HHKB Professional Pro: My first Topre keyboard

I’ve had my eye on a Happy Hacking Keyboard for a few years now because I’ve always liked how they looked. I’ve also been somewhat interested in trying out a keyboard that had Topre switches in them, so I recently decided that there was no time better than the present to pick one up and see how I’d actually like it.

One of the things that immediately stood out to me when I received it was just how light and well-made the keyboard is. You can easily take it places with you with no problem although you should probably have a keyboard roof for it so you don’t damage they keys and/or switches in whatever style bag you put it in.

I really like how the Topre switches feel and they are relatively quiet even without having the “Type-S” (silent) version of the keyboard. Although, I must admit that I am used to using very clacky mechanical keyboards.

The keyboard has DIP switches on the bottom of it hidden behind a little panel which let you change various aspects of its functionality. I adjusted mine to enable “Windows” mode, turn the Delete key into Backspace, and disable “Power Saving” mode.

I also bought the PFU Color Key Top Set (PD-KB400KT01) to add a little pop of color on the Esc and Ctrl keys which looks really nice, but I would have loved to have had a colored keycap for the FN key as well.

It’s an excellent keyboard all around, but if I ever purchase another one it will probably be the wireless variant of it called the Happy Hacking Keyboard Hybrid.

Are Topre switches mechanical in nature like all the rest of my keyboard collection? Well, The debate will rage on in that regard, but I like to think that they are at least to some degree. They are electrostatic capacitive in nature with a rubber dome on top, but they also use a proper spring at the bottom so that the keys can be registered via the sensor.

Regardless of that though I highly recommend that you check out these switches for yourself if you ever have the opportunity to do so.

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