only time will tell how the pads handle additional gunk exposure.

Conclusion:
I bought this keyboard around when I started collecting, and it seemed perfect at the time.  Now that I have a bit more experience (not to mention a love ergonomic boards / layouts), this keyboard has lost a fair amount of luster.  Given the keyboard's strengths, I will probably keep it around as a switch tester.  I don't foresee this board becoming a daily driver, however.  In hindsight, I probably would have been happier just buying a number pad given my use case.

Final Score:
6.5/10

Unicomp Ultra Classic 104

As I stated during my initial impressions, Unicomp is a Kentucky-based company that manufactures reproductions a few of the well-known buckling spring keyboards of yore.  The most famous of their reproductions is the Model M, a full-sized beast that commands a large amount of desk real estate.

This is my first full-sized mechanical keyboard purchase since I bought a "Das Keyboard 4 Pro" in 2014.  After a few years using smaller and more ergonomically-minded boards like the Ergodox, it has been interesting to use this board.  Now that I have had more time to use and become familiar with this board (approximately 1 week of dedicated home use), I feel more comfortable producing a "full" review.

Basic Info:

• Purchased From: Unicomp, Inc.
• Cost: $140 USD
• $87: Keyboard, $30: Printed ANSI Modifier Keys (normally $36, Unicomp offered a discount for buying this with the 'board), $20: Tax
• Free shipping
• Set-Up Time: N/A (board was ready to use out of the box)

Pros:

• The board has a great retro aesthetic, paying homage to the beloved Model M keyboard.  This includes, among other things, a lip for a pen / pencil / writing implement.  The board is also a bit of a "chungus," (ie it is very large), and dwarfed in size only by the PC122.
• Though the Ultra Classic is based on a board that is decades old, it still includes modern features, such as a USB connection and the OS key.  With that being said, those who want a more "old school" experience can purchase the board without an OS key and a PS/2 connection. 
• Unicomp offers a wide variety of customization options for the keyboard, from covers and keycaps to replacement cables and LED overlay stickers.  The attention to detail is impressive.
• This keyboard sounds unlike any other keyboard I've used.  This is no doubt due to the buckling spring mechanism of the board, which has a distinct, metallic click when being used.  This is a bit of a double-edged sword, however (see "cons," below).

Cons:

• I'm not sure if it is this version of the buckling spring, or all buckling spring switches, but I found the typing experience to be, "mushy."  Though this feeling subsided somewhat as I spent more time with the keyboard, it was never fully resolved.  Each key's short travel distance (especially in the alphas) paired with a rock-hard bottom out required me to use a softer touch than I was expecting.  Even after I adjusted, I still wasn't particularly comfortable typing on this 'board.
• This may not be a con depending on your use case, but this keyboard is loud.  I originally purchased this keyboard with the hope of taking it to work with me, but my office-mates would have my head if I brought in something this noisy.
• The keyboard does not include a detachable USB cable, or any built-in cable management.  While this makes sense given the retro aesthetic the board is going for, I can't say that I didn't miss those features a touch during my time with this board
• The manufacturing tolerances on this board are not great.  Some keys are higher than others in the same row (I'm looking at you, OS keys in the bottom row), and a few of the keycaps came with unfinished bottom edges.  Neither of these really affect usability, but it is still a minor annoyance (especially on a keyboard that costs over $100 shipped).

Conclusion:
There is a lot to like about this board, from the retro aesthetic to the manufacturer's attention to detail.  The price also seems reasonable when compared to other off-the-shelf boards.  For example, a full-sized Das Keyboard 5 comes in at a similar price, and more niche offerings like Topre can cost 2-3 times more than the Unicomp. 

With that being said, the Unicomp failed me in the one place a keyboard must excel: the typing experience.  Even after I had a week to get used to it, I still strongly prefer the "thocc" of Topre and the tactility of my Zealios.  Ultimately, while I think the Unicomp is a fun piece of keyboarding history, I am not sure that I need it in my permanent collection.

Final Score:
6/10

Initial Impressions: Unicomp Ultra Classic 104

Unicomp is a Kentucky-based company that manufactures reproductions a few of the well-known buckling spring keyboards of yore.  The most famous of their reproductions is the Model M, a full-sized beast that commands a large amount of desk real estate.

This is my first full-sized mechanical keyboard purchase since my first 'board: a "Das Keyboard 4 Pro" from approximately 2014.  After a few years on smaller and more ergonomically-minded boards like the Ergodox, it will be interesting to see how this board compares.  What follows are my initial impressions after an hour or two with the board.

Seems Cool:

• Much of this board's charm lays in its retro aesthetic.  In fact, part of the reason why I bought this board was because it reminds me of the keyboards I used as a kid.  While the board I am typing on now is not an exact recreation, I still have fond memories of the old brick I used to type on in my dad's home office.
• The board arrived in working order, from the switches to the LEDs (for caps lock, scroll lock, and num lock).
• Despite the old-school aesthetic, the board is ready and able to work with modern computers.  Specifically, it is equipped with a USB connector (though PS/2 versions are also available). 
• Believe it or not, Unicomp makes an even bigger model (the PC-122); for all my love of keyboards, however, I could not justify the purchase price combined with the ISO-like enter key. 

Seems Meh:

• I originally purchased this board with the intention to take it to my work.  Part of my job involves data entry, so having a dedicated number pad is always welcome.  Unfortunately, I could tell that the board would not be going to work with me in minutes; it is easily one of the loudest boards that I own, and would likely cause a revolt by my office-mates if I tried to use it during normal business hours. 
• While the buckling spring switches have a nice click to them, I am not impressed by their tactility.  It may just be this version of the board / switches, but the key feel is almost mushy.  Moreover, the occasional key binding, however minor, does not help this board's case.
• I said this in the intro, but damn this board takes up a lot of space.  Though I bought this board for the number pad, I would love it if Unicomp offered a "space saver," / TKL version of this board.  
• Granted, there are also Model F reproductions available for purchase, but they cost 2-3 times more than the Unicomp.  Unless something changes in the next few weeks, or unless the Model F reproductions use a different version of the buckling spring switch, I can't say I'd be willing to shell out that kind of cash.

As with other initial impressions, a full review will come after I am able to spend some more time with the product.  Watch this space to hear more. 

Initial Impressions: Input Club's Kira

The finished product of another group buy just landed on my doorstep.  The Kira by Input Club got its start on Kickstarter in March of 2018.  While the project did not make its delivery estimate of October 2018, I am glad it made it out of production and into the real world.  

The board uses a 96% layout, meaning that it has almost all of the keys of a "standard" full-sized keyboard, but with a lot of the "dead space" cut away (along with a few compromises on keys, like a shorter right shift).  I am excited to use this board at work, where I have been missing a numpad.  I know I can program a numpad into the layers of my ErgoDox, but I still want to give this keeb a go.

While many of the reviews I've seen of the board so far have been mixed, I have not had enough time with the board to formulate my own opinion.  With that being said, what follows are my initial impressions.

Seems Cool:

• It comes with a carrying case.  The case is huge, but this makes sense given that this is a near full-sized board.  My sense is that the case would be impractical to EDC, but would probably be reasonable to put in a carry-on.
• I appreciate all the pack-ins: extra modifier keycaps in vibrant colors, and keycap and switch pullers.
• The keyboard feels solid in the hand (though I am a touch concerned that the white non-slip pads on the bottom of the keyboard will be crap-magnets).

Seems Gimmicky:

• I've never had a board with this many RGBs.  It was cool at first, but I ended up disabling the feature in under an hour because it was just too much.  Needless to say, the board is much too gaudy to use in a professional environment with the RGB enabled.
• I wanted the underglow (on the bottom and sides of the plastic chassis) to be more pronounced.  Even in fairly dark lighting conditions, it is not particularly visible (without bending to look at it). 
• It is hard to say with certainty given that I don't have a plastic frame to compare it to, but I am not sure that the metal top frame was worth the $80 up-charge.  As far as I know, both versions of the keyboard use the same plastic material for their body.

Seems Meh / Sketch: 

• I can't believe I had to flash to board to get the board to have "." be one of the key's defaults instead of ">"
• Watching the drivers install and use command line seemed kinda sketchy (but only due to my inexperience with that aspect of my computer).
• The included cable is boring at best; it isn't braided and isn't branded to match the keyboard in any way.

I will have more to say as I spend more time with this board, so watch this space.

Massdrop x OLKB Preonic Mechanical Keyboard Rev3

Group buys are a hell of a drug.  You see something shiny, something new, something awesome.  You decide, without a doubt, you must have the thing.  You pull out your credit card, ready for the instant satisfaction of online shopping and make the purchase.  Here's the problem, though: the item you just bought won't be shipping for weeks, or maybe even months.  I hope you're ready to wait.

I found myself in just such a situation with the "Massdrop x OLKB Preonoic Rev 3," (henceforth referred to as the Preonic).  I payed for the keyboard back in July of 2018, and it has only now arrived on my doorstep in January of 2019.  My excitement for the drop followed a decidedly non-linear curve, from hype at the beginning, to forgetfulness during the middle (I never completely forgot I bought the keyboard, but there was plenty of time during the buy when it was far from my thoughts), and back to hype as the shipping date (and notification emails) approached.

Was it worth the wait?  Let's find out.

Basic Details and Cost:

• Cost: $210 ($185 for the board, $17 for 60 Cherry MX Clears, and $8 for a carrying case)
• Set Up Time: ~1 hour
• Set Up Difficulty: Easy

Pros:

• The set-up was a breeze.  No soldering was necessary, which was a relief for me, and each of the components arrived in working order.  The fact that the keyboard came with assembly instructions (including two different ways to build the board, depending on how stiff you wanted the typing experience to be) was also noticed and appreciated.
• Other bonuses included: the inclusion of extra hardware, should any go missing or be damaged, a braided USB-C cable, and a hex key to make installing the hex washers easier and more consistent.
• The inclusion of accent keycaps (above and beyond the typical grey) to match the various case colors was a nice touch.  
• Speaking of caps, I find the included PBT caps to be above average.  I like the clean, simple legends and alphas, and the caps themselves seem sturdy.  They are definitely thicker than the "MDA Big Bang" caps I purchased from KBDFans not too long ago.
• The Preonic specifically and the 50 percent form factor generally is small but mighty, packing lots of functionality into a very portable board.  The carrying case seems a bit flimsy, but it was certainly convenient to have one available for purchase with the drop (and it beats carrying around the board by hand).  

Cons:

• The color of the case I received does not match the color in the pictures included in the original drop.  Specifically, the purple I received is considerably more muted, and almost reads as grey to my eyes in certain lighting conditions.
• The caps did not seat easily onto the switches.  I had to push surprisingly hard to get them in place; this has never been a problem with other sets / caps I've used.
• The instructions did not specify that the stabilizers needed to be installed BEFORE attaching the PCB to the plate, meaning that I am now using the board without stabilizers.  Granted, I am typing this review without detriment (and from other reviews I've seen the included stabs are apparently not very good), but it was a surprise omission nonetheless.
• UPDATE (1/30/19): the pamphlet included with the board DO say to install the stabs first, but not in the building section. My score has been updated accordingly.
• The only other complaints I have about this board are more inherent to the form factor than a flaw with the build, fit, finish, etc.  Still, I will list them here for completeness: 
• I miss having two separate thumb clusters like I do on my Ergodox; I feel like my right thumb sees a lot less use with this layout.  I know I could address this in part by having two 2U keys in the bottom center of the board, but that is a lot of real estate to give up in such a small space.
• I miss having a R-Shift (though I'm sure that issue could be solved with a bit of key remapping).  
• Though it likely stems from being so used to having a split keyboard, the Preonic feels cramped to use.  I find this to be especially noticeable in my shoulders, which have to assume a more narrow / inward-facing configuration when using this board.  My Ergodox (and even my XD75) feel much more "open" by comparison.

Conclusion:
The ease and slickness of this board's set-up make it easy to recommend.  I know that ortholinear boards are not for everyone, but my familiarity with the Ergodox makes it an easy switch.  Though I might have some complaints about the board stemming from the form-factor, I'm sure they can be addressed with more practice and a bit of key re-mapping.  Though this is hardly an entry-level board given the cost, it works well enough for my use case: a travel board for when my Ergodox can't come with me.

Final Score (Updated): 
8.5/10