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Oct 30, 2019
Which keyboard and mouse do you use?
Let's face it, as developers, we're on the computer A LOT. For this reason, most of us have gone through more than a couple of keyboards and computer mice, as well as setup modifications.
In this post, share with us the make/model of keyboard and mouse that you use, as well as an explanation of why these are your choice.
I recently switched to the Logitech G513 Carbon keyboard and have used the 3M Ergonomic Wired mouse for many years. I also have an Anker A7851 as a backup mouse.
I also use the Razer Black Window Stealth Tournament Edition keyboard.
Logitech G513 Carbon w/Romer-G Tactile switches
This is by far my favorite keyboard I've touched. It is a mechanical keyboard but instead of the longer travel of the Cherry MX-style keyboards I've used in the past, and Razer brown switches, these are 1/2 the travel. What this means is that there still exists the tactile mechnical feel/actuation, but with the slimmer profile similar to a more "modern" standard keyboard. It's basically like a 2019 Mac keyboard meets a mechanical gaming keyboard. This results in several key benefits for me:
Speed. I noticed an immediately speed increase when I began typing on this thing. I went from about 95-100 WPM to 115-120 WPM. This is due to the shorter travel distance which means that I can press more keys in less time.
Ergonomics. A huge part of ergonomics for my hands is actuation pressure. These keys require less pressure and combined with less travel distance, clearly put less strain on my hands.
Sound. Clicky mechanical keyboards can be cool... But aside from disturbing others, sometimes they can just get old. I had a Cherry MX blue keyboard I used at home for a while by Hyper X. It was cool at first, but the clicky sound began to irritate me and the travel distance wore on my hands. These Romer-G Tactile switches do not have the "clicky" sound but are not super silent either - generally, they are acceptable for a standard-type keyboard.
Backlighting. I don't generally appreciate keyboard backlighting. This model has full RGB colors customizable however you want, but I have them turned off since I never look down at my keyboard anyway, so it makes no difference whether or not I have light in the room.
Build quality. It's made out of metal which is generally a good thing. I should also note that Logitech rates these switches at 70 million keystrokes versus the 50 million that Cherry MX's are rated for.
3M Ergonomic Wired Mouse
I don't have a big list for this one, but the mouse looks like a joystick. Actually, it is not a joystick but rather it forces the user to move the mouse with the arm rather than than wrist. It also takes clicks from a thumb-rocker. This style of mouse is horrible for gaming, but great for business tasks and other non-gaming tasks since the thumb is capable of clicking hundreds of thousands of times per day with zero strain since the movement that the mouse requires are very minute. Ever since I used this mouse, RSI completely disappeared and hasn't come back for years.
Stefan Libbe
Keyboard: usually the one that is part of a laptop. Some laptop keyboards need some time to get used to, but that's fine. Backlight is appreciated.
No mouse, no trackpad, I live by using a trackball. Best is the Logitech Trackball M570, good alternative is the Logitech Trackman Marble. I like to use different trackballs, but somehow other brand trackballs are always disappointing and often less durable as well.