Comparing HHKB Classic and Niz Plum 35g Hands-On

Because I wasn't accustomed to the feel of the membrane keyboard at work, I brought my own keyboard to the office. Surprisingly, I found that after coding for a while, my fingers started to hurt. After comparing various options, I ended up purchasing the Niz Plum 35g. Later on, I noticed that the HHKB Classic had recently reduced in price, and with my interest in tactile switches reignited, I couldn't resist buying it as well.

Disclaimer: I understand that there are other brands out there, but my personal aesthetics align with these choices. This post is not meant to discuss other brands or insist on buying one over the other. I'm not into custom keyboards because I neither want nor know how to get into that. This is simply a personal sharing of experiences and open for friendly discussions.

Current Usage Scenarios:

At work, I use HHKB because my job involves working on CentOS, and I frequently use VSCode and Vim. So, the HHKB is my choice for the office. At home, I primarily use Windows, and my choice of editors depends on my personal learning needs. That's where the 80+ key Niz keyboard comes in handy.

User Experience:

I quickly fell in love with the Niz Plum 35g. It has a gentle touch, but it also provides a different kind of feedback compared to membrane keyboards. If I were to describe a membrane keyboard as a sheet of paper, the Niz keyboard feels as comfortable as petting my own cat. The customizable keypress distance on the Niz keyboard has been a game-changer for me. Admittedly, the keycap craftsmanship is a bit rough, but I don't really notice it during regular typing.

Later, when I got the HHKB Classic, I found that it was comparatively heavier, especially with its 45g switches. However, the HHKB offers a crisper and more tactile feel. It has a distinct keypress sensation. The layout took some getting used to, and despite my stubbornness in buying an unprinted version based on my preferences, I quickly adapted. I must say, I have a weakness for compact keyboards like this one. However, I do acknowledge that its use case is rather limited, so I keep it at the office. In the end, I love both keyboards.

Bought the same one on Amazon