How to choose a good keyboard and mouse for a programmer?

Vacxe2012-09-14 11:46:30

Keyboard

Vacxe, 2012-09-14 11:46:30

I am a computer programmer. I use a laptop as a workstation, since I don’t have to worry about the workplace and always have “my own” well-established platform with me. However, both at home and at work, there is a complete set of add-ons: monitor 22+ keyboard, mouse. In turn, I am interested in your opinion, can a well-chosen keyboard and mouse increase productivity? Which ones do you use? What selection criteria are important to you? How often do you program on a laptop?
It is interesting to compile a list of the most popular input devices for programmers. Thanks for the help and replies.

Answer the question

In order to leave comments, you need to log in

23 answer(s)

Zyamilon, 2012-09-15
@Zyamilon

Not a programmer, but I type a lot. Forums, IM, configs, console, toys. The keyboard for me is almost an intimate thing - it is very difficult to pick up. Either the layout is terrible, or you don’t like the sensations, or the distance is not convenient or something. Lots of factors.
Lived for 5-6 years with my beloved Defender S Boomerang KM-2040. Recently, her keys have already begun to knock quite loudly, during conversations on Skype / TS, the interlocutors complained / were surprised.
The keyboard is very large, with a classic layout and a large enter. The keys are classic.

No longer in production, as far as I know.
This year I decided to change it to something small. Because I got tired of the dust, I decided to take something simple.
There were few keyboards with classic high keys, so, with difficulty, I decided to try the SLIM version.
I settled on A4Tech KV-300H.
Satisfied. Large shifts, not much truncated enter, del / home / end are located normally, the caps are simple, without this incomprehensible "cutout".
The only "but" - small functions. keys, but you get used to it quickly.
Key travel is pleasant. There is noise, but not much.
I do not regret the purchase. Recommend.

archim, 2012-09-14
@archim

When I connect my MacBook to the monitor, I use the Apple Wireless Keyboard + Apple Magic Trackpad.
Both the keyboard and trackpad are very comfortable.

IllariPosselt, 2012-09-14
@IllariPosselt

Here, the most likely issue is comfort and convenience, but indirectly this will also affect performance. For example, I really like the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 - a very comfortable keyboard that adjusts the slope, has spaced key blocks, and a toggle switch on which you can hang scrolling. True, it will take a decent time to get used to.

Michael., 2012-09-15
@kulinich

keyboard: das keyboard (http://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-ultimate/)
mouse: A4 Tech X7 (5 years old).

fc_arny, 2012-09-14
@fc_arny

During my life in the dormitory, I changed the desktop computer to a monitor, since I often had to migrate from place to place) Now, when student time is over, I still returned to the desktop computer at home, everything is a laptop and I concluded for myself: it’s good to work on a laptop, but if there is an opportunity to work better at the computer, despite the fact that you can connect a monitor and a keyboard. Therefore, now the laptop is mainly for relaxation)

miwa, 2012-09-14
@miwa

The main working tool of the programmer is still the head, as for me. Let's say 500 lines of code a day is a lot for a programmer, but very little in terms of typing (ask anyone who owns a 10-finger touch typing).
Nevertheless, I use the aforementioned Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 - in addition to the actual coding, there are also forums, and habr, and other ways to utilize the keyboard / mouse :)

vsespb, 2012-09-16
@vsespb

IMHO In organizing an ergonomic workplace, the laptop loses much to the desktop.

Alexander Romanov, 2012-09-14
@x0rHamster

Keyboard - A4Tech KM-720 (the main requirements are large enter, large backspace (!), large shifts (both!), minimum key castration (there are those that the arrows and the insert / delete block in two columns knock down instead of three) well, the price is right). Mouse - A4Tech G10-650H (little related to programming - a mouse with two additional buttons is used as a remote control for watching anime on the couch (^_^)' ). I won’t say that it raises labor productivity (because I also coded on a hedgehog (EeePC 1001P, EMNIP), but it’s just more pleasant (^_^)

Puma Thailand, 2012-09-14
@opium

A cheap standard high-quality keyboard without extra buttons, I always choose by touch in the store costs 500-600 rubles, I feel most comfortable with it, the mouse has completely switched to wireless, I take the one closest to simple and standard mice, with good scrolling, and the batteries are good to change less often, it costs 900 rubles from China 15 bucks.

321, 2012-09-14
@321

The laptop has been a workhorse for a long time. Everything is always with you. Mouse, "humped", wireless with add. keys (forward, backward). And if at the computer, then for me it is the most comfortable mitsumi classic keyboard.

sl_bug, 2012-09-14
@sl_bug

Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
Logitech Anywhere MX

argnist, 2012-09-14
@argnist

Logitech Wireless Keyboard K360
Logitech Wireless Gaming Mouse G700

99th, 2012-09-15
@99th

Wired Logitech Illuminated Keyboard and Wireless Logitech MX1100 .
The first one is conveniently illuminated and cool to press (slim). The backlight, in addition to aesthetics, has an obvious functional plus in twilight and darkness. It is clear that the ten-finger method and blabla, but when the fiwa olj are clearly visible, these are completely different pies.
The second is a handy size and has an awesome inertial scroll that allows you to pew pew and scroll down ten screens in one pulse. You have no idea how much more convenient it became to understand the sheets of this shit code of yours with this scroll.

charon, 2012-09-16
@charon

your approach is wrong. If you use a laptop exclusively as a system unit, then it is better to transfer everything to the VPS or to the cloud, and use ordinary computers as thin clients. Sounds cool in theory, I'm just planning to do it myself.

Obi, 2012-09-18
@Obi

I use Filco Ninja on blue switches. Sooooo convenient to type:
www.diatec.co.jp/en/det.php?prod_c=777
Why a programmer needs a mouse is not clear. I use for 100 rubles. and didn't even want to change. I use the mouse 5% of the time

Sharlatan, 2014-12-28
@sharlatan

Hello.
There was also a question about choosing a new keyboard, taking into account the dense work in the Vim editor under Linux. I am currently typing on a Lenovo model keyboard: SK-8825 (an analogue of IBM M) Delux model M480 mouse
, which, although it works flawlessly, has become obsolete after 4 years of use. I looked through the posts, evaluated the devices, but did not find alternatives for my choice (at the moment I'm looking for a "budget" model) My requirements for the keyboard
After searching the shops and forums, I settled on 2 models, but the price does not allow me to make a final decision.

Urvin, 2012-09-14
@Urvin

An ordinary straight board with low keys LOGITECH K200+ is slightly reduced in comparison with conventional M185 radio mice from the same manufacturer.
Productivity is added to me by a button that launches a calculator on the keyboard.

Vacxe, 2012-09-14
@Vacxe

I myself somehow use a Logitech G700 mouse. 7 programmable keys help out, but you have to get used to it. Again, I program in Eclipse for Android, and there is only one combination of keys 3+, but you won’t remember everything. And on the Logitech G510 keyboard. It certainly has a lot of surpluses, but I use 90% of the 18 softkeys. You get used to only writing code on the keyboard, and everything else - on external, macro buttons.

Wedmer, 2012-09-14
@Wedmer

At work I use only an additional monitor. The mouse is not so important, and a laptop keyboard is enough for my needs.
At home I use Microsoft Sidewinder x6

Igor Deryabin, 2012-09-14
@rodweb

I constantly work on a Lenovo Z560 laptop. I am very pleased with its keyboard: island keys, rubberized, low, only the backlight is not enough.

Alexander Dubina, 2013-03-26
@struggleendlessly

I am also a programmer. And Gamer. And Sportsman.
I myself bothered for a long time with the choice of good devices that would be suitable both for games and for working with a PC (Internet, programming, office, etc.)
I went through a bunch of mice, keyboards, headphones, carpets ... I bought a lot myself, advised a lot friends to come and play with...
As a result, when choosing the last set, I already had clear requirements for what and how it should be:
1. Wireless. Due to the fact that there are already 10+ wires sticking out on the table.
2. Quality. It did not crackle, did not concussion with the emotions of its user.
3. Comfortable. That it would be possible to use for a long time and not notice it.
4. Number of additional programmable buttons.
5. Various modes. And it is desirable that they be saved in the "brains" of the device, and not through the driver.
6. Large sizes.
As a result, the choice of mice decreased very much: a couple of raiser models, 1 - logitech, 1 - cyborg.
Keyboards are even worse. At the moment, there are only 3 worthy keyboards for me: Microsoft, Logitech k350 (discontinued), and Logitech k800 (with backlight.)
In general, I bought this: Logitech g700 + Logitech k350. Yuzayu more than six months. Some pluses.
Regarding batteries: Claudia easily lasts for a year. Mice - 1 charged battery for a day of continuous play, or for 5-7 days of normal use ...
Oh yes ... I have a separate gaming keyboard for games ...
I would take a Microsoft keyboard, but in the wireless version it is only sold with a mouse. The set in total costs 1000 UAH. And the mouse there is good for normal use, but not for games ... so for those who don’t need games, I advise you to pay attention to this kit.

Rampages, 2014-03-15
@Rampages

I prefer to use simple "wired" devices.
wireless ones are good, but with a normal “response” they are more expensive, and you need to buy batteries / accumulators with chargers, I tried it before - now I don’t even think about taking this crap for myself.
I took myself to work:
1. Both Shift are large
2. Large Backspace
3. Standard block of keys Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn ( before that I used Logitech and it is not clear by what logic they made one big Del
4 from Ins / Del.
5. The presence of TWO WIN keys (the second / right WIN key is often thrown out lately, because of this it is very difficult to make key combinations such as Win + P, Win + L)
6. The presence of a context menu call key !!! (you won't find this key recently either during the day with fire)
7. The absence of any FN keys (and other modifiers) is not against blocks of additional programmable keys, but I don't like modifiers.
1. Scroll wheel with the ability to click the wheel
2. Back / forward buttons (speed up surfing the Internet)
3. Laser or optical sensor (no need to clean the mouse like in the good old days, occasionally blow the sensor to clean it from hair)
If you take laptops, then among them my ideal is old ThinkPads
now I was thinking to get hold of a laptop for work and came to the conclusion that I would have to buy, at best, a used X220/T420/T520 and work on it.