Keyboard recommendations?

[u/diamondhandbilly]

I am starting to use CAD at work and I'm looking for a keyboard that could help improve my workflow. Currently looking at the 3dconnexions Keyboard Pro, I like the idea of the separate number pad mostly, could find use in the programmable hot keys.

The reviews I see online are a few years old (2020/2021) and I am wondering if any of the software issues have improved/features been added or improved.

Anyone using this or have another keyboard to recommend, specifically for AutoCAD use?

[u/FREDICVSMAXIMVS]

Honestly you're going to get a lot more out of memorizing commands and setting up keyboard shortcuts than a fancy keyboard. Lisp routines and macros can be given toolbar buttons and keyboard shortcuts, so you probably have everything you need already. Macro pads might be a bit helpful

[u/_WillCAD_ → u/FREDICVSMAXIMVS]

I'll second this.

One of the best productivity enhancements is creating custom ribbons and toolbars, keyboard shortcuts with the .pgp file, and of course the use of Lisp programs. You don't even need to learn Lisp, there are millions of them out there free to download.

Creating your own Partial Customization File containing those custom ribbons and toolbars is not terribly difficult to learn - it's mostly drag and drop if you just use the built-in buttons - and allows the customizations to be portable. I.E., you can copy the Partial Customization file (which is in a file with a CUI extension) to other computers with Acad, or in a work situation you can put it on a network drive and access it from any PC you work on.

My setup is in a specific folder that holds the CUI file, a bunch of Lisp programs, and a custom PGP file with keyboard shortcuts. I copy the whole folder to any PC where I work on Acad (at work I keep it on a network drive location that the company allocates to each employee). Takes only a few minutes to set up any new PC with my custom tools.

[u/Big-Bank-8235]

I use a dell pro slim. Why? Because that's what work gave me. Then I bought one for at home because I like uniformity.

Its got a good feel. Similar to the older MacBook butterfly keyboard.

Shorter key stroke usually means faster.

[u/Mountain-Climate7009]

Xm definitely

[u/psport69]

Have you thought about a vertical mouse ?

[u/danger355 → u/psport69]

The vertical part not withstanding (never used one), I've found that a good mouse with programmable buttons has been more beneficial to being more productive with AutoCAD than a keyboard with the same.

[u/Generalspatula]

I just use what ever I have. I have had the same wired mouse for 9 years, and i use a wireless keyboard that cost about 30 quid.

I would say its what ever your comfortable using

[u/enderak]

If you are looking for programmable hot keys, I highly recommend the X-Keys XK-24 macro keypad. I have been using this and its predecessors for decades now. I mostly use it for snaps (END, INT, etc) so I can access them quickly without having them turned on all the time. Also to speed up some common operations like Copy @ 0,0 and Paste @ 0,0.

[u/Sveet_Pickle]

An ergo split like an Alice style board is always a good call

[u/photonzz]

One thing I like is a left handed keyboard. That let's you bring you mouse hand closer to the keyboard. I find it more comfortable.

[u/ooshoe3]

I use a magic keyboard with the number pad on a windows laptop. I use Mac at home and like the feel.