# Recommend a keyboard with lots of extra programmable buttons?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [July 3, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792 "2009-07-03T05:11:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/1 "2009-07-03T05:11:17Z")

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I am really drooling over this here [Logitech G-19](http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/keyboards/keyboard/devices/4956&cl=us,en) with a full set of 12 F-keys _and_ 12 “G” keys for extra macro programming goodness. But that built-in LCD screen is downright idiotic. I’m not a gamer; I want copious extra buttons for Emacs commands.

Anyone know of any similar keyboards without the l33t g4m3r lameness?

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**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/2 "2009-07-03T05:58:10Z")

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You might want to check out the [Avant Stellar](http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm). It’s expensive but very good.

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/3 "2009-07-03T06:00:56Z")

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Wowsers. That looks just like a Model M but with moar buttonz! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/4 "2009-07-03T06:16:48Z")

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It’s actually the reincarnation of the Northgate Omnikey. It’s allllmost as good as a Model M, plus it has the Windows keys. I have a classic Model M at home and the Avant Stellar at work, and I like them equally.

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**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/5 "2009-07-03T10:20:17Z")

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The G-11 is similar to the G-19 but without the LCD.

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**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [July 3, 2009, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/recommend-a-keyboard-with-lots-of-extra-programmable-buttons/501792/6 "2009-07-03T11:58:05Z")

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> [@Shalmanese](#):
>
> The G-11 is similar to the G-19 but without the LCD.

You are my hero. Not only does the G11 lack the lame-ass LCD, it has EVEN MORE buttons than the G19 does!