Ok, so this is really aimed at those people that use the Adobe suite of software on the PC platform. I am in the market for a new keyboard but everything I read refers to how good a particular keyboard is with gaming. I need to know what keyboards are out there that would actually help my productivity in the applications arena. What do you good people use and how does it help you?
Designers - what keyboard do you use?
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Typically gaming is mentioned as there is often a need for the ability of the keyboard to register multiple simultaneous keypresses, and/or the ability to assign a set of keystrokes to a single button.
Unless your current keyboard doesn't allow enough simultaneous keypresses for the shortcuts you are using, you won't need to worry about that part.
However - you may find that the Macro function could be useful - but things like Photoshop have the ability to do something similar anyway!
Most importantly I would guess is to have a keyboard that you feel comfortable using for extended periods of time!
Unless your current keyboard doesn't allow enough simultaneous keypresses for the shortcuts you are using, you won't need to worry about that part.
However - you may find that the Macro function could be useful - but things like Photoshop have the ability to do something similar anyway!
Most importantly I would guess is to have a keyboard that you feel comfortable using for extended periods of time!
USB KU-8933 is the exact model num. Only reason I am listing that is I can't stand keyboards that are not totally solid. USB for the aforementioned multi-key press which PS/2 can't support. At home I have a G15 but I don't really program at home anymore. That PC is for games, 'net and porn.
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Sounds like you need to give some feedback to Logitech for your home keyboard so they can develop a "hands free" version for you
The biggest leap in productivity, in terms of hardware for designers, comes from a graphics tablet. Do you have one?
To address your question more directly, I use a G15 at home - I can't recall ever using the macro keys; chalk up another victory for needless shinylust - and an old but very solid Compaq PS/2 standard keyboard at work [where I'm always in at least one Adobe app].
I don't need any fancy buttons; the apps have plenty of shortcut keystrokes [and are even configurable in the latest versions], and there's a small amount of satisfaction to be gained from skipping through a sequence of keystrokes to achieve something ['Photoshop c-c-c-combo bonus!']. It also makes you look as though you really know what you're doing when a non-designer is peering over your shoulder
Additionally, getting used to a standard keyboard means that you can transfer your skills to any other Adobe-bloated computer. Well, unless it's a Mac
Funny you should bring up the tablet question. The short answer is I don't but I am in the process of organising my workspace better that would allow me to have one. Your input (excuse the pun) on what to look for, size etc, would be most useful. I have been seriously looking at the Intuos but would certainly welcome existing tablet users opinions.
Indeed - Wacom, without question.
I would have recommended a Graphire to start with, but it looks as though they've phased them out, and I'm not sure whether the Bamboo range are any good or not. Maybe you could get one of t'Ebay?
Intuos tablets are a definite step up, though, but of course that includes the cost.
Regarding size, I'm not sure that an A4 tablet is necessary for most Photoshop users. It must get to a point where the sweep of the arm when going from extreme edges of the screen/tablet starts to become tiring and begins to hamper productivity.
In my opinion, it only starts to become justifiable to go A4 or above when you're either doing something more artistic that involves big sweeping gestures, or if you do a lot of tracing.
I guess it depends on what you do, and what you want to do. And what you want to pay, obviously
Though a quick look reveals that the difference in price between sizes isn't as much as it used to be
For what it's worth, I've used A6 tablets professionally for years - pro photolab image manipulation/restoration and web design - and can only recall a handful of instances where I felt I needed something larger.
I would have recommended a Graphire to start with, but it looks as though they've phased them out, and I'm not sure whether the Bamboo range are any good or not. Maybe you could get one of t'Ebay?
Intuos tablets are a definite step up, though, but of course that includes the cost.
Regarding size, I'm not sure that an A4 tablet is necessary for most Photoshop users. It must get to a point where the sweep of the arm when going from extreme edges of the screen/tablet starts to become tiring and begins to hamper productivity.
In my opinion, it only starts to become justifiable to go A4 or above when you're either doing something more artistic that involves big sweeping gestures, or if you do a lot of tracing.
I guess it depends on what you do, and what you want to do. And what you want to pay, obviously
Though a quick look reveals that the difference in price between sizes isn't as much as it used to be
For what it's worth, I've used A6 tablets professionally for years - pro photolab image manipulation/restoration and web design - and can only recall a handful of instances where I felt I needed something larger.
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Special keyboard for design? Eh?
I get by fine on my laptop keyboard....most of Adobe's shortcuts are letters or some combination of shift and control keys.
As others have said, a tablet might be useful but only if you can draw
I get by fine on my laptop keyboard....most of Adobe's shortcuts are letters or some combination of shift and control keys.
As others have said, a tablet might be useful but only if you can draw
Not really - you'd be amazed at how much better a tablet is for most Photoshoppery. Using a pen is much more precise than using a mouse, whether it's creating paths or selections, working on pixels, clone-stamping etc.[...]As others have said, a tablet might be useful but only if you can draw
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Apple wired keyboard at work.
Apple wireless keyboard + wacom A5 wide at home(I think best sized wacom if you use widescreen monitor)
Does me perfectly
Apple wireless keyboard + wacom A5 wide at home(I think best sized wacom if you use widescreen monitor)
Does me perfectly
Not really - you'd be amazed at how much better a tablet is for most Photoshoppery. Using a pen is much more precise than using a mouse, whether it's creating paths or selections, working on pixels, clone-stamping etc.
Hmmm, I tried one...wasn't convinced. Might be time to give it another go though.
I had a tablet when I had more desk space, and i got so used to it that I used it for all my other mousings too, but I had to give it up and now just get it out for photoshop toolbox work.
As far as a keyboard is concerned, I used to try and look for a concave design, but they all seem flat these days, but not really sure if it makes a difference.
I saw a review of the Apple Mac Pro, which raved about the spacing between the keys, which I had never really thought of as a typing aid, but when I bought a Sony laptop with similarly spaced keys, it was a godsend. No more typos (weel almoost!) I am probably going to get a similar desktop keyboard, but so far have anly found a mac one to share the flat, spaced out design, and I need the al the windows keys.
As far as a keyboard is concerned, I used to try and look for a concave design, but they all seem flat these days, but not really sure if it makes a difference.
I saw a review of the Apple Mac Pro, which raved about the spacing between the keys, which I had never really thought of as a typing aid, but when I bought a Sony laptop with similarly spaced keys, it was a godsend. No more typos (weel almoost!) I am probably going to get a similar desktop keyboard, but so far have anly found a mac one to share the flat, spaced out design, and I need the al the windows keys.
Oh, don't get me wrong - there is a period of adjustment required before one gets up to speed, but while both mouse and pen are equal in terms of technical precision, the pen is naturally more nimble and responds to the extra subtleties that fingertip control allows.
If you want an analogy, get a bar of soap, stick a length of graphite from a retractable pencil into one of the large flat faces so the graphite is protruding from the face... and then try writing your signature with it
