I'll start with my credentials so you know where I’m coming from. I am a… PC gamer of ~25 years, playing FPS games since ChexQuest; RTS since AOE2; and MOBA (Aeon of Strife) before DotA even existed; software engineer of ~15 years (Visual Studio, Eclipse, vim); R&D manager of ~3 years, (proficiency in MS Excel and GSheets). My experience and user-needs span the gaming, coding, spreadsheet, and typist arenas. I have little to no experience in photo/video editing. I expect my keyboards to work well for both home and office use-cases, and I like home vs office layouts to match for consistency.

75% vs. Wooting 80HE vs. TKL

Across 75%, 80HE, and TKL variants, the left side of the keyboard (e.g. 60% + F-row portion) is basically identical. F-row keys may be exploded, grouped horizontally, both, or neither. Depth of a keyboard is a factor here, but folks with a strong opinion on a particular F-row concern are more rare than common.

The right side of these layouts is where things get interesting...

Here are what I consider the primary points of variation with a focus on what "right-side" keys are truly necessary for gamers, coders, and white-collar workers. This establishes a "mandatory six" right-side keys, the loss of which would be a significant loss of efficiency.

Let's consider, then, how each of these layouts addresses these considerations. First in tabular form, then with bullets and some "soft" considerations...

• 75%

  • Smallest footprint, best centering KB to chair/monitor

  • 4-5 right side keys available, doesn't cover "mandatory" 6

  • 1.75u right shift key => worse accuracy/ergonomics

  • Non-standard (vs. 100%) right-side keys

• Wooting 80HE

  • Compromise footprint between 75% and TKL

  • 7 keys available covers "mandatory" right-side keys

  • 2.75u right shift key => better accuracy/ergonomics

  • Standard right-side key position

• TKL

  • Largest footprint, poor centering of KB to chair/monitor

  • 9 keys available covers "mandatory" right-side keys

  • 2.75u right shift key => better accuracy/ergonomics

  • Standard right-side key position

  • Fully separated arrow keys, may be strong preference

So where does that leave us?

It seems that the 80HE layout takes the keys you don't really need and removes them to get you 50% closer (from 3 "added" columns down to 2) to a 75% footprint while keeping the more familiar layout for the "right-side" keys that remain instead of squashing them all in a single, "tall" column as is done in 75% boards. 80HE does squish the arrow keys a bit to the left, but it critically keeps that full 2.75u right-shift key which should add considerably to typing accuracy and long-term ergonomic comfort. To reduce the footprint any further, you start giving up much more meaningful things: standard "right-side" key layout locations, standard-sized right shift key, and single-keypress access to several keys which this coder, spreadsheet jockey, and gamer would say are mandatory.

While I'm old enough now to be a bit codgery about change, approaching this with less emotion and more critical analysis has me asking the question: could/should this become the new standard tenkey-less layout with the "old standard" going the way of the dodo? The Wooting team disrupted the keyboard industry once, perhaps this is them about to do it again in a different fashion. If so, let's try not to be too much like Stewie! -- I don't like change!

P.S. There's already another board coming out with this exact layout over at EPOMAKER. A savvy meme-r might use the phrase "it begins..." -- EPOMAKER DynaTab 75X (also, Melgeek Cyber01)

P.P.S. If you got this far... what do you think about taking advantage of this time before release to rename the keyboard something that better conveys the above message that this IS in fact a TKL, but what Wooting believes to be a better version of it? Per MandyDeth's note that the Wooting design is 68% + F-row, the most appropriate name I can think of is:

Wooting 78HE TKL

Ok, this will be my first ergo, concave, titl, etc keyboard. i expect my typing speed will be a lot slower so i need to practice and learn.

I work in IT but not a developer so I dont spend hours on keyboard, which layout should i learn? i need this glove80 to work in both windows and mac.

I heard about, glorious engrammer, devorak, and i can’t remember the other one with dh. Please share your insights thanks!

So.. I just broke my fnatic ministreak and I wanted to change it, but I don't really know anything about good keyboards.
I was wondering if any of you could help me get a good keyboard for around 80€, that is 80% and can last for years.

I really like my ducky one 2, only I want something more ergonomic. I just want a keyboard thats split, ortholinear, and has the exact keys that a standard 80% has. I found a bunch that came close, but not a single one that's exactly like what I described. Does such a keyboard exist, or will I have to compromise?

Hello all, How are you all doing? When it comes to keyboard size I am fan of 60% mechanical keyboards. What is your preferred size/why? Ducky Mini 3 is my daily driver & use it for gaming.

I'm very conflicted about what I want for my first "real" board. (I have a Logitech g910)

At first I was thinking of getting a 100% bc I do use my numpad all the time. But now I'm thinking maybe I get a TKL or a 60% with a stand alone numpad. I'm just so up in the air.

I can understand 60/68% for compactness, and 75% to still be compact, but what's special in the extra keys you get in 80% size?

I want to learn touch typing and Vim afterwards. I'm looking for a new keyboard and I was wondering, whether a 80%(no num block) or 60%(no num block, no arrow keys, no insert/delete keys, no function keys etc.) layout is efficient for Vim?

Currently I'm using a 80%(no num block) keyboard(Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro S). Would you say a 60% layout would have disadvantages over an 80% layout(regarding Vim)? Which one would you choose?

Visual comparison:

80%(no num block)

60%(no num block, no arrow keys, no function keys, no insert/delete keys)

Thank you for your help! :)

1.I don't want it to be over £110

2.I want a black front plate and back

3.i want it took look like the varmilo keyboard layout with the arrow keys and the F1 keys and distance away from the main keyboard

about 0-55$

Right now I'm using a Keychron K6 and it's decent. But I would like to upgrade to an 80% keyboard. Preferably something that is hot swappable, material doesn't really matter as long as its not cheap plastic, can be used wired or wireless, wouldn't mind rgb but it definitely not essential. as for colors white or black, QWERTY layout, and lastly as clicky as possible. My budget is 250$. All suggestions and help are appreciated. I would also appreciate a reliable custom key cap site.

Hi Do you guys have any good build guides for any 80% keyboards. Looking to build my first keyboard.

Alright so I have done some research into 80% keyboards and while I am not trying to go broke buying a keyboard I do not see many 80% keyboards that sound good and have media control keys like volume control and pause/play etc. I saw the Corsair K70 but I just do not like the sound of the switches... I could always switch them out but thats honestly more work than I am willing to put in! If anyone has any suggestions I am open to it! (prefer something on Amazon but other keyboard suggestions are okay too!)

Have been using a membrane for 4 years now and decided it was time for a change. I'm looking for a keyboard that is 80%, and about in the 50-100$ price range. And of possible reccomending any keyboards where the switches are changeable. Thanks! Edit: I should also note that I'am pretty new to the keyboard scene in general so I really dont know much about keyboard or switches. I have only heard my friends talking about red, brown and cream switches. Dont really know the difference in them.