HHKB Studio and HHKB Professional series are two different product lines, and our plan is to develop and support both series. Professional series will continue to use Topre switches.
Our new HHKB original key switch is a linear mechanical switch designed by our engineers specifically for use on HHKB Studio, and manufactured by Kailh.
In the future, we may plan to release 3D data of the HHKB Studio keytop to enable easy creation of custom key tops for these three keys.
Note: You are responsible for the use and installation of compatible switches and key tops.
HHKB Studio's pointing stick is an original (exclusive) product, so we cannot verify its compatibility with other third party products and parts at this time.
Note: The replacement pointing stick can be requested from HHKB support as a repair part.
We cannot verify the compatibility of any commercially available mouse key caps at this time. If replacement parts are needed, please contact HHKB Support.
HHKB is a legacy product designed by and for programmers. However, as exemplified with application such as "Visual Studio Code", the style of coding has expanded to need both a GUI such as a pointing device and text input device. HHKB Studio bridges these two technologies together to optimize the programming experience for users of these coding environments.
Likewise, with these advanced input features such as our Gesture Pads and mouse functionality, creators of any kind can greatly benefit from HHKB Studio. This includes film and graphic editors, sound designers, etc.
Furthermore, if you are a person looking for an overall optimal typing experience, this keyboard may be perfect for you.
There are two points: Immersion and Customizability.
- Sense of immersion - Today's front-end engineers have more opportunities to edit and distribute video and audio as well as pure programming, and the value of silence in creative work is growing. In order for these front-end engineers to be able to "immerse" themselves in creative work, a linear type switch with minimal noise was the optimal solution. The answer is the adoption of the Cherry MX compatible key switch "HHKB Studio Original Kailh Linear 45 G."
- Customizability - Continuing the tradition of 27 years, the Professional series works as a great "out-of-the-box" solution, not requiring any modifications to output incredible performance and satisfaction. At the same time, the switch adopted is a Topre capacitive switch with little room for customizability.
This time, HHKB Studio has proposed a new concept as a completely different product line for the Professional series.
One of its core concepts is customizability. As for the key switches, we actively adopted the Cherry MX-compatible key switch, which is one of the most versatile key switch in the world, and made the keyboard hot-swappable, while ensuring high quality and high performance.
This makes it possible for each user to create their own perfect keyboard, personalized to their specific preferences and needs.
The Professional series will continue to use Topre capacitive switches and continue to be sold at the same time.
The HHKB Professional Series will continue to use Topre capacitive switches. Both Professional and Studio series are regarded as high-quality products and cherished by the HHKB family.
HHKB Studio is compatible with switches with MX-style 3- and 5-pin mechanical switches (for example, made by Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, etc.) in normal profiles.
Please prepare the key puller for the key top and the key puller for the key switch.
Note: A key puller is provided with an optional key top set. (Integrated for Key Top and Key Switch) You can also use commercially available products.
- Please remove the key top first.
- Then remove the switch. Please refer to the following for how to use the pincer.
- Main key (except mouse button): Pull out across the top and bottom of the key switch.
- Mouse button switch: Hold the left and right sides of the key switch and pull it out.
Updates to the firmware can be made through the Keymap Tool Software. You can download the Keymap Tool from here: https://happyhackingkb.com/download/
Note: There are two different Keymap Tools, one for HHKB Professional Series and one for HHKB Studio series. Make sure to pick the proper one designated for your keyboard.
No. HHKB Studio utilizes a different application than HHKB Professional, so to change HHKB Studio keymap, you will need to download the HHKB Studio Keymap Tool software application.
Currently, charcoal and snow are the only two colors of HHKB Studio.
There are no changes in terms of functionality. The color variation is added as a new color to allow customers to select and customize to their style and preference.
The USB cable that is included with HHKB Studio Snow is white instead of black.
Yes, the color is the same as HHKB Professional Snow. However, color may appear slightly different due to differences in materials and manufacturing.
Since it took time to reproduce the snow-white color, we first released the product in the charcoal color, the most popular color in the Professional series.
The Gray used for the key top legends is PANTONE Cool Gray 6 C. The font type and size are the same as HHKB Studio Charcoal: Helvetica Regular, 15.
No, they cannot. They can only be used with the series for which they were saved.
We had the idea before the launch of the charcoal model. In addition, after the launch, we received strong requests from some experts and customers, so we made the change due to the following reasons:
- To make it easier for others to apply the customized keymap
- To make it easier to update other profiles based on your customized profile
Yes, they are lubricated.
Size: 2U.
*English layout space bar only, 6.25U.
Yes, they are lubricated.
SPCC steel plate
Professional and Studio, respectively, as follows
HHKB utilizes a unique, 60% key layout. In this layout, where Caps Lock normally is (next to the "A" key), Control is placed to maximize typing efficiency and comfort. So, to access Caps Lock, you will need to press Fn + Tab. If you would rather Caps Lock somewhere else, you can utilize the HHKB Studio Keymap Tool to designate Caps Lock to your personal preference.
The user is responsible for any damage or loss caused by the user during the assembly/re-assembly of the product, or damage or loss caused by the use of third party or non-OEM parts.
The ultimate all-in-one input device. Minimal movement, endless creativity.
1.5 months or more* (4 alkaline AA batteries used)
* (Test value in our company environment, not guaranteed value)
If the operating system supports mouse functionality, then the mouse functions will work. For iPhone, since it does not currently support mouse functions, the pointer stick and mouse buttons will not work.
For gesture pads, this requires changing the profile depending on the operating system of the smart device.
For example:
Profile 1 = Win/Android
Profile 2 = MacOS/iOS/iPadIOS
6 million key strokes.