By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .
2020-05-20 New. wireless version came out.
There is a computer keyboard, called the Happy Hacking keyboard (HHKB). It is a keyboard often loved by “hackers”, and is one of the most idiotic keyboard. Let me count the ways.
Jan 26, 2007 The Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 for Mac looks to come in both American and Japanese arrangements, in black (pictured after the jump).
- The Happy Hacker Keyboard Pro 2 has a cult status for a reason. Its combination of sleek design, Topre switches, and bizarre layout seem almost specifically designed to appeal to the kind of person.
- Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Hybrid. Pre-order now. From PFUEMEA.com. Buy on Amazon. Available 16 July 2020. Augmented with Bluetooth, Keymapping and USB-C, so you can experience HHKB on all your modern devices. Topre key switches.
- Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Classic (US Layout/Non-Printed) User’s Guide.P 3P C- 6661 -0 1E N. Part Names and Functions Front Back Bottom Part Name Description DIP Switches Used to switch the setting mode. For details, refer to “Switching the Setting Mode”. Tilt Stands Used to adjust the height of the keyboard.
Missing 12 Function Keys
It lacks 12 function keys. TWELVE of them! One, two, three, …, four, five, six, and more. Continue counting: seven, and eight and nine. Then, we add another digit to hit 10 in a decimal system. Then, eleven as in Seven-Eleven, and twelve, as in: twelve days of Christmas. Twelve programable keys down the drain! What to do if you need them? You have to press 2 keys: Fn+key. What happened to the concept of efficiency?
Missing Page Navigation Keys and 20 Extra Function Keys
Bygone are the extremely convenient dedicated page navigation keys: Home, End, PageUp, PageDown.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 Mac
Of course, PrintScreen, ScrollLock, Pause keys, and the entire set of 17 keys on number-keypad are gone too. Sure, you can do without them, but for programers, that's another 17 programable function keys down the drain.
Happy Hacking Keyboard is supposed to be used by hackers, right?
No Arrow Keys!
Can you play pacman while eating pizza?
Missing Modifier Keys
Ok, now you lost 36 keys to automate your work. To make up the lost keys, the Control Alt Meta Super must be going strong on the HHKB.
There's Alt and Ctrl, ok, and there's Meta and Fn. Where's my Super and Hyper keys? On a standard $15 PC keyboard, there are 3 more modifier keys than the $260 Happy Hacking. WTF⁈
~$260 HHKB Pro, you have:
1 Ctrl, 2 Alt, 2 Meta, 2 Fn. (the Fn can't count here because usualy it is hard-wired in the keyboard circuitry thus the OS doesn't see it so you can't remap them.) That's a total of 5 modifiers.
On any $10 cheap Microsoft keyboard, you have:
2 Ctrl, 2 Alt, 2 ❖Window key, 1 ▤Menu key, 1 CapsLock. That's a total of 8 modifiers, all of them can be individually remapped by software on {Linux, Windows, Mac}.
Non-Symmetric Position of Modifier Keys
If you look at the distance from F to the left Meta versus J to the right Meta, you see that they are not symmetric. The right side modifer requires you to curl your thumb deeper.
Most PC keyboards after year ~2005 have the modifier keys symmetrically positioned. (For example, all Microsoft Keyboards around 2011. [see Microsoft Keyboards])
¿Designed for unix, vi, emacs?
I presume those who like HHKB are unix users and the reason they like it is due to some key's layout.
- The Escape key is at above the Tab key. The Escape key is frequently used in vi text editor. [see Emergency vi]
- The Ctrl key is to the left of A key. The Ctrl is frequently used in Emacs [see Emacs's Keybinding], and in unix terminal [see Bash keybinding].
- The ⌦ Delete key is above the Enter key. There's no ⌫ Backspace key. To do backward delete, you have to press Fn+Delete. (On unix terminal, you can backward delete by Ctrl+h and forward delete by Ctrl+d.)
Each of these key positions are actually inferior to optimal. For example, if you are vi user, the optimal position for Escape is where the PC keyboard's CapsLock is at, or, one of the big Alt right under thumb (a design point popularized by Kinesis.).
If you are a emacs user, the optimal position for Ctrl is the 2 big Alt key onMicrosoft Ergonomic Keyboard right under your thumbs, 2 of them, symmetrically placed, pressed by a strong finger thumb.
See also the original keyboard vi is designed on at History of Emacs and vi Keys.
For why the function keys are important, see: Increase Productivity Using Function Keys.
Topre Key Switch Mechanism
the “Professional” model of the HHKB uses capacitive switch (Topre).
The “model lite 2” model's key mechanism is rubber dome with electric contact.
Topre capacitance switch uses rubber dome for the feel of the key, and uses capacitance as electric switch (which does not require contact of conductive material).
Some keyboard nerds love Topre, prefer it over Cherry MX, but i don't like Topre at all. It has a hit-bottom finger shock problem.
[see Guide to Keyboard Key Switch Mechanisms]
Type S
The “Type S” model, is a bit more silent, by adding rubber ring in the key switches.
Bluetooth Version
A bluetooth version came out, in 2016.
Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro Japanese Layout
If you really want HHKB, i recommend the Japanese layout ones.
This is a better HHKB, even if you only type English, because:
- Smaller space bar. (you don't need a space-hogging one. see: Tiny Spacebar)
- Arrow keys. Now you can play pacman while eating pizza!
- Lots of thumb keys at bottom. Remap them to whatever you like.
There are issues to watch out:
- In Japanese layout, key columns are less staggered than US version (compare the vertical line from Q to Z).
- In Japanese layout, the Space bar may not be comfortably reachable by right thumb.
- In Japanese layout, the Enter key is 1 column more to the right than standard PC keyboard layout.
- In Japanese layout, the Shift key on the right is tiny, and is 2 columns more to the right than standard PC keyboard layout.
Japanese keyboard are like that because there's little use for space or capital letter. See: Tiny Spacebar
Solution to Tiny Space Bar, Tiny Shift Key
For the tiny Space key problem, just use left thumb for it. Or, remap one of the thumb keys to space.
For the tiny Shift Township mac hack. key problem, turn on Operating System's sticky key feature. So, you don't need to hold Shift. Just press left Shift, release, then type a letter key.
If you use emacs, there's more advanced way to solve the Shift key problem. See: Emacs: toggle-letter-case
![Happy Happy](/uploads/1/2/7/2/127282850/533110554.jpg)
Alternatives
if you want spend as much as the hhkb,any of the following, i consider far better.
see alsoList of Keyboards with Topre Switch
Now, add an extra boost to your gear.
See also:
Hacker Lore Keyboards
- amazon egift card to [email protected] , $20 is nice.
- paypal to [email protected] , $20 is nice.
- bitcoin me 19dfoa3Q7oehm9MwCULQzBG8vqfCaeMazH
If you have a question, put $5 at patreon and message me.
Augmented with Bluetooth, Keymapping and USB-C, so you can experience HHKB on all your modern devices.
Topre key switches
Comprising a conical spring, rubber dome and an electrostatic capacitive sensor, Topre key switches eliminate key chatter, whilst providing supreme tactility, extra comfort, keystroke precision and of course, the famous Topre ‘Thock’ sound.
Minimalist, Tenkeyless, Near-Symmetrical Layout
The compact size and near-symmetrical layout means your fingers never have to leave the home row making for greater speed, accuracy and reduced wrist and finger fatigue.
Cylindrical Step Sculpted Design
The cylindrical-step sculpted design provides greater ergonomics, with all keycap surfaces facing centrally, feels more natural and helps you keep your fingers on the home row.
Premium PBT Keycaps and Spacebar
Sculpted keycaps and spacebar made from durable, shine-resistant PBT with dye-sublimation printed legends for long-life and a crisp, professional finish.
Hybrid Connectivity
Connect to your PC or hybrid device via USB (Type-C), or connect to your PC, Tablet, Smartphone (up to 4 paired devices) via bluetooth multi-pairing, instantly switching between devices with keyboard shortcuts.
Dip-Switch Customisation
Dip-Switches enable you to change keyboard mode to support different Operating Systems.
UNIX Arrangement
We adopted the key arrangement following the Sun Type 3 key array. The [Control] key is to the left of [A] for greater usability and maximum productivity.
Keymap Customisation
Keymap settings are written to the HHKB itself so the same keymap can be used with different devices.
Made & Designed In Japan
Commitment to quality, durability, and technological sophistication.
Augmented with Bluetooth, Keymapping and USB-C, so you can experience HHKB on all your modern devices.
Available in
![Hack extreme landgins mac](/uploads/1/2/7/2/127282850/972403233.jpg)
HHKB Professional Hybrid
(White/Printed Keycaps/TKL)
(White/Printed Keycaps/TKL)
HHKB Professional Hybrid
(Charcoal/Printed Keycaps/TKL)
(Charcoal/Printed Keycaps/TKL)
HHKB Professional Hybrid
(Charcoal/Blank Keycaps/TKL)
(Charcoal/Blank Keycaps/TKL)
Model | HHKB Professional HYBRID (White/Printed Keycaps) |
HHKB Professional HYBRID (Charcoal/Printed Keycaps) | |
HHKB Professional HYBRID (White/Blank Keycaps) | |
HHKB Professional HYBRID (Charcoal/Blank Keycaps) | |
Model Number | PD-KB800W |
PD-KB800B | |
PD-KB800WN | |
PD-KB800BN | |
Chassis Format | Ultra-Compact Tenkeyless keyboard |
Layout | Near-Symmetrical 60-Key Modified US ANSI Layout |
Chassis Colour | White (PD-KB800W / PD-KB800WN) |
Charcoal (PD-KB800B / PD-KB800BN) | |
Keycap Colour | White / Cool Grey (PD-KB800W / PD-KB800WN) |
Charcoal (PD-KB800B / PD-KB800BN) | |
Keycap Legend Colour | Black (PD-KB800W) |
Black (PD-KB800B) | |
Keycap Legends | Long-Life Dye-Sublimation Printed (PD-KB800W / PD-KB800B) |
No Keycap Legends (PD-KB800WN / PD-KB800BN) | |
Keycap & Spacebar Material | Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT) |
Key Weight | 45 g |
Key Travel | 4 mm |
Key Pitch | 19.05 mm |
Key Switches | Topre Electrostatic Capacitive Key Switches |
Key Switch Structure | Rubber Dome and Conical Spring |
Key Switch Lifetime | 50 million keystrokes |
Chassis & Key Ergonomics | Cylindrical Step Sculpted design |
Keymap Customisation Software *1 | Settings written to / stored on the HHKB |
Bluetooth Interface *2 | Bluetooth 4.2LE (Class 2) Multi-pairing – Up to 4 devices |
Bluetooth Radio Operating Range | 10 metres |
Power | 2 x AA Batteries |
Operating Time | Approx 3 months *3 |
USB Interface | USB Type-C |
Adjustable Keyboard Height | 3 Positions |
Keyboard Dimensions (W x D x H) | 294 mm x 120 mm x 40 mm |
Dipswitch Customisation | Keyboard Mode Selection |
HHKB Mode | |
Lite Ext Mode | |
Mac Mode | |
Key Assignment & Wake Up Host Function | |
Delete Key assignment | |
Meta Key assignment (Windows Key / Command Key) | |
Alt Key assignment | |
Wake up host PC | |
Keyboard Weight | 540 g (Excluding Batteries) |
Operating Temperature Range | 5°C – 35°C (41°F – 95°F) |
Operating Humidity Range | 20% – 80% (non-condensing) |
Country of Origin | Made in Japan |
Designed in Japan | |
Commitment to quality, durability, and technological sophistication | |
Manufacturer Warranty | 2 Year PFU Warranty *4 |
Advance Exchange Next Business Day *5 | |
Includes replacement of product and two-way shipping costs |
Windows
Windows® 10 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Windows® 8.1 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Windows® 7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Windows® Server 2016
Windows® Server 2012
Windows® Server 2008
Windows® 8.1 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Windows® 7 (32-bit / 64-bit)
Windows® Server 2016
Windows® Server 2012
Windows® Server 2008
Apple
macOS® Catalina 10.15
macOS® Mojave 10.14
macOS® High Sierra 10.13
macOS® Sierra 10.12
iOS® 11.4 or higher
iPadOS® 13.0 or higher
macOS® Mojave 10.14
macOS® High Sierra 10.13
macOS® Sierra 10.12
iOS® 11.4 or higher
iPadOS® 13.0 or higher
Android
Android 4.4™ KitKat or higher
*1 Keymap customisation software requires a USB connection to a PC running Windows® or macOS®.
*2 Bluetooth connection requires Windows® 10 or Windows® 8.1, macOS® Catalina 10.15 or macOS® Mojave 10.14, iPadOS® 13.0 or higher, iOS® 11.4 or higher, Android™ 4.4 KitKat or higher.
*3 When using Alkaline batteries, different battery types may provide different results.
*4 Valid for 2 years from the original purchase date of the product from the PFU EMEA Store.
*5 Next Business Day available in some countries, geographic limitations may apply. Where Next Business Day is not available, exchanges typically take place within 1-2 days.
*6 HHKB HYBRID may work with other Operating Systems including many Linux distributions, although PFU cannot guarantee the keyboard is operable with any Operating Systems except those listed above.
All Specifications are correct at time of publishing but may be subject to future revision due to changes in support policy by PFU and Topre.