Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 vs Type S – Worth spending?

When I first saw Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 keyboard, a thought came to my mind “Is it really worth spending on such an expensive keyboard?” But as I started using it I realized that its like using an iPhone! I mean things are expensive indeed, but when you use them you begin loving them. Quality matters. But before I go ahead on reviewing the keyboard, I wanted to cover main topic in this post “Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 vs Type S” which one to choose and why? Is it really worth spending another $100 to get the Type-S keyboard?

Its all about Quality and hence the price, you can’t expect Apple phone to be available for $50?

Again switching from an old school membrane keyboard to the HHKB keyboard is something similar to switching over from Android to Apple phone, initially its very difficult .. but once you understand using an Apple phone, you will never ever return to Android.

But do remember this is not a keyboard for gaming!

What is a Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 (HHKB) ?

The Happy Hacking Keyboard is a conceptualized in Japan by PFU Ltd by highly reducing number of keys from standard 104 keys keyboard to mere 60 keys in its Professional keyboard series.

60 keys makes it small and compact still retaining each key to its full size.

Do remember that originally this keyboard was designed to be used by UNIX users, and that is why the compactness of keyboard is being achieved by keeping only required keys for UNIX programmers. However it is being modified to make sure that it can be also used by WINDOWS users, with use of key combinations.

Three version conversion possible for HHKB keyboard are

1. LINUX keyboard
2. Lite Ext. mode for Windows
3. Mac mode for Mac users

All above combinations can be achieved by operating the DIP switches

After first introductions many fine tuning have gone into it based on the user feedback.

Not only size but also the Quality of HHKB is unbeatable, its something like having an Apple product.

HHKB keyboard uses PBT plastic for the key caps so that they do not turn shiny over a time period. Only somehow the space bar is made from ABS which gets shiny over time period, I am not sure what can be the reason of using ABS plastic only for the space-bar.

Also the base of keys is backed up by Topre switchn, which by design provides super fine movements with  tactile bump near the top of the stroke

One of variant called as Type-S which is superior to the base version in terms of noise produced during key strokes.

Also there are variants like the Happy Hacking Keyboard Lite 2 which is a Macintosh specific variant and a blank variant for each.

The best thing is that it is one of the lightest keyboard I have ever seen, sized super compact and made to the perfection of minimalist design.

The keyboard layout is unique and fascinating once you learn how to use it.

Why to go for type-S?

If you are really fond of typing loud, I mean the keys are hit hard (unknowingly) then its a habit die hard, you can’t help irrespective of which keyboard you are using.

Now such loud typing surely generates interference like using during a meeting, using in a library, even in office where colleagues sit alongside or at home. You will surely get lot of complaints about typing too much loud.

In that case best way is to opt for Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional Type-S, where the S stands for silence.

The keyboard is designed so as to absorb keystroke noise keeping the same tactile feel like Pro2 keyboard.

However hitch is that while you aspire to get the Type-S, you ought to spend $100 more than the base Pro2 keyboard!

I mean someone will feel it too high to spend just to get silence factor added, but I will say its HHKB, and you can boast of having it over all other things. I mean, you can get a powerful Android phone over a iPhone! so what? will you go for an Android instead of iPhone? NO, not at all. same logic stands true if you are only thinking on spending $100 more.

Remember Premium products do come at Premium price, and they do provide you a status symbol over others. And obviously it has extensive 2 year advanced exchange warranty.

Captive Switches

Look at the simple but effective construction (as seen on hhkeyboard.us official website) which is designed to provide smooth key operation still maintaining the tactile feel with an appealing sound.

The key operation force is just 45 grams.

Ergonomics at its best

Look at side view showing contoured keyboard which provides comfort during typing operation.

(as seen on hhkeyboard.us official website)

Further to this the keyboard height also can be adjusted using the legs at bottom supporting 3 height adjustments.

Freedom to Program on your own

One of the best thing HHKB keyboard has its capability to program, which further helps reducing the hand and arm fatigue. This can be achieve simply by being on the home row, always to type everything that you want.

How to modify the Pro2 to convert it to Type-S using aftermarket things?

Numerous ways are there to convert the Professional 2 series keyboard to Type-S to save few dollars.

There is nothing wrong in saving money, but when it comes to the originality I would still prefer spending few dollars more.

Anyway here are ways that people have tried over for conversion to Type-S

1. Using a dental band below the keys, for which you need to disassemble each key and put in the dental band beneath.
2. Adding Hypersphere’s Silencing Rings below the keys
   Silencing rings from Hypersphere are available on websites like ebay or Amazon, however still it will cost you around $50, so think twice before you think on conversion only for saving around $50
3. Lubricating keys with silicon

Disadvantages of conversion

Main disadvantage of conversion of HHKB pro2 using silencing rings is loss of key stroke or key travel, obviously this happens due to eating out space below the key remaining the key stem of same length, thereby reducing the available stroke to bottom out the keys.

The Type-S by design accommodates the silencing rings using longer stems.

Final words

Finally I decided to go for Type-S in-spite of being costlier by $100 than the Professional 2 keyboard.

And I can surely say that the decision went quite right and fruitful.

No more complaints about my typing noise annoying anyone in quiet library plz.

Also I am now so used to the keyboard layout that I can type as faster as I used to do it on traditional 104 keys membrane keyboard.

The tactile feel and springiness make the typing more enjoyable than ever before.

Surely in case you are not able to afford a completely NEW keyboard, simply go online and search for used keyboards available at pretty low prices.

Choosing right keyboard model

Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional 2 Review – references for this post

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=38913.0

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=89151.0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_Hacking_Keyboard

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Topre_switch