It is not common that something as well known as the Happy keyboard hacking! It gets redesigned from the ground up, and when that happens, those changes often draw criticism from long-time fans. Look at Porsche’s shift from air-cooled to water-cooled engines in the 911, or Microsoft’s transition to a more tablet-like interface for Windows 8. If people are used to something, they won’t appreciate seeing it change drastically, regardless of whether those changes are ultimately good or bad.
The latest version of the Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) introduces some big changes to the model’s nearly 30-year legacy, and it’s easy to see from the same perspective. Aside from the design, almost every aspect of this keyboard has been modified. Fortunately, many of these changes feel like improvements over previous versions.
The HHKB Studio is a 60% hot-swappable mechanical keyboard with Bluetooth connectivity, integrated touchpads, a built-in trackpoint, and a unique programmer-oriented layout. The Studio features a PBT plastic case and keycaps, multi-device connectivity, and keymap customization through the company’s proprietary technology. Keymap Tool SoftwareBut before we dive into this new version, we need to take a look at the legacy.
A legacy decades old
The Happy Hacking Keyboard has been around for decades. It was designed around the idea of a single, specialized, durable keyboard that could be used across multiple computers and operating systems (back in a time when this idea was novel and novel). Since then, it has been regularly updated to further refine its unique design and multi-device utility.
HHKB’s first model pioneered its unique design, removing the bottom corner keys, moving the backspace/delete key and adding a second key to the top right, and replacing the Caps Lock key with a Control key, which was easily accessible with the pinky. In subsequent iterations, the keyboard transitioned from a traditional rubber dome design to Topre electrocapacitive switches, added a USB port, and eventually introduced Bluetooth connectivity. Throughout each generation, however, the unique design has remained consistent. While the latest model has remained faithful to the design, nearly every other aspect of the keyboard has been tweaked.
Photography: Henri Robbins
One of the most defining factors of the HHKB was the Topre electrocapacitive switch: a soft, tactile switch with a rounded bump created by a rubber dome over a tapered metal spring. The HHKB was one of the only keyboards available with these switches, which was both a blessing and a pain. They were exceptionally pleasant to type on, but at the same time, the rarity of Topre switches and their unique construction made modifications to the switches or keycaps much more difficult. Instead of being able to remove and replace individual switches, any modifications involved taking apart the entire keyboard.
Now, HHKB Studio has adopted the MX-style switch that has become nearly ubiquitous on modern mechanical keyboards, bringing it closer to the world of modular keyboard designs. But rather than stick with an existing mechanical switch, the company has designed its own MX-style switch in collaboration with Kailh, a well-known aftermarket switch manufacturer.
Other notable changes include the new trackpoint in the center of the keyboard, low-profile mouse buttons below the space bar, and touch-sensitive “gesture pads” on the front and sides of the keyboard. The HHKB Studio also maintains the previous generation’s wireless functionality and retains the extensive use of PBT plastic on the case and keycaps. Bluetooth functionality is enhanced with an LED bar on the top left of the keyboard, and the quick-set DIP switches on the back are now hidden behind a battery cover.
Feeling of writing
HHKB Studio’s switch from Topre to MX-style switches is a controversial one – you could say that it “sold out” by moving to MX-style switches. However, that would be ignoring an important detail. These switches are fantastic to type on. They combine the unique sound and feel of Topre tactile switches with the smoothness of a modern linear switch, creating a muted linear switch that produces a smooth, deep, satisfying click. I’ve never felt another switch like it. And, for fans of Topre switches, I think this is the best possible linear equivalent.
Taking apart the switches, they appear to be constructed in a similar fashion to Kailh’s clicky switches. Specifically, the design is reminiscent of the Box Navy and Box Jade switches. The only major difference is that the actual click mechanism (a small spring called a “click bar” that adds a tactile bump and produces a sound when pressed) Has been deletedAdditionally, a sound-dampening pad has been added to the bottom of the switch housing.