Compact Keyboard Recommendations?

Question

Any recommendations for a high-quality compact (no number pad) keyboard, preferably $50 or less?

Criteria:

• $50 or less
• Preferably with laptop-style keys (scissor switches instead of rubber membranes ala cheap desktop keyboards)
• Quiet (I'm a Model-M kind of guy, but this isn't a good environment for a noisy keyboard)
• Don't care too much about media keys, USB ports, etc

I like the Apple Wireless Keyboard, and have heard the Happy Hacking keyboards recommended by others, but they're both a bit outside our budget.

There have been several questions about keyboards (check the "peripherals" tag) but none about compact keyboards as far as I can tell. Nobody demands more from their keyboards than programmers, so while it's a somewhat subjective question, I figured this is the best place to ask.

Answer 1

I bought the logitech newtouch keyboard which has a smaller footprint than a regular keyboard and it's great. Nice and quiet, no "multimedia keys" and has a nice feel. It's also great as a programming keyboard because the function keys aren't hijacked by those ridiculous "shortcuts" that are so common on other keyboards. You hit F5 and you get a build in visual studio. I bought it after buying the ultra flat which had a good feel to it, but the key layout was just awful.

Answer 2

This appears to be close enough to what you are looking for:

BTC 6100C Silver & Black 86 Normal Keys 9 Function Keys USB Ultra Slim Multimedia Keyboard

• It costs $20
• It has laptop-style keys with scissor switches
• It has media keys, which doesn't sound like a negative for you
• It has five eggs on NewEgg, with 32 user reviews
• Not sure if it's quiet since I don't own one (reviews didn't seem to mention it either)

Keyboard http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9f6982eb63.jpg

Answer 3

TypeMatrix (Does not meet your price-requirement, but for posterity's sake)

• Compact
• Ergonomic
• Available in Qwerty, Dvorak and blank (also with a variety of rubber covers)
• Laptop-style keys

Answer 4

What about those roll-up keyboards? They're definitely rubber membranes, but they're also extremely quiet and extremely portable. I'd be surprised if you can find a keyboard that fits ALL of the criteria you specified, but the roll-up keyboard at least hits all but one of them.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/5a7f/?cpg=ab

Answer 5

Keyboard layout, scissor switches, and good reviews by people who have used Apple keyboards, but want Windows/Linux keyboard layout: GMYLE (TM) Super Slim USB 2.0 Mini Keyboard