HHKB and the Art of Typing

The Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) is probably one of the most talked-about keyboards out there. Even for someone like me, who didn't have any particular preference for keyboards, I've long heard of its reputation and had the desire to own one someday. With its unique electrostatic capacitive technology, classic layout, and endorsements from legendary figures like Bjarne Stroustrup (the father of C++) and Richard Stallman (the father of Free Software), the HHKB has gained a near-mythical status, almost like a cult. At the same time, many people fail to understand the charm of the HHKB and wonder what makes it so special to its enthusiasts. As an HHKB user, I'd like to share some thoughts on its pros and cons, who it's best suited for, and along the way, touch on the broader topic of typing and input.

HHKB Type-S white

Why I Bought an HHKB

Before diving into a detailed review of the HHKB's strengths and weaknesses, let me briefly explain why I decided to get one. As mentioned earlier, I never had high demands for keyboards. I'd typically use whatever keyboard was available, and I was perfectly content with basic Amazon Basics or Microsoft office keyboards. In fact, compared to mechanical keyboards, I even preferred the short keystroke feel of membrane keyboards. For years, I used a full-sized keyboard for everyday tasks, but as someone who spends most of my time using the command line—specifically Vim and Tmux—my hands usually stayed on the left side of the keyboard. The right side, and even the function keys above, remained largely untouched. Over time, the right and upper parts of the keyboard became unnecessary, leading me to consider switching to a more compact keyboard. Given the HHKB's longstanding reputation and the release of its latest generation, I decided to give the unprinted HHKB Professional Classic a try. To my surprise, I quickly grew attached to it. While my personal favorite would have been the Type-S version, the latest Type-S models only come with Bluetooth, which raises security concerns for such an essential input device. I truly hope PFU releases a wired Type-S model again in the future.

HHKB Review

So, how did I feel after getting my hands on it? To be honest, my initial impression was one of disappointment. Right out of the box, I noticed that the four rubber feet weren't level, and two of the keys felt noticeably different from the others. I've never encountered such issues even with mass-produced office keyboards, and considering I had watched countless glowing reviews before buying, I had associated the HHKB with high-quality craftsmanship. This shattered the idealized image I had built up. After doing some online research, I found others complaining about HHKB's inconsistent quality control. After some deliberation, I decided to keep using it for a while before deciding whether to return it. Upon closer inspection, I realized the uneven feet were due to uneven glue application, which I was able to fix with a bit of adjustment. The inconsistent key feel also gradually smoothed out after about 24 hours of heavy use. Based on my experience, I'd say the hardware quality of the HHKB is solid, but the assembly leaves much to be desired, and there seems to be little to no factory calibration. Setting these issues aside, this keyboard is nearly perfect in my eyes. If you're curious about the HHKB, you can check out the official promo video below or read some of the many in-depth reviews available online. I won't rehash all the commonly known features here, but there are some personal insights I'd like to share in the following sections.

HHKB and Free Software

Many people are drawn to the HHKB because of its association with figures like Richard Stallman, who are also advocates for free software. So, it's worth noting that the firmware used in the latest generation of HHKBs is not free software, and there currently isn't any open-source alternative available. In the past, many HHKB models could be modified with open-source firmware like TMK, but for those who prioritize free software, I recommend sticking with older HHKB models that support TMK. However, according to TMK's author, hasu, the latest HHKB models might eventually support open-source firmware without hardware modifications. Let's wait and see how things develop.

HHKB's Layout and Portability

The most significant reason HHKB is loved by certain users is its layout, which is hard to fully describe in words. The official video does a great job of highlighting its advantages, but I can say that once Vim or Emacs users try it, there's often no turning back. As for its portability, while HHKB is marketed as a compact and portable keyboard, you might expect me to praise its portability. But in reality, without an HHKB, I used to only carry a laptop, but now I always feel compelled to bring the keyboard along too, which is a bit inconvenient.

Type-S or Not?

Personally, I prefer the Type-S version because the regular model is quite loud. It's definitely disruptive if someone is nearby. Of course, if you don't mind disturbing others, the sound of the regular version can be quite satisfying once you get used to it.

Is Unprinted Worth It?

Some people think that unprinted keycaps are just for aesthetics with no practical benefit, but I disagree. For anyone serious about touch typing, you shouldn't need to look at the key legends anyway, so printed keycaps become somewhat redundant. In contrast, unprinted keycaps can even help you improve your touch typing skills. The biggest challenge with unprinted keycaps is probably one-handed typing. If you need to type one-handed, you'll have to master one-handed touch typing, which is quite difficult for most people. As for me, I bought the unprinted version purely because it looks cool. Later on, I'll also share some thoughts on touch typing and text input.

Who Should Choose HHKB?

In general, people who choose the HHKB know exactly what they need, or perhaps it's more accurate to say the HHKB chooses its users. If you don't see the appeal of the HHKB, it's likely not for you. When other keyboards start falling short of your typing needs, that's when the HHKB stands out.

On Typing and Input

No matter how high-end a keyboard is, your typing rhythm ultimately depends on your skills. Mastering proper touch typing techniques lets you type effortlessly on any keyboard and greatly enhances the overall typing experience. Touch typing is essential for making the most of the HHKB. Nowadays, with the help of online tools, you can learn this skill relatively quickly. Here are two websites I recommend for touch typing practice:

In addition to regular practice, maintaining good posture helps improve typing speed and build correct muscle memory. Once you've mastered touch typing, you can focus more on the content itself rather than being distracted by your input method. No matter what tools or techniques you use, the goal should always be to serve the content. I hope all readers find a text input method that works for them and create even better content with it! ٩( 'ω' )و