Happy Hacking Keyboard Type-S - A History and a Review // HHKB Review

[@esparda07]

I love that analogy at the start. Exquisite.

[@JordanQuinn94]

Right?! That really stuck with me. Such a wild and interesting perspective on the keyboard

[@lawbinson]

I have a bunch of custom keyboards, but I end up coming back to the HHKB Hybrid and HHKB Hybrid Type-S's. Especially lubed and modded, they're great boards for work. If there was one thing I wish it had, it'd be a quicker rate of return for keypresses. I don't type as fast as I do on other boards, but I just love the typing experience of the HHKB Hybrid and Hybrid Type-S.

[@JordanQuinn94]

Totally agree on great boards for work! I haven't lubed mine or made any mods to it yet - do you have any specifically that you'd recommend? Appreciate the comment!

[@anthony_types]

@@JordanQuinn94 Typically the main mods done on a topre keyboard is lubing the switches and stabilizers. Though, many actually prefer not lubing their topre. I'd recommend just using your HHKB stock for now, keep using it and you'll break in the rubber domes which makes it feel so much better. Its all preference at the end of the day though. I've made a build video on the hhkb type-s showing what it looks like to lube the HHKB and a sound comparison before and after. Great keyboard choice and video btw! HHKB truly is a great board, I use it all the time and its my go-to travel and office board :)

[@anthony_types]

btw lawbinson, the hhkb comes with 45g rubber domes and If you want a faster/snappier feel you can replace them with ones that are snappier like des-domes carrots.

[@lawbinson]

@@JordanQuinn94 Unlike Anthony, I highly recommend lubing the sliders. It sounds and feels even better.

[@lawbinson]

@@anthony_types The downside is they also alter the downstroke in a way that I’m not the biggest fan of. Not willing to give up the downstroke experience of Topre, even if it does have a snappier response. I could just use one of my MX boards for that. To each their own though!

[@MikeCioffi95]

I loved this! Big quality upgrade on the editing / lighting (once you turn em on 🤪)! Ab always gets a good chuckle when I take my current keyboard apart to add or remove foam. She also finds it amusing when I’m constantly scouring r/mechmarket to ‘waste’ money on another setup.

[@JordanQuinn94]

looooool thanks dude! I really appreciate you (: Something something one man's trash something something. I, for one, am appalled that she would find that a "waste".

[@MikeCioffi95]

@@JordanQuinn94 hahah that’s what I’m saying! You gotta try an Alice layout next…. Think of the erganomics!

[@pcxdrone]

Awesome person and equisite quote. Very helpful review. After loading my cart with keycaps and switches and a new mech board, then cancelling the order I think it's only fair to give Topre an honest try.

[@alexandernazarenko4747]

Jordan, you are an amazing presenter! God bless you!

[@JordanQuinn94]

Thank you SO much! This made my day.

[@Belgarathe]

To each his/her own. Everyone has their own setup. But before dismissing someone’s layout maybe try to understand how they came about it. Does it make sense or what was the philosophy of the layout. We can mostly agree removing the f1-f12 is not detrimental and allows easier reach of those keys. The movement of delete/backspace key closer also makes sense along with changing cap locks to ctrl. Hiding the arrow keys might not make sense for someone who needs a lot like working with lots of cells with columns and rows. Other than that most of the others critique can be modified via dip switches or with the included keyboard software. The keyboard has lasted a long time even to outlast the hype so maybe there is something to the design. Each year I take time to try something new like the hhkb to maybe gain some gain some new insights and maybe find ways to shave a little off typing.

[@abusse00001]

Love the HHKB Hybrid and Magic Trackpad. Glad to see someone else doin it too!

[@JordanQuinn94]

Such a great combo, right?! Whether it’s coding, editing video/photo, or just browsing. Love them both.

[@SiLiDNB]

I just love Topre Switches in general. I have a Realforce PFU Limited Edition and it's like you say in the video; literally just the feeling of how it feels to type makes me want to get more work done.

[@brandonyong301]

Are there any differences between the refular type s and the snow version? The webstore makes a distinction between the two.

[@JordanQuinn94]

Good question! I don't *think* there is a difference between them, but I can't confirm or deny.

[@Hammid]

Excellent video!! Enjoyed it thoroughly and shared right away. Typing on one of my three HHKB Hybrid Type-S, I can safely say that I've been enamoured with the HHKB series of keyboards for almost eight years now, and with Topre keyboards in general. I have two RealForce R2 (charcoal TKL and ivory 108 key, US Layout), three HHKB Pro 2 (two regular, one Type-S) and as stated, Three Hybrid Type-S's and a FOURTH Hybrid (my first Charcoal HHKB) on the way, with regular Topre (non-silent) switches. Lmao, 'a fourth one the way' as though my fiancée's in labor.

[@JordanQuinn94]

I'm gonna be right there with you! This is my first one, but it most certainly won't be the last. Thanks so much for the kind words and for taking the time to watch (:

[@pcxdrone]

I heard you mention that if you were to buy again, you would consider the black board to match your setup. I also have a mostly black setup. But I have seen other reviewer's having trouble reading the legends on the black version. With how important the functions are on this board, would you still prefer the black version over the soft white that you purchased?

[@JordanQuinn94]

That’s actually a GREAT question. Now that I’m used to the function key, I don’t know if the black keyboard would bother me much. But, I definitely think that the learning curve if the print wasn’t particularly visible would be very very steep. Being several months in now, I’m very happy with the colorway that I purchased. The people who get the blank key caps for this keyboard are cut from a different cloth.

[@Belgarathe]

lol how about the where the keys have no imprint 😂

[@rakeshravindran3147]

I have been using HHKB for over 19 years. Other than a 3 months gap where I tried something else, it has been my only keyboard for a very long time. And topre, is music to ears. The feel is just really nice. Of course this is a personal preference, but unlike MX, topre implementation of HHKB just sounds and feels nice even when dampened (in Type-S)

[@JordanQuinn94]

100% agreed. Best keyboard I’ve ever used and they’ve converted me for life at this point!

[@rubengarciajr]

turn on the light!

[@JordanQuinn94]

Right?! I didn't realize until it was already well into editing and post production how dark it was. I'll get it right next time (:

[@reer3192]

Being in the keyboard game since 2012, I've went through all the hype on modding, lubing, putting all sorts of things and tweaking a keyboard just to make it sound subjectively better and feel better. At some point it snapped, maybe after staying in japan and meeting other japanese custom enthusiasts who had a very minimalistic and conservative philosphy on a keyboards being true to itself. Adding things like foam, lubrication, and tape just takes the elegance out of a brand new keyboard. Most Japanese keyboard enthusiasts tend to care much more on the keyboard speaking for itself, they care much more about the layout, material, parts (think laser cut acrylic low profile kalith choc lily) of a keyboard that evolves the keyboard while still keeping it a "typing device". Appreciating the hardware design and the programming behind it by also not modifying it needlessly just to make it sound better. Korean enthusiasts also somewhat take in this philosphy but with a bit more leniency, opting for higher quality modifications, like foam that actually came with the kit that was meant to go along with the keyboard, being extremely pateint and skilled in modifications like lubing while keeping it to a minimum and with purpose. It's all about keeping it true to its function and what it's meant to do, a keyboard's purpose. Adding painter's tape and foam from some random package you got makes it less of a keyboard. This philososphy literally got me to become a Apple fanboy much to my own dismay because apple as a company is one that appears as purposful and professional. I'm at my endgame, the HHKB (and a nyquist when I want to be special), back to the beginning.

[@JordanQuinn94]

I really appreciate you sharing this - this general sentiment is one of my favorite things about Japanese culture as a whole and it's something I try to incorporate into my life wherever I can. Thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!

[@iomagine]

I recently bought myself a Hybrid Type-S after using (and modding the heck out of) a Pro 2 I picked up used back in 2020. While waiting for it to arrive, I was worried I would be disappointed, since there's no way I'd be able to not compare it to my first HHKB. But when I got it and started typing on it, I realized that everything I'd read about the most recent models (Classic and Hybrids) being infinitely better out of the box was true. Funny thing is, even though all of my keyboards are in the HHKB (or -ish) layout, the Pro 2 was the only one I ever got the urge to actually use. That's not to say that my MX boards are bad or that I don't enjoy using them, but the Pro 2 was the only one I really found myself wanting to use when it wasn't on my desk. And now that I have the Hybrid, I'm not sure if I'm going to continue rotating through my keyboards like before. I'm even actually starting to considering trying to sell off my cheaper keyboards.

[@JordanQuinn94]

Dude - the Hybrid is such a game changer. It absolutely rips out of the box in a way I haven't experienced in other keyboards before. I'm about to try out their new studio model for a comparison point, but I have a feeling I'll be HHKB through and through for a long time.

[@TXLogic]

I tried the HHKB Type S and wanted to love it. The layout is great (I’m an old school Emacs user so have been remapping CapsLock to Ctrl for decades) but the typing experience and acoustics just don’t compare to my aluminum keyboards (e.g., Keychron Q2 Pro, Wormier SK-71) with smooth linear switches. The Topre switches in particular seemed mushy and the sound was muffled. Sent it back.

[@JordanQuinn94]

I've heard GREAT things about Keychron - first time I've heard of Wormier though. I'll have to give them a look, though the "mushy" bit of topre is a sensation I personally really enjoy. Anyways, really appreciate you taking the time to like and comment!

[@Belgarathe]

Also love the keychron pro series. Love the heft of it and the dial. More customizable than hhkb (especially the the remapping software). Only two things I do not enjoy as much ,the heft of it make it not easy to pick and go. Also the layout of the function key not easy for me to hit consistently compared to the hhkb.

[@zero15388]

It's my favourite keyboard, feels like typing on little clouds

[@jammies701]

Nice vid mate, but it would be nice to see the board and some examples of the situations you're referencing rather than just the static frame of your desk

[@JordanQuinn94]

I appreciate the feedback my friend! Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment (:

[@NordenzurZukunft]

Is anyone going to address the audio issues with this video? Incredibly quiet. Albeit great content!

[@JordanQuinn94]

Thanks for the feedback! I definitely didn't get the audio or lighting right on this video. Will definitely continue to improve and I'm glad you enjoyed all the same (:

[@isrsaar]

Hey man. Stumbled on your channel and love it! I got the same exact model, and I’m ruined.

[@JordanQuinn94]

Thanks so much for taking the time to watch and comment brother, glad to have you here! Isn’t it a beaut?!

[@MdeBoer1]

I got a HHKB pure white Type S, a normal HHKB 2, but by far the best out of the box Topre experience is with Leopold Silent switches, and they're are way cheaper than HHKB just hard find. Build like a tank and amazing keycap quality, and no rattle at all. Also unlike with HHKB it doesn't need to be lubed. If you think there's nothing close to HHKB, the Leopold Topre with silent switches will blow you away.

[@JordanQuinn94]

I’ll have to give that a try! I really appreciate the advice and you taking the time to watch and comment. (:

[@JonathanBeyer888]

I am not offering, nor giving anything to watch this video, nor to any being no matter who they are. I also said this before clicking on this video. No being may have my soul. This video is free to watch and I am not offering anything about it. I command back anything any being took, removed, stole from me about watching this video, and 7fold. Past, present and future, and amongst all dimensions. - 12/13/24

[@tomlee45]

I have the original HHKB, had it for over 12 yeras and bought the bluetooth version where it first came out. I would say if you have the time and patience, learn how to lubricate the board. It's completely different once you have modded it slightly and when comparing one that is modded vs the one that was not, it's night and day. But overall, the layout is still my favorite layout and i prefer all my mechanical keyboards to use the HHKB layout.

[@JordanQuinn94]

You’re not the first to mention modding and lubbing - I may just need to do that. Appreciate you taking the time to comment - definitely agree that HHKB is my favorite layout

[@nikocakola]

great video. audios a bit low though

[@JordanQuinn94]

Thanks so much! I've definitely learned my lesson on audio since making this video (:

[@galjvdjy]

I tried three keyboard 1.thinkpad 2.hhkb 3.magic keyboard ,Thinkpad and hhkb both great but Thinkpad is a little bit feels like type on wooden board when you get busy and fast, and magic keyboard is totally disaster experience, too short travel distance, its typing experience even worse than 5 dollar membrane keyboard,i still did not have any chance to try mechanical keyboard ,I really wonder about it

[@testingtesting9046]

Best keyboard? Just wait till you use one like Cidoo QK61... sound of Pearl white switch is on a new level

[@HeceduHM]

Bro the whole video:🌛

[@JordanQuinn94]

lol, yeah... I've learned a lot about lighting and sound since making this video in February! It's a little bit rough (:

[@LukeRosas]

6380 Leffler Hills

[@atdhjybzrjgtqrbyf2684]

Smitham Walks

[@JammieKrey]

487 Cornelius Route

[@outtahereboi5276]

fun and informative video but please get some professional lighting haha!

[@JordanQuinn94]

lol thanks dude! I have, since this video, significantly increased my lighting and audio quality. (: Thanks for the feedback!

[@HornbyKent]

288 Wiza Mall

[@FredBarragan-k9l]

Schimmel Oval

[@MatthewMartin-u9l]

Thomas Carol Brown Lisa Wilson Patricia

[@zednellah1221]

sounds like an old typewriter whacking against wood

[@JordanQuinn94]

If I could do ANYTHING I would re record this video knowing what I know now about audio mixing 🫠🙃😂

[@NTR-Impact]

@@JordanQuinn94 Mixing has absolutely nothing to do with this. Sound is very consistent with other KZbin videos. I've tried it personally and there's that _"high pitched"_ annoying sound. My ears doesn't like that.

[@2livenoob]

Thank God these guys don't actually make saddles. Cuz they would minimize them beyond usefulness the way they do keyboards.

[@Nuka_Gaming]

HHKB best KB

[@MahiyaKhatun-q3p]

Perez Betty Perez Ronald Wilson John

[@dezra]

Came for a review on the HHKB Type-S and got basically nothing, just someone who only recently bought one, explaining Topre switches and a bunch of obvious stuff we all already know. Probably better to assume people searching KZbin for HHKB Type-S are probably keyboard enthusiasts who already know something about it and didn’t all just fall off the back of a turnip truck. Not a very useful review. The video is so dark. If you’re gonna use natural light, you wanna be facing the window, not side on to the light source (unless you’re going for this harsh side-lit face look). The camera pointing at the window is likely messing with the exposure and making everything look even darker. If you want that monitor as a prop in the background and don’t wanna move the desk for filming, use your own lights. Not sure if you’re new to Mac or what, but using such an incredibly low PPI monitor (49” 5120x1440? That’s ~109PPI) is a real shame. Switching to a proper full 5K (5120x2880) 27” display (or a pair of them) will give you the perfect ~218PPI (Retina) that MacOS is designed for. As a software engineer the difference in text sharpness will change your life. Retina will also make content creation much more enjoyable. A curved, high refresh rate, low PPI display like that is more suited to gaming than these types of tasks.

[@fushdrop]

it doesn't sound good..

[@JordanQuinn94]

Difference in opinion (: I love the sound and the type feel!

[@haybail7618]

as a someone who owns an hhkb hybrid, I very much love the sound of the keyboard. it is an acquired taste

[@NTR-Impact]

@@haybail7618 I disagree with the acquired taste. It's just not for everyone.

[@NTR-Impact]

Not for me. I don't like the sound and I don't like tactiles.

[@ИгорьНетонущий]

Keyboards like this are a mental disorder. If you have to hold function on a desktop keyboard to press very commonly used buttons like Delete, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down AND MF ARROW BUTTONS you have done something wrong as an engineer. It’s not like you are constrained by space like on a laptop. If you are concerned about desk space get a tlk or 80% and you will have vastly superior typing experience. I use a tkl because my desk is literally 70cm wide that way I don’t sacrifice comfort, mouse space and layout. I doubt people use smaller desks than me

[@NotBrayan_]

Cringe take

[@ИгорьНетонущий]

@@NotBrayan_ is that all your fisher-price keyboard can type?

[@NotBrayan_]

@@ИгорьНетонущий no, I don't have a HHKB. I built my own custom 75% board a while ago but you are just objectively cringe. I understand wanting easy access to some buttons that no one ever uses but you need to understand that your needs and use cases aren't everyone's. Other people can want different things from their keyboards. Also trying to flex that you have a tiny desk is just really cringe. "I dOuBt pEopLe uSe A SmAllEr dEsK tHaN mE!" Shut up

[@xvzf115]

Jimmies: rustled.

[@lawbinson]

I think everyone has a limit for how small they want to go on a keyboard. For me, I stop at a HHKB, and can't go smaller into a 40%. Even other 60%'s are a bit less functional for me unless they have the short right shift and fn key. Once I got used to it and also added a FN key on the left, the ability to bring keys to my fingers led to less movement of the hands needed. I use all the keys you mentioned and they are easily accessed on the HHKB with the right FN key. The only use case where I would change out to a TKL is gaming.

[@PeterBlanding]

9234 DuBuque Mountains

[@MstAmica]

03178 Effie Ramp

[@ConstanceJudy]

87285 Mayert Fords