Happy Hacker Keyboard Professional 2 (HHKB)

The Happy Hacker Keyboard is something I recently discovered while looking for a compact keyboard. I had already been interested in the steelseries line of keyboard as well as Das Keyboard. However the size of the HHKB really got me.Happy Hacker keyboards are made by PFU which is a subdivision of Fujitsu. I'm familiar with Fujitsu's build quality as I've been the proud own of a Lifebook P series for over 6 years now.

It's more than the size though. It's the build qaulity, and the fact that it uses a pseudo mechanical Topre capacitive switches.

The stats are below:

Keyboard Features

• 60-Key modified US ANSI Layout
• 45gram sensitivity, 4mm travel Topre Electrostatic Capacitive Key Switches
• Dimensions: 294 x 110 x 39.9mm (11.6 x 4.3 x 1.6in)
• Detachable USB mini-A interface, 1.8m cable included
• Integrated USB 2.0/1.1 Hub (Current supply limited to 100mA)
• Keyboard mode selection dip-switch
• Weight: 530g (1 lb 3oz)
• Made in Japan

The key life expectancy is 30 million +. For reference most keyboards today are rated at 1-5 million keystrokes. Other companies such as steelseries claim their switches last 50 million, and I have no doubt that a traditional mechanical switch can meet that and even exceed it, the problem is most people will never use their keyboard long enough to ever find out. Still build qaulity is important. The idea of buying the last keyboard I'll ever need is appealing, but one I don't see as actually happening. We'll see.

Still the size of this, combined with the 2 usb ports, are perfect for me. I'm very much looking forward to trying it out, and breaking it in.

Edit: Small update. I got it and I really like it.

- Matt-Fu