SK-8115: the Legend Continues

2020 is here. First of all, Happy New Year to you all!

At the end of 2019, I went to Vancouver with my classmates and stayed there until after new year's day. On the last day of 2019, we went skiing in Grouse Mountain. This is the second time in my life that I skied. The first time was a few years ago. (I can’t even remember when it was, but I firmly believe it was during junior high school). However, the memory about me skiing for the first time many years ago is still vivid, and I can still remember how to ski! (muscle memory?)

Grouse Mountain is really amazing. As the cable car slowly rises, the tree tops gradually had snow on it. And you had a hunch, that you kinda know what scenery you will see on the top of the mountain. In the end, the snow-capped landscape on the top, the transition from no snow to all snow, really impressed me.

Of course, I still managed to learn something while having fun. I figured out how to turn, and I now can glide freely on small slopes without falling.

I have always wanted to talk about the keyboards that I own over the past few years

Until yesterday (20200107 PST), I have owned three keyboards.

The first one is the DELL SK-8115 purchased on Taobao for 68 RMB (about 13 CAD) in February 2017. This keyboard stayed with me during a very good period of time in my life. At that time, I ran the data in the lab every night and also wrote tons of code for my epiGTBN package, and sometimes I didn't go back to the dormitory until 2 or 3 or 4 A.M. In the meantime, I also have to take daytime courses and do mathematical modeling training for CUMCM, but I was not feeling tired at all.

The reason why I chose this keyboard at the time was that, on the one hand, I lacked a keyboard for coding, on the other hand, I was too shy on money to buy mechanical keyboard. But mainly the first reason, because I didn’t care for the mechanical keyboard at that time (I still don't). I remember wanting to "buy a strong, durable, and good feeling keyboard" and started searching online. I found out many people recommend this model, so this is the one I got.

Time has proved that SK-8115 is indeed lived up to its reputation. Some folks even go as far as calling it "the king of membrane". I think it's low-cost, and not as mushy as your garden-variety membrane keyboard, so it gives a very good tactile feedback.

Of course, this is not a no-brainer when it comes to buying a keyboard. Please remember that this is a 10-buck price range keyboard. It is impossible to have an experience that is several times more than its value. There will always be a 'invisible ceiling'.

That being said, I do believe if you want a keyboard that is durable, waterproof, cheap, and feels good to type on, then SK-8115 is your choice.

Unfortunately, my SK-8115 only followed me for a little more than a year and a half. During the holidays, I left the keyboard in the laboratory and it disappeared during the vacation. Fortunately, the keyboard itself is not expensive, so I didn't actually try really hard to look for it and all that. I just hope whoever took it treat it well.

My second keyboard is Microsoft's Ergonomic 4000. I actually have this keyboard during the same time I have my SK-8115. But it is too big to carry around. I usually put it in the dormitory. The keyboard feels excellent, build quality is sound, and it is healthy to my wrist.

The third keyboard is the Plum Niz micro 84 Bluetooth / Wired Dual Mode electro capacitive keyboard 35g. I don't see myself getting used to ihe key arrangement of HHKB. Plus the Plum Niz one is only 130 CAD, not expensive compared to HHKB.

Yesterday, I bought another keyboard. Still SK-8115. The reason? I just don't want carrying the Plum Niz and commute between home and office every day. If I buy another keyboard, it will definitely help. There is a Salvation Army Thrift Store not far from the school, and last time I checked, there are some keyboards for sale. So I thought maybe try it out to see what I can find.

There are a few HP's classic KU series keyboards. I haven't looked at the specific models, but they all looked like this:

Unfortunately, they all have PS/2 interface. I can't use it without a converter.

There are also a few Lenovo SK-8820 (I did not look at the model at that time, but it feels like 8820):

I then managed to find a Microsoft curve 3000, in good condition, not much scratches.

I was ready to buy it at the time, but then I found a few keyboards lying in the corner. And I immediately recognized the compact shape: SK-8115!

At the time, there were three SK-8115, and the other two have black bezels. Only one had a silver frame, so it was particularly standing out. And it is really clean with only some dust on key caps. Looking at the price, 5 bucks (CAD 5.35 tax included), pretty good.

After I got home, I found out that the SK-8115 with silver frame is actually pretty rare. It was called the "elite version" at that time. That's sweat.

Conclusion

I don't think I will get another keyboard in a while. I don't have any more spare room to pack them. And I am pretty satisfied with my current keyboard setup. So there.