What is your personal preference based on experience? I Assume because Mac is Unix and Linux is Unix based, it would be more suited, but I have no personal experience with the layout. I am willing to try something new if i hear enough merits for it, and I also find the windows layout somewhat inadequate(The grass is greener on the other side /s)
I dailydrive Gnome, I am not a programmer, but i am a power user
(On a tangent: Why is gnome so restrictive, it feels like its missing a ton of UI features that are trivial without a boatload of 3rd party extensions that break every update; why doesn’t Win+Shift+number launch a new instance, every other DE does, why doesn’t it?; I don’t use KDE because I just don’t like it, I feel Gnome could be way more if it just natively integrated the extensions ).
aesthetically the windows key annoys me and i hate putting stickers on keyboards; I like how the mac layout looks(My very minimal experience with an in store mac-book has cautioned me away from the fisher-price OS so i don’t know if it is intuitive to use)
The Mac keyboard layout was largely inherited from the Apple ][ and pre-OSX systems, which were non-Unix. The original Unix keyboard layout differs from both Mac and Windows layouts.
No? Those keyboards aren’t even all that great. Why not just buy a mechanical one and call it a day?
Also, what’s wrong with the super key? Especially considering it’s also used in Linux
Keyboard is keyboard as far as I am concerned. I’m using an old Microsoft Ergo 4000 V1 that I got probably 10 years ago. I have used this same keyboard on a Windows 10/11 install, multiple bare metal Linux installs and a MacBook Pro.
The only issue is the Command key as I recall on the MacBook but that can be remapped if I remember correctly.
Is the command key useful on Linux DE?
Cmd = super (Windows key on most keyboards)
Option = alt
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So what you are saying is most standard Linux software expect a windows layout? What about apps like Gimp, FireFox, and LibreOffice? and are there any outliers you know of?
You don’t really need to rebind anything. Linux is good about figuring out the layout, at least every distro I’ve tried over the last 12 years. You’re right, though, if one is used to the layout of a Mac keyboard, I would recommend sticking with a Mac keyboard.
What’s the difference? the name of some keys? Layout is the same, no?
There’s no difference; a keyboard is a keyboard. Just grab one from the pile and plug it in.
You can go full crazy like I did, use a Windows keyboard with macOS mappings.
I was used to mac when I switched to using Linux on my desktop, which has a Windows keyboard, for work. I didn’t want to re-learn my bindings. And I touch-type anyway, so the keycaps don’t confuse me. It mostly works great except for the # key, for that I have to press altgr+3
Hummm… personal preference, but when I SSH into a linux server with my Mac… I totally hate the keyboard shortcuts… They are driving me crazy.
Windows keyboard shortcuts, feel more “native” and easier to use.
Can’t explain it, but while I used both, I totally hate the mac keyboard shortcut keys.
Doing something like
CMD + Option + bspthat reflects toalt + bspon windows… :/Huh, interesting. Since I got a Mac at work I have problems going back as command/alt + key feel a lot more natural than control + key.
I think it boils down to preference of thumb vs pinky. The ergo choice is thumb but the conditioned choice is pinky.
I don’t know if it meets your purposes, nor do I use mac, but I just bought this keyboard:
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/products/combos/mk850-wireless-keyboard-mouse.920-008219.html
I’m typing on a mac keyboard on Debian. USB one with the numpad. It’s fantastic if you’re into that.
The last time I tried to pair the magic mouse 2 though, no joy. I’d be wary of the bluetooth keyboard.
If you are used to Mac keyboard, layout, go right ahead. You can get a number of really nice third-party keyboards with that layout. Linux will natively adapt to it, and you’ll be fine. There may be one or two apps that don’t natively switch, but they will be far and few between. Personally, I don’t know of any of that I happen to use.
As someone who uses Macs and Linux systems, I prefer this, so I don’t have to keep switching between different keyboard layouts.
I can honestly say my space grey first-gen magic keyboard has served me well. It sits on my desk at work, I use it every day, and it only needs charging once every few months.
The only thing I’ve ever done to damage it is pulling the z key off to clean between the keys, I tried to jam it back on wrong and ruined part of the scissor mechanism
My next keyboard may yet be one of the newer models, but it’s to expensive to pull the trigger yet.
Having tried it in person, I’m also considering the logitech mx keys mac variant. I didn’t even notice the key shaping while actually typing, and it’s the first keyboard I’d say comes close to being a magic keyboard replacement.
I like the option(alt)/command(super) switched layout.
I’ve got a keychron k3 ultra v2 too. I finally gave in on the mechanical keyboard train and splurged a bit - but now:
- I need a wrist rest, even this ultra low profile version is way higher than I’m used to.
- I hate the layout (my own fault for buying the most cramped version)
- On linux at least, bluetooth is not the greatest (sometimes needs a keyboard restart to fix key send delay and repeat keys)
- I picked the optical (cherry mx red equivelant) switches and they’re mushy af.
I’ve had the white slim first-gen mini magic keyboard for years too. The battery swelled up, so I removed it and use it wired now. That was probably 8/9 years old.
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If you’re close to a Microcenter, they should have a bunch of “sample” keyboards so you can find the switches you want. Nowadays, you can even build your own keyboard with swappable switches, so you can have different switches for your WASD keys, if you’re into that…
What is a good price range to look into?
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Keychron is very expensive (you’re paying extra for the “slickness” factor of the board in my opinion), but so far the product is quality.
The optical switch has very linear travel. If you prefer a more tactile feel, the other option for switch might work a little better
Are they worth it(Last long)?
I’ve had several Keychrons and the only one that failed on me was due to liquid damage. I’ve had three of them and the original one I purchased for working on a Mac is still running strong with a few coffee stains. The second one I bought with a backlight lasted two years and died by my own hand. I have a new backlit one with a different set of keycaps and it’s been going strong for a year with no issues.
I tend to buy the wired C2 series which is the cheapest lineup. The great thing about Keychrons is that they are highly repairable and customizable by the user. You can replace keycaps, switches, and the keyboards are all designed to support both layouts with each requisite key included for Command and Windows. It can toggle to either OS via the flip of a switch, and you can attach the keycaps you prefer.
I use the Windows layout on all of my machines that run Linux, personally. You could easily keep the Windows configuration switch and just uh, replace the key I guess if that’s your aesthetic preference. I would probably do that if I were in your position. The keycaps are included and it’s not going to interfere unless you flip the switch.
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I have several perfectly working mechanical keyboards from the 80s, so I’d say, yeah they last long. That being said, I don’t necessarily think you’ll get decades from $40 mechanical keyboard like you can from an old school IBM, Alps, or Cherry MX keyboard. I mean, you may, but these keyboards were most than $40 back then and adjusted for inflation they’d not be cheap these days.
A keyboard lasts as long as you make it last, in other words, until you spill a beer or coke on it… Even then there may be hope. I have a working IBM Model M from 1989 if that matters…
