January 2008 Archives

Model: ML0100 Revision AB
Switch Type: Topre Capacitive switch
Cost: 19000 yen
Connector Type: PS/2

Topre is the OEM manufacturer for the HHKB Pro line, and they produce a series of their own keyboard models which are unfortunately only available in Japan. I've recently acquired their sole US layout model, the Realfoce 101.

Layout

The most unremarkable aspect of this keyboard is the layout. It is the standard 101 IBM layout. No windows keys, F keys in 4-key blocks, numpad, etc. If you were to take the Realforce branding off of it, you'd probably not be able to tell it apart from some other plain jane old 101 keyboard.

Other Observations

There's something odd about the printing on the keys of this keyboard. Something about the font, though I can't put my finger on it. The font looks decidedly "plainer" than every other keyboard I have seen. This only adds to this keyboard's "boring" look.

The chord for the keyboard comes out on the side, which is somewhat unusual. There's a small chord groove so that the bottom of the board can lie flush against the surface underneath it.

This keyboard is heavy. It's spec'ed at 1.4kg, and the weight is mostly in the base. It's heavy enough that you won't accidentally be sliding it around your work area.

Here's a shot from the side:

Key Feel

As the switches used in this keyboard are made by the same company as those used in the HHKB Pro 2, the feel of the switches are rather similar. The Realforce 101 implements a ergonomic design employed by some other keyboards in which the keys that are usually pressed with weaker fingers are fitted with less resistance springs. In the Realforce 101's case, I believe this means they use lighter springs for the keys that are pressed by the pinkies and ring fingers. The spec sheet claims that the peak activation force ranges from 35g to 55g depending on the key. The HHKB Pro 2 has 45g keys throughout.

As such, typing on the Realforce 101 definitely feels "ligher" than it doesn on the HHKB. In my review of the Keytronic that employed a similar weighting technique for membrane switches, I noted that the effect confused my hands as they would encounter keys with widely differing weights. I find this not to be the case with the Realforce 101. Probably because the feel and action of the keys is so much more consistent.
The Topre capacitive switches -- when compared to the Keytronic's membrane switches -- in general have a much softer and gradual "hump" to get over before the key resistance gives and your keypress is registered.

The thunk made by the key bottoming out is a bit higher pitched than that of the HHKB Pro 2. Perhaps this is due to different plastics used for the keycaps?

General thoughts

I wanted to try this keyboard because I didn't like the fact that the HHKB Pro 2's key set was so limited. This keyboard gives you the full 101-key layout with the good capacitive switches, an effective ergonomic varied weighting of keys, and a high quality, heavy, full n-key-rollover-supporting model.

A few downsides to note, however, is the fact that it's ps/2 only, and because of it's 101 layout, it doesn't have a windows key. Most all new keyboards are USB and 104 key, and some OS's like OSX even demand that you have three modifier keys, though you could probably get by if you're willing to map your caps lock key to a control key (something that I do all the time).

As my environments are usually not constrained for desk space, I'd probably pick this model over the HHKB Pro 2. Compared to the HHKB, there are a few features that I miss. One is the two step rear height adjustment. The Realforce only has one giant fold out leg, which make the keyboard a tad too slanted for my tastes.

That being said, if you need a USB keyboard, or you're really pressed for space, there's no reason to force yourself to get the Realforce over a HHKB. They're equally good keyboards, and it's really up to the situation you want to use them in.

I've been using the keyboard for a week or so now, and the one disappointment I've had is comfort. I've been using the MS Natural Elite for the past few months now, and going back to a non-ergo keyboard has seemingly inflamed my wrists more than I expected. It's odd, because I can type on the thinkpad for a long time, and I could also type on the HHKB Pro 2 for long periods without strain. It might be a matter of getting used to the lighter keys on this keyboard, or finding a better posture, but I still can't deny that I feel instantly comfortable on the MS Natural in a variety of postures. At some point, the greatest keyswitches in the world still don't matter if your wrists hurt.

Finally, I should note that I "feel" like I am making less typo's on the Realforce when compared to the HHKB. But in general, I think I make more mistakes than on the MS Natural. Interestingly, typingtest.com tells me otherwise. I clock in at about 92wpm/99 gross on the Realforce and about 87wpm/92 gross with the MS Natural.

My parents made it back from Japan and a few days ago, so they sent me the Realforce 101 that I had asked them to pick up. Got it today.

I've used it for a half a day at work now, so here are my initial impressions. A full review will follow later.

• Keys are light. They are ever so slightly lighter than the HHKB Pro 2 that I have sitting right next to it. I have been using the MS Natural Elite for a while now so I wasn't used to the lightness when I switched back. But once I got the hang of this thing, it really feels like I can type with a lot less force. I also seem to make less mistakes than when I used the HHKB Pro2. Not sure why yet.
• The base is really heavy. Surprisingly so. The spec sheet says its 1.4kg. That's like one of the smaller laptops. Maybe like a Macbook Air ;-)
• The look is really boring. It's a very standard look with standard colors. No Windows keys.
• Key feel is very similar to the HHKB Pro 2, except for the lightness as mentioned before. It also means that the keys don't feel like they push back as much after they've bottomed out. So far I think I prefer over the HHKB.
• Having a full keyboard for me is definitely preferable to having the small layout of the HHKB Pro2. I use the Control+arrow key combinations all over the place to navigate big text fields.

That's all for now. I tried taking a crappy picture of it with my phone, but you can't see anything. So I'll bring in my point and shoot tomorrow so that I can get a better pic.

Well, I've still been pretty happy with the MS Natural Elites. But I still have an appreciation for all the other cool models out there. So I'm planning on maybe acquiring a few more, just for the sake of collecting.

First target is the Topre Realforce 101. Topre the company in Japan which is original manufacturer of the famed Happy Hacker keyboards. The Realforce line is a separate line of some small and some full-sized keyboards with the capacitance based switch technology as the Happy Hacker Pro line. The 101 model is the sole English layout model. It has the standard 101-key layout (no windows key), and has a PS/2 connector. While pretty basic, my desktops still have PS/2 connectors, and there are plenty of PS/2 to USB connectors to choose from, so it should be able to live pretty long, in case I really like it. Since my main gripes about the HHKPro 2 was the lack of the full set of keys, this model might end up being a winner.