HHKB

I wasn’t looking for a new hobby.

I was looking for a better way to work and write.

As a developer, I spend hours every day typing code, notes, and ideas. I also use Vim heavily, so I’m already used to keeping my hands on the home row. Because of that, a compact keyboard without dedicated arrow keys never bothered me. In fact, it felt natural.

I’ve always had smaller hands, and many keyboards felt too large and tiring during long sessions. I wanted something compact, comfortable, quiet, and smooth enough to use every day.

That’s when I found the HHKB Professional HYBRID Type-S.

The price was 300 EUR.

It wasn’t a cheap purchase, but I saw it as a tool I would use for thousands of hours.

When it arrived, I still remember pressing the first key.

That soft “thock.”

That smooth electrostatic capacitive feel.

I immediately understood why people loved this keyboard.

It wasn’t just a keyboard.

It was a companion.

A Keyboard That Fits My Lifestyle

One of my favorite things to do is travel.

I love bringing a small setup with me, finding a quiet coffee shop, opening my laptop, and writing a journal about the places I visit and the thoughts I have.

That’s where the HHKB really shines.

It’s small enough to carry easily, quiet enough for public spaces, and comfortable enough for long writing sessions.

There’s something special about sitting in a café somewhere new, drinking coffee, and typing on a keyboard that feels completely familiar.

It makes traveling feel even more personal.

The Unexpected Rabbit Hole

At first, I bought the HHKB for productivity.

But eventually, I fell into the world of keyboard sounds.

Different switches.

Different cases.

Different typing experiences.

I started experimenting with sounds and discovering what I liked. Deep, clean, and satisfying sounds became my favorite.

Some people enjoy the sound of a fountain pen on paper.

I enjoy the sound of my keyboard while writing.

The HHKB started as a tool for coding.

Now it’s also a tool for creativity, journaling, and enjoying everyday moments.

I still believe in minimalism.

I don’t want many keyboards.

I just want one keyboard that feels like mine.

For me, that keyboard is my HHKB.

And tomorrow, I’ll probably take it somewhere, open my laptop, and write something new.