Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid mechanical keyboard: Weird, powerful, comfortable ... and did we mention weird?
- Reference: 1600766112
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2020/09/22/happy_hacking_professional_hybrid_review/
- Source link:
El Reg got its grubby talons on the latest fare from the Japanese keyboard maker: the Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid. Introduced earlier this year, this builds upon the same design that has endured for nearly three decades, while adding modern-day nice-to-haves including USB-C support and integrated Bluetooth.
The rest, however, is largely the same. It still uses Topre keyswitches, with silent and non-silent versions on offer. We're looking at the latter.
It's entirely plausible you might not be familiar with Topre. The switches produced by this Japanese brand are expensive when compared to Cherry MX clones, and thus somewhat rare. That's a shame because they're full of character, and offer a different and dynamic typing experience that makes the Happy Hacking keyboard a delight to use.
[1]
On one hand, they're reasonably light, requiring scant actuation force to register a press. This gives them the sensation of a Cherry MX Brown-based keyboard. On the sound front, they don't produce a "click" but rather a "thonk". And it's this regular percussive feedback that helps immerse yourself in the flow of your work.
This keyboard's unusual layout takes some getting used to. The Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid forces you to relearn all your muscle memory to use it efficiently, and it's a steep learning curve.
[2]
For size comparison
It's not hard to see why. A typical full-sized keyboard has 104 keys, not including custom macro and media keys. This has just 60. Absent keys can be accessed via key shortcuts. Other keys are relocated to make the board more appealing to devs – for example, the control key is remapped to where the caps lock key usually sits, making it easier to access combination macros.
You can customise this layout through a Windows-only app. For those fond of a DVORAK or COLEMAC layout, you can also obtain the Happy Hacking Professional Hybrid with blank keycaps. There's a removable back panel that allows you to change the mannerisms of the keyboard by toggling DIP switches, letting you shift between PC and Mac layouts in seconds. That's a nice touch.
[3]
DIP switch on underside
Once you get used to the compact layout, you'll start to see the Happy Hacking's charms. Because all keys are reachable within the span of your fingers, you don't have to move your wrists that much, making it comfortable for long sprints of writing or programming.
The build itself is excellent. The rounded keycaps feel amazing to type on, and the chassis is firm and has enough weight to stay put. The Bluetooth radio is powered by two standard AA batteries. Rechargeable li-on batteries are convenient, but they eventually fail, and are often hard to replace. If you're planning on using this keyboard for the long haul, you'll appreciate that.
[4]
You can get the Happy Hacking direct from the vendor for £259.99. If you'd prefer the silent variant, that's an extra £40. It ain't cheap, but it's within the realms of what's expected for a niche, professional-oriented keyboard.
I'd argue it's worth it. Once you've climbed the learning curve, you end up with a typing experience that feels way more comfortable than a standard 104-key keyboard. The Topre keyswitches feel great, while the inclusion of the customisable DIP switches make this a cross-platform all-rounder. ®
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[1] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/09/21/happyhacking1.jpg
[2] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/09/21/happyhacking3.jpg
[3] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/09/21/happyhacking2.jpg
[4] https://regmedia.co.uk/2020/09/21/happyhacking4.jpg
[5] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
How much?
Nearly makes Apple's prices look reasonable...
Re: How much?
Mac keyboards are indeed considerably cheaper - and have cursor keys and numpad :).
Joking aside, the lack of cursor keys bothers me most. I must have a look if there's a normal, full size variant.
the control key is remapped to where the caps lock key usually sits
Just like the Wyse WY50, where it always should have been.
You do know that ...
... all modern OSes allow you to remap your keyboard, right? It's one of the first things I do with a new computer.
I've tried to like these over the years ...
... but I always return to the Model M. Nothing bad about the HH, mind, just a personal preference for the M. Thankfully we have choices ... the world would be a pretty awful place if we didn't.
Because...
Ergonomic...what's that then? No way I'd not use a split keyboard.
Re: Because...
Most so-called "ergonomic" keyboards cause my hands to cramp up in a matter of minutes.
wHAT! a KEYBOARD WITHOUT A CAPS-LOCK KEY! tHAT'S THE MOST STUPID THING EVER!
No cursor keys
a step too far for me. I'm considering a cut down keyboard for use on a small desk, but it won't be this one at that price.
Re: No cursor keys
It has perfectly good cursor keys! hjkl should be good enough for anybody!
Re: No cursor keys
Surely you mean
E
S D
X
Re: No cursor keys
Any fule know its QAZX
Re: No cursor keys
Jake must be a vi-junkie. Maybe he was dropped on his head at some point ;-)
vi vi vi - the editor of the Beast!
Re: No cursor keys
You might like the Drevo Blademaster Pro - I've been running with one for over a year and it's a top keyboard - wireless or connected.
See https://www.amazon.co.uk/DREVO-BladeMaster-Mechanical-Keyboard-Bluetooth/dp/B07MKF5V3Y/ref=sr_1_1?&keyword=TKL+mechanical+keyboard+UK+Layout - and much cheaper to boot.
Re: No cursor keys
You might like the Drevo Blademaster Pro
Another vote for Drevo - cheap but good. I bought a [1]Drevo Tyrfing to replace my Das Keyboard when it broke - good service so far.
PS: You can do a magic key press to control what sort of key backlighting you want, mine is just solid white, "off" is also an option.
[1] https://www.amazon.co.uk/DREVO-Tyrfing-Mechanical-Keyboard-Tenkeyless/dp/B078GDT91V
Re: No cursor keys
But will it actually make me a pro-blademaster? I dont know what that is but now I desperately want to be one!
Re: No cursor keys
Happy Hacking only make 60% keyboards, but their sister company Realforce make both a [1]TKL and [2]full size keyboard using the same switches for the same price as the HH.
[1] https://www.pfuemea.com/en-gb/dr_product/realforce-r2-pfu-limited-edition-black-45g-tkl/
[2] https://www.pfuemea.com/en-gb/dr_product/realforce-r2-pfu-limited-edition-black-45g-full/
how is a non-standard layout in any way good?
Other keys are relocated to make the board more appealing to devs – for example, the control key is remapped to where the caps lock key usually sits
Thus breaking muscle memory and slowing developers down.
Even those of us that learned to touch type on a Sun keyboard with CTRL in that position have adjusted by now.
Of course, being an American layout short on keys, it's entirely useless for real work anyway. While it does rarely have a \ key it's put that in place of the backspace key, which is entirely missing. Nice key switches or not, this is a gimmick.
Re: how is a non-standard layout in any way good?
"Even those of us that learned to touch type on a Sun keyboard with CTRL in that position have adjusted by now."
Yes. Real developers have adjusted ... adjusted their keyboard mapping to put the
Re: how is a non-standard layout in any way good?
I have CapsLock as Compose. The only sensible use. Double Shift is Caps Lock for silly forms wanting all caps. A hang over from typewriters.
I don't want a keyboard without the |\ key beside Z, or at least near it.
The one key less US keyboards are nearly as bad as the US Date formats.
It seems about x10 over priced. I got a nice Microsoft keyboard and mouse (wireless sharing a USB dongle) for a 1/10th of that that uses Alkaline cells. I also have a small USB Keysonic with the ¬ key beside the 1 moved beside Alt (which is also AltGr using the Func key) and the |\ key from beside Z between that and the space bar. About 10.5 x 22 cm and has the four cursor keys as PgUp, PgDn, Home and End via the Func key, which also maps F9 and F10 to the seldom used F11 and F12. It's excellent and was under €20.
I don't know how anyone can live without a number pad. But then I've probably spent too much of my working life doing either calculations or the accounts.
Number pad
In my flirtation with the HH over the years, I have occasionally installed a separate number pad when needed. These days, in the world of USB ports, it's easy to add one if/when you want one. Cheap, too.
Cor, DIP switches. Not seen those on commercial hardware for years!
I can think of much better things to blow 500 bucks on. That's the exchange rate for me. And I just don't feel any incentive to relearn how to type. This sounds so much like a problem looking for a solution.
Rock solid
I have been using one of these since 1999 almost every day and it literally travelled the world with me. Best computer related purchase ever made. I want the new Bluetooth one but the current keyboard I have is still great, no need to replace it.
can you impress girls waiting for lifts with it though?
Shame they do not make these in UK layout, with tall Enter and \| next to Z
As for Topre switches, they are my favourite and I regret so few keyboards use them.