Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by guru_meditation 1976 days ago
Writing this from a GPD Pocket 2 (see my reply above):

The key size is very similar to a standard laptop for most keys. The key travel is longer than that of a 13" MacBook Pro, and I guarantee it because I use both daily.

60+ WPM after a few days of use. Have 80-100WPM on my MacBook Pro.

The adjustment comes from having a QWERTY keyboard layout where some of the keys have been reduced in size to fit. Space bar is half the size, Return is the size of a standard key and you only get the left modifier keys (ctrl, fn, win, alt) and the keys past the letter P to the right are scattered elsewhere. IMHO very good trade offs as the arrow keys are full size. The coding keys (curly braces, brackets, pipe, etc.) are in a non standard location, so take longer to adjust to.

1 comments

I was referring to the GPD win. The pocket is a different category in terms of size.
Not that much really.

I use both a Pocket 2 and a Win2. They are very similar weight and while the Pocket has a larger footprint, it's not a big difference. If you can throw a Win 2 into your bag, chances are a Pocket 2 will fit too and not make the bag feel any heavier.

The Win 2 may be slightly more pocketable, but except for short periods I wouldn't pocket either of them except in cargo pants or jackets, and in those, either will fit.

The real difference between them is whether or not they are made to be used primarily on a tabletop (Pocket) or handheld (Win/Pyra), and arguably the Win line is not primarily made for productivity, so the keyboard is quite secondary.

Finally, I can't comment on the quality of the Pyra's keyboard since I have never handled one, but I haven't had any issue with Win 2's considering it's use case for me is mostly limited to the kind of things you'd use a on-screen keyboard for in a gaming console.

They are in a different category since the Pocket is not a "handheld" device. You can't use it without putting it on your lap or on a table.

The Pyra and the GPD Win series can however be used, and are made to be used in your hands. That's what I meant, it's not just about the footprint.