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Time to buy a laptop

The computer arrived as advertised. Well, I don't see the problems with win8. I'm enjoying the touchscreen. The chiclet keypad is so nice and quiet.
 
ecofarm said:
The computer arrived as advertised. Well, I don't see the problems with win8. I'm enjoying the touchscreen. The chiclet keypad is so nice and quiet.
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Ugh, better you then me!

I absolutely despise chicklet keyboards. Everybody at my job thought I was nuts when I put my laptop on a stand and hooked up an old keyboard I found in the back, in addition to bringing in my own mouse. But I type so much faster with a real keyboard, as well as more accurately. The only thing that I have problems adjusting to is using the Windows key instead of the Control key for copy and paste.
 
Oozlefinch said:
Ugh, better you then me!

I absolutely despise chicklet keyboards. Everybody at my job thought I was nuts when I put my laptop on a stand and hooked up an old keyboard I found in the back, in addition to bringing in my own mouse. But I type so much faster with a real keyboard, as well as more accurately. The only thing that I have problems adjusting to is using the Windows key instead of the Control key for copy and paste.
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When I type, it's so quiet.
 
ecofarm said:
When I type, it's so quiet.
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To me, quiet is not an issue as much as speed and accuracy. If I could I would get another of the early 1990's era ALPS keyboards, which sounded like a machine gun when you typed on them. I had a Northgate Omnikey that I absolutely loved, until old age finally killed it.

UltraT.jpg


These things were built like tanks, and were over $100 new. But they were heavy (about 10 pounds), had awesome keys, and actually had a steel chassis. They were even programable, and could be changed through many different configurations (including Devorak). The closest I have found in all the years since then is my Logitech G15. But it is still mushy in the keys, reminding me of pressing on mushy grapes.

Of course, I also learned to type on keypunch machines and old school IBM Selectric keyboards. So part of this may simply be generational.
 
I had a keyboard like that for my C64.
 
The biggest problem with chicklet keys is actually that they're pretty much a recipe for a repetitive stress injury. I have watched so many people develop these problems on their new, ergonomically evil laptops, it's not even funny. I always warn them. I tell them all about the trials of living with an RSI (which I have for years) and they never listen. Eventually, they wind up with serious problems and asking me to recommend a good PT, when they could have avoided that by asking me to recommend a good keyboard. It's so frustrating.

Older style keyboards are a little better, but not much. The extra key travel helps, but they're still flat and straight, which is a terrible position for your wrists and encourages you to rest your palms.

If you anticipate being on the keyboard for a long time in a stationary place, I do advise using a separate keyboard. For my money, the Goldtouch is the best one out there for a reasonable price. I have one at home and one at work. Good travel, light press, and it's impossible to rest your palms if you have it angled (which you should -- that feature is there for a reason).

Once you get used to it (which takes maybe an hour or two), you'll be just as fast as you were on your old-school keyboard. I top out at 90 words per minute.
 
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I am lucky, a lap top is provided to me by my employer, we have always used Sony VAIO and I have never had one let me down in 10+ years.
 
SmokeAndMirrors said:
-- I do advise using a separate keyboard.
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Absolutely correct, I have 2 convertible laptops with good keyboards but I still connect my old separate USB keyboard when I'm working away for a while (essays / notes / grading / commenting or rewriting work)

And the number of people I see hunched over their laptop looking really uncomfortable beggars belief.
 
I'd like to thank everyone who provided input. The comp is all that I expected and more than I've had. I still do not think anyone could find similar for near the price.



Rocketman said:
I am lucky, a lap top is provided to me by my employer, we have always used Sony VAIO and I have never had one let me down in 10+ years.
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My specs in a VAIO would be ~900.
 
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