A Writer's Review: HHKB Pro 2 Hybrid-S
A Writer's Review: HHKB Pro 2 Hybrid-S
$350 For a Keyboard!?
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links we will make a small commission. We stand by all of our recommendations.
“Cowboys in the western United States leave their horses when they die. But never leave their saddles, regardless of how long they need to walk in the desert. Saddles are interfaces that are deeply adapted to our bodies whereas horses are consumable items. It should not be forgotten that computers are consumables nowadays, but keyboards are interfaces that we can use through our lives.”
If this quote from the creator of the Happy Hacking Keyboard, Dr. Eli Wada, doesn't resonate with you, you can probably save your time and money and stop reading now. Much like a cowboy's saddle, a writer's keyboard, and in fact their whole workspace is tailored to them. While its charcoal silhouette looks great on my desk and allows me to position my mouse closer to my body, it also has a strangely alluring charm to it, almost inviting me to write something. It can transition seamlessly between my laptop, tablet, and even my cell phone, allowing me to respond to text messages without my hands ever leaving my keyboard. If you're like me and love everything about Macbooks except their built in keyboards, then maybe you will end up falling in love with it as well.
If you're still with me, I'll assume you make your living on your keyboard in some way, whether writer, programmer, or stenographer, and review it from a professional standpoint. I don't play any games with it, so I wouldn't be able to speak on it in that context.
The Elephant(s) in the Room
You can buy a lot of things for $350, one of them being this keyboard. If you scoff at the idea of spending that much on a computer peripheral, simply look elsewhere for your keyboard. If you look at that number as a reasonable investment when run against the amount of typing you do, and you are interested in a premium typing feel, this review is for you.
As a Writer-Preneur I spend anywhere from one to twelve hours a day writing on my keyboard, so after much research into the best keyboards for writing, I continued to see one name pop up over and over. The Happy Hacking Keyboard, affectionately abbreviated as HHKB, has grown an almost cult like following in certain sections of the internet. It is an often polarizing keyboard, with users either preferring it to every other keyboard, or seeing it as an overpriced plastic keyboard that feels "mushy." At such a high price point, it can be hard to justify spending that amount of money on something you may end up not liking. Hopefully by the end of this review, you'll have a good idea of whether or not the HHKB is something you're interested in.
While the price is something that will stand out immediately, the other elephant is the layout. The creator of the keyboard was looking for a simple and straightforward keyboard that could work across the multiple different operating systems of the time. As a programmer, Dr. Wada emphasized efficiency, being able to reach the majority of the keys while your hands are in their proper touch typing home positions. For one, control is where caps lock normally is (crucial key in a lot of programming), next to the A button. Additionally, the backspace key is one row lower, right above the enter key. There are only two buttons on either side of space with some negative space in either lower corner. In addition to the layout, you will find the keyboard itself is quite compact. With a 60% layout, it buries some keys under a function layer (such as the arrow keys). Since this just means holding down the function key and then using 4 keys like arrows, it didn't take a whole lot of getting used to for me. In fact, as a writer, I have enjoyed the layout of the HHKB and do feel like it makes writing and even editing, easier.
While the layout can some time to get used to, you may actually find that you prefer it, as I have. I am writing this review on the keyboard which I purchased with my own money. It easy to delete mistakes, and to begin new paragraphs with the position of the keys. While I haven't tested myself, I do feel that my typing on this keyboard compared to my Keychron K2 is faster and more accurate. I also just flat out enjoying typing on this keyboard. It is hard to explain the feeling, and unfortunately I'm not familiar with any stores where you can give the switches a feel.
While $350 might seem steep, the HHKB's robust build and ergonomic benefits translate into fewer replacements and reduced strain over the years, making it a wise long-term investment for serious typists. Additionally, the ability to transition between operating systems and it's dual bluetooth and wired connection modes should allow you to carry your keyboard through years of computers, tablets, and phones. As digital writing is such an integral piece of modern life, I feel that this investment was worth it to me. Though I certainly wouldn't recommend this keyboard to any/everyone. For example, the feel of the switches and lack of dedicated arrow keys would probably make gaming on this keyboard less than ideal. Also for people who make frequent use of the number pad, this keyboard would not be a good fit.
Topre Switches
Topre switches themselves have gained a bit of a cult following among keyboard enthusiast and it easy to see why. Many describe the switches as "buttery" feeling, with 45g of actuation force, the keyboard requires just the right amount of pressure to let you know you've pressed the key, while still requiring enough to minimize mistakes.
They feel a bit different than any other switches out there as they are designed differently. There are other reviews that break down the switches, but I'll just say typing on them almost feels like a good mattress, firm yet supportive. I have found myself actually enjoying the act of typing more since I've gotten this keyboard and I feel like my touch typing speed and accuracy have both improved by leaps and bounds. As a Writer-Preneur, finding things that actually make me want to write are worth their weight in gold, so I am in love with this keyboard.
"I Can Do This All Day..."
Like Captain America in the Avengers, this keyboard will not only give you the ability, but may make you actually WANT to write all day. With the unparalleled typing feel, sleek layout, and timeless design the HHKB Pro 2 Hybrid-S (I got the silent one so I can travel with it) has been hands down one of my favorite investments in my writing business. Along with Scrivener (review) this keyboard has truly revolutionized my writing business. I have my standardized repeatable and successful templates, and I enjoy creating the content to fill them in more now.