When the Tools of the Trade Are the Keyboard and Mouse

I still use two Northgate mechanical keyboards, with function keys on the left side, not top. After some mild wrist pain, and watching couple of admin assistants struggle with braces and carpal tunnel syndrome, switched to a Logitech trackball. Hand stays in one place, surface doesn't matter, and can get great control over cursor movement. Not a gamer, so speed across whole screen not important. I also, when traveling with laptop, carry the trackball and one of several old Dell keyboards that have acceptable "touch", and are much lighter than the Northgates.

Totally agree about Apple's sacrificing function to aesthetics, in every possible area. My eyesight is bad, so I can't read the letters on the keyboard, the "smart mouse" can't navigate in a map, all of Apple's user materials, including their online help and community, are in tiny gray text. I got an apple pencil last year and had to photograph the "instructions" zoomed in on the IPad, then edit the photo to get enough contrast to read it. Safaris "reader" is terrific, but it doesn't work on any Apple app, including the apps store, so sometimes I'm sitting in front of this 27" display with a magnifying glass.

I'm delighted to see someone writing about the triumph of design over function in current Apple products. I recently bought a new 2018 MacBook Pro, and it's bewilderingly awful. It’s full of “improvements” that are steps backwards. The two worst are the pointlessly sensitive keyboard and the absurdly gigantic track pad, so large that it virtually guarantees a steady stream of typing/touch errors from unavoidable palm pressure. Neither solves any problem. Both create significant new ones. (A close runner up is the dopey touch bar, a wholly unneeded replacement for the F-keys. Buy, hey, it lights up!) It really has started to look like Apple is out of ideas.

I use a wired tactile keyboard too. It feels substantial, and gives me audible feedback when keys are pressed. The backlight keys make typing in poor light easier. For a mouse I like a wired one with a wheel. Wireless mice and keyboards are cool at first, but eventually frustrate with their poor reliability.

I agree that Apple products are increasingly working less well (Face ID works about 2/3rds of the time for me; Siri often can't find music titles downloaded to my phone, etc.). I'm not sure what accounts for that--too much bureaucratic overhead, the need to innovate existing UX metaphors? But more pressing: did anyone else find it humorous that Daisuke's corner of the NYT takes cocktail hour very seriously?! (See photo accompanying the article.)

'and he likes this stuff' that's 1 minute of my life I'll never get back ...

Full disclosure: I prefer non-Apple computer equipment. So it is interesting to see an Apple user admitting he does not like the flatness of Apple keyboards. I quite agree. Also, in the times I have had to use Apple computers (I'm a retired university librarian; the libraries used both Apples and PCs), I have found the Apple mouse to be one of the most shockingly non-ergonomic designs. This coming from a company that, as the interchange here indicates, that prides itself on well-designed equipment. The Apple mouse is designed, not for efficient use, but to cause harm from Repetitive Strain Injury. It simply does not fit any user's hand. Instead the hand must try to conform to the mouse (ow, ow, ow!). I much prefer the mouse Mr. Wakabayashi uses. Thanks for the confirmation, sir.

Gosh, ok. An article devoted to this? Sure. Sort of amazed because the very first time I laid eyes on and used the current generation of Apple keyboards and mice, I was like, YES!! Still love them, use them hours a day with ease as if they are virtually transparent, certainly as compared to the clunky old devices of yore. And quiet. In the office that is a godsend. So quiet you can use them with virtually no noise with the lightest touch. Brilliant. But to each their own, and most people are smart enough and resourceful enough to figure out what they like all on their own; which again begs the question: we needed this article?

totally agree on the Apple mouse ... just too small in all dimensions

I completely understand! I also use mechanical keyboards for the same reasons, as I'm a multi-decade programmer. In addition to a Das Keyboard (with the quieter and less satisfying MX switches), used for MacOS because of the differece in where the 'command/windows' key layout goes (eyeroll). For Windows I use my far preferred 'Razer' BlackWidow Chroma 'gamer' keyboard, with the 'extra clacky' sound - it's sharp and yes, a bit loud - which I like alot :) It also has individually programmable led key colors, something that sounds silly until you start to use it. Also worth considering is the 'gamer' mice, I am currently using ones from Razer and Logitech - the latter has more heft and is wired (also a personal preference), so I can move it from machine to machine as needed without bluetooth setup and 'who am I parented to' hassles. As the author points out, it is a direct connection to the environment, there have been many things tried (trackball mice have come and for the most part, gone), and it will be interesting to see what else comes. For now though I'm satisfied with the multiple choices for both KB/Mice, and glad to hear that folks using MacOS are willing to use 'non-apple' products. Just because it came in the box doesn't mean you have to use it :)

"Mice"? Don't computers have mouses? That seems a common -- and perhaps oddly, less jarring -- usage.

By "mechanical," he means it has a physical switch under the key; there are around a half dozen or so types. Aside from mechanical switches, the most common contemporary keyboards are "rubber dome" where a domed flexible membrane collapses with pressure from the finger on the key and the coated area makes contact, like a TV remote. Rubber domes are quiet, but lack a tactile and aural response. See Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keyboard_technology You can still buy IBM Model M type keyboards with "buckling springs" made on the same IBM tooling in Lexington, KY, by Unicomp (I'm using one now.) What's very interesting, there's a crowd-funded project underway to resurrect the older IBM Model F type keyboard, which some consider the greatest keyboard ever. I would be interested in Mr. Wakabayshi's take on this effort (manufacturing complete, but not shipped) See https://www.modelfkeyboards.com/ If you really want to go down the geek rabbit hole, head to YouTube and search for "Chyrosran22" keyboard reviews. My favorite, the Symbolics 'Space Cadet' keyboard. Happy clicking.

One advantage of mechanical keyboards is that you can buy the perfect key switch for you. If the Cherry MX Blue switches in your DAS Keyboard are too loud, you can get one with Cherry MX Brown switches instead, or you could mod your existing keyboard. The Brown switches still have that tactile break point so that you can feel when a button press will register, but they are quiet unless you're aggressively banging on your keyboard. I wish I could take mine to work...

I have (mostly) loved using Apple products since the 80s and the top notch design has been a big part of the appeal. I do share some of Mr. Wakabayashi's concerns about them becoming harder to use. I am a big music listener, and perhaps my biggest gripe is with iTunes which I find to be bloated, a bit confusing, and buggy. It regularly gets updates but somehow the user experience doesn't improve. I dream of someone else giving Apple some competition in this area.

I am amazed that manufacturers ignore the science of ergonomics. Probably most carpal-tunnel syndrome comes from lousy keyboards and mice. Implementing this body of knowledge would cost ≈10% more. Less as volume built up. Apple hasn't had a decent keyboard since the Extended Keyboard II. Don't get me started on the disgusting "membrane" and "ultra-thin" junk one finds not only on Apple's laptops but all others. I keep my old 11" Air because it's usable. Tried a new MacBook Pro last year. Just worthless. The DAS keyboards are nice. Personally, I use the Mathias Tactile Pro. It harks back not only to the II but the incredible IBM Selectric. Travel gives positive feedback. The click confirms. They even come with all the higher order ASCII characters printined on the keys. Lovely. Mice are a challenge. They're utterly personal. I did a study for macintouch.com examining 18 different mice. Lot of junk out there led by Apple's "no button" mouse. Personally, I pay up for the Contour Design Contour Mouse. Tain't cheap. Feels incredible in the hand. I also found "vertical" mice superior to "flat" models. There are cheap ones, but I'm considering Contour's model. It's critical that the middle button be a double click. You won't believe how that helps. Considering how much of folks' lives are spent on a keyboard or mouse, why would anyone go cheap? (Can't imagine how thumb "carpal" will grow from phone texting.)

I also use Macs at home and have a dasKeyboard that clacks. I love it. I prefer the Magic Trackpad to a mouse at home, but use a Logitech wireless mouse and a ergonomic keyboard on my PC at work.

I totally get it about the keyboard! But "mechanical" keyboard? As opposed to what? Not sure I understand.