It’s not usually that one thing as properly generally known as the Glad Hacking Keyboard will get reworked from the bottom up. And when it does occur, these modifications normally draw criticism from longtime followers. Take a look at Porsche’s change 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 persons 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 unhealthy.
The most recent iteration of the Glad Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) makes massive modifications to the mannequin’s almost 30-year-old legacy, and it could possibly simply be seen in the identical mild. In addition to the structure, nearly each facet of this keyboard has been altered. Fortunately, fairly a couple of of those modifications do really feel like enhancements.
The HHKB Studio is a hot-swappable 60 % mechanical keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity, built-in touchpads, a built-in trackpoint, and a novel programmer-oriented structure. The Studio has a PBT plastic case and keycaps, multidevice connectivity, and key map customization via the corporate’s proprietary Keymap Instrument software program. However earlier than we dive into this new iteration, we’d like to try the legacy.
Many years-Previous Legacy
The Glad Hacking Keyboard has been round for many years. It was designed across the thought 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 thought was novel and new). It has been recurrently upgraded since to additional refine its distinctive structure and multidevice utility.
The primary mannequin of HHKB pioneered its distinctive structure, 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 structure to Topre electro-capacitive switches, added USB pass-through, and finally launched Bluetooth connectivity. Nonetheless, throughout each era, the distinctive structure has remained a relentless. Whereas the newest mannequin has stayed true to the structure, nearly each different facet of the keyboard has been modified.
{Photograph}: Henri Robbins
One of many defining points of the HHKB was the Topre electro-capacitive change, a smooth tactile change with a rounded bump created by a rubber dome on high of a conical steel spring. The HHKB was one of many solely keyboards out there with these switches, which was each a blessing and a burden. They have been uniquely pleasing to sort on, however on the identical time, Topre switches’ rarity and distinctive building made modifications to the switches or keycaps far harder. As a substitute of with the ability to take away and substitute particular person switches, any modification would contain taking aside your entire keyboard.
Now, the HHKB Studio has adopted the MX-style change that has grow to be nearly ubiquitous in trendy mechanical keyboards, bringing it nearer to the world of modular keyboard designs. However as a substitute of sticking with an current mechanical change, the corporate has designed its personal MX-style change in collaboration with Kailh, a well known aftermarket change producer.
Different noteworthy modifications embrace the brand new trackpoint within the heart of the keyboard, low-profile mouse buttons beneath the area 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 are actually hidden behind a battery cowl.
Typing Really feel
The HHKB Studio’s change from Topre to MX-style switches is a controversial change: One might argue it “offered out” by shifting to MX-style switches. Nonetheless, that will be ignoring an necessary element. These switches are incredible to sort on. They mix the distinctive sound and really feel of Topre tactile switches with the smoothness of a contemporary linear change, making a silenced linear that produces a smooth, deep, and satisfying bottom-out. I’ve by no means felt one other change prefer it. And, for followers of Topre switches, I do assume that is the very best linear equal potential.
Taking aside the switches, they seem like produced from the same building as Kailh’s clicky switches. Particularly, the design is paying homage 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 change housing.
